Austrian Citizenship

Do I really need to live in Austria for 10 years to get citizenship?

It’s one of the most common questions we get — and the short answer is: usually yes, but there are important exceptions. Let’s walk you through what the law says and what it might mean in your case.

🧭 The general rule: 10 years

To qualify for Austrian citizenship through naturalization, you typically need:

  • 10 years of continuous legal residence in Austria
  • Of which at least 5 years must be on a residence permit (not just visas or asylum pending)
  • Proof of stable income and no dependency on social benefits
  • German skills at minimum B1 level
  • Passing the Staatsbürgerschaftstest (citizenship test)
  • A clean criminal record

⚠️ Important: Time spent on certain residence permits (like short-term student permits or humanitarian statuses) might not count or may count partially. Also, significant time abroad can break the continuity.

🎯 When can you apply earlier than 10 years?

In some cases, the required residence period is reduced to 6 years, but there are specific conditions:

✔️ Integration-based reduction (6 years)

You may apply after 6 years if you can show:

  • German proficiency at B2 level or higher
  • Sustained integration, such as volunteer work, long-term employment, or education in Austria

This reduction is discretionary — not guaranteed — and the authorities will assess your overall integration.

RWR Card

What happens if I quit my job before my RWR Card or Blue Card expires? When can I apply for the RWR Plus?

Short answer: Quitting your job early can affect your eligibility for the RWR Plus. To qualify, you must have worked for 21 months within 24 months of legal residence under the RWR or Blue Card scheme. Here’s what you need to know:

🚨 Immediate Impact of Quitting Your Job

  • Grace period: You have 3 months to find a new job that complies with the conditions of your current permit (e.g., minimum salary for Blue Card holders).

     

  • Permit validity: Your RWR/Blue Card is tied to your employment. If you don’t secure a suitable job within the 3-month period, your permit may be revoked.

     

  • RWR Plus eligibility: You must accumulate 21 months of qualifying employment within a 24-month period of legal residence under your current permit. Any unemployment exceeding the 3-month grace period does not count toward the 21 months.

     

📅 Key Requirements for the RWR Plus

To be eligible, you must fulfill both conditions:

  1. 24 months of uninterrupted legal residence under an RWR Card or Blue Card.

     

  2. 21 months of employment during those 24 months, where the employment:

     

    • Meets the conditions of your permit (e.g., salary, field of work).
    • Is full-time and not interrupted by non-qualifying gaps.
    • Does not involve reliance on social welfare during the employment period.

       

⚠️ Note:
 The 3-month grace period counts toward the 24 months of residence, but not toward the 21 months of employment.

Example:
 If you’re unemployed for 4 months, only 3 months are “protected.” The additional 1-month gap reduces your qualifying employment time. You’d then need to accumulate 21 months of work within 23 months of residence.

🛠️ How to Safeguard Your RWR Plus Eligibility

  • Act quickly: Secure a new qualifying job within 3 months of leaving your previous position.
  • Request a grace period extension: In special circumstances (e.g., illness, parental leave), the authorities may extend the grace period. Always submit documentation.
  • Stay on the right permit: Avoid switching to a different permit (e.g., student visa), as this may reset or pause your 24/21-month timeline.

     

🔍 Exceptions & Clarifications

  • Changing employers is allowed, but the new job must comply with your permit’s criteria.
  • Part-time work does not count toward the 21 months—only full-time employment qualifies.
  • Self-employment is not covered under the standard RWR or Blue Card. You would need to switch to an “Entrepreneur” RWR Card, which restarts the 24/21-month requirement.