A specific family-history basis
This procedure concerns defined categories in the Austrian Citizenship Act. General Austrian ancestry or a birthplace in the former empire is not enough on its own.
Section 58c: persecuted persons and direct descendants
Austrian citizenship
under Section 58c
around 12 monthsIndicative program timeline
Explore the special citizenship procedure for qualifying descendants of people persecuted under National Socialism. We research the ancestor’s circumstances, document the direct family line and prepare the declaration under Section 58c.
The program’s planning estimate is around 12 months. Archive research and consideration of the declaration can take longer. We assess the preparation and public-authority stages separately, so an approximate program timeline is not presented as a guaranteed passport date.
IMMIGRATION PARTNERS
AustriaYour circumstances.
Our support.
Our support.
From the first documents
to your next step
to your next step
around 12 monthsplanning estimate, subject to eligibility
Austrian passportintended outcome after the required stages
Family assessmentindividual requirements for relatives
Written agreementa clear scope and responsibilities
01 / Your plans
What this program can offer
No mandatory move or language exam
Eligible applicants under this special declaration procedure do not need to relocate to Austria first or pass the ordinary language examination.
Individual rights across generations
Direct descendants may have their own basis. Intervening generations do not have to obtain citizenship first, although their civil records are still needed.
02 / Eligibility
Who should consider this program?
A qualifying persecuted ancestor
Assess citizenship, residence and the circumstances of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution against the categories defined in Section 58c.
A direct descendant
Document the relationship through the maternal or paternal line. Every generational connection must be supported by civil records.
A family with an incomplete archive
Missing family papers do not prevent initial research. Names, previous surnames, dates and addresses can help identify records held by archives and authorities.
03 / Important conditions
The requirements that shape your application
The ancestor’s circumstances
A birth certificate from the former Austro-Hungarian Empire does not automatically establish the legal basis. Citizenship, residence and the relevant persecution circumstances need separate evidence.
The special declaration procedure
The exemptions concerning prior residence and language relate to Section 58c. They should not be presented as conditions for every Austrian citizenship application.
Children and later generations
Each direct descendant’s position must be assessed. For children who are already born, the relevant application and representation arrangements need to be completed.
04 / Family applications
A separate plan for each family member
A spouse does not obtain a Section 58c basis simply by being married to an eligible descendant. Children and other direct descendants may have their own qualifying position. We document the family line for each applicant, check representation of minors and distinguish shared archive evidence from individual civil records.
Plan originals and personal attendance
Before finalising travel, confirm who must attend, which originals are needed, and whether a child’s application requires consent or representation. The principal applicant’s timeline does not automatically describe every relative’s procedure.
05 / Preparation
Documents: build the file around the evidence
This is an overview of the document categories. Your checklist will reflect the actual basis, family composition, place of submission and the accepting authority’s requirements. Original records should be reviewed before final certification and translation.
Applicant identity
The passport and current civil-status records needed for the declaration.
Direct descent
Birth, marriage and name-change records connecting the applicant through every generation to the relevant ancestor.
Ancestor’s status
Available citizenship, residence, registration and other official records that address the statutory category.
Persecution history
Archive evidence relevant to persecution, flight or the circumstances described by the law. A historical family account should be supported by records where required.
Consistent names and dates
Evidence explaining different spellings, married names or discrepancies between records from different countries.
German translations
The appropriate certification and German translations, coordinated after the research and core civil records have been checked.
06 / Timeline
From assessment to the next official step
The program’s planning estimate is around 12 months. Archive research and consideration of the declaration can take longer. We assess the preparation and public-authority stages separately, so an approximate program timeline is not presented as a guaranteed passport date.
- 01
Assess the ancestor and family line
Review the available family history and determine the specific Section 58c questions that require documentary support.
- 02
Research archives and registers
Request civil, residence and persecution-related records and identify which statutory facts they substantiate.
- 03
Prepare the declaration
Check the generational chain, certifications and German translations, and prepare the supporting explanation and documents.
- 04
Follow the declaration and passport steps
Organise the relevant submission arrangements and further requests. After confirmation of citizenship, explain the steps for obtaining an Austrian passport.
Keep the stages distinct
Austrian rules permit retention of another citizenship when acquiring citizenship through this special procedure. Obligations under the applicant’s existing citizenship must also be assessed separately.
07 / Immigration Partners
Preparation and support with clear responsibilities
Your initial assessment
We review the circumstances and available documents, identify the basis to be considered and explain the questions still needing evidence.
A coherent application file
The agreed work may include a checklist, document review, coordination of archive requests or translations, submission arrangements and responses to further requests.
Support after a decision
We explain the relevant registration, card or passport steps, your personal participation and the information needed to plan subsequent actions.
Start with the records you already have
Tell us about your plans and family circumstances. We will define the information needed for the first assessment and the proposed scope of support.
08 / Questions and answers
Austrian citizenship for descendants under Section 58c: your questions
Are Austrian or Jewish roots alone enough?
No. The relevant ancestor must fall within a category covered by Section 58c and the direct relationship must be established.
Can the line run through a great-grandmother?
The direct line may run through women or men. Each generational relationship and the ancestor’s qualifying circumstances must be documented.
Must my parents apply first?
Intervening generations do not have to obtain Austrian citizenship first, but their records are needed to establish the family line.
Is a German-language exam required?
Not for the special Section 58c declaration procedure. Required documents and translations still need to meet the accepting authority’s standards.
Do I need to live in Austria?
Prior residence is not a condition of this specific procedure. Submission and personal participation should be arranged with the competent representation or authority.
Can I keep my existing citizenship?
Austria permits retention under this special acquisition procedure. Any separate requirements of your existing country of citizenship should also be reviewed.
Will my spouse qualify through me?
Only if the spouse has an independent basis. Marriage to an eligible descendant does not itself create a Section 58c claim.
Can a passport be promised in exactly one year?
No. Around 12 months is a planning estimate. Archive research and consideration of the declaration can extend the timetable.
09 / Your next step
Tell us about your circumstances
Official reference sources
Source information was reviewed for the Russian program page on 15 October 2026. Eligibility and documentary requirements must be considered for the individual application. Service timelines do not guarantee a public authority’s decision date.