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Citizenship
Immigration Law
Insights
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Dual citizenship: may I hold two passports?
As a rule, Austria allows only one citizenship. There are exceptions, however. A mistake here can cost you your Austrian citizenship.
What applies to you?
In short
- As a rule, Austria allows only one citizenship.
- If you have had both since birth, you may keep both.
- If you are Austrian and take on a foreign citizenship, you first need approval to retain your Austrian citizenship.
- When citizenship is granted, you have two years after the assurance of citizenship to give up your previous one.
The basic rule
Only one citizenship
If you apply for Austrian citizenship, you must, as a rule, give up your previous one. If you are Austrian and take on a foreign citizenship, you will, as a rule, lose your Austrian citizenship. Three exceptions are important.
Exception 1
Both since birth
If you acquire Austrian citizenship and a foreign citizenship through your parents at birth, you may keep both. You do not have to choose at 18. The law of the other state governs the second citizenship.
Exception 2
Retention before acquisition
Do you want to take on a foreign citizenship and remain Austrian? Then you must apply for retention of citizenship (Beibehaltung)Retention of citizenship (Beibehaltung)Approval to remain Austrian even though you acquire a foreign nationality (§ 28 StbG). It must be granted before the acquisition.Legal text in RIS → beforehand and receive written approval.
- because of achievements or a special reason in the interest of the Republic
- because of a reason in your private and family life that deserves special consideration
- for minors, if it is in the best interests of the child
Exception 3
Grant without renunciation
When citizenship is granted, you first receive an assurance of citizenship (Zusicherung)Assurance of citizenship (Zusicherung)A notice (Bescheid) promising the grant on condition that you prove within two years that you have left your previous nationality (§ 20 StbG). If a requirement ceases to be met, the assurance is revoked.. You then have two yearsDeadline: two yearsFrom the assurance of citizenship, to prove that you have left your previous nationality (§ 20 Abs 1 StbG). to give up your previous citizenship and prove this.
There are exceptions if giving it up is not possible or cannot reasonably be expected, or in the case of extraordinary achievements.
Important
Get approval first, then accept
If you acquire a foreign citizenship at your own request before retention has been approved, you automatically lose your Austrian citizenship when you acquire it (§ 27 StbG§ 27 StbGA person loses citizenship if they acquire a foreign nationality on the basis of their application, their declaration or their express consent, unless retention was approved beforehand.Legal text in RIS →). In the worst case, you face statelessnessStatelessnessNo state recognises you as its national. Consequences: no passport, restricted freedom to travel, often no access to social benefits.: no freedom to travel, no social benefits, a legal limbo.
Reasons that may deserve consideration include, for example, care duties in the family, a double household, professional reasons or disadvantages under inheritance law or real estate transfer law. Discuss your reasons with us before you tell the authority anything.
Questions we get asked
Dual citizenship: short answers
Will I lose my Austrian citizenship if I take on another one?
Yes, if you acquire the foreign nationality at your own request and retention was not approved beforehand (§ 27 StbG). The loss occurs automatically on acquisition.
Do I have to choose at 18 if I have had both citizenships since birth?
No. If you acquired both at birth, you may keep them under Austrian law. What the other state requires depends on its law.
When is retention approved?
For example, if it is in the interest of the Republic because of achievements or a reason that deserves special consideration, or because of a reason in your private and family life that deserves special consideration, and for children also in the best interests of the child (§ 28 StbG).
Next step
Have your case checked
In the initial consultation, we clarify whether an exception may apply to you and how the application must be justified.
Packages & prices
Flat-fee packages for citizenship.
You know the full cost before you start.
- ✓ Personal consultation with our experts
- ✓ Review of your documents
- ✓ Filing the application with MA 35, without an appointment of your own at the authority
- Everything in Basis, plus:
- ✓ Legal representation in the proceedings
- ✓ Responses to all letters from the authority
- Everything in Plus, plus:
- ✓ All communication with the authority
- ✓ Regular follow-ups with MA 35
- ✓ Obtaining Austrian documents
- ✓ Appeal (Beschwerde) against a refusal notice
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.
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 up to date 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)