It is important to remember that citizens acquiring Austrian citizenship (durch Verleihung) other than by descent (kraft Abstammung) must renounce their previous citizenship. Following an amendment of Article 58c StbG, since September 2020 applications for citizenship by declaration (durch Anzeige) have also become possible. This method of application allows the applicant to become an Austrian citizen without having to renounce a previous citizenship.
In 2016, a total of 10 British citizens became Austrian citizens. In 2022 (the latest full year), 1593 British citizens became Austrian citizens, although if the previous year’s figures are indicative the overwhelming majority will have been applications for citizenship by declaration under Article 58c StbG. In 2021, out of 1190 naturalisations, only 38 were by award (durch Verleihung) compared with 1,152 by declaration (durch Anzeige).
Note: This page was originally published as an FAQ. In changing it to a page in 2024, the information was reviewed and updated.