Austrians endorse stringent citizenship requirements, such as the ten-year waiting period.

Key Points

• The majority of Austrians strongly advocate for maintaining stringent requirements for newcomers.
• Approximately three-quarters of Austrians support retaining the current citizenship rules, with about two-thirds in agreement on keeping the ten-year waiting period for citizenship.
• Austria granted Austrian citizenship to 19,939 individuals last year, including over 8,000 residing abroad.

In a recent survey conducted by the People’s Party, it has been revealed that Austrians overwhelmingly endorse the existing citizenship and voting regulations, which have often been criticized as overly strict by foreigners.

The survey findings indicate that about three-quarters of Austrians are in favor of preserving the current citizenship regulations. Additionally, approximately two-thirds of respondents believe that the ten-year waiting period for citizenship should remain unchanged. Furthermore, three-quarters express strong support for strict conditions regarding dual citizenship.

Approximately 90% of respondents stress the significance of successful integration for young citizens. Concerning voting rights, around two-thirds agree that citizenship should continue to be a prerequisite.

Moreover, only a minority, roughly one-third, are open to extending voting rights to immigrants who have resided in Austria for 15-20 years.

These findings underscore the high value Austrians place on their citizenship and voting rights, recognizing that these privileges are not easily granted but are earned through clear guidelines. Chancellor Nehammer’s vision outlined in the Austrian Plan, which emphasizes Austria’s cultural heritage as a precious national asset, resonates with many citizens.

Austrian citizenship is closely tied to our democracy and values. Granting citizenship should not be taken lightly. It represents the culmination of a successful integration process and should not be the starting point.

Secretary General Christian Stocker

Constitution Minister Karoline Edtstadler views these survey results as confirmation of Nehammer’s intentions outlined in Austria's plan. She underscores that there will be no relaxation of citizenship criteria, emphasizing that citizenship is one of the most valuable assets of a nation and cannot be granted arbitrarily. It requires strict and transparent criteria, with successful integration remaining a fundamental prerequisite.

In 2023, Statistik Austria reported a 3.2% decrease in Austrian citizenship grants compared to 2022, with 19,939 individuals granted citizenship, including over 8,000 residing outside Austria. This decline is primarily attributed to a 17.7% drop in naturalizations of victims of National Socialism and their descendants.

Director General of Statistics Austria, Tobias Thomas, notes that the trend of increasing naturalization numbers did not continue in 2023. Austria's naturalization rate remains relatively low at 0.7%, requiring a ten-year residency, substantial fees (around €2,000), and renunciation of any other citizenship.