Restitution of Austrian Citizenship (§ 58c)

The process for acquiring Austrian citizenship under Section 58c is a notification (Anzeige) rather than a discretionary application. This means that if you provide the required proof that you meet the legal criteria, you have a legal right to citizenship. You do not need to give up your current citizenship to complete this process.

Step 1: Preliminary Eligibility Check

Before gathering documents, use the official online questionnaire provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BMEIA). This tool helps you confirm if your ancestor's specific circumstances (dates of departure and residence) align with the current law.

Step 2: Document Gathering and Legalization

You must collect original documents or certified copies for yourself and the ancestor through whom you are claiming.

• Translations: Any document not in German or English must be translated by a beeideter Dolmetscher (a sworn and judicially certified translator).
• Legalization: Foreign documents (such as US birth certificates or UK marriage licenses) usually require an Apostille or official legalization to be recognized by Austrian authorities.
• Archival Research: If you are missing records for your ancestor, you can contact the Austrian State Archives or the Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG) for assistance in locating historical residence or citizenship records.

Step 3: Submission

You can submit your notification either from abroad or while living in Austria.

• If you are outside of Austria: Book an appointment at your local Austrian Embassy or Consulate General. They will verify your identity, check your original documents, and forward your file to the relevant authorities in Austria.
• If you are inside Austria: You must submit your notification to the provincial government (Landesregierung) of the province where your ancestor last resided. In Vienna, this is handled by MA 35 (Department of Immigration and Citizenship).

Step 4: Review and Decree

The provincial government will review your file. If they determine you meet the requirements, they will issue a Bescheid (official decree) granting you citizenship.

Step 5: Proof of Citizenship and Passport

Once you receive your decree, you will be issued a Staatsbürgerschaftsnachweis (Proof of Citizenship). With this document, you can apply for an Austrian passport and national ID card at any Austrian representation or passport office.

The Austrian government has waived the standard federal and provincial application fees for victims of persecution and their descendants under Section 58c. However, you are still responsible for the costs of issuing travel documents and administrative preparation.

Item	Cost
Notification Fee (§ 58c)	€0.00
Austrian Passport (Adult)	€75.90
Austrian ID Card (Adult)	€61.50
Translation & Apostilles	Varies by provider

Total Estimate: Approximately €137.40 for final documents, plus independent costs for document procurement and legalizations.

Does not include: Costs for obtaining historical records from archives, professional translation services, or postage/travel to the embassy.

The time it takes to process your notification depends heavily on the complexity of your family history and the current workload of the provincial authorities.

• Standard Processing: Generally 4 to 12 months from the date of submission.
• Complex Cases: If the authorities need to conduct extensive archival research to verify an ancestor's residence or citizenship, the process can take longer than 12 months.
• Regional Variations: High-volume offices, particularly MA 35 in Vienna, may experience longer backlogs due to the high number of applicants.
• Passport Issuance: Once your citizenship is confirmed and you have applied for a passport, it typically takes 5 working days to be produced and mailed.

Document Validity: Your Staatsbürgerschaftsnachweis (Proof of Citizenship) does not expire, but it is recommended to apply for your first passport immediately after receiving it to ensure your records are fully updated in the Austrian central registry.