Double Citizenship

Austria follows a strict policy against dual citizenship. Austrian citizens who voluntarily acquire a foreign citizenship automatically lose their Austrian citizenship. Similarly, foreigners applying for Austrian citizenship must renounce their previous citizenship before receiving Austrian nationality.

This principle is permanent—if Austrian citizenship is lost through acquiring foreign citizenship, it cannot be automatically regained even if the foreign citizenship is later renounced.

Citizenship by Birth:

Children who acquire Austrian citizenship and another citizenship simultaneously at birth (through descent from parents of different nationalities or birth in a jus soli country like the USA) retain both citizenships automatically. No choice required upon reaching adulthood.

Descendants of Nazi Persecution Victims (§58c):

All direct descendants of victims of Nazi persecution can acquire Austrian citizenship through declaration without renouncing their current citizenship. No generational limits apply.

Citizenship by Merits (§10(6)):

Individuals granted Austrian citizenship based on extraordinary contributions to the Republic in science, economics, arts, or athletics may retain their previous citizenship.

Retention Permission (§28):

Austrian citizens may apply for permission to retain their Austrian citizenship before acquiring a foreign citizenship if this serves Austria’s interests or is justified by particularly pertinent circumstances in private and family life.

Impractical or Impossible Renunciation:

Foreigners acquiring Austrian citizenship may retain their previous citizenship if renunciation is legally impossible or unreasonable under the law of their home country.