Austrian citizenship by award
naturalisation
Austrian citizenship can generally be awarded after 10 years of legal, continuous residence, at least 5 of them on a residence permit; an early route after 6 years exists for people with German at B2 or proven sustainable integration. Applicants need German at B1 (Integration Agreement Module 2), must pass a citizenship test, show stable own income over 36 months, and usually give up their previous citizenship.
Life in Austria
Money
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
85
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
20–55%
Income tax (national)
VAT 20%
0% up to EUR 13,539; 50% from EUR 104,859; 55% on income above EUR 1 million (temporary through 2029).
Living
1
Happiness
#18 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Dual citizenship for you Members
Whether this country allows dual citizenship, and what it means for your own passports
Who it’s for
Long-term legal residents of Austria.
Eligibility
Residence
You need 10 years of legal, continuous residence, including at least 5 years with a residence permit.
Residence time
- General rule
- 10 years
- With residence permitwithin the 10 years
- At least 5 years
- Early awardwith extra conditions
- 6 years
- Early award example: German at B2
- Early award example: proof of sustainable personal and professional integration
Official wording
In general 10 years of legal and continuous residence, including at least 5 years with a residence permit. Early award after 6 years with, for example, German at B2 or proof of sustainable personal and professional integration.
German
Pass Module 2 of the Integration Agreement (B1), unless you are exempt.
- Language level required: B1
- Exemptions may apply
Official wording
Pass Module 2 of the Integration Agreement (B1), unless exempt.
Citizenship test
Written multiple-choice test on democracy and Austrian/provincial history, unless exempt.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementIncome
- Document checklistApplication form (Verleihung der österreichischen Staatsbürgerschaft)
- FeesApplication fee (Vienna)
The full requirements are for members
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- 3 more requirements
- 4 documents
- 3 fees
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Austria
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