For my citizenship application I have had to have a UK police record done – and I think it is worth mentioning to those going down the same road, that although it is recommended to have your National Insurance number to hand (for those who may not have needed the number in approaching two decades, and are not aware of it any more, the process to get a new card can take some time!), but if you do not have it, you can still get through the process. Continue reading “Getting the UK equivalent of a Strafregisterauszug”
The Beginning of the End or the End of the Beginning
After a lengthy application process and requests to furnish further documents and having to wait for a citizenship test appointment, my wife was recently issued with the “Bescheid der Zusicherung der Verleihung der österreichischen Staatsbürgerschaft“. For me, that milestone is still a long way off, if anything my immediate concern remains whether the case number (Geschäftszahl) for my application will be issued prior to any “no deal” as the spectre of the United Kingdom walking away from the negotiation table is currently looming as the latest round of negotiations on the UK leaving the EU have failed to progress as far as hoped from all sides. Continue reading “The Beginning of the End or the End of the Beginning”
My most important, yet uninspiring, CV
The CV I am drafting ahead of my citizenship application appointment in October is definitely not intended to land me an out-of-this-world job. It might barely be good enough to set me apart from the crowd in terms of showcasing my skills other than how not to write a CV applying for a job. And while CVs usually should be embellished to within a whisker of containing a lie, in this case it is not. Continue reading “My most important, yet uninspiring, CV”
Can you translate my marriage certificate for me?
I may work as a translator, dealing with items with large amounts of money at stake, but there are certain things I can’t translate. In particular birth/marriage certificates – not through any deficiency in my knowledge of German, but because I am not a sworn translator (or a translator offering sworn translations). Continue reading “Can you translate my marriage certificate for me?”
The Brexit Trap – from today’s Guardian
An article in today’s Guardian that I received from several sources, and which has been discussed on several groups regardless of whether “British in Vienna”, “The 48%” or among friends today has highlighted many of the concerns faced by Britons in the EU, and has confirmed my thinking about why to naturalise. Continue reading “The Brexit Trap – from today’s Guardian”
Proof of financial means: How much is enough?
Both permanent residence and citizenship hinge on whether you are financially in a position to support yourself. I will have to produce various proof about earnings and my ability to support myself – they also take into consideration dependants (e.g. children or spouse). The same is true for those seeking permanent residence in Austria. Continue reading “Proof of financial means: How much is enough?”
My eroded feeling of Britishness
A keyboard warrior felt motivated to recently accuse me of “treason” due to my having decided to start the naturalisation process to become Austrian. I dismissed the comment, filed the e-mail and will take the matter further if there is some kind of follow-up from the “gentleman” in question (the mail was signed with male forename). Continue reading “My eroded feeling of Britishness”
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.”