Austria
Citizenship by Exceptional Achievements
Program Overview
An excellent place to gain citizenship within the EU, Austria is one of the few Western European countries that offers the possibility to obtain citizenship by exceptional achievements and a European passport without prior residence requirements. When you acquire citizenship under the Austrian Citizenship Act, you and your family enjoy full citizenship for life, which can be passed on to future generations by descent.
Program Details
Time To Citizenship
12-36 months
Visa Free Travel
193 countries
Passport Rank
2nd In the world
No prior residence requirements
The right to reside anywhere in the EU and Switzerland
Country Overview
Austria stands as an alluring country, with Vienna, its capital, consistently recognized for its exceptional quality of life. The nation’s blend of economic stability, pristine environment, and superb infrastructure creates an outstanding living environment. Austria thrives with a vibrant culture, boasting world-class museums, renowned musical festivals, and stunning architectural wonders. Nature lovers are captivated by its breathtaking landscapes, encompassing snow-capped mountains, verdant countryside, and picturesque lakes.
As one of Europe’s wealthiest nations, Austria boasts a well-developed economy, primarily driven by the service sector, which contributes significantly to its GDP. Furthermore, Austria benefits from robust commercial ties with Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, further fueling its economic growth and prosperity.
It is an excellent place to establish residence within the EU, and it is one of the only EU countries that have an established practice of offering citizenship and a passport to substantial investors without prior residence requirements, on the basis of a capital contribution to the country.
Capital
Vienna
Population
8.9 million
Language
German, English
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Exchange Rate
1 USD = 0.891 EUR
Government Type
Federal Parliamentary Republic
Pathway to Citizenship
- Austrian Citizenship may be granted to foreigners for exceptional achievements according to Sec. 10(6) of the Austrian Citizenship Act.
- Exceptional achievements can be made in the areas of science, sports, arts or business (incl. philanthropy).
- The process of obtaining citizenship through exceptional achievements typically takes between 12-36 months.
- Total cost for a family (incl. spouse and children up to 18y) starts at EUR 4-5 million.
Visa Free Countries
193 Countries
* Visa on arrival
**eTA
Oceania
Cook Islands
Fiji
French Polynesia
Kiribati
Marshall Islands
Micronesia
New Caledonia
Niue
Northern Mariana Islands
Palau Islands *
Samoa *
Solomon Islands *
Tuvalu *
Vanuatu
Middle East
Armenia *
Bahrain*
Iran *
Iraq
Israel
Jordan *
Kuwait*
Lebanon*
Oman
Palestenian Territory
Qatar
Saudi Arabia*
United Arab Emirates
Europe
Albania
Andorra
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Kosovo
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
Netherlands
North Macedonia
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
San Marino
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Türkiye *
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Vatican City
Caribbean
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Aruba
Bahamas
Barbados
Bonaire; St. Eustatius and Saba
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Curacao
Dominica
Dominican Republic
French West Indies
Grenada
Haiti
Jamaica
Montserrat
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Maarten
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos Islands
Asia
Bangladesh *
Brunei
Cambodia *
Hong Kong (SAR China)
Indonesia *
Japan
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Laos *
Macao (SAR China) *
Malaysia
Maldives *
Mongolia
Myanmar*
Nepal *
Philippines
Singapore
South Korea
Taiwan (Chinese Taipei)
Tajikistan *
Thailand
Timor-Leste *
Uzbekistan
Americas
Argentina
Belize
Bermuda
Bolivia *
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Ecuador
El Salvador
Falkland Islands
French Guiana
Guatemala
Guyana
Honduras
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Africa
Angola
Botswana
Burundi *
Cape Verde Islands *
Comoro Islands *
Djibouti *
Egypt *
eSwatini
Guinea-Bissau *
Kenya
Lesotho
Madagascar *
Malawi
Mauritania *
Mauritius
Mayotte
Morocco
Mozambique *
Namibia
Reunion
Rwanda
Sao Tome and Principe
Senegal
Seychelles *
Sierra Leone *
Somalia *
South Africa
St. Helena *
Tanzania
The Gambia
Togo *
Tunisia
Zambia
Zimbabwe
E-visa
American Samoa**
Australia**
Canada**
Guam**
New Zealand**
Pakistan**
Puerto Rico**
Sri Lanka
United States**
US Virgin Islands**
*The list of countries is subject to variations depending on each government’s policy and so is access to these countries.
Organizations
Member of the United Nations since 1955
Member of the European Union since 1995
Member of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe since 1975
Member of the World Trade Organization since 1995