-1.png?width=2316&height=2192&name=logo%20peter%20(1)-1.png)
Citizenship
Immigration Law
Insights
By sending a message, you agree that we may write to you on WhatsApp about your inquiry. Unsubscribe anytime with STOP.
Document checklist for Austrian citizenship.
A missing document can delay your application by months. Here you can see what the authority usually asks for and what needs to be translated.
What is your situation?
Check whether you meet the requirements for Austrian citizenship
Answer 5 short questions and find out whether you are ready to apply.
How long have you been living in Austria without interruption?
Only continuous, legal residence counts towards citizenship.
Do you have a valid, registered residence status in Austria?
e.g. registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung), residence permit or EU citizen registration.
Is your German at B1 level or higher?
A certified B1 certificate (e.g. ÖSD, Goethe) is required for citizenship.
Do you have a clean criminal record in Austria?
No criminal convictions in the last 5 years is a requirement.
Can you prove sufficient income or financial means?
Employment, self-employment, a pension or provable savings all count.
In short
- Which documents you need depends on your route: descent (Abstammung) or grant of citizenship (Verleihung).
- You file the application for a grant of citizenship with MA 35 in Vienna, otherwise with the office of the provincial government (Amt der Landesregierung).
- Documents in a foreign language need a certified translation, and foreign certificates often need an apostille.
- The authority may ask for further documents in individual cases.
New: step by step
Where to get each document
For each document: the issuing office, costs, validity and ready-made texts to copy for your property manager, employer, district court, bank and embassy. Plus a timeline and the costs of MA 35.
Checklist
Which documents do you need?
Which documents you need depends on your route to citizenship: descent or grant. Whether you already meet the requirements is explained on the page When can I apply?.
Route 1 · Descent
Proof of citizenship from birth
- Birth certificate
- Birth certificates of the parents
- Marriage certificate of the parents, or acknowledgment of paternity or court determination
- Certificate of citizenship of the Austrian parent
- Official photo ID and registration confirmation
Where? In Vienna at the citizenship records office of MA 35, appointment by phone or email. Abroad at the Austrian embassy. Guide (in German) →
Where do I file the application?
Competent authority
You file the application for a grant of citizenship with the citizenship authority of your federal province, in Vienna with MA 35MA 35Municipal Department 35 of the City of Vienna: the immigration and citizenship authority. In the other federal provinces, the office of the provincial government (Amt der Landesregierung) is responsible., otherwise with the office of the provincial government. From abroad, you apply through the Austrian embassy.
Getting an appointment with MA 35 often takes a long time. If you instruct us, we file on your behalf without you needing your own appointment at the authority.
Route 2 · Grant of citizenship
Documents for the application for a grant of citizenship
This list contains the documents that are usually requested. The authority may ask for further documents in individual cases; we prepare a list tailored to your procedure. Each item leads to the step-by-step guide (in German).
Person
- Valid passport
- Biometric passport photo (no more than 6 months old)
- Birth certificate
- Signed CV from birth
- Police clearance certificates (Strafregisterbescheinigungen) from your country of origin and from countries where you lived for more than 3 months
- Proof of German at level B1 (B2 for the 6-year route)
Family
Housing & money
- Social insurance data extract (Versicherungsdatenauszug)
- Proof of income from January 2020
- Rental agreement and proof of rent costs
- Loan and leasing agreements, maintenance payments
- KSV self-disclosure (free of charge, valid for 8 months)
- Confirmation from the district court about enforcement proceedings
- Two MA 35 forms
Tip: For income, the last six years count, and the last six months before the application must be included. MA 35 requires proof from January 2020. How income is calculated.
Translation
Do documents need to be translated?
Yes. All documents in a foreign language need a certified translationCertified translationTranslation by a generally sworn and court-certified interpreter. The authority can require it for every foreign-language certificate.. Certificates from your country of origin (birth or marriage certificate) additionally need an authentication or apostille. The authority will tell you exactly which certificates this applies to.
Briefly explained
Terms
- Police clearance certificate: certificate stating whether convictions are recorded.
- Credit register extract: information from a creditor protection association (e.g. KSV1870) about loans and payment behaviour. MA 35 accepts the free self-disclosure.
- Certificate of no arrears (Rückstandsbescheinigung): confirmation from the tax office about any outstanding tax arrears; mainly for self-employed people.
- Apostille: simplified authentication of public documents between states party to the Hague Convention.
Questions we get asked
Documents: short answers
Where do I file the application for citizenship?
In Vienna with MA 35, in the other federal provinces with the office of the provincial government. If you live abroad, you apply through the Austrian representative authority.
Do I need a police clearance certificate from my country of origin?
As a rule, yes. The authority requires police clearance certificates from your country of origin and from countries where you lived for longer. Clarify beforehand how recent the certificate must be.
What is an apostille?
A simplified authentication of public documents between states party to the Hague Convention. For states without this convention, a diplomatic authentication is usually required.
Your checklist
Which documents do you personally need?
Choose your route and answer a few questions. You get a checklist to tick off.
Step 1: Your route
Copied. Paste the list into a message.
Nothing is sent automatically. The list stays in your browser until you copy or send it.
For guidance only. This is not legal advice. The authority may ask for further documents. Where to get each document (in German) →
Packages & prices
Flat-fee packages for citizenship.
You know the full costs before you start.
- ✓ Personal consultation with our experts
- ✓ Review of your documents
- ✓ Filing of the application with MA 35, without an appointment of your own at the authority
- Everything in Basis, plus:
- ✓ Legal representation in the procedure
- ✓ Responses to all letters from the authority
- Everything in Plus, plus:
- ✓ All communication with the authority
- ✓ Regular follow-ups with MA 35 to push for a decision
- ✓ Obtaining Austrian documents
- ✓ Appeal (Bescheidbeschwerde) if your application is refused
Prices per applicant. If you instruct us, the initial consultation (€180) is deducted from the package price. No hourly rates. All package details →
How we work
Three steps, from the first conversation to the decision.
Initial consultation
At a flat fee of €180. We listen, go through your documents and tell you honestly where you stand.
A clear assessment
You know exactly what is realistic, what it costs and what happens next, in writing.
We get started
We file applications, monitor deadlines and keep you informed by e-mail, phone or WhatsApp, in your language.
Team
The people behind your case.
Mag. Igor Matejuk, BEd
Mag. Adrian Zitter
Looking for the whole team? Meet everyone →
Contact
How to reach us.
Unsere Erfolge
Aktuelles aus der Praxis.
1010 Vienna (Stephansplatz)