Last updated: October 2026 · Official sources linked
The short answer in 30 seconds
- Residence: as a rule, 10 years, of which 5 years with settled status. In certain cases, 6 years are enough, for example with German at B2.
- German 2026: level B1, plus the citizenship test (Staatsbürgerschaftstest). The test is free of charge.
- Income 2026: reference rate (Richtsatz) of €1,308.39 for single persons. What counts is the average over 36 months within the last 6 years.
- Costs in Vienna: around €1,471 to €1,913 for a single person, excluding documents and translations.
Our founder Hassan came to Austria as a student in 2011. Today he is an Austrian citizen. Citizenship is often the final step of a long journey. It is also the most demanding one: many documents, a test and, usually, giving up your old passport. Here you will find the rules that apply in October 2026.
Who is this route for?
For people who have lived lawfully in Austria for many years and want to stay. The time limits according to the City of Vienna:
| Period | Who | Time abroad allowed |
|---|---|---|
| 6 years | e.g. German B2, EEA nationals, born in Austria, 5 years of marriage with a shared household with an Austrian citizen, sustained integration (e.g. 3 years of voluntary work) | no more than 1 year, 2 months, 12 days |
| 10 years | the standard case, of which 5 years with settled status; or 10 years as a person granted asylum | no more than 2 years |
| 15 years | with sustained personal and professional integration | no more than 3 years |
| 30 years | uninterrupted main residence (Hauptwohnsitz) | no more than 6 years |
Stays abroad may make up no more than 20% of the relevant period. What counts is the period immediately before the decision.
Requirements
- Lawful, uninterrupted residence in line with the periods above.
- German B1, for example through the ÖIF integration exam (Module 2), a completed apprenticeship or a degree taught in German. Proof of B2 replaces Module 2 (City of Vienna).
- Citizenship test on the democratic system, the history of Austria and the history of Vienna. You are informed of the date at least eight weeks in advance.
- Secure means of subsistence: Your income, averaged over 36 months within the last six years, must reach the reference rates. The last six months before the application must be included. Reference rates 2026: €1,308.39 (single person), €2,064.12 (married couple), €201.88 per child. Rent and loans only count above €386.43. If you receive minimum income support (Mindestsicherung), you do not meet this requirement.
- Clean criminal record (Unbescholtenheit): no sentence of imprisonment for an intentional offence and no pending criminal proceedings. Frequent or serious administrative offences can count against you.
- No termination of residence: no residence ban and no expulsion in the last 18 months.
- Renunciation of your previous nationality, where possible and reasonable. After the notice of assurance (Zusicherungsbescheid), you have 2 years to do this.
The test in detail
According to the City of Vienna:
- The test and the study materials are free of charge.
- There are federal study materials and a booklet on the history of the province of Vienna.
- An online practice test is available.
- You can retake the test until you pass.
- If you miss your appointment twice, your application is rejected.
- Children under 14 do not need to take the test.
The process in Vienna in 10 steps
- Online questionnaire (approx. 15 minutes) on the basic requirements.
- Read the website and collect documents. MA 35 does not give advice on individual cases.
- Attend an initial information session. There you can put questions to experts.
- Obtain the remaining documents, make copies, check that they are valid.
- Book an appointment on +43 1 4000-3535 or via the contact form.
- Submit the application in person. Everyone aged 14 or over comes along.
- Investigation procedure: enquiries to authorities, requests for further documents, invitation to the test.
- Decision: rejection, assurance or conferral.
- Renunciation: within 2 years, you give up your old nationality.
- Conferral and oath of allegiance (Gelöbnis). On the same day, you can apply for your proof of citizenship (Staatsbürgerschaftsnachweis) and passport.
Documents
You clarify the exact list at the initial information session. In general, according to the City of Vienna:
Personal documents
- birth certificate, valid passport, biometric photo (no older than 6 months)
- from age 14: proof of German and a signed CV listing every place you have lived since birth
- depending on the case: marriage or divorce certificates, proof of name changes, school certificates, asylum decisions
Criminal record
- from age 14: certificates from every country of which you are a citizen. They must be no older than 12 months.
- in addition: certificates from every country in which you have lived for more than 3 months in the last 20 years
- not required for Austria and Germany
Means of subsistence
- payslips, tax assessments and confirmations of benefits from 2020 onwards
- lease and proof of rent payments from 2020 onwards
- loan agreements and maintenance payments from 2020 onwards
- declaration of regular expenses and of flatmates (City of Vienna forms)
- self-disclosure from a credit reference agency. It is valid for 8 months from the date of issue.
Translations: Documents in languages other than German or English need a translation. It must be made by a sworn and court-certified interpreter. Your name must be spelled the same way everywhere. Many documents need an apostille.
Costs and duration
Costs in Vienna according to the City of Vienna:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application | 163 € |
| Record of the interview (Niederschrift) | €6 per appointment, at least two |
| Notice of assurance | 60 € |
| Conferral | €1,236 to €1,678 |
| Extension to a spouse (adult) | 163 € + 1.236 € |
| Extension to minor children | approx. €90 + approx. €432 |
Worked example, single person: €163 application, €12 records, €60 assurance, plus €1,236 to €1,678 for conferral. That comes to €1,471 to €1,913.
The City’s worked example for a family: Two adults and two children pay €4,536 in total.
Payment in instalments is not possible. The application fee falls due with the decision, even if the application is rejected. If you withdraw beforehand, you do not pay it. Costs for documents, translations, apostilles, the proof of citizenship and the passport come on top.
Waiting time: The City of Vienna does not state a fixed duration. It depends on the investigations and your documents. In 2025, MA 35 concluded around 21,700 citizenship procedures. The procedure can take several months (City of Vienna). So check early how long your passport is valid.
Competent authority
- Vienna: MA 35 – Immigration and Citizenship, Citizenship Department, Dresdner Straße 89–93, 1200 Wien. Phone +43 1 4000-3535.
- Other federal provinces: the relevant Office of the Provincial Government (Amt der Landesregierung) (staatsbuergerschaft.gv.at).
- Residence abroad: the Austrian embassy or consulate general.
Planned changes: what is confirmed?
The preamble of the Government Programme 2025–2029 (p. 10) states: “Anyone who wants to live with us permanently must recognise and internalise our values, learn our language and work.” The government also announces a mandatory integration programme.
German B2 as the rule? There are reports of plans to require B2 for naturalisation in future. As of 26/10/2026, we could not confirm any text on this on government websites, and no draft law was found. This is an unconfirmed plan.
Law in force in October 2026: B1 is the requirement. B2 shortens the period to six years. This is confirmed by oesterreich.gv.at, staatsbuergerschaft.gv.at and wien.gv.at. We will update this article as soon as a law is passed.
Common pitfalls
- Underestimating days abroad. The 20% limit is applied strictly. Keep a list.
- Income in the wrong years. What counts is 36 months within the last six years, including the last six months.
- Spelling of your name. Different spellings in translations lead to requests for further documents.
- Criminal record certificate too old. Watch the 12-month limit.
- Underestimating renunciation. Some countries are slow to release people from citizenship. The two years from the assurance are tight.
Related routes
FAQ
How long do I have to live in Austria to become a citizen? As a rule, 10 years, of which 5 years with settled status. In certain cases, 6 years are enough, for example with German at B2.
How much does citizenship cost in Vienna? For a single person, around €1,471 to €1,913. Documents and translations come on top.
Do I need B1 or B2 for citizenship? Under the law in force (October 2026), B1. With B2, six years of residence are enough. Plans to make B2 the rule have not been officially confirmed.
How long does naturalisation take in Vienna? The City does not state a fixed duration. It depends on your documents and the investigations.
Can I keep my old citizenship? As a rule, no. After the assurance, you must give it up within two years, where this is possible and reasonable.
Sources and legal basis
- City of Vienna: Conferral of citizenship, Costs, Documents, German language skills, Citizenship test
- Federal government: My path to citizenship (amounts as of 2026)
- oesterreich.gv.at: General requirements for naturalisation and Conferral after six years (as of 2026-01-29)
- City of Vienna: MA 35 performance report (reporting year 2025)
- Federal Government: Government Programme 2025–2029 (preamble, p. 10; plans, not law in force)
- Laws: Citizenship Act 1985 (Staatsbürgerschaftsgesetz) (§§ 10, 11a, 12, 19 para. 1), Citizenship Regulation (Staatsbürgerschaftsverordnung) (§ 3), Fees Act (Gebührengesetz) (§ 14), ASVG (§ 293). Full text in the RIS.
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