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Citizenship
Immigration Law
Insights
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Your citizenship application, step by step.
From the first appointment to the certificate of citizenship: how the procedure works, where it gets stuck and how we speed it up.
Where are you now?
In short
- You apply in person to the citizenship authority (MA 35 in Vienna).
- As a rule, the authority must decide within six months. In practice, it often takes longer.
- First the assurance of citizenship (Zusicherung), then you give up your previous citizenship, then citizenship is granted.
- Against a refusal: appeal (Beschwerde) within four weeks.
Procedure
How the application works
In practice, the procedure for granting citizenship often takes much longer than the six months set by law. Good preparation saves time: complete documents, correctly calculated income and clear answers when the authority asks questions.
Process
Six steps to Austrian citizenship
3
File the application
In person at the citizenship authority (MA 35 in Vienna). If you instruct us, we file the application for you. You do not need an appointment of your own at the authority for this.
4
Review and investigation
The authority reviews your documents and income, obtains information and may ask for further proof. You take the citizenship test.
5
Assurance of citizenship
If all requirements are met, you receive an assurance of citizenshipAssurance of citizenship (Zusicherung)A notice (Bescheid) promising that citizenship will be granted if you prove within two years that you no longer hold your previous nationality (§ 20 StbG). If a requirement ceases to be met, the assurance is revoked.. You then give up your previous citizenship.
6
Grant of citizenship
Once you have proved that you gave up your previous citizenship, Austrian citizenship is granted. You take the pledgePledge (Gelöbnis)A formal declaration of allegiance to the Republic of Austria when citizenship is granted (§ 21 StbG). Only after this is the notice granting citizenship handed over. and receive the notice.
During the procedure
If it takes too long
As a rule, the authority must decide within six monthsDeadline: six monthsThe time the authority has to decide, counted from the day your application arrives (§ 73 AVG). After that, a complaint about inaction (Säumnisbeschwerde) is possible (§ 8 VwGVG).. If nothing happens, a call from a lawyer or a complaint about inaction (Säumnisbeschwerde) can help.
After the assurance
Giving up your previous citizenship
From the assurance onwards, you usually have two yearsDeadline: two yearsCounted from the assurance, to prove that you no longer hold your previous nationality (§ 20 Abs 1 StbG). to give up your previous citizenship and prove it. There are exceptions if this is not possible or cannot reasonably be expected of you.
Refused?
Appeal against the notice
You can lodge an appeal (Bescheidbeschwerde) against a negative notice with the administrative court within four weeksDeadline: four weeksAppeal deadline, counted from service of the notice (§ 7 Abs 4 VwGVG). If the notice was deposited at the post office, the first day of the collection period counts as the day of service (§ 17 Abs 3 ZustG)..
Questions we get asked
Application and procedure: short answers
How long does a citizenship procedure take?
By law, the authority must decide within six months (§ 73 AVG). In practice, it often takes longer. After six months, a complaint about inaction is possible.
What is an assurance of citizenship?
A notice that promises you citizenship as soon as you prove that you no longer hold your previous nationality. You have two years to do this (§ 20 StbG).
Can the assurance be revoked?
Yes. If a requirement ceases to be met after the assurance, for example because of a criminal conviction, it must be revoked. Only your means of subsistence are not checked again (§ 20 Abs 2 StbG).
Can I file with MA 35 without an appointment of my own?
Yes, if you instruct us. We file the application with the authority for you. You do not need an appointment of your own for this.
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)