The Austrian passport, also known as the “Österreichischer Reisepass,” is a travel document issued by the Republic of Austria to its citizens. It serves as proof of Austrian citizenship and facilitates international travel. Here’s a breakdown of its key features and functionalities:
Appearance:
Burgundy cover with the Austrian coat of arms emblazoned in the center.
Contains personal information like your name, date of birth, photo, and nationality.
Includes a machine-readable zone and a chip storing biometric data (fingerprint and facial image).
Functions:
Proof of citizenship: Essential for exercising your rights and responsibilities as an Austrian citizen, including voting in elections and holding public office.
Travel document: Grants visa-free travel to many countries around the world. As of February 2024, the Austrian passport ranks 3rd globally in terms of travel freedom, granting access to 176 countries and territories without a prior visa. This makes it a valuable tool for business, leisure, and educational opportunities abroad.
Identification document: Can be used for identification within Austria for various purposes like opening a bank account, renting an apartment, or accessing healthcare services.
Benefits of holding an Austrian passport:
Freedom of movement: Visa-free access to many countries simplifies travel and opens up opportunities for work, study, or leisure.
Strong reputation: The Austrian passport is recognized worldwide as a reliable and secure document, potentially offering advantages in certain situations.
Access to consular services: Austrian embassies and consulates abroad can provide assistance to passport holders in case of emergencies or potrzebuality while traveling.
Additional information:
Austrian passports are valid for 5 years for adults and 3 years for minors.
You can renew your passport at any Austrian embassy or consulate abroad or within Austria at your canton of residence.
Losing your passport requires immediate reporting to the authorities.
Can I get an Austrian passport?
Here’s what you need to consider:
1. Eligibility:
Austrian citizenship: You automatically qualify for an Austrian passport if you are an Austrian citizen by birth, descent, naturalization, or adoption.
Acquisition of Austrian citizenship: If you aren’t already a citizen, you can potentially acquire it through various pathways, including:
Descent: Based on your ancestry or having an Austrian parent.
Marriage: By marrying an Austrian citizen and meeting specific requirements.
Naturalization: By fulfilling residency and integration requirements in Austria.
Other exceptional cases: Based on special circumstances recognized by Austrian law.
2. Specifics:
Each pathway has its own set of requirements and procedures.
Eligibility and processes can change over time, so staying updated is crucial.
Consulting with an immigration lawyer or Austrian authorities is recommended for personalized guidance and navigating the complexities of the process.
How much does it cost to get an Austrian passport?
The cost of acquiring an Austrian passport varies depending on several factors, including:
1. Whether you are applying for a new passport or a renewal:
New passport:
Adults (18 or older): €2000
Children (under 12): €1500
Renewal:
Adults (18 or older): €950
Children (under 12): €700
2. Additional fees may apply depending on your situation:
Express processing: There might be an additional fee for faster processing of your application.
Consular fees: If you apply at an Austrian embassy or consulate abroad, there might be additional fees for their services.
Translation costs: If any documents need translation into German, you will incur additional costs.
Costs related to citizenship acquisition: If you’re not already an Austrian citizen and need to acquire citizenship before applying for the passport, there will be additional fees associated with the citizenship application process.
Here are some resources to help you calculate the specific costs for your situation:
The minimum investment amount to obtain Austrian citizenship through an investment program is €3 million. This program, known as the Permanent Residence Program for Investment (PRP), was established in 2018 and allows individuals to acquire permanent residency, which can be converted to citizenship after completing specific requirements.
Here’s a breakdown of the investment options and additional costs involved:
Investment Options:
Direct investment in an Austrian company: This involves establishing or investing in a company that creates or secures at least 10 new jobs in Austria.
Donation to a public fund: You can donate €3 million to a government-approved fund that supports research, development, or innovation in Austria.
Investment in real estate: Investing €3 million in Austrian real estate with a minimum holding period of 5 years is also an option.
