Austrian Citizenship by Special Merit in 2027: A Complete Guide for Investors, Philanthropists and Cultural Figures

Austria does not sell passports. This is the first thing to understand if you are considering Austrian citizenship. Unlike Malta or Cyprus, there is no “golden visa” with a fixed price and a guaranteed outcome. However, there is a narrow but real door – Section 10(6) of the Citizenship Act (Staatsbürgerschaftsgesetz, StbG). This provision allows the government to grant citizenship to a foreigner if their contribution represents an exceptional interest for the Republic of Austria.

My colleagues and I recently returned from a business trip to Austria. We met with our Austrian lawyers and partners and discussed immigration matters. Having studied Austrian newspapers, we see that today many businesses are for sale and require investment. Or, if we are talking about cultural heritage – ancient churches, villas under UNESCO or Austrian state protection – they need investment. In one of the morning newspapers we saw that investments of around 1,000,000 – 1,800,000 euros are required. Again, these are all individual matters. There is no single answer as to what investments you need to make to obtain guaranteed citizenship. Everything is calculated individually. Everything depends on what benefit you, as an investor or philanthropist, can bring to the Austrian state, if, of course, you are interested in obtaining Austrian citizenship specifically.

We have an office in Vienna – this allows us to work directly with the Austrian authorities and respond promptly to requests.

What is Section 10(6) StbG and why it is not “buying a passport”

The ordinary path to Austrian citizenship requires 6 to 10 years of legal residence, knowledge of German, passing exams and, as a rule, renunciation of previous citizenship. It is long and predictable.

Section 10(6) works differently. Under this provision, three key conditions of ordinary naturalisation can be waived if the Federal Government confirms that the granting of citizenship is in the special interest of the Republic due to exceptional achievements that the applicant has already made or will make in the future. The requirements of ten years’ residence, of sufficient means and of renunciation of previous citizenship are waived. This means that dual citizenship is permitted here – you do not have to give up your Russian passport.

However, it is important to understand: this is not a programme with a fixed price. It is a discretionary decision taken at the level of the Federal Government. There is no sum that “guarantees” approval. Each case is decided individually, taking into account the overall picture of your contribution.

What counts as an “exceptional contribution”?

The Austrian Ministry of the Interior has published the criteria that the government uses in its assessment. The key wording: “Exceptional achievements are only those that at present significantly exceed the average level in the relevant field.”

The criteria are grouped into four areas: science, economy, sport and art/culture. For investors and philanthropists, the last two blocks are the most relevant.

Economic criteria (for investors and entrepreneurs)

According to the official document of the Ministry of the Interior, the following are taken into account:

– Ownership of a company or a managerial position with decisive influence over the enterprise (mere membership of a board of directors is not sufficient).
– High economic performance of the company.
– Creation and preservation of jobs in Austria on a significant scale, especially in economically weak regions.
– Significant investments or implemented projects in Austria.

It is explicitly stated: “simple cash flows are not sufficient” (bloße Geldflüsse sind nicht ausreichend).

This is a fundamental point. Simply transferring money to an Austrian bank account or buying bonds does not work. The contribution must be active: creating a business, jobs, implementing a significant project that will remain in Austria and bring benefits.

As for the amount, public sources mention benchmarks of 3 to 10 million euros for the investment route. However, once again: this is not a fixed price. The Austrian lawyers we spoke with confirm: what matters is not the figure, but the effect for Austria. A project with a smaller budget but creating 50 jobs in a region with high unemployment may be rated higher than a passive investment of 10 million.

Cultural and philanthropic criteria

If you are considering support for cultural heritage – restoration of a church, a villa under UNESCO or state protection – this may also count as a special contribution. However, the same principle applies here: what matters is not the act of donation itself, but the documented benefit for Austrian society and the state. Support for projects in the field of art, education, science or the preservation of cultural heritage, which enjoys broad recognition at various levels of government, may be grounds for an application.

Who has already received citizenship by special merit

Austrian practice knows cases of citizenship being granted under Section 10(6) to people whose achievements are widely recognised. In the context of culture and art, the example of Anna Netrebko is often mentioned – an opera singer of world renown whose career is closely linked to Austria (Vienna State Opera, Salzburg Festival). Although the details of her case were not fully disclosed publicly, the very fact of citizenship being granted to a cultural figure of such stature illustrates the logic of the provision: exceptional talent and contribution to the cultural life of the country can be grounds for a government decision.

In the economic sphere, citizenship under Section 10(6) has been granted to major investors and entrepreneurs who created significant production facilities and jobs in Austria. However, statistics show that this door remains very narrow. According to Statistik Austria for 2025, out of 25,095 Austrian citizenships granted, only 1,262 (5%) were discretionary, and the vast majority of these were through ordinary ten-year residence. There are no separate public statistics specifically for Section 10(6), which underlines the exclusivity and rarity of this route.

What this means for you in 2027

If you are considering Austrian citizenship through special merit, here is what is important to understand:

• This is not a guaranteed process. The decision is taken by the Federal Government as an act of political discretion. There is no legal right to citizenship under this provision.
• The contribution must be real and documentable. The Austrian authorities assess the overall picture: what you have already done, what you plan to do, and how this relates to Austria’s interests.
• You have an advantage if you work with local experts. We cooperate with Austrian lawyers and partners, and we have an office in Vienna. We can help assess your portfolio, identify strengths and propose the best option for obtaining Austrian citizenship.
• Timelines and process. Consideration of applications under Section 10(6) includes review at the provincial level, a security assessment, opinions from the relevant ministries and a final government decision. This is a multi-stage process that requires careful preparation.

Our offer

We have the opportunity to help you obtain Austrian citizenship through investment. We cooperate with government organisations and Austrian partners, we have Austrian lawyers on our team and an office in Vienna. We can provide comprehensive support in arranging Austrian citizenship for investors, philanthropists and cultural figures.

If you need to obtain Austrian citizenship, you can schedule a consultation with our lawyers. We will study your portfolio and propose the best option for obtaining Austrian citizenship.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Austrian citizenship law may change. For up-to-date information and an individual assessment of your case, please consult qualified specialists.