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Citizenship
Immigration Law
Insights
How does my child get Austrian citizenship?
Whether your child is Austrian from birth or has to apply for citizenship depends on the parents. Here you can see which route applies to your child.
What is your situation?
In short
- A child is Austrian from birth if the mother, or the father married to her, is Austrian.
- If the parents are not married: paternity must be acknowledged within eight weeks of the birth.
- Otherwise, the grant of citizenship to a parent can be extended to the child.
- Children under 14 need no proof of German and no exam.
Two routes
Descent or grant
For children, too, there are two routes to citizenship: it exists from birth if a parent is Austrian (descent, Abstammung). Otherwise it has to be granted (Verleihung). You can find the general rules under When can I apply?.
Route 1
Austrian from birth
A child is an Austrian citizen from birth if
- the mother is an Austrian citizen, or
- the parents are married and the father is Austrian.
Important if the parents are not married: If only the father is Austrian, he must acknowledge paternity, or have it established by a court, within eight weeksDeadline: eight weeksIf paternity is acknowledged or established by a court within eight weeks of the birth, this takes effect for citizenship from birth (§ 7 Abs 1 StbG). of the birth. This rule applies to children born on or after 1 August 2013. If he misses the deadline, citizenship has to be applied for.
This also applies if the child is born abroad. You can find the certificates you need as proof in the document checklist.
Route 2
Grant of citizenship to a child
If the child is not a citizen from birth, there are several options:
ExtensionExtension (Erstreckung)The grant of citizenship to a parent is extended to their minor, unmarried children, including adopted children (§ 17 StbG). The child must meet the basic requirements accordingly.
A parent is granted citizenship and the grant is extended (Erstreckung) to the child. There is no minimum period of residence for this; even newborns are possible.
Own grant
The child meets the requirements itself, including the period of residence. The parents' citizenship then does not matter.
Unmarried parents
If the Austrian father has missed the eight-week deadline, the child can apply for citizenship under easier conditions.
Under 14
What applies to younger children
- A biological or adopted child counts as a child.
- All persons with custodyCustody (Obsorge)The care, upbringing and legal representation of a minor child. Usually both parents have custody; after a separation, sometimes only one parent. must consent.
- No proof of German needed.
- No citizenship exam.
From 14
What applies to older children
From the age of 14, the child must in principle meet the general requirements itself, such as knowledge of German and the exam. For an extension, the child must have lawful settled residence (Niederlassung) in Austria at the time of the application.
Two passports?
Dual citizenship
In principle, Austria does not allow dual citizenship. Children who acquire both citizenships at birth may usually keep them. There are exceptions for other cases.
Questions we get asked
Citizenship for children: short answers
Is my child Austrian if born abroad?
Yes, if at the time of birth the mother, or the father married to her, is Austrian. The place of birth does not matter.
What applies if the parents are not married?
If only the father is Austrian, he must acknowledge paternity, or have it established by a court, within eight weeks of the birth. The child is then considered Austrian from birth (§ 7 StbG).
Does my child have to prove German?
Minors under 14 (unmündige Minderjährige) are exempt from the proof of German and from the citizenship exam (§ 10a Abs 2 StbG).
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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 →
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.
Team
The people behind your case.
Mag. Igor Matejuk, BEd
Mag. Adrian Zitter
Looking for the whole team? Meet everyone →
Unsere Erfolge
Aktuelles aus der Praxis.
Contact
How to reach us.
1010 Vienna (Stephansplatz)