Citizenship

Citizenship for Victims of the National Socialist Regime and their Direct Descendants

In October 2019, the Austrian parliament unanimously adopted an amendment to the Austrian Citizenship Act (“Staatsbürgerschaftsgesetz”) in recognition of its historical responsibility towards the victims of National Socialism and their descendants.

Persons who were themselves victims of the National Socialist regime can already acquire Austrian citizenship. If this applies to you, we would ask you to directly contact your local Austrian diplomatic representation (Austrian Embassy or Consulate General) and arrange the further procedure in an individual consultation.

According to the new § 58c para. 1a of the Austrian Citizenship Act descendants of victims of the National Socialist regime can acquire Austrian citizenship by means of a declaration (“Anzeige”), without having to give up their current citizenship or nationality in return.

Please note, however, that the law in some countries provides for the automatic loss of its citizenship or nationality if you acquire another citizenship. In case of doubt, please check with the competent authority of your home country.

Further information on the declaration pursuant to § 58c para. 1a of the Austrian Citizenship Act and all the necessary official documents are available in the left navigation.

The Austrian diplomatic representation (Austrian Embassy or Consulate General) in your home country puts this information about the procedure and the necessary documents at your disposal so that you can file a declaration without delay on/after September 1, 2020. This online questionnaire will provide you with an initial, individualized orientation about your case.

Further information is available on the website of the Embassy’s Consular Section.

The online questionnaire is available on the homepage of your local Austrian diplomatic representation (Austrian Embassy or Consulate General) in a German, English, Spanish and Hebrew language version.

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