The first step of a long journey…

Tuesday’s announcement from Downing Street was unexpected. Its timing meant that having announced last October, with a considerable fanfare that the “15 year rule” was to be consigned to history and that British citizens will have a vote for life even if they no longer reside in the UK, that that will not be the case at the next General Election, a mere seven weeks away. Continue reading “The first step of a long journey…”

Overcoming the Emotional Bond of Citizenship

While I was blogging in the run-up to the Referendum, and in the aftermath of the result, I had many thoughts about whether, and how quickly to start, to apply for Austrian citizenship. My emotions about whether to remain British or take citizenship swung back and forth for a long time during 2016. It was a topic I also looked at in the blog last December.

Continue reading “Overcoming the Emotional Bond of Citizenship”

What documentation do you require for applying for Austrian citizenship?

One of the major hurdles to clear is getting all the paperwork needed for the application – and getting it right first time. Depending on life circumstances, this can be remarkably straightforward, or decidedly complicated. Previously annulled marriages in foreign countries can particularly prove expensive – in terms of the sworn translations required, as can name changes. Continue reading “What documentation do you require for applying for Austrian citizenship?”

Staatsbürgerschaftsgesetz 1985 – A quick primer for those looking to take Austrian citizenship.

Austria’s Staatsbürgerschaftsgesetz 1985 (StbG; Austrian Citizenship Act of 1985) is the law in Austria that covers the holding of, award of and losing of Austrian citizenship. The latter is an interesting point – as just as you can take citizenship, you can also lose it. It is worth stating that the act also used many of the provisions of the previous law on Austrian citizenship from 1965, so some provisions have been unchanged in their wording for half a century, but since entering into force the law has been amended on various occasions. Continue reading “Staatsbürgerschaftsgesetz 1985 – A quick primer for those looking to take Austrian citizenship.”