Muss ich nach der Einbürgerung zum Bundesheer?

Als männlicher Staatsbürger grundsätzlich ja, wenn Sie bei der Einbürgerung jünger als 35 sind. Statt Grundwehrdienst können Sie aus Gewissensgründen Zivildienst leisten.

Zählt mein Wehrdienst im Herkunftsland?

Nur wenn Österreich mit diesem Staat ein Abkommen hat. Lassen Sie prüfen, was für Ihr Land gilt.

Kann ich die Staatsbürgerschaft durch Militärdienst im Ausland verlieren?

Wer freiwillig in den Militärdienst eines fremden Staates tritt, dem ist die Staatsbürgerschaft zu entziehen (§ 32 StbG). Ein verpflichtender Wehrdienst ist kein freiwilliger Eintritt.

Military Service | Citizenship Lawyer Vienna

In short

Male citizens are liable for military service: six months of basic military service or nine months of alternative civilian service.
If you are naturalised only after your 35th birthday, you no longer have to do basic military service.
For dual citizens, agreements between states determine in which country they serve.
Voluntary military service for another state leads to the withdrawal of Austrian citizenship.

Compulsory military service

Who is liable for military service?

Male Austrian citizens aged 17 and over are liable for military service (Wehrpflicht). However, you only have to start basic military service (Grundwehrdienst) up to the age of 35.

6 months

Basic military service with the Austrian Armed Forces (Bundesheer)

9 months

Alternative civilian service (Zivildienst), if you refuse to serve with a weapon for reasons of conscience

12 months

voluntary service in Austria or abroad instead of alternative civilian service

After citizenship is granted

Your age is decisive

If you are granted citizenship after your 35th birthday, you no longer have to do basic military service. If you are younger, you are in principle obliged to serve.

Exceptions

When you do not have to serve

You are over 35 years old.
You have done military service in your country of origin and Austria has an agreement with that state.
You do alternative civilian service instead of military service (reasons of conscience).

Dual citizens

Where do dual citizens do their service?

Put simply: dual citizens do military service in the country where they have their main residence, if Austria has an agreement with the other state. With Switzerland, for example, the main residence on reaching the age of 18 is what counts.

If the other state has no compulsory military service (for example Germany), you must do your service in Austria, even if your main registered residence is not there. The agreements differ greatly; have your case checked.

Important

Voluntary military service abroad

If you voluntarily join the military service of another state, your Austrian citizenship must be withdrawn (§ 32 StbG). This already applies if the service goes beyond the compulsory part.

Questions we get asked

Military service: short answers

Do I have to join the Austrian Armed Forces after naturalisation?

As a male citizen, in principle yes, if you are younger than 35 when you are naturalised. Instead of basic military service, you can do alternative civilian service for reasons of conscience.

Does my military service in my country of origin count?

Only if Austria has an agreement with that state. Have it checked what applies to your country.

Can I lose my citizenship through military service abroad?

If you voluntarily join the military service of a foreign state, your citizenship must be withdrawn (§ 32 StbG). Compulsory military service is not voluntary joining.

Next step

Check the legal position for your country

In the initial consultation, we clarify whether there is an agreement with your country of origin and what it provides.

Book an initial consultation →

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