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Strict requirements and a ban on dual citizenship — informational
Austrian naturalization (Einbürgerung) is among the strictest in Europe. Anyone naturalized in Austria must as a rule renounce the previous citizenship — § 27 and § 28 Staatsbürgerschaftsgesetz (StbG). This page is informational and not legal advice; it summarizes the procedure based on public sources.
Dual citizenship PROHIBITED
10 yrs
Standard residence
B1
German (B2 in some provinces for 6-year track)
~700–1,500 €
Total fees
12–36 mo
Processing time
Austrian naturalization under the Staatsbürgerschaftsgesetz (StbG) requires uninterrupted residence of at least 10 years (§ 10 para. 1 no. 1 StbG), German language at level B1 (B2 in certain provinces for accelerated tracks), continuous employment with sufficient income and a clean criminal record. The central difference compared to Germany is the prohibition on dual citizenship.
The procedure is run by provincial authorities — the Bundesland citizenship office. In Vienna this is MA 35 (Magistratsabteilung 35); in other provinces, different offices. Processing time is between 12 and 36 months, depending on the completeness of the file and the office workload.
Think before applying
The standard path requires 10 years of uninterrupted lawful residence and fulfilment of all conditions listed below. Additional conditions may apply on accelerated tracks.
At least 10 years of lawful uninterrupted residence in Austria, of which at least 5 years must be permanent residence (Niederlassung). Short absences do not break continuity, but longer ones can (§ 10 para. 1 no. 1 StbG).
B1 certificate (Goethe, ÖSD, telc) or proof of completed schooling or studies in German. In some provinces (Vienna, Lower Austria), B2 is required for the 6-year accelerated track.
Test with 18 questions on Austrian history, geography, democratic order and rule of law — federal and provincial level. Cost around 30 euros. The test is organized by the provincial authority.
Continuous employment or self-employment with sufficient income to cover living costs. No receipt of social welfare (Sozialhilfe, Mindestsicherung) for at least 30 of the last 36 months.
No serious convictions in Austria or abroad (criminal record extract from each state of residence). Minor offences are tolerated, but an active proceeding generally blocks the application.
Written declaration of loyalty to the Republic of Austria and its constitutional order. Active participation in extremist or anti-constitutional organizations disqualifies automatically.
As a rule, renunciation of the previous citizenship is required before acquiring Austrian (§ 10 para. 1 no. 6 StbG). Exception: § 28 StbG — Beibehaltungsgenehmigung, rarely granted.
Certain situations allow shorter residence — 6 years instead of 10. The best known are: marriage to an Austrian citizen, exceptional integration achievements, EEA/EU citizens with long-standing integration, and specific humanitarian grounds.
The spouse of an Austrian citizen, married for at least 5 years (and resident in Austria for at least 6 years), can be naturalized after 6 years instead of 10 (§ 11a StbG).
Demonstrated outstanding integration — B2 German, long-term volunteer work, special professional or sporting achievements, or completion of education in the Austrian system. The assessment is discretionary.
Citizens of the European Union or the European Economic Area with demonstrated integration may attempt the 6-year path, while Serbian citizens generally take the standard 10-year path.
Discretionary assessment
§ 28 of the Staatsbürgerschaftsgesetz provides a rare option to keep the previous citizenship when acquiring Austrian. It is granted only exceptionally and only on narrowly defined grounds. Practice is restrictive — the permit is more an exception than a rule.
The Beibehaltung application must be filed BEFORE acquiring the foreign citizenship — a retroactive permit is not possible. The procedure can take a year or more, which must be factored into the overall plan.
Without the permit — automatic loss
The civics test is mandatory for most applicants and consists of 18 questions in several parts: federal level (Austrian history, democratic order, Constitution) and provincial level (history and geography of the specific Bundesland). Cost around 30 euros. The test is prepared and conducted by the provincial authority (in Vienna: MA 35).
18
Questions on the test
~30 €
Test fee
9 + 9
Federal + provincial part (approximate)
Preparation
The procedure is led by the provincial office where you are registered as resident. The following is an indicative sequence — actual deadlines and documents depend on the Bundesland.
Before filing, verify that you meet all conditions (residence, B1, income, criminal record). Many offices offer pre-application consultations or checklists.
Register for the Staatsbürgerschaftsprüfung at the responsible provincial office. A passed test is valid for filing the application.
Passport, registration certificate (Meldezettel), residence proof, B1 certificate, income and employment proof, criminal record extracts (Austrian and foreign), birth and marriage certificates with apostille and translation.
The application is submitted in person to the provincial office (in Vienna: MA 35). You pay a procedural fee, but the main fee is due only upon acceptance of the application.
The office reviews the file, requests supplements as needed, possibly conducts an interview, and decides. Processing time 12–36 months.
Upon a positive decision, the applicant renounces the previous citizenship (confirmation from the consulate of the country of origin), takes the solemn oath (Gelöbnis), and only then becomes an Austrian citizen.
Anyone naturalized in Austria as a rule must renounce the previous citizenship. For Serbian citizens, the renunciation procedure runs through the Serbian consulate or the Ministry of Interior of Serbia (MUP), under the Citizenship Act of the Republic of Serbia.
The Austrian office typically issues a conditional decision (Zusicherungsbescheid) — a guarantee that Austrian citizenship will be granted as soon as the applicant provides proof of renouncing the previous one. Only upon proof of loss of Serbian is the Austrian one formally granted.
Period without citizenship
The naturalization procedure is run not by federal but by provincial authorities. This means cost, document list and expected duration differ by Bundesland. In Vienna, MA 35 is competent.
| Bundesland | Competent office | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Vienna | MA 35 | Largest caseload; often the longest waiting time |
| Lower Austria | Amt der NÖ Landesregierung | Bezirkshauptmannschaft as first contact |
| Upper Austria | Amt der OÖ Landesregierung | Linz and district authorities |
| Salzburg | Amt der Salzburger Landesregierung | Filing via the Bezirkshauptmannschaft |
| Tyrol | Amt der Tiroler Landesregierung | Innsbruck and district authorities |
| Vorarlberg | Amt der Vorarlberger Landesregierung | Bregenz |
| Carinthia | Amt der Kärntner Landesregierung | Klagenfurt |
| Styria | Amt der Steiermärkischen Landesregierung | Graz |
| Burgenland | Amt der Burgenländischen Landesregierung | Smallest Bundesland; relatively fast procedure |
~700–1,500 €
Total fees and charges (varies by Bundesland)
12–36 months
Processing time
Long absences (more than 6 months in one year) can break continuity and reset the 10-year clock.
Active receipt of Sozialhilfe or Mindestsicherung in the last 36 months (more than 6 months) is treated as a rejection ground.
Conviction for serious crimes (prison over 6 months, certain types of fraud) permanently blocks the application. Lighter convictions may be a hurdle only while still entered in the criminal record.
Outstanding taxes, unpaid health or pension contributions can be a rejection ground as evidence of incomplete integration.
Status of dual citizenship by country (Austria in the DACH context)
Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte and other Austrian residence titles
Bilateral agreement, totalization, proportional pension
Overview of all paths: Serbian under Article 23, German, dual
Last updated: April 2026.
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