Naturalizations 2024 Significantly Increased: Israelis, Syrians, and Turks Leading
21,891 people received Austrian citizenship last year. According to a recent report by Statistics Austria, this is an increase of 9.8 percent compared to the previous year. The relatively high numbers are largely due to the granting of citizenship to politically persecuted individuals of the Nazi regime and their descendants. They account for 40 percent of all naturalizations.
Thus, 8,855 of the new Austrians also live abroad. With 5,102 people, Israelis represent the largest group of naturalized citizens. They are followed by Syrians (2,241) and Turks (1,392). While the naturalized Israelis, with few exceptions, live in their country of origin, all Syrians and almost all Turks reside in Austria.
Vienna with Fewer Naturalizations
The most citizenship grants last year were in Vienna with 3,665. However, the federal capital, along with Burgenland, is the only federal state where a decline in naturalizations was reported. The largest increase was in Upper Austria with almost 40 percent.
More than three-quarters of all naturalizations in 2024 were due to a legal entitlement. Among them, 6,202 people were naturalized after at least six years of residence in Austria and for particularly noteworthy reasons. The latter includes, for example, sustainable integration or birth in Austria.
Fifth of Naturalized Citizens Born in Austria
A fifth of the naturalized individuals were born in Austria. A third of the new citizens were under 18. There are no significant differences between the genders.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) stated on Wednesday on the sidelines of a press event that Austria has one of the strictest citizenship laws. There is no automatism and clear guidelines must be met, such as income and language skills. He described the possibility of dual citizenship for those persecuted by the Nazi regime and their descendants as the right step.
(APA/Red)
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