Austria

Citizenship by Exceptional Achievements Program

AUSTRIA

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.

AUSTRIA

Program Details

Time to Citizenship

12 – 36 Months

Visa-Free Access

191 Countries

Passport Rank

3rd in the world

Minimum Investment

€4,000,000 EUR

Residency Requirements

None

Establishment Date

1985

AUSTRIA

Investment Options

Austria offers a citizenship by investment option under Section 10(6) of the Austrian Citizenship Act, targeting individuals who provide extraordinary services to the country. Unlike many other programs, Austria does not have set financial thresholds but instead grants citizenship based on significant contributions in areas like scientific, economic, artistic, or athletic achievements that benefit the Austrian Republic. These contributions must be of national interest, and applicants typically invest in large-scale business ventures, create employment opportunities, or make other substantial contributions to the Austrian economy or culture.

Exceptional Achievements

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). Total cost for a family (incl. spouse and children up to 18y) is estimated at around EUR 4-5 million.

AUSTRIA

Country Overview

Flag

The Austrian flag is one of the oldest national flags in the world. It consists of three horizontal stripes: red, white, and red. The red symbolizes the bloodshed in the country’s defense, while the white represents peace and honesty. The flag’s design dates back to the 12th century, making it a significant part of Austria’s historical identity.

Coat of Arms

Austria’s coat of arms features a black eagle symbolizing Austria’s sovereignty. The eagle holds a sickle and a hammer in its talons, representing agriculture and industry. The broken chains around the eagle’s legs signify Austria’s liberation from fascism after World War II. Atop the eagle’s head is a mural crown, symbolizing Austria as a republic.

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.

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

AUSTRIA

Visa Free Travel List

Legend:

Visa-free: No visa is required for entry into the country for a specified period.
Visa on arrival: Visa can be obtained upon arrival at the destination, typically at the airport or border entry.
eVisa: Visa must be applied for and obtained online before traveling.
Visa required: A visa must be obtained from the destination country’s embassy or consulate prior to traveling.

Flag Country Area Visa Requirement
Afghanistan Afghanistan Asia Visa required
Albania Albania Europe Visa-free
Algeria Algeria Africa Visa required
American Samoa American Samoa Oceania Visa required
Andorra Andorra Europe Visa-free
Angola Angola Africa eVisa
Anguilla Anguilla Caribbean Visa-free
Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda Europe Visa-free
Argentina Argentina South America Visa-free
Armenia Armenia Asia Visa-free
Aruba Aruba Caribbean Visa-free
Australia Australia Oceania eVisa
Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Asia eVisa
Bahamas Bahamas Caribbean Visa-free
Bahrain Bahrain Asia Visa on arrival
Bangladesh Bangladesh Asia Visa on arrival
Barbados Barbados Caribbean Visa-free
Belarus Belarus Europe Visa-free
Belgium Belgium Europe Visa-free
Belize Belize Central America Visa-free
Benin Benin Africa eVisa
Bermuda Bermuda Caribbean Visa-free
Bhutan Bhutan Asia Visa required
Bolivia Bolivia South America Visa on arrival
Bonaire; St. Eustatius and Saba Bonaire; St. Eustatius and Saba Caribbean Visa-free
Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina Europe Visa-free
Botswana Botswana Africa Visa-free
Brazil Brazil South America Visa-free
British Virgin Islands British Virgin Islands Caribbean Visa-free
Brunei Brunei Asia Visa-free
Bulgaria Bulgaria Europe Visa-free
Burkina Faso Burkina Faso Africa Visa required
Burundi Burundi Africa Visa required
Cambodia Cambodia Asia Visa on arrival
Cameroon Cameroon Africa Visa required
Canada Canada North America Visa-free
Cape Verde Islands Cape Verde Islands Africa Visa on arrival
Cayman Islands Cayman Islands Caribbean Visa-free
Central African Republic Central African Republic Africa Visa required
Chad Chad Africa Visa required
Chile Chile South America Visa-free
China China Asia Visa required
Colombia Colombia South America Visa-free
Comoro Islands Comoro Islands Africa Visa on arrival
Congo (Dem. Rep.) Congo (Dem. Rep.) Africa Visa required
Congo (Rep.) Congo (Rep.) Africa Visa required
Cook Islands Cook Islands Oceania Visa-free
Costa Rica Costa Rica Central America Visa-free
Cote d'Ivoire Cote d’Ivoire Africa eVisa
Croatia Croatia Europe Visa-free
Cuba Cuba Caribbean Visa required
Curacao Curacao Caribbean Visa-free
Cyprus Cyprus Europe Visa-free
Czechia Czechia Europe Visa-free
Denmark Denmark Europe Visa-free
Djibouti Djibouti Africa eVisa
Dominica Dominica Caribbean Visa-free
Dominican Republic Dominican Republic Caribbean Visa required
Ecuador Ecuador South America Visa-free
Egypt Egypt Africa eVisa
El Salvador El Salvador Central America Visa-free
Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea Africa Visa required
Eritrea Eritrea Africa Visa required
Estonia Estonia Europe Visa-free
eSwatini eSwatini Africa Visa-free
Ethiopia Ethiopia Africa eVisa
Falkland Islands Falkland Islands South America Visa required
Faroe Islands Faroe Islands Europe Visa-free
Fiji Fiji Oceania Visa-free
Finland Finland Europe Visa-free
France France Europe Visa-free
French Guiana French Guiana South America Visa-free
French Polynesia French Polynesia Oceania Visa-free
French West Indies French West Indies Caribbean Visa-free
Gabon Gabon Africa eVisa
Georgia Georgia Asia Visa-free
Germany Germany Europe Visa-free
Ghana Ghana Africa Visa required
Gibraltar Gibraltar Europe Visa-free
Greece Greece Europe Visa-free
Greenland Greenland Europe Visa-free
Grenada Grenada Caribbean Visa-free
Guam Guam Oceania Visa required
Guatemala Guatemala Central America Visa-free
Guinea Guinea Africa Visa required
Guinea-Bissau Guinea-Bissau Africa Visa on arrival
Guyana Guyana South America Visa-free
Haiti Haiti Caribbean Visa-free
Honduras Honduras Central America Visa-free
Hong Kong (SAR China) Hong Kong (SAR China) Asia Visa-free
Hungary Hungary Europe Visa-free
Iceland Iceland Europe Visa-free
India India Asia eVisa
Indonesia Indonesia Asia Visa-free
Iran Iran Asia Visa on arrival
Iraq Iraq Asia Visa required
Ireland Ireland Europe Visa-free
Israel Israel Asia Visa-free
Italy Italy Europe Visa-free
Jamaica Jamaica Caribbean Visa-free
Japan Japan Asia Visa-free
Jordan Jordan Asia Visa on arrival
Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Asia Visa-free
Kenya Kenya Africa eVisa
Kiribati Kiribati Oceania Visa-free
Kosovo Kosovo Europe Visa-free
Kuwait Kuwait Asia Visa on arrival
Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan Asia Visa-free
Laos Laos Asia Visa on arrival
Latvia Latvia Europe Visa-free
Lebanon Lebanon Asia Visa on arrival
Lesotho Lesotho Africa Visa-free
Liberia Liberia Africa Visa required
Libya Libya Africa Visa required
Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Europe Visa-free
Lithuania Lithuania Europe Visa-free
Luxembourg Luxembourg Europe Visa-free
Macao (SAR China) Macao (SAR China) Asia Visa-free
Madagascar Madagascar Africa Visa on arrival
Malawi Malawi Africa Visa-free
Malaysia Malaysia Asia Visa-free
Maldives Maldives Asia Visa on arrival
Mali Mali Africa Visa required
Malta Malta Europe Visa-free
Marshall Islands Marshall Islands Oceania Visa on arrival
Mauritania Mauritania Africa Visa on arrival
Mauritius Mauritius Africa Visa-free
Mayotte Mayotte Africa Visa-free
Mexico Mexico North America Visa-free
Micronesia Micronesia Oceania Visa-free
Moldova Moldova Europe Visa-free
Monaco Monaco Europe Visa-free
Mongolia Mongolia Asia Visa-free
Montenegro Montenegro Europe Visa-free
Montserrat Montserrat Caribbean Visa-free
Morocco Morocco Africa Visa-free
Mozambique Mozambique Africa Visa on arrival
Myanmar Myanmar Asia eVisa
Namibia Namibia Africa Visa-free
Nauru Nauru Oceania Visa required
Nepal Nepal Asia Visa on arrival
Netherlands Netherlands Europe Visa-free
New Caledonia New Caledonia Oceania Visa-free
New Zealand New Zealand Oceania Visa-free
Nicaragua Nicaragua Central America Visa-free
Niger Niger Africa Visa required
Nigeria Nigeria Africa Visa required
Niue Niue Oceania Visa-free
North Korea North Korea Asia Visa required
North Macedonia North Macedonia Europe Visa-free
Northern Mariana Islands Northern Mariana Islands Oceania Visa required
Norway Norway Europe Visa-free
Oman Oman Asia eVisa
Pakistan Pakistan Asia eVisa
Palau Islands Palau Islands Oceania Visa on arrival
Palestinian Territory Palestinian Territory Asia Visa-free
Panama Panama Central America Visa-free
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Oceania Visa on arrival
Paraguay Paraguay South America Visa-free
Peru Peru South America Visa-free
Philippines Philippines Asia Visa-free
Poland Poland Europe Visa-free
Portugal Portugal Europe Visa-free
Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Caribbean Visa required
Qatar Qatar Asia Visa on arrival
Reunion Reunion Africa Visa-free
Romania Romania Europe Visa-free
Russian Federation Russian Federation Europe Visa-free
Rwanda Rwanda Africa Visa on arrival
Samoa Samoa Oceania Visa-free
San Marino San Marino Europe Visa-free
Sao Tome and Principe Sao Tome and Principe Africa eVisa
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia Asia eVisa
Senegal Senegal Africa Visa-free
Serbia Serbia Europe Visa-free
Seychelles Seychelles Africa Visa-free
Sierra Leone Sierra Leone Africa Visa on arrival
Singapore Singapore Asia Visa-free
Slovakia Slovakia Europe Visa-free
Slovenia Slovenia Europe Visa-free
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands Oceania Visa-free
Somalia Somalia Africa Visa on arrival
South Africa South Africa Africa Visa-free
South Korea South Korea Asia Visa-free
South Sudan South Sudan Africa Visa required
Spain Spain Europe Visa-free
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Asia eVisa
St. Helena St. Helena Africa Visa-free
St. Kitts and Nevis St. Kitts and Nevis Caribbean Visa-free
St. Lucia St. Lucia Caribbean Visa-free
St. Maarten St. Maarten Caribbean Visa-free
St. Vincent and the Grenadines St. Vincent and the Grenadines Caribbean Visa-free
Sudan Sudan Africa Visa required
Suriname Suriname South America Visa-free
Sweden Sweden Europe Visa-free
Switzerland Switzerland Europe Visa-free
Syria Syria Asia Visa required
Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) Asia Visa-free
Tajikistan Tajikistan Asia eVisa
Tanzania Tanzania Africa Visa on arrival
Thailand Thailand Asia Visa-free
The Gambia The Gambia Africa Visa-free
Timor-Leste Timor-Leste Asia Visa on arrival
Togo Togo Africa Visa on arrival
Tonga Tonga Oceania Visa-free
Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago Caribbean Visa-free
Tunisia Tunisia Africa Visa-free
Türkiye Türkiye Asia/Europe Visa-free
Turkmenistan Turkmenistan Asia Visa required
Turks and Caicos Islands Turks and Caicos Islands Caribbean Visa-free
Tuvalu Tuvalu Oceania Visa on arrival
Uganda Uganda Africa Visa on arrival
Ukraine Ukraine Europe Visa-free
United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Asia Visa-free
United Kingdom United Kingdom Europe Visa-free
United States United States North America Visa required
Uruguay Uruguay South America Visa-free
US Virgin Islands US Virgin Islands Caribbean Visa required
Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Asia Visa-free
Vanuatu Vanuatu Oceania Visa-free
Vatican City Vatican City Europe Visa-free
Venezuela Venezuela South America Visa-free
Vietnam Vietnam Asia eVisa
Yemen Yemen Asia Visa required
Zambia Zambia Africa Visa on arrival
Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Africa Visa on arrival
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FAQ

Common Questions

What qualifies as an exceptional contribution for Austrian citizenship?

Who is eligible to apply for Austrian citizenship through exceptional contributions?

What is the application process for Austrian citizenship via exceptional contributions?

Are there any financial investment requirements for obtaining Austrian citizenship through exceptional contributions?

Can family members be included in the Austrian citizenship application through exceptional contributions?

How long does it take to obtain Austrian citizenship through exceptional contributions?

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