Vienna Integration Council calls for reform of the Citizenship Act and wants additional resources for the Viennese authority

The Vienna Integration Council (W.I.R.) presented its statement on citizenship and naturalization during a panel discussion. In the last 20 years, the number of naturalizations and the naturalization rate in Vienna has fallen sharply in comparison with other European countries, although immigration has led to significant population growth. More than one-third of the resident population is excluded from the right to vote, creating a significant democratic deficit. In addition, the restrictive legal situation also makes the integration process more difficult. Due to high legal hurdles and lengthy procedures, the positive effect would be nullified.

In detail, the Vienna Integration Council advocates the following changes to the Citizenship Act at the federal level:

• Residence periods are to be shortened.
• Income hurdles are to be lowered.
• Dual citizenships should be accepted.
• Children born in Austria are to be granted Austrian citizenship automatically, provided that one parent has already resided legally in Austria for five years.

Further recommendations are made to the city and include more resources for the City of Vienna Department of Immigration and Citizenship (MA 35) to handle procedures more efficiently and transparently. According to W.I.R., the reform process already started by the competent authority is already beginning to have an effect, but it is still calling for more measures to simplify and shorten procedures.

In addition, the City of Vienna is to launch its own naturalization campaign as soon as the backlog of applications in the authority has been successfully dealt with. Furthermore, the Vienna Integration Council calls on the city government to lobby the federal government for an integration-friendly citizenship law and to build up political pressure.

Excerpt from Original – Vienna City Hall Correspondence, May 31, 2023