Austria Austria Citizenship by Exceptional Merit — Citizenship Program
🏆 OVERVIEW
Country
🇦🇹 Austria
Program
Austria Citizenship by Exceptional Merit
Local Name
Staatsbürgerschaft durch außerordentliche Leistungen
Type
Exceptional Merit
Status
Active
Processing Time
730-1095 days
Dual Citizenship
Allowed
Visa-Free Countries
185 destinations
Passport Rank
#4 (Henley Index)
Austria can grant citizenship without prior residence in cases of extraordinary merit in the interests of the Republic. The route is discretionary and is not a priced investment citizenship program. Economic contributions may support a merit case, but passive investments and fixed-price donations do not create an entitlement.
💵 FEES & COSTS
Application Fee
$500
📋 ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS
Min Age
18+
Police Clearance
Required
Medical Exam
Not required
Interview
Required
Agent Required
Must use authorized agent
Oath
Required
👨👩👧👦 FAMILY
Dependents
Allowed
Spouse
Included
Spouse Eligible
Spouse of eligible person also qualifies
Max Child Age
18
🛂 PASSPORT & MOBILITY
Passport Rank
#4 (Henley Index)
Visa-Free Access
185 countries
Passport Validity
10 years
EU Citizenship
Yes
Schengen Access
Yes
US E-2 Treaty
Yes — eligible for US investor visa
📍 PHYSICAL PRESENCE
Must Visit Country
Yes
📝 HOW TO APPLY
Method
In person
Apply from Abroad
Yes
Application Type
Discretionary
Official Website
www.oesterreich.gv.at
Legal Basis
Staatsbürgerschaftsgesetz (StbG) Art. 10(6)
📌 NOTES & CAVEATS
No ordinary residence requirement when citizenship is granted for extraordinary merit under StbG Art. 10(6). This is discretionary and nomination-like, not a fixed-price CBI product. Official materials do not publish investment thresholds, quotas, processing fees, or due diligence fee schedules. Allows retention of existing citizenship(s) when granted under the extraordinary-merit route.
🔗 ALSO IN AUSTRIA
- Austria Settlement Permit (Gainful Employment Excepted) (passive income)