Nationality of Austria: all obtaining pathways
Austria is among Europe's most demanding countries: naturalization calls for ten years of continuous residence — six with exceptional integration — German at B1 or B2 and the mandatory renunciation of the previous nationality. Marriage to an Austrian opens it at six years, and extraordinary merit carries no fixed minimum.
1Naturalization by residence
Naturalization by residence
Requirements
- 10 years of lawful and uninterrupted stay in Austria, 5 with a settlement permit (physical presence ≥80% of the time: max. 20% absences)
- Valid settlement permit (Niederlassungsbewilligung)
- Secured means of subsistence without prolonged social assistance
- No pending criminal convictions or proceedings
- No threat to public order or extremist links
- Renunciation of the previous nationality (where applicable)
- Knowledge of German (B1 certificate or 2 years of schooling in German) and of the democratic constitutional order
Documentation
- Valid passport
- Residence certificate (Meldezettel)
- German B2 or B1 language certificate
- Proof of income for the last 3-6 years
- Criminal record certificate (Strafregisterbescheinigung)
- Declaration renouncing the previous nationality
2Naturalization through marriage to an Austrian
Naturalization through marriage to an Austrian
Requirements
- 6 years of lawful and uninterrupted stay in Austria
- Shared household (gemeinsamer Haushalt) with the Austrian spouse for 5 years and marriage/registered partnership still valid
- Valid settlement permit
- Secured means of subsistence
- No criminal convictions
- Knowledge of German (B1) and of the constitutional order
Documentation
- Marriage certificate
- Passport of the Austrian spouse
- Residence certificate
- German B2 language certificate
- Proof of income
- Criminal record certificate
- Declaration renouncing the previous nationality
3Nationality by descent (ius sanguinis)
Nationality by descent (ius sanguinis)
Requirements
- At least one parent is an Austrian citizen at the time of birth
- For children of an Austrian father and an unmarried foreign mother: acknowledgment of paternity or proof of filiation
- Children born abroad to an Austrian father and a foreign mother require the parents to marry or paternity to be acknowledged
Documentation
- Birth certificate of the Austrian parent
- Birth certificate of the applicant
- Austrian civil registry documents
- Where applicable, proof of marriage or acknowledgment of paternity
4Naturalization for extraordinary merit
Naturalization for extraordinary merit
Requirements
- Extraordinary merit in science, sport, art or business
- Legal residence in Austria
- Adequate German language level
- Full economic self-sufficiency
- No criminal record
- Renunciation of the previous nationality
Documentation
- Proof of extraordinary merit (awards, publications, patents, etc.)
- Residence certificate
- German language certificate
- Proof of income
- Criminal record certificate
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Austria
How many years of residence does Austria require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Austria (Naturalization by residence), the term is 10 years of lawful and uninterrupted stay (5 of them with settlement status "Niederlassung"). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Does Austria allow dual nationality?
Renunciation of the previous nationality (where applicable)
Can the nationality of Austria be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Naturalization through marriage to an Austrian pathway (6 years of lawful stay + shared household for 5 years and a valid marriage/registered partnership with an Austrian). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Austria require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Valid passport; Residence certificate (Meldezettel); German B2 or B1 language certificate; Proof of income for the last 3-6 years; Criminal record certificate (Strafregisterbescheinigung); among 1 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Austria?
Austria provides 4 pathways: Naturalization by residence, Naturalization through marriage to an Austrian, Nationality by descent, Naturalization for extraordinary merit.
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