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Citizenship
Immigration Law
Insights
Is my income enough for Austrian citizenship?
The authority checks your income over 36 months. Here you can see what counts, what is deducted and which amounts apply in 2026.
Your situation
Income calculator
Is your income enough on paper?
Enter your monthly net amounts. The calculator deducts the free board value (freie Station) from your expenses and compares the result with the reference rate (Richtsatz) for your household.
Household
This means a shared household.
Wages and salary, income from self-employment, statutory maintenance, insurance benefits. No social assistance and no private payments from family or friends.
To people outside your household.
For guidance only. This is not legal advice. For citizenship, the average of 36 months within the last six years counts. Status: October 2026. Source: § 293 and § 292 Abs 3 ASVG in RIS (reference rates 2024 to 2026, free board value 2026), § 10 Abs 5 StbG.
In short
- You need a fixed, regular income of your own: the average of 36 months within the last six years.
- The last six months before the application must be included.
- Rent, loans and wage garnishments are deducted, but an allowance is not counted.
- Your income is compared with the average of the ASVG reference rates (Richtsätze) of the last three years.
Basic requirement
Sufficient income
Citizenship is only granted if your livelihood is secured. You must prove a fixed and regular income of your own: on average over 36 monthsPeriod: 36 monthsWithin the last six years before the application; the last six months before the application must be included (§ 10 Abs 5 StbG). within the last six years before the application. The last six months before the application must always be included.
Social assistance benefitsSocial assistance (Sozialhilfe)Social assistance or minimum income support (Mindestsicherung) of the federal provinces. During the relevant period, your own income must allow you to live without these benefits. do not count, nor do benefits you would only be entitled to as a citizen. You can find the other requirements under When can I apply?.
Reference rates 2026
How much must be left over?
The decisive figures are the reference rates (Richtsätze) for the equalisation supplement under § 293 ASVG§ 293 ASVGReference rates for the equalisation supplement (Ausgleichszulage), adjusted every year. For citizenship, the average of the reference rates of the last three years counts (§ 10 Abs 5 StbG).Statutory text in RIS (in German) →, namely their average over the last three years. The amounts below are the reference rates for 2026. They are net amounts per month, meaning what reaches your account after tax and social insurance.
€1,308.39
for single people
€2,064.12
for married couples and registered partners living in the same household
+ €201.88
for each child
The reference rates are adjusted every year. Status: 2026.
What counts
Income
- Wages and salary
- Income from self-employment
- Statutory maintenance payments
- Insurance benefits
Private payments from family or friends do not count, even if they arrive regularly. You must not have received social assistance (Mindestsicherung).
What is deducted
Regular expenses
- Rent
- Loan instalments
- Wage garnishments
- Maintenance paid to people outside your household
An allowance is deducted from these expenses, the so-called free board value (freie Station)Free board value (freie Station)Amount under § 292 Abs 3 ASVG that is deducted once from the regular expenses (§ 10 Abs 5 StbG). It is adjusted every year.. In 2026 it amounts to €386.43.
Worked example
Single person
Daniel S. is single, has no children and has been earning €1,980 net per month for four years. His rent is €890.
- Expenses: €890.00 − €386.43 free board value = €503.57
- Countable income: €1,980.00 − €503.57 = €1,476.43
- Reference rate for single people: €1,308.39
Result: The income is sufficient (simplified calculation using the 2026 reference rates).
Worked example
Family with two children
Mr and Mrs H. earn €2,920 net together. They have two children and pay €1,350 rent and a €150 loan instalment per month.
- Expenses: €1,500.00 − €386.43 free board value = €1,113.57
- Countable income: €2,920.00 − €1,113.57 = €1,806.43
- Reference rate: €2,064.12 + 2 × €201.88 = €2,467.88
Result: In this case the income is not sufficient. However, which months are included in the calculation can be decisive. Have your figures checked before you apply.
Questions we get asked
Income: short answers
How much do I need to earn for citizenship?
After deducting rent, loans and wage garnishments, your income must reach the reference rates under § 293 ASVG, namely their average over the last three years. In 2026 the reference rate for single people is €1,308.39 net per month.
Which period counts?
You choose 36 months within the last six years before the application. The last six months immediately before the application must be included (§ 10 Abs 5 StbG).
Does maintenance from my spouse count?
Statutory maintenance claims count. However, the calculation only takes into account the part of the paying person's income that is above the minimum subsistence level protected from garnishment.
May I have received social assistance?
During the period you use as proof, your own income must allow you to live without social assistance. Have us check which 36 months are most favourable for you.
Exceptions
Reduced reference rates
In certain cases lower reference rates apply, for example for people with a disability or a permanent serious illness (with a specialist medical report). Separate reference rates apply to widows, widowers and orphans.
Next step
Have your figures checked
In the initial consultation we work through your income using your payslips and expenses and tell you whether and when an application makes sense.
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How we work
Three steps, from the first conversation to the decision (Bescheid).
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 updated by e-mail, phone or WhatsApp, in your language.
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 of the application with the 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 reminders to the MA 35 to speed up your case
- ✓ Obtaining Austrian documents
- ✓ Appeal (Bescheidbeschwerde) if your application is refused
Prices per applicant. If you instruct us, the initial consultation fee (€180) is deducted from the package price. No hourly rates. All package details →
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)