Additional Costs:
Administrative fees: These can range from €50,000 to €100,000 depending on the chosen investment option and the number of family members included in the application.
Legal and professional fees: Consulting with lawyers, accountants, and other professionals can incur additional costs.
Due diligence fees: Background checks and verifications may also involve fees.
Important Notes:
Meeting the minimum investment amount is just one requirement. You’ll also need to demonstrate sufficient income, have no criminal record, and pass a German language test.
The application process can be complex and time-consuming, taking up to 2 years or more.
This program is subject to change, so it’s crucial to consult with immigration experts for the latest information and guidance on eligibility requirements and the application process.
How can I get Austria citizenship?
There are various ways to obtain Austrian citizenship, depending on your personal circumstances and existing connections to the country. Here’s an overview of the main pathways:
1. By Descent:
You are automatically eligible if you have at least one Austrian parent or grandparent (depending on birth dates).
Specific regulations apply based on your ancestry and birthdates.
2. By Marriage:
Marrying an Austrian citizen grants you the right to apply for citizenship after meeting residency and integration requirements.
Marriage alone doesn’t guarantee citizenship, and specific conditions must be met.
3. By Naturalization:
This is the most common path for non-Austrians. It requires fulfilling specific residency and integration requirements (e.g., language test, basic knowledge of Austrian society and history).
Residency periods vary depending on your situation (e.g., marriage, special skills).
4. Other Exceptional Cases:
In rare cases, citizenship might be granted based on exceptional merit, contributions to Austria, or humanitarian reasons.
This is a very complex and unlikely path, requiring strong justification and support.
Additional Considerations:
Each pathway has specific requirements, deadlines, and application processes.
Regulations can change over time, so staying updated on current information is crucial.
Consulting an immigration lawyer specializing in Austrian law is highly recommended for personalized guidance and navigating the complexities of the process.
Under the Art 10. (6) of the Austrian Citizenship Act, Austrian Government may grant citizenship to foreign nationals in the case of extraordinary merit on a case-by-case basis.
The Act is aimed at high net-worth individuals who are willing to make investments that bring economic benefit to the country, such as an active business providing technology innovation, creating new jobs or contributing to the country’s foreign trade, or a donation to a relevant public project.
The investment per se does not guarantee obtaining the citizenship, and the grant is at the sole discretion of the Government.
Investment
Active Business Investment Or Public Project Donation
To qualify, the investment should be in an active business or a donation to a public project, contributing significantly to the country’s economy. Therefore, passive investments such as Government bonds, financial instruments or real estate do not qualify.
Buy Austria passport
Qualifying investments usually amount from €800,000 to €10 million. They can take the form of a joint venture, direct investment in an active business that creates jobs significantly or introduces science and research or innovation technologies to Austria. It could also be a donation to a relevant public project.
Buy Austria passport
Furthermore, the foreign national must have a significant influence over an entity with a strong economic performance and international reputation.
Spouse and children up to 18 years old can be included in the citizenship application. Children above 18 years old would require filing a separate application.
Requirements
– Solid Financial and Business Background.
– CV including excellent references.
– Approved investment and business by the Government.
Restricted Nationalities
No nationality is officially restricted
Dual Citizenship
Austria’s Citizenship Act does not recognize dual citizenship. However, an individual who has been granted Austrian citizenship under the provision of Art.10 (6) of the Citizenship Act, may not be required to renounce his or her previous citizenship.
Documents Required to Buy Austria passport
Original Professional Reference Letter (Not older than 6 month)
Certified copy of ID Card
Certified copy of passport
Medical Certificate
Original Police Clearance Certificate
University diploma
Photograph and Signature Certificate
Original Bank Reference Letter (Not older than 6 month)
Six passport-size photos
Documents certifying Business Investment
Original or Certified copy of Birth Certificate (if applicable)
Original or Certified copy of Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
Statement of Source of Funds
Evidence of Business Background
Certified copy of Business License or Incorporation documents
Curriculum Vitae
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