Citizenship by Marriage (Section 11a)

To apply for Austrian citizenship through marriage, you must navigate a process managed by your specific Landesregierung (Federal State Government). This is an in-person application process that requires you to prove both your integration into Austrian society and the stability of your marriage.

Step 1: Initial Consultation

Before submitting any paperwork, book an appointment for a consultation with the citizenship department of your local state government. If you live in Vienna, this is MA 35 (Department of Immigration and Citizenship). During this meeting, an officer will review your specific situation and provide a checklist of documents tailored to your home country.

Step 2: Document Preparation and Testing

Gather all required documents. Any document not in German must be translated by a certified translator and, depending on the issuing country, may require an Apostille (a form of international legalization) or full diplomatic legalization. During this phase, you must also:

• Pass the B1 German language exam if you do not already hold a recognized certificate.
• Pass the "Living in Austria" citizenship test, which covers Austrian history, democratic values, and the specific history of your federal state.

Step 3: In-Person Submission

You must submit your application in person at the competent authority in the federal state where you have your Hauptwohnsitz (primary residence). You will present your completed application form and all original documents. The authority will verify your "integrity," which includes a background check with police and security services to ensure you have no serious criminal record or administrative offenses.

Step 4: The Assurance (Zusicherungsbescheid)

If you meet all requirements, the authority will issue a Bescheid (formal notification). This is an "assurance of citizenship," which officially promises you Austrian citizenship on the condition that you renounce your current nationality, as Austria generally does not allow dual citizenship.

Step 5: Renunciation of Current Citizenship

Take your Zusicherungsbescheid to the embassy or consulate of your home country to begin the process of renouncing your current citizenship. Once you receive official proof that you are no longer a citizen of that country, you must submit this proof to the Austrian citizenship office.

Step 6: The Ceremony and Oath

Once the renunciation is verified, you will be invited to a formal citizenship ceremony. You will take an oath of allegiance to the Republic of Austria, after which you will receive your Staatsbürgerschaftsnachweis (Certificate of Citizenship). You can then apply for an Austrian passport.

Fees are split between federal charges and provincial (state) charges. The following rates reflect the updates from January 2026.

Item	Cost
Federal Application Fee	€163
Federal Grant Fee	€1,448
Provincial (State) Fees	€500 – €2,100 (varies by state)
Total Estimated Cost	€2,111 – €3,711

Note: This total does not include costs for certified translations, Apostilles, German language exams, the citizenship test fee, or the fees charged by your home country for renouncing your current citizenship.

The timeline for citizenship is lengthy and depends heavily on your location and your home country's bureaucracy.

• Document Preparation: 3 to 6 months to collect international documents, obtain translations, and pass required exams.
• State Authority Review: 12 to 24 months. Note that in high-volume areas like Vienna, wait times frequently exceed 2 years.
• Renunciation Phase: 6 months to 2 years, depending entirely on the speed of your home country’s government.
• Document Validity: Most foreign certificates (like criminal record extracts) must be no older than 6 months at the time of your initial application submission.

Critical Requirement: You must maintain a gemeinsamer Haushalt (shared household) with your Austrian spouse throughout the entire processing period. If you move out or separate before the final ceremony, your application will be denied.