Schönbrunn Palace with the Vienna skyline behind

Citizenship by Investment

Austrian Citizenship by Exceptional Achievement

One of Europe’s wealthiest nations, Austria is one of the few Western European countries that offers the opportunity to obtain Citizenship by Exceptional achievements and a European passport without prior residence requirements.

Austria boasts a service-driven and well-established economy as well as strong commercial ties with Eastern, South-eastern and central Europe. With Vienna as its capital, Austria is consistently recognised for its exceptional quality of life. Its pristine environment, world-class infrastructure and economic stability make it an unmatched living environment.

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Minimum investment: EUR 4–5 million
Dual citizenship: Yes
Processing time: 12–36 months
Residency requirement: Minimal

Four Misconceptions About Alternative Citizenship Explained

Benefits of Austrian Citizenship

As well as the many advantages of living in Austria, Austrian citizenship* offers many benefits in its own right. These include:

Citizenship for life

Austrian citizenship gives you the right to live and work in the country for life, plus civic entitlements like voting, free healthcare and the right to hold an Austrian passport.

Entitlement to dual citizenship

Unlike other countries, Austria has no restrictions on dual citizenship. Consequently, you don’t need to relinquish your original nationality in order to become an Austrian citizen.

Ability to pass on citizenship

As an Austrian citizen, you’ll also be able to pass on your citizenship rights to your descendants. This allows them to enjoy all the same benefits and in turn safeguards your family’s future.

General Requirements

Aged 18 or over
Sufficient funds to make the investment
Documentation to prove that all investment capital is legally sourced
Documentation to prove that personal record is clean and exceptional
Clean criminal record
No language requirement
No residency requirement

Investment Options

Citizenship by Exceptional Achievement in Austria requires applicants to exhibit a genuine interest in becoming Austrian citizens by demonstrating and/or creating ties to the country.

In addition, exceptional achievements must be demonstrated in one of the following areas: science, sports, arts, or business.

Achievements in business can be philanthropic in nature:

Causes that are in the interest of the country and the Austrian people
Initial investment with limited ROI
Example: Bringing scientific achievements to Austria and funding continued research – developing patents or intellectual property, which is then sold or leased to continue funding the cause.

Minimum investment: EUR4-5 million

Basic Fees

Certificate of Naturalisation Fees

Passport Fees

CS Global Partners Professional Fees

Austrian Passport

Once an individual’s Citizenship by Exceptional Achievement application is approved, they are officially an economic citizen and can apply for an Austrian passport at the local authority in Austria.

What are the benefits of an Austrian Passport?

Austrian passports are issued to citizens of Austria for international travel.

The Austrian passport is valid for ten years for adults and five years for children under 12.

What is the application process for an Austrian passport?

The passport application process is separate from the Citizenship by Exceptional Achievement process and requires the applicant to present several documents.

This includes a certified copy of the applicant’s Certificate of Naturalisation – the document that is issued to an economic citizen at the end of the Citizenship by Exceptional Achievement process.

Applications for a passport can be submitted as soon as citizenship is received.

How to Re-apply for an Austrian Passport

When it is time for a new passport, applicants will need to make an appointment at their local Passport Office.

CS Global Partners assists clients who wish to obtain Austrian citizenship, providing them with the guidance and commitment they need to see their application processed seamlessly.

Our team then ensures that clients who obtain their citizenship also apply for and receive Austrian passports if desired.

Application process

Austria’s Citizenship by Exceptional Achievement application process consists of four phases:

1
Phase 1:
Applicant Background and Narrative:
Duration 1 to 2 weeks
Prepare background and narrative documentation including applicant background, areas of interest and exceptional achievements and reason for wanting to become an Austrian citizen.
2
Phase 2:
Onboarding and Project Selection:
Duration 3 to 6 months
Applicant Due Diligence and Background Checks (incl. source of funds), structuring of the philanthropic or business project and initial communication with competent authorities.
3
Phase 3:
Project Implementation:
Duration 6 to 24 months
Allocation of funds, tracking of project progress, public relations (ranging from light to high touch) and communication with relevant ministries and other stakeholders.
4
Phase 4:
Citizenship Application:
Duration 3 to 6 months
Applications for citizenship can be made twice per year (July and December) in the final phase a pre-check is done with competent authorities and submission of the final citizenship application.

How long does it take to process an application?

Applicants can generally expect to wait around 12 – 36 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Government Advisory

CS Global Partners – Government Advisory

CS Global Partners is the world leading international legal advisory firm, London-headquartered, providing high-net-worth individuals and families with citizenship and residency solutions. As a trusted partner of many governments, CS Global Partners works directly with governments and is mandated to promote some of the world’s longest-standing citizenship programmes, giving clients accurate, up-to-date guidance straight from the source.

For advice shaped by real expertise, contact CS Global Partners.

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Begin your Austria application

Our expert team is knowledgeable in all legally-recognised citizenship by investment and residency programmes. We offer in-depth consultations to meet a range of requirements.

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