Foreign residents in Austria face increasingly stringent Austria citizenship requirements, with upcoming changes poised to elevate hurdles for naturalization. The current government coalition, comprising the centre-right People’s Party (ÖVP), centre-left Social Democrats (SPÖ), and liberal NEOS, intends to tighten these regulations further.
This move significantly impacts international individuals planning long-term settlement in the Alpine nation. Moreover, it aligns with Austria’s broader anti-immigration agenda. Vienna-based attorney Balazs Esztegar, an expert in citizenship law, highlighted the demanding nature of Austria’s naturalization process compared to other countries.
Esztegar identified four primary challenges for aspiring citizens. First, applicants must prove a significant period of legal residence in Austria, typically 10 years. However, this period can reduce to six years in specific cases, for example, marriage to an Austrian national. During this time, applicants cannot spend more than 20 percent of their residence period outside Austria.
Second, German language proficiency poses a major obstacle. Currently, a B1 level is required. Nevertheless, this standard will likely increase to B2 within the next six months, following a government agreement from last year. Third, financial stability is crucial. Applicants must demonstrate a stable income and must not have relied on public benefits within a specified timeframe.
Finally, a clean legal record is essential. Even minor infractions, such as parking tickets or other fines, can create issues during the application process. Beyond these criteria, the entire naturalization procedure often proves lengthy and complex, as authorities conduct extensive background checks.
Despite recent relaxations of dual citizenship rules in neighbouring Germany, similar reforms are improbable in Austria. Esztegar noted that restrictions on multiple nationalities are deeply embedded in Austrian law. Furthermore, there is little current political will to change this stance, particularly among conservative and right-wing parties.
However, dual citizenship is possible under certain circumstances. For instance, children born to parents of different nationalities, such as one Austrian and one Italian, may acquire dual citizenship by descent. Descendants of victims of Nazi persecution can also retain their original nationality when becoming Austrian.
Esztegar expressed sympathy for foreigners frustrated by this issue. He believes the strict single-citizenship rule is inconsistent with modern global realities. Many exclusions already exist, and people increasingly travel and live abroad, making a reassessment timely.
Some right-wing politicians contend that Austrian citizenship is granted too easily. A Freedom Party (FPÖ) member, for example, recently suggested that refugees from 2015 received citizenship “as a gift.” Esztegar firmly refutes this claim. He clarified that even asylum seekers must fulfil all legal Austria citizenship requirements, stating he is unaware of any instance where citizenship was simply “given away.”
Ultimately, pursuing citizenship offers practical benefits. Esztegar advises anyone considering an application to prioritize learning German. This skill is critical, he asserts, especially as language requirements are set to become more demanding.
