Are you interested in becoming an Austrian/European citizen? Well, you’re in luck because in September 2019, the Austrian parliament made some dramatic changes to the law for Holocaust survivors and their direct descendants.

Now, if you can prove that one of your ancestors was born in the territory of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and moved to live in the territory of today’s Austria between 1933-1955, you can get Austrian citizenship and with it a European passport. This means that you will have the freedom to travel, work, start a business and live in any of the 27 countries of the European Union.

But that’s not all, the new eligibility conditions also recognize and grant citizenship to the descendants of Holocaust survivors. Previously, this privilege was only extended to male descendants of survivors, but now everyone is included, breaking down unfair gender barriers.

The updated law expanded the eligibility criteria and extended the deadline for obtaining an Austrian passport to May 15, 1955, marking Austria’s independence. This is a significant change from the previous legislation, which only recognized victims of Nazi persecution who remained in Austria until 1945.

The law also refers to Jews who were citizens of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire or who were stateless and lived in Austria, including those who fled Austria before the Anschluss (annexation of Austria to Germany) in 1938. All of these are now eligible for Austrian/European citizenship, if they can prove their connection to the country.

The best part is that you don’t have to meet additional admission requirements like language or culture tests. You only need to provide information and/or official documents proving the permanent residence of the family member born in Austria during the specified years and establish your family relationship.

Obtaining Austrian/European citizenship comes with many benefits. You will have the right to live and work anywhere in the EU without any restrictions. In the countries of the European Union, you will enjoy subsidized or even free education and academic studies, an exemption from a visa to the USA, and a more convenient option to invest in real estate or establish a business within the Union, with tax benefits and grants from the Union for establishing businesses.

And here’s some more good news: you don’t have to give up any other citizenship you hold. You can save them all! Additionally, if you have a military background, this will not hinder your chances of obtaining Austrian citizenship, unless you are currently serving on a permanent basis.

Our team, fluent in German and European bureaucratic processes, is here to assist you in the naturalization process in Austria and Germany. Feel free to explore our website for more information on foreign citizenships and investment opportunities.

So, are you ready to get started on getting Austrian/European citizenship? We are here to take you through your European citizenship step by step!