Austria has some of the strictest citizenship laws in Europe, making it tough for long-term residents to become naturalised. With a new federal government on the horizon, could this be about to change?
Discussions about citizenship have gained traction following the recent elections. Austria’s strict naturalisation rules left nearly 1.5 million residents - about 19 percent of people aged 16 and over - unable to vote in the election.
Critics argue that this “democratic deficit” particularly affects cities like Vienna, where one in three voting-age residents cannot cast a ballot due to not holding Austrian citizenship.
Why is getting Austrian citizenship so difficult?
Austria’s citizenship process has earned a reputation as one of Europe’s toughest. To apply for naturalisation, you generally need to have lived in Austria for at least ten years, have a steady income, and pass a language test. Applicants must also demonstrate knowledge of Austrian society and laws.
On top of this, many if not most potential applications are put off because dual citizenship is rarely allowed in Austria meaning many must renounce their original nationality - a process that can be costly and emotionally challenging.
Money is another major hurdle.
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Applicants must show a minimum monthly income of €1,217.96 for individuals, with higher thresholds for couples and families - this after any expenses such as rent, loan instalments or more. Administrative fees can add up to several thousand euros, and experts, like political scientist Gerd Valchars, have criticised these income requirements as being unreasonably high.
"This is not even possible for many Austrians." Valchars told Der Standard.
But even if financial requirements were eased, other barriers remain.
The process of applying for Austrian citizenship is often described as a “bureaucratic monster.” Applicants must provide extensive documentation, from rental agreements to detailed expense reports.
Cases can become bogged down in minutiae, like proving separate finances in shared housing, as highlighted by Valchars, who told Der Standard of Supreme Court rulings on whether or not having a flatmate should make an applicant apply with a married (higher) income - as some argued having a flatmate means shared expenses.
Costs are another major challenge. Fees and citizenship-related expenses for families can reach €5,000–€6,000 or more, and renouncing one’s original citizenship adds further expenses depending on the country of origin.
READ ALSO: How does Austria's citizenship application fee compare to other countries?
What might change under a new government?
Coalition talks between Austria’s main political parties - centre-right ÖVP (People’s Party), centre-left SPÖ (Social Democrats), and the liberal Neos - have brought naturalisation laws into focus.
While the ÖVP has traditionally supported strict rules, reports suggest the party may now consider lowering financial requirements in exchange for tougher laws targeting extremism.
The SPÖ and Neos have long advocated for reforms.
Michael Ludwig, Vienna’s mayor and a leading SPÖ figure, has argued that current rules unfairly exclude essential workers like caregivers and cleaners who cannot afford citizenship fees, but are the professionals keeping the city working. Meanwhile, the Neos have called for simplifying the process and lowering income thresholds, while ensuring applicants align with Austrian and EU values.
What’s next?
If rules were eased, the reform would likely focus on lowering income thresholds and simplifying the application process. The coalition may also push for stricter cultural and societal criteria - perhaps in the form of tougher, stricter examinations on Austrian culture and values.
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Importantly, there has also been no talk at all of easing the rules around dual citizenship in cases of naturalisation - so even if financial burdens are lowered, many potential applicants would still be deterred by the need to give up their other nationality.
For now, Austria’s citizenship laws remain among the most restrictive in Europe, and any changes are expected to be incremental rather than transformational.
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