An INGW News Report
Austria saw a significant increase in naturalisations during the first half of 2024, with 11,050 people obtaining Austrian citizenship, marking a 66% rise compared to the same period in 2023.
Key Groups of New Citizens
The majority of new citizens were descendants of Nazi regime victims (37%), with large groups from Israel (2,380), the United States (873), and the United Kingdom (422). Additionally, Syrian nationals accounted for 11.1% of new citizens, followed by Turkish (695) and Afghan (540) nationals.
Naturalisation Methods
Most new citizens (74.7%) gained citizenship through legal entitlement, while 19.8% were naturalised through an extension and 5.5% on a discretionary basis. Many were long-term residents in Austria, with 3,244 naturalised after six years of residency and 8,256 through legal criteria.
Geographic Distribution
Upper Austria* led in new citizens (1,376), followed by Styria (855) and Salzburg (332). Notably, 6,658 new citizens were residents of Austria, while 4,125 were living abroad.
*Bordering with Germany, Upper Austria (German: Oberösterreich) is one of Austria’s nine states, or Länder. Its capital is Linz.
Citizenship by Investment
Austria offers a citizenship-by-investment programme, allowing high-net-worth individuals to obtain citizenship by contributing significantly to the economy. This pathway, which requires government approval and substantial investment, does not necessitate prior residence and takes 24-36 months.
Austrian citizenship provides visa-free access to around 190 destinations and the right to live and work throughout the EU and Switzerland. Austria’s strong economy, high quality of life, and robust infrastructure make it an attractive option for new citizens.
The rise in Austrian naturalisations reflects the country’s appeal as a desirable place to live and work – located right at the centre of the EU. With diverse paths to citizenship, including the unique investment route, Austria continues to attract individuals from around the world.
