Law Experts Rechtsanwälte - Attorneys

04/06/2026

Doppelstaatsbürgerschaft Österreich: Mehr als 15 Jahre Erfahrung & maßgeschneiderte Beratungsleistungen führen oft