Bodensee, with Bregenzer Festspiele (2017 - Carmen)

Citizenship in Austria by Nomination for Scientists, Investors, Athletes, Artists: Austrian Naturalization and Golden Passport

Austrian Citizenship for Outstanding Achievements
("Verleihung der Staatsbürgerschaft für ausserordentliche Leistungen")

Apply for the Austrian passport

Description of the Austrian Citizenship by Investment Program

According to Art. 10 para. 6 of the Austrian Citizenship Law, Austria grants facilitated access to Austrian citizenship to foreigners for outstanding achievements accomplished in the past or to be expected in the future which are in the particular interest of the Republic of Austria ("wenn die Bundesregierung bestätigt, dass die Verleihung wegen der vom Fremden bereits erbrachten und von ihm noch zu erwartenden außerordentlichen Leistungen im besonderen Interesse der Republik Österreich liegt").

The Austrian passport is valid for 10 years and gives free movement and residence in any of the states of the European Union including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Austrian passports are the same burgundy color as other European passports, with the Austrian Coat of arms emblazoned in the center of the front cover. Each page of the Austrian passport shows the coat of arms of a different Austrian state in the background.

The Austrian passport provides visa-free travel (or visa on arrival) to 187 countries. Dual citizenship is allowed under the grant of Austrian citizenship for outstanding achievements.

Key Benefits of the Austrian Citizenship Program

• Investors under the Austrian citizenship by investment program can maintain their tax residence outside Austria
• No Austrian income is needed
• No German language skills are required
• No Austrian citizenship exam is needed
• Dual citizenship is allowed (that is, a second Austrian passport is possible)
• The application for Austrian citizenship can be submitted with any Austrian consulate

Key Downsides of the Austrian Citizenship Program

• The applicant's dependants (spouse and children) can also apply, but must demonstrate medium German language skills (German Level B1 as per the CEFR) and pass the Austrian citizenship test
• Applicants for permanent European residency ("Daueraufenthalt EU") after 5 years of stay in Austria must demonstrate medium German language skills (Level B1 as per the CEFR)
• In 2011, then deputy Landeshauptmann of Carinthia, Uwe Scheuch, was sentenced to prison for acceptance of gifts because he was caught on tape while offering Austrian citizenship to a Russian investor as "part of the game", that is, in exchange for a EUR 5m investment into a public project of which 5-10% were to be "gifted" to his political party ("Part of the Game" scandal)
• Austria's economic citizenship program displays a general vulnerability to corruption
  

Physical Presence Requirements in Austria under the Austrian Citizenship Program

There are no physical presence requirements under the Austrian golden passport program.

Personal Income Tax in Austria

> Austrian residents are taxed on their worldwide income, non-residents are taxed on income sourced in Austria only.

Real Estate Tax in Austria

Corporate Income Tax in Austria

How to Get Austrian Citizenship for Outstanding Achievements

In an effort to rationalize and streamline the selection process and make it more transparent, the Austrian Ministry of the Interior issued in 2014 a "catalogue" of Austrian citizenship admission criteria substantiating the concept of "the particular interest of the Republic of Austria".

The catalogue defines four areas of activity (scientific, economic, athletic, artistic) in which outstanding achievements are typically required.

This catalogue is not binding nor is it exhaustive, but it serves as an important benchmark aimed at supporting the Austrian authorities in their decision-making process. In addition, the catalogue's examples of outstanding achievements under a given area of activity need not be met in totality - an "individual, but predominant, fulfilment" is sufficient.

Most importantly, outstanding achievements are only those which are currently "largely above average" in the respective field of activity. Austria does not naturalize foreigners for "honorary" reasons. Rather, it grants economic citizenship "for outstanding achievements accomplished in the past or to be expected in the future".

The official catalogue of admission criteria for obtaining Austrian citizenship ("Kriterienkatalog") is as follows:

Scientific Achievements

• scientific activity in yet undeveloped areas or the advancement of scientific areas;
• continuous scientific activity predominantly in Austria or, if abroad, for Austrian (-located) scientific research and development institutions;
• a high reputation in the international scientific community or a high degree of international recognition;
• national and international publications;
• the transfer of new knowledge gained abroad to Austria (for example to Austrian students and scientists);
• active and recognized research activity;
• teaching activity at Austrian universities.

Economic Achievements

• company owner or holding a managing position with significant influence in a company; board membership by itself is insufficient;
• high economic productivity of the company;
• creation and maintenance of Austrian jobs to a relevant degree, in particular in economically weak regions of Austria;
• significant company investments in Austria, in particular investments already made, or projects already carried out in Austria; mere cash flows are insufficient;
• recognition of the company, including abroad;
• promotion of the bilateral and multilateral foreign relations of Austria in the economic sector.

Athletic Achievements

• there is currently no comparable Austrian athlete available, including in the area of junior athletes;
• the outstanding athletic achievements were already displayed in Austria over a longer period of time (over at least one year);
• it may be expected that the active and successful career as an athlete will continue, in particular with regard to the athlete's age;
• the athlete intends, and is legally qualified, to be immediately deployed in an Austrian national team;
• the athlete scored very high ratings in national or international single or team competitions.

Artistic Achievements

• the artist's individual artistic achievement represents an essential contribution to Austria's art scene;
• the artist's outstanding artistic qualifications contribute to essential achievements in the field of education at Austrian higher education institutions;
• the artist increases and spreads the artistic reputation of the Republic of Austria at the international level;
• the artist's individual outstanding artistic performance attracts the audience;
• the artist developed an individual technique or reactivated an old art technique by giving it a new use or vesting it into a new, modern form.
  

Required Documents for the Austrian Passport

Certified, apostilled, and translated into German by a court translator:

• International passport
• Birth certificate
• Passport photo (45mm x 35mm)
• Marriage (alternatively, registered partnership, divorce) certificate
• Criminal record certificate

Project Costs for Applying for Austrian Citizenship for Outstanding Economic Achievements

What is the Procedure and How Long Does it Take to Apply for the Austrian Passport for Outstanding Achievements

1. Formal application with one of the 9 Austrian local State Governments including recommendation letters (if any) from companies or respected public figures
2. Referral of the application for review to the Austrian Minister of Interior, as the particular interest of Austria must be confirmed by the Austrian Federal Government
3. Referral of the application to the relevant Austrian Ministry depending on the corresponding outstanding achievement displayed in the application file
4. Unanimous decision by all Austrian Ministers

> Time to approval is typically 12 - 18 months