Investment options include contributing significantly to Austria’s economy through a joint venture or direct investment that creates jobs or increases exports. Alternatively, individuals may qualify through outstanding achievements in sports, science, philanthropy, or the arts that benefit Austria.
Austria Citizenship by Extraordinary Achievements
Prospective citizens of Austria can obtain citizenship by making a significant economic contribution or by demonstrating exceptional achievements that provide clear benefits to the country.
Citizenship By Investment Overview
Austria is an excellent place to establish residence within the European Union and is the only Western European country that allows individuals to obtain citizenship by investment and an EU passport without prior residence requirements.
Investment
Substantial contribution to the Austrian economy or extraordinary achievements in the interest of Austria
Key Benefit
Visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to approximately 190 destinations including Canada, Hong Kong, the rest of the EU, and Europe’s Schengen Area
Overview of Austria Citizenship by Investment
As an Austrian citizen, you have the right to live and work in Austria and anywhere else in the European Union at any time. The Austrian passport is highly respected and provides extensive visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to destinations such as Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and the USA. It ranks among the top 10 strongest passports on the Uniconnect Passport Index, making it one of the world’s most powerful travel documents. Citizenship acquired under the Austrian Citizenship Act grants you and your family full, lifelong citizenship, which can also be passed on to future generations by descent.
Benefits of Austria Citizenship by Investment
- Visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to approximately 190 destinations.
- Right to reside anywhere in the EU and Switzerland.
- High quality of life with excellent infrastructure.
- Excellent transport and communications for seamless connectivity.
Requirements of Austria Citizenship by Investment
Under Austria’s citizenship by investment program, applicants must make an active investment in the Austrian economy, such as a joint venture or direct business investment that creates jobs or generates new export revenue. Significant direct investment is typically required, while passive investments, including government bonds or real estate, do not qualify. Alternatively, citizenship may be granted for extraordinary achievements that serve Austria’s national interest, including notable contributions in sports, science, philanthropy, or the arts.
In addition to standard documents such as passports, birth and marriage certificates, all applicants must provide a clean criminal record, a detailed CV, business background information, and strong professional references to meet the Austrian citizenship by investment requirements.
Under the Austrian Citizenship Act, applicants are generally required to renounce their current citizenship to obtain Austrian citizenship. However, under Article 10(6) of the Act, it is possible to retain one’s existing citizenship, meaning applicants may not have to give up their current nationality in certain cases.
Austria Citizenship by Investment Procedures
Obtaining Austrian citizenship through a capital contribution involves multiple procedures and requires approval from several government authorities. It is crucial for applicants to receive expert guidance from the outset, ensure each case is meticulously prepared, and secure informal approvals from key ministries before making the investment and initiating the formal application process.
Uniconnect provides guidance on suitable capital contribution opportunities, coordinates with the relevant government agencies and ministries, and prepares and submits your citizenship application. The process includes a comprehensive background check, and citizenship documents are issued once the application has been approved.
Successful applicants are granted full citizenship of the Republic of Austria by government decision and can apply for an Austrian passport immediately, with passports typically issued within a few days.
The granting of Austrian citizenship is kept confidential and is not reported to any other country, as it is protected under government provisions related to privacy and official secrecy.
Performance Guarantee
The granting of Austrian citizenship is entirely at the discretion of the Government of the Republic of Austria, and approval cannot be guaranteed. Nevertheless, Uniconnect takes every precaution to safeguard applicants throughout the process, and a written agreement is established with each client to clearly define the responsibilities of both parties before commencing the application.
Austria Citizenship by Investment Frequently Asked Questions
Austria Citizenship by Extraordinary Achievements offers investors and their families the opportunity to obtain Austrian citizenship by making a substantial contribution to the country’s economy or for extraordinary achievements in the interest of Austria.
Benefits include the right to live, work, and study in Austria and other EU countries, visa-free access to numerous countries worldwide, and access to high-quality healthcare and education.
There is no minimum investment amount, but applicants need to make a substantial contribution to the Austrian economy or show extraordinary achievements in the interest of Austria.
Yes, the main applicant can include their spouse and dependent children in their application.
There are no specific residence requirements, but applicants may need to demonstrate a connection to Austria and spend some time in the country.
Required documents typically include a valid passport, proof of contribution, health insurance, a clean criminal record, a comprehensive CV, background business information, impeccable references, and other supporting documents.
Applicants must choose a qualifying investment, submit the application along with the necessary documents, and undergo a due diligence process.