Plus 66 percent

Naturalizations increased in the first half of the year

3244 people were naturalized after residing in Austria for at least six years and for reasons worthy of special consideration.(Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER)

The number of naturalizations rose by 66 percent in the first half of the year. The majority of these are descendants of victims of the Nazi regime. The increase for other naturalized citizens was just under 19 percent. 

A total of 11,050 people were granted Austrian citizenship from January to June inclusive. In the first half of 2023, there were 6,658 cases. 4151 of the people naturalized this year live abroad.

One in five was born in Austria
A good 37% of those naturalized were politically persecuted victims of the Nazi regime and their descendants. They have been able to obtain citizenship since September 2020. The largest groups among them are citizens of Israel, the United States and Great Britain. Among those naturalized for other reasons, the strongest countries of origin are Syria, Turkey and Afghanistan. One in five of the new Austrians was already born in this country.

3244 people were naturalized after residing in Austria for at least six years and for reasons worthy of special consideration. These could be, for example, long-term integration or proven German language skills.

Growth in all federal states
There was an increase in almost all federal states. Only Burgenland and Vienna recorded slightly fewer naturalizations than in the first half of 2023.