Austria Extends Citizenship to Descendants of Victims of Nazi Persecution

On September 19, 2019, the Parliament of the Republic of Austria unanimously approved an amendment to the Austrian Nationality Act (sec 58c) in line with Austria’s ongoing endeavor for reconciliation with all those who suffered under the totalitarian Nazi regime in Austria.

Who is eligible?

• All former Austrian citizens as well as persons who were citizens of successor states of the former Austro-Hungarian Monarchy or stateless at the time, but had their residence in Austria, who were forced to leave Austria before May 15, 1955, because they had to fear or even suffered persecution by the NSDAP (National Socialist German Worker’s Party) or other authorities of the so-called “Third Reich” or they had to fear or suffered persecution because of defending the democratic Republic of Austria.

• All descendants in the direct descending line (children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren…) of the persecuted person (who meets the above-mentioned criteria), including children who were adopted as minors.

 
Eligible descendants will be able to apply for Austrian citizenship once this amendment to sec 58c of the Austrian Nationality Act comes into effect on September 1, 2020.

Please note that further information on procedural aspects, especially regarding proof of descent, will be published in due course.

www.austria.org/citizenship