18.11.2013
Reform of Austrian Citizenship Law

On August 1, 2013 new provisions of the Austrian Citizenship Act came into force.

In general, under the previously applicable regulations it was possible to obtain an Aus-trian Citizenship only after 10 years of legal and continuous residence in Austria. Ac-cording to the new provisions of the Austrian Citizenship Act well-integrated immigrants can obtain Austrian Citizenship already after 6 years of residence in Austria. In order to obtain Austrian Citizenship after 6 years of residence in Austria, an applicant must fulfill in addition to general prerequisites (e.g. no court convictions, proof of sufficient means of subsistence in the last 3 years) one of two following conditions:

1. Knowledge of German language on B2 level according to the Common Euro-pean Framework of Reference for Languages which can be provided by lan-guage certificate;

Or

2. Knowledge of German language on B1 level according to the Common Europe-an Framework of Reference for Languages and proof of substantial personal in-tegration, in particular by at least three years of occupation in the educational, social or health sector or at least three years of voluntary work for a charitable organization.

This new regulation and other amendments to the Austrian Citizenship Act, which are not described here, will result in a facilitated naturalization procedure.

Our lawyers are pleased to provide you with individual advice.

Vienna, August, 2013