Austria Citizenship – Immigrate to Europe

Austria conveniently located in heart of central Europe and with rich central European culture and high standards of living. The country has excellent infrastructure and  transportation.

Austria is the only country in Europe “officially” offering `Citizenship by Investment` or `Economic citizenship` program – granting citizenship to foreign and Non EU persons, who invest substantial sum of money  in the Austria economy.

Austria  Benefits

• Austria has high standards of living and excellent reputation.
• Neutral country in Europe.
• Visa free travel to EU countries, including Canada, UK, USA
• No prior residence requirements, direct citizenship against investment.
• Citizenship for family members.
• Clean and safe environment in an ‘aesthetically’ beautiful country

We assist wealthy clients and corporates with residency and citizenship in Austria. There are 2 ways to immigrate to Austria:

1. Austria Residence Program
2. Austria Citizenship by Investment (direct citizenship without residency)

Austria Residence Program

Under this program, those who are independent persons and retirees can apply for residency in Austria. No business activity or employment allowed under this program and you have to show sufficient financial means as a precondition to apply for residency in Austria. You must spend atleast 180 days in Austria and you will be a taxed person as well.

Austrian residence permit allows you to travel to all Schengen states without the need for a visa. A residence permit is first issued for one year and can then be yearly renewed without problems or interruptions. After eight to ten years of legal residence in Austria it is possible to apply for Austrian citizenship.

Eligibility Criteria

1. No business activity or employment allowed in Austria. (ideal for retired/independent persons)
2. Bank statement showing liquid assets atleast EUR 100,000 for single person, plus EUR 50,000 for each additional family member.
3.  Accommodation and health insurance for stay in Austria (we will help)

Fee and Charges

• Main Applicant Fee: EUR 100,000 to EUR 150,000, plus EUR 15,000 per dependent.
• Other Expenses: EUR 1000 to EUR 5000
• Accommodation: approx EUR 500 per month
• Health Insurance: EUR 1500 per year.
• Residence permit renewal: approx EUR 6000.- annually

We expect our clients to have atleast EUR 250,000 at their disposal to meet necessary costs and expenses, before applying for the residence program in Austria.

Austria Citizenship by Investment

Austria offers high net worth investors to obtain citizenship and an EU passport immediately without prior residence requirements on the basis of an investment in the country. Austria at present is the only country in EU offering official citizenship by investment program for qualified investors. You can directly get citizenship for you and any family members, without any residency requirements.

Under the citizenship-by-investment program, “Economic citizenship” offered to foreign nationals who invest..

A minimum of  EUR 2-3 million in Austria economy (donation to charity)

or

A recoverable minimum investment of US$ 10 million+ in economy of Austria (businesses)

are eligible for “Austrian citizenship”. There are no residence requirements and you can directly qualify for Austrian citizenship and passport. It is expensive, yet fastest way, for getting a european citizenship. Austrian passport entitles you EU citizenship, and gives you the right to live and work anywhere in the EU. Family members, such as spouse and children upto 18 yrs of age can be included in the citizenship application and no exceptions for above 18 years of age.

There will be additional expenses of EUR 400’00 to EUR 600’000, in addition to the investment amount for government fee, application and due diligence costs. No german language knowledge is needed.  The citizenship offered is ‘irrevocable’ unless the applicant is has presented false information in citizenship application.

Under the citizenship-by-investment provisions, an applicant is required to engage and invest in the Austrian economy and bring in economic benefits to the country such as direct investment in a businesses creating jobs or bring in new science and research to Austria. A minimum investment of several million Euros is expected by the Govt.

Passive investments such as government bonds, real estate, etc. generally do not qualify under citizenship provisions.

Spouse and children upto 18 yrs of age can be included in the citizenship application. The grant of citizenship requires approvals from various stages in Govt and the procedure involved is quite delicate. After receiving your citizenship approval, you can apply for Austrian Passport.

A personal visit is required to Austria to complete the formalities at a citizenship ceremony in Austria before a representative of the Government.

Austrian passport has an excellent reputation and well recognized worldwide. The Austrian passport is one of the best travel documents in the world. It allows extensive visa-free travel to all EU countries, UK, Canada, USA) and gives you the right to live anywhere in the EU and additionally also in Switzerland.

The grant of citizenship requires approvals from various stages in Govt and the procedure involved is quite delicate. The paperwork with the government is very cumbersome, and the processing time make take upto 12-18 months. After receiving your citizenship approval, you can apply for Austrian Passport.

Note: Austria is the only country in Europe offering ‘ direct citizenship’ program against investment and at present we are only company assisting our clients with citizenship in Austria despite difficult paperwork with the government.

Austria Passport

Once your citizenship application is approved by authorities, you can apply for Austrian passport. Austrian passport has excellent reputation and well recognized worldwide. You can travel visa free to all Schengen and other 180 countries. The Austrian passport is one of the best travel documents in the world. It allows you extensive visa-free travel (including to the USA) and gives you the right to live anywhere in the EU and additionally also in Switzerland.

Eligibility Requirements

In addition to standard documentary requirements, the following documents are needed to apply for citizenship program in Austria.

1. Copy of Passports, birth and marriage certificates, etc.
2. Certificate of no criminal record
3. Good references and background information

Austria Dual Citizenship

Under the provisions of 10(6) of Citizenship Act, for investors, allows citizenship to be maintained. You need not give up your previous citizenship. This is a special provision under citizenship-by-investment. In other cases such as obtaining citizenship by naturalization (after 7-10 years of residency), there is a precondition of giving up previous citizenship, in order to obtain Austrian citizenship

Austria does not share or report citizenship information with other countries.

We ask you to check the relevant laws in your home country, with regards to dual citizenship. Further Austria does not report or share your citizenship information with other countries.

Austria Taxes

Acquiring citizenship in Austria, does not obligate you with tax consequences, until you take up residency in Austria. You are free to leave the country whenever you want.