VIEN

Austria Citizenship by Investment

Introduction

The Austria citizenship by investment programme from Prosperous Living Investment (PLI) opens a path to owning an EU passport through exceptional contribution under Section 10(6) of the Austrian Citizenship Act, reserved for Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals (UHNWI).
Austria is an European Union member state, with the Austrian passport ranked in the global top five according to the PLI Passport Index in May 2026, offering visa-free access to 184 destinations. The programme permits dual citizenship under the Article 10(6) exemption, with processing times ranging from 24 to 36 months.
Introduction to the Austrian Citizenship by Investment programme

Programme Overview

Investment level

From €3,000,000 for public interest contributions, from €10,000,000 for direct investment in businesses that create jobs and exports for the Austrian economy.

Processing time

24 to 36 months from the submission of a complete application and preliminary approval

Passport

Visa-free access to 184 destinations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Singapore and South Korea

Residence requirement

No residency requirement prior to application submission under Section 10(6) of the Austrian Citizenship Act

Family

Includes spouse and dependent children under 18; children aged 18 and over must submit a separate application

Generational citizenship

Permanent citizenship, passed down to future generations by descent

Benefits of Austrian Citizenship

World-class EU passport
An Austrian passport offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 184 destinations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong and the entire Schengen Area. Ranked in the top five globally on the PLI Passport Index in May 2026.
Full EU residence rights
As EU citizens, investors have the right to live, work, study, do business, and invest in any of the 27 European Union member states plus Switzerland, enjoying benefits equivalent to local citizens.
Exceptional dual citizenship
Austria generally does not allow dual citizenship, but under the Section 10(6) exception of the Citizenship Act, investors are permitted to retain their Vietnamese citizenship upon receiving Austrian citizenship.
Benefits of Austrian Citizenship
High quality of life
Austria is among the countries with the highest quality of life in the world, featuring a public healthcare system, free university education for EU citizens, a safe environment, and modern infrastructure in Vienna.
Family inclusion
The programme allows for the inclusion of a spouse and dependent children under 18 in the same application. Children aged 18 and over must submit a separate application in accordance with the Austrian Citizenship Act.
Lifetime citizenship
Austrian citizenship is permanent, requires no renewal, and can be passed down to children by descent through subsequent generations, ensuring a long-term legacy for the family.

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Citizenship by investment roadmap

Direct business investment

Direct business investment

Invest from €10,000,000 into an Austrian business through a joint venture or direct investment in an active company, creating sustainable jobs, introducing innovative technology to the economy, or increasing export revenue. This is a priority pathway for the Austrian government. Investment can be disbursed in stages, with a minimum of €3,000,000 per year for 3 consecutive years.
Public interest contribution

Public interest contribution

A non-refundable contribution from €3,000,000 to a public interest project approved by the Austrian government, including science, research, culture, art, or education. This pathway has a lower cost but requires proof of exceptional contribution to the national interest of Austria and must be approved by the Council of Ministers.

Programme requirements

Net worth

Section 10(6) of the Austrian Citizenship Act does not set a specific monetary threshold; the Federal Government reviews each application on a case-by-case basis. The figures stated here are actual market levels. It is required to demonstrate significant net assets commensurate with an investment of €3,000,000 or more, a transparent financial history, and the legal origin of assets.

Experience

Requires solid business or management experience, an excellent professional background, and professional letters of recommendation issued within the last 6 months.

Investment

Direct investment from €10,000,000 in an Austrian business, or a public interest contribution from €3,000,000. The investment must provide tangible economic benefits and create jobs.

Education

No minimum educational qualification is required. However, a strong academic and professional profile will increase the likelihood of approval as this is a discretionary government programme.

Language

Under the Section 10(6) exception, investors are not required to meet the German language proficiency requirements of the standard naturalisation pathway.

Health and background

Must meet strict criminal record check requirements, have no criminal record, and pass the high-level vetting process of the Austrian Ministry of the Interior.
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Implementation process

Receive Austrian citizenship and a passport within 24 to 36 months with the expert team at Prosperous Living Investment.

Consultation and profile assessment

PLI specialists assess personal circumstances, finances, business experience, and investment goals. Based on this, we propose a suitable pathway: direct business investment or a public interest contribution to the national interest of Austria. Timeframe: 2–4 weeks.

Prepare the application and investment proposal

PLI works with immigration lawyers in Austria to prepare a complete application, including a detailed CV, professional letters of recommendation, proof of source of funds, a business plan, and an investment proposal. This is submitted to the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy. Timeframe: 2–4 months.

Preliminary government approval

The Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy reviews the proposal against national economic interests. Once requirements are met, the Council of Ministers issues a preliminary approval at the cabinet level before the investor makes the investment. Timeline: 12–18 months.

Making the investment

After receiving preliminary cabinet-level approval, the investor proceeds with the disbursement according to the agreed schedule, typically a minimum of €3,000,000 per year for 3 years. PLI monitors the entire capital transfer process through official banking channels. Timeline: minimum 3 years for the phased disbursement pathway.

Receiving citizenship and passport

Upon fulfilling the investment obligations, the Federal Government of Austria issues a grant of citizenship under Article 10(6). Investors take the oath at an Austrian embassy or consulate and receive an EU passport with visa-free access to 184 destinations. Citizenship is for life, allowing retention of Vietnamese citizenship. Timeframe: 4–8 weeks.

Why choose PLI?
transparenteffectiveprofessional

Effectiveness

There is no one-size-fits-all here. Prosperous Living builds a personal strategy for each file based on financial capacity, business experience and family goals. That strategic approach makes the best use of time and resources and improves the chance of success.

Transparency

Prosperous Living advises within the law, works to a clear process and keeps up with the latest policy from each host government. Every pathway, cost and risk is explained in detail from the outset, so clients can make their investment decision with complete peace of mind.

Professionalism

The Prosperous Living advisory team works to a standard process, coordinating closely between immigration specialists, legal experts and partners worldwide. From assessment and documentation to post-arrival support, every step is methodical and joined up.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are common questions from clients regarding the Austrian citizenship by investment programme. If you require a more detailed consultation, please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

An Austrian passport offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 184 destinations according to the PLI Passport Index as of May 2026, ranking in the top five globally. These include the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and the entire Schengen Area. Programme conditions as published by City of Vienna authorities.

Under Section 10(6) of the Austrian Citizenship Act, there is no fixed investment amount. In practice, public interest contributions are typically from €3,000,000, and business investments from €10,000,000. A higher investment amount increases the likelihood of approval.

The entire process from application submission to receiving citizenship takes approximately 24 to 36 months, excluding the time for phased investment disbursement if applicable. This is a government-level programme, and each application is reviewed individually.

The main application includes the spouse and dependent minor children under 18. Children aged 18 and over are not considered dependents and must submit a separate application under other Austrian naturalisation regulations.

No. Under Section 10(6) of the Austrian Citizenship Act, passive investments such as real estate or government bonds do not qualify. Only active investments in operating businesses that create jobs or increase export revenue are accepted.

No. Austria generally does not recognise dual citizenship; however, the Section 10(6) exception allows investors to retain their original citizenship. This is one of the key advantages of the programme compared to the standard naturalisation pathway.

Investors only proceed with the disbursement after receiving preliminary approval from the Council of Ministers (cabinet level). Citizenship is only granted once the investor has fulfilled all committed disbursement obligations.

No. This is a discretionary programme of the Austrian Federal Government. Each application is reviewed individually based on the value brought to the national interest. The number of approvals is very limited, estimated at only 10 to 50 applications per year globally. PLI assists in preparing an optimal application to increase the chances of approval.