The number of naturalizations in Austria has risen significantly in the first half of this year, with nearly one-fifth more citizens granted Austrian nationality compared to the same period last year. According to data from Statistik Austria, 13,700 individuals received Austrian citizenship during the first six months of 2026, including 3,950 who reside abroad. This marks an increase of 2,035 cases, or 17 percent, over the previous year’s figures. Among the newly naturalized citizens, 55 percent were spouses or children of Austrian nationals, reflecting a trend toward long-term residency, demonstrated German language proficiency, and deep integration into society. Manuela Lenk, head of statistical affairs at Statistik Austria, noted that these individuals “were primarily naturalized due to their prolonged residence in Austria, proven knowledge of German, and sustained integration.” Of the 9,750 naturalized individuals living in Austria, over half hailed from five countries: Syria, Turkey, Afghanistan, Iran, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Nearly half of all naturalizations were female, while approximately one-third of the applicants were under 18 years old. More than one-fifth of the new citizens were born in Austria, indicating a growing presence of second-generation immigrants within the population. Naturalization rates remain relatively low compared to other European Union nations. The current rate stands at 0.8 percent, well below the EU average of 2.6 percent. Despite this, there has been a clear upward trend in recent years, excluding the pandemic period. Last year, almost 25,000 people received Austrian citizenship, and the first-half numbers for 2026 continue this pattern of growth. Many of the newly naturalized individuals have lived in Austria for extended periods, often holding valid residency permits. Some, like Mahmoud Aghabegloo, a 43-year-old Iranian national who moved to Vienna in 2016, have built stable lives here. He studied sports science and psychology, works as a school physical education teacher, and has since renounced his Iranian passport. “I feel truly reborn,” he said after collecting his citizenship certificate from MA 35, the Vienna city department responsible for immigration and nationality matters. Others, such as Yanina Bluvstein, a 47-year-old Ukrainian woman who has resided in Vienna for over two decades, also found themselves eligible for naturalization. She arrived in Austria as an au-pair and later married another Ukrainian national. Their son, now 16, attends high school locally. Bluvstein, who previously worked as an accountant, decided to apply for citizenship after learning that Austria allows dual nationality for certain groups. She was surprised by how quickly her application was processed. “It was emotional for me,” she said, holding the document in her hands. A notable portion of the naturalizations involves individuals who qualify through historical claims, particularly descendants of victims of Nazi persecution. Since September 2020, these individuals can claim Austrian citizenship without relinquishing their existing nationality, based on the principle of “historical responsibility.” This process has led to a rise in applications from people with roots in countries like Israel and the United States, which now rank among the top origins for new Austrian citizens. In addition to the aforementioned groups, other major origin countries include Syria, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Iran. These figures highlight the diverse backgrounds of those gaining Austrian citizenship, underscoring both the country's openness to immigration and its complex legal framework governing nationality.
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