Austria Citizenship Requirements

Ten years, including five settled

The ordinary route requires ten lawful, uninterrupted years, including five with qualifying settlement status. Settlement is not identical to any residence permission or to permanent-residence status alone; the authority lists several qualifying permits.

Absences and the decision date

The guidance permits at most 20% of the relevant period outside Austria. Actual residence must be evidenced, and the period is assessed through the decision date, not frozen at application.

Six years for defined cohorts

Six qualifying years can suffice for EEA nationals, Austrian-born applicants, specified Austrian-spouse or registered-partner cases, B2 German, or demonstrated sustained integration. General naturalisation conditions still apply; none is an unconditional shortcut.

German and civic knowledge

The ordinary language baseline is CEFR B1 through Module 2 or accepted equivalent evidence. A separate citizenship test covers democratic principles and Austrian and provincial history. Educational evidence and statutory exemptions require individual checking; B2 belongs to a shorter-route alternative.

Support, conduct and application

The ordinary support test uses qualifying regular income for 36 months within the preceding six years, including the final six months before application. Criminal, immigration and security conditions also apply. Apply personally to the competent provincial authority, which determines required documents.

Previous nationality usually relinquished

Applicants normally give up their prior nationality. Where it is not lost automatically, Austria generally first issues an assurance, followed by release within two years if possible and reasonable. Only the competent authority decides exceptions; do not renounce without checking the sequence.