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Austria to grant citizenship to descendants of Nazi victims

Austria's parliament has voted to grant citizenship to the descendants of Nazi victims, who fled the country under Hitler's Third Reich.

Published: 20 September 2019 11:04 CEST

Austria to grant citizenship to descendants of Nazi victims

Photo: AFP

MPs voted by a broad majority for new legislation proposed by Sebastian Kurz's conservative-far-right coalition government before it was deposed in a corruption scandal in May.

Under the new law, the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of those who fled the Nazis can apply for citizenship. Until now only Holocaust survivors themselves could obtain Austrian nationality.

Vienna's Jewish community leader Oskar Deutsch welcomed “a decision that puts Austria in line with its historic responsibility”.

Kurz's People's Party (OeVP), which is hoping for another strong mandate in September 29 national elections, made several diplomatic gestures to Israel in the 18 months it governed together with junior coalition partner, the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe).

The new law applies to descendants of those who were Austrian when they fled, or the nationality of another country under the Austro-Hungarian empire that extended from what is now the Czech Republic to beyond Croatia until 1918.

Under a special regime, Vienna, which does not normally recognised double nationality, will grant passports without the need to reside in Austria or give up a previous nationality.

During the debates on the bill in parliament, Austrian officials said second and third-generation relatives of those who fled had inquired about the proposed changes, and particuarly those with British nationality as Brexit looms.

A Viennese Jewish Community employee said the centre did not have any numbers for how many people might be eligible to apply for Austrian citizenship.

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What documents should I get after obtaining Austrian citizenship?

Although you don’t legally need to apply for Austrian ID or a passport once you become a citizen, if you’re going to go through the trouble of the country’s restrictive and tough citizenship process – especially by having to give up your previous passport in most cases, there’s plenty of good reasons to apply.

Here’s what to keep in mind once your Austrian citizenship application is successful.

EXPLAINED: When is dual citizenship allowed in Austria?

Your citizenship certificate

The first and most important document you’ll get proving your Austrian citizenship is your Staatsbürgerschaftsnachweis – or citizenship certificate. You’ll need this to apply for your Austrian ID card – or Personalausweis, as well as your Reisepass – or passport.

This document should come to you at the end of your citizenship application. If you lose it or need it again, you can apply for a new one at your local authority or responsible Austrian mission abroad for a cost €14.30 or €8.60 if you have ID Austria. Your state may collect an additional fee on top of this though.

When your citizenship application is successful, your local authority should automatically register your Austrian nationality – meaning you should be registered to vote right away in Austrian federal and state elections and be able to use the full offering of ID Austria – the country’s digital ID. If you’re not sure whether your local authority registered you properly though, you can always book a registration – or Anmeldung – appointment and bring your citizenship certificate with you.

Obviously at this point, you no longer need a residence permit. So if you have any appointments at immigration offices coming up, you can go ahead and cancel them.

READ ALSO: Five surprising Austrian citizenship rules you should know about

Why it’s a good idea to get an Austrian passport

Austria’s European Union (EU) membership and diplomatic engagement worldwide means the Alpine republic boasts one of the world’s most powerful passports.

Obviously, you can travel to and even move to and work in other EU countries using your Austrian passport – and never give up your ability to come back to Austria.

The Austrian passport is one of the most powerful in the world for travel. Photo by Weiqi Xiong on Unsplash

Austrian passport holders also enjoy visa-free travel to 148 countries worldwide and can obtain a visa on arrival in another 30. Twelve countries – including the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand – ask Austrian passport holders to fill out an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) online just a few days before travelling. Another 20 countries allow Austrians to apply online for a visa. Just 19 require you to head to a mission abroad beforehand to apply for a visa.

An Austrian passport – or ID card – will also highlight to border control that you are exempt from any restrictions or requirements when setting foot back on Austrian soil. It also gives you extra proof of your Austrian nationality beyond your citizenship certificate.

If you run into trouble abroad, you can also obviously access Austrian consular assistance. You can find a full database of Austrian missions abroad here.

Applying for an Austrian passport typically costs €75.90 for a standard option – although certain express options can be €100 or even €220 for a one-day rush delivery.

EXPLAINED: Who is eligible for a shorter wait for Austrian citizenship?

Your Austrian ID Card

This one is perhaps a good first step even before applying for your passport, as it’s a way to prove your identity and nationality within Austria and the EU, including for things like getting the government’s digital ID. If you start a new job, you may be asked for evidence of your right to work in Austria. Since only Austrian citizens can have an Austrian Personalausweis, showing your card automatically puts this question to rest for you and your respective employer.

Your Austrian passport would do all the same things, plus allow you to travel outside the EU’s Schengen zone. However, your Personalausweis has the obvious benefit of being able to easily fit into your wallet.

Getting one will cost you €61.50.

INTERVIEW: By becoming Austrian, I’ve reclaimed my family’s terrible story

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