Are you eligible for an Austrian passport based on Jewish family heritage?

During World War II Austria was captured by the hands of the German Nazis, which led many Jews to escape the country, and countless more Jews were put in concentration camps, where many of them perished. The Austrian government now acknowledges its part in the war, and so the country has recently set a new law that enables the descendants of Austrian Jews to obtain Austrian citizenship.

As the initial form of the Austrian citizenship law limited the eligibility circle, new amendments were made in 2019, to allow even more Austrian descendants to receive citizenship. Those who are eligible and wish to obtain an Austrian passport will have to get citizenship first.

The Austrian passport is one of the most powerful in the world, and those who hold it can enjoy many benefits, such as free travel, work and residence in any of the European Union countries. ?In this article, we will review the new amendments made to the Austrian citizenship law, how can one obtain Austrian citizenship, what are the benefits of the Austrian passport, and how to issue it.

What amendments were made to the Austrian Citizenship law and why?

Up until not so long ago, the option of receiving Austrian citizenship was very limited. Previously the law was comprised of very strict conditions. For example, citizenship could only be obtained through a paternal side, and those who served in the Israeli standing army were not eligible for citizenship. Furthermore, passing a language test was also mandatory to get citizenship, and proof of financial stability was required as well.

In 2019 the Austrian government recognized Austria’s responsibility for the atrocities made against the Jews during World War II, and a proposal to amend the law was made. This proposal was unanimously accepted by the Austrian parliament in 2019. The new amendments led to further updates to the Austrian citizenship law , and in 2022 new regulations were introduced, expanding the eligibility circle even further.

The new amendments stipulate that the citizens of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, or stateless people, who lived within the borders of Austria as they are today, and whose center of life was in Austria. Are eligible for citizenship. However, there is another condition - these people have to have left the Austrian territory before May 15, 1955. The descendants of former citizens of Austria are of course eligible as well.

How to apply for Austrian citizenship?

If you are eligible by the definition of the Austrian citizenship law, for Austrian citizenship, you can apply for it. The application process consists of several stages. The first stage would be to gather documentation that proves your eligibility. If do not have adequate proof, the is a way to obtain the relevant documents , by conducting an archival search. By reaching out to archives in Austria, you will be able to find documentation about your ancestor, which will unequivocally prove your eligibility.

The next step would be preparing the required documentation from your origin country. You will have to collect different official documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and more. All of the official documents will then need to be translated into German and be approved by a notary. Then, the translated documents must be stamped with an apostille. You will also have to get your passport authenticated by the Austrian embassy in your country of residence. The final step before submitting the requests will be to fill out the application forms in German.

The application will then be submitted to the Austrian Citizenship Department in Vienna. The application processing will take approximately 12-18 months on average.

How to issue an Austrian passport?

Once your application has been approved, you will be invited to the Austrian embassy in your country of residence, to receive a naturalization certificate. On the same occasion, you will be granted the option to apply for an Austrian passport. After that, it should take a few months from the date of application, until your passport is issued.

What are the benefits of an Austrian passport?

The Austrian passport is positioned in the honourable 4th place in the world, which means it is very powerful. This passport allows its holders to travel to 189 countries without a visa. Additionally, since Austria is one of the 27 countries that are members of the European Union, the holders of the Austrian passport can travel, work, and study in any of these countries with no limitations.

If I obtain Austrian citizenship can I pass it on to my children?

The answer to this question can either be positive or negative, according to specific conditions.

If you obtained your Austrian citizenship before your children were born, you can pass it on to them without the need to submit an application. For your children to get their citizenship you will be required to register them at the Austrian citizenship. This is a simple and quick procedure that you can execute without professional help.

If you obtained your Austrian citizenship after your children were born, they too will be required to submit an official application to obtain Austrian citizenship. Note that you do not have to obtain citizenship yourself in order for your children to obtain citizenship. Furthermore, all eligible generations can submit their application simultaneously.

Will my spouse be eligible for Austrian citizenship?

Those who are eligible for Austrian citizenship are the direct descendants of the persecuted from Austria. This means that if you are eligible due to one of your ancestors being persecuted by the Nazis, your spouse who is not a direct descendant will not be eligible for citizenship. However, should you decide to live in Austria, your spouse will be able to be a legal resident in Austria, and in due time get naturalized.

Interested in an Austrian passport? Contact our experts

Decker, Pex, Levi, and Rosenberg law firm specializes in the process of obtaining Austrian citizenship, specifically for those from Jewish origin. We can help you determine your eligibility for citizenship, and get the required documentation to prove your eligibility. We help our clients through the application process, to ensure a smooth a simple process. You are welcome to contact us for more information.