Citizens who have lived in Austria for at least 10 years can apply for citizenship in Austria. If you would like to know how to get citizenship in Austria in 2025, and the formalities imposed, we suggest you get in touch with one of our lawyers for legal guidance. Our Austrian citizenship lawyer can provide specialist legal advice.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Nationalities accepted (EU/Non-EU) |
Both EU and non-EU |
|
Business investment option (YES/NO) |
Yes |
| Real estate investment option (YES/NO) |
Yes |
| Other investment options (if available) |
– Government bonds, – forming a joint venture |
| Living requirement in Austria (YES/NO) |
Yes |
| Residence or direct citizenship option |
Major contributions to the economy of Austria through investments |
| Direct immigration with family members (YES/NO) |
Yes |
| Family members allowed to join the program |
Children, parents, grandparents |
| Residence visa/citizenship processing time (approx.) | Between 24 and 36 months |
| Additional financial requirements for family members (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Time frame for obtaining citizenship/residency by investment |
Minimum 5 years with permanent residence permit |
| Dual citizenship permitted (YES/NO) |
No |
| Reasons to choose Austria |
– multiple business opportunities, – excellent standards of living, – high quality education and healthcare |
| Personal income tax rate | Ranges between 0% and 55%, depending on the incomes |
| Visa free travel to other countries (approx. number of countries) | Around 192 |
Table of Contents
How can I get citizenship in Austria in 2025?
The formalities for Austrian citizenship are simple if you seek the help of our lawyers. In addition to being required to stay in Austria for at least 10 years, citizenship candidates must also meet other conditions. Let’s review some of these:
- Authorities are demanding proof of a stable income in Austria. Bank statements are also sufficient.
- Applicants must show that they have a positive attitude towards Austria.
- A clean criminal record is needed.
- Knowledge of the German language is required.
- Some standard forms will be filled in with personal data.
- Proof of domicile in Austria is required. Current bills are sufficient.
- A birth certificate and identity document (or passport) are required.
- Proof of payment of the citizenship application in Austria is required.
These are some of the formalities to consider if you are wondering how to get citizenship in Austria in 2025. As the process may seem complicated at first glance, we invite you to talk to our Austrian citizenship lawyer. Also, more about immigration to Austria can be discussed with one of our local experts. Our immigration lawyers in Austria are at your disposal, including for obtaining residency in Austria.
Here is an infographic with information about citizenship in Austria:
How to become a citizen of Austria by making investments
Making investments ranging from EUR 800,000 to EUR 10 million in the form of a joint venture is another possibility to get citizenship in Austria. Also, direct investment in a present business on the market that creates jobs is another option. Such donations to a relevant public project are also permitted. Here are some requests for how to become a citizen of Austria by making investments:
- Applicants must prove that they are active investors in Austria.
- And in this case, the Austrian authorities demand a clean criminal record.
- A birth and marriage certificate, plus a valid passport are required for an Austrian citizenship application.
- A resume containing business background information is also required by the authorities.
- References from other foreign investors or collaborators are also accepted.
- The key ministries of Austria are the institutions that analyze citizenship by investment in Austria for foreign applicants.
- There will also be a background check when processing the application.
- The family can also be part of the citizenship process in Austria by investment.
What is important to note is that applicants should not give up their current citizenship. So, if you want more information on how to get citizenship in Austria, we invite you to discuss all the details with our Austrian citizenship lawyer.
We invite you to watch a video presentation we have prepared about Austrian citizenship:
Other ways to become a citizen of Austria
Citizenship by marriage and by descent are other ways in which a foreign national can gain this status in 2025. If you are married to a foreign national or if you can prove that you have relatives in this country, then you are already qualified for Austrian citizenship. All that remains is to discuss all aspects with our Austrian citizenship lawyer.
One should note that if the parents of a child are not married the father is a citizen of Austria, and the mother is from another state, the child obtains Austrian citizenship by descent. This can happen only if the father recognizes paternity within 8 weeks following the birth of the child.
Citizens who were forced to leave Austria before 9 of May 1945 due to fear of persecution or who have suffered such persecution or were mistreated because they defended the democratic Republic of Austria can re-establish their Austrian citizenship by declaration, and no further requirements.
Reacquisition of Austrian citizenship
There are special situations in which various citizens want to reacquire Austrian citizenship. Here are some explanations in this sense:
- Women of Austrian origin who married foreign citizens and thus lost their citizenship can apply for reacquisition only after the death of their husband or after divorce. These rules apply to marriages that took place before September 1, 1983.
- Former Austrian citizens who have had this citizenship for at least 10 years and who lost it at some point can benefit from the simplified procedure. There is the obligation to be present in Austria for this step and to renounce foreign citizenship.
- Likewise, the reacquisition of Austrian citizenship can also involve people who were forced to leave Austria or were persecuted before May 9, 1945. A declaration is sufficient to regain Austrian citizenship.
Certain situations can be complicated from a legal point of view, especially when it comes to the reacquisition of citizenship in Austria. For these reasons, we advise you to talk to one of our lawyers in Austria and find out what steps to follow in the desired approach.
What happens in case of loss of citizenship in Austria?
Austrian citizens who want to apply for a foreign nationality will automatically lose their citizenship in Austria. Also, people who want to join the army voluntarily in a foreign country can lose this status. There are also cases in which Austrian citizenship can be revoked if the person in question works in a country that is in conflict with Austria or that directly affects the country’s interests.
We also mention that people who fail to revoke the former citizenship, within a maximum of 2 years, once they have obtained the Austrian one, can lose the latter one. However, there are also people who want to give up Austrian citizenship willingly, and the process is possible, considering a few formalities.
Obtaining an Austrian passport after citizenship
Once you become an Austrian citizen, you will receive a passport. This document is among the most powerful in the world, respectively the fourth worldwide, in terms of importance. Also, with an Austrian passport you can travel without restrictions in the countries that are part of the Schengen area, as well as in other countries, around 188, where entry visas are not required. You can travel to Argentina, Bahamas, Bermuda, Brazil, Fiji, Hong Kong, Japan, or Malaysia. However, entry visas are offered to countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Madagascar, Maldives, Qatar, etc.
Citizenship updates for 2025
Because Austria is facing a labor shortage in certain important sectors, the authorities want to lower the minimum income required when applying for Austrian citizenship. The aim is to make the formalities much simpler for foreign citizens residing in Austria who already contribute to the country’s economy. It is expected that in 2025, the Citizenship Law and related policies will be amended to simplify the nationality path for foreigners. Healthcare workers, caregivers, technical professionals, etc. can enter this category of workers. At the moment, these types of workers must earn an extra EUR 1,217 per month (other sources than salaries are also accepted) to prove they can financially sustain themselves when applying for Austrian citizenship.
Want to know more about how to get citizenship in Austria? We invite you to contact our law firm in Austria. An Austrian citizenship lawyer will take over your case and tell you more about immigration to Austria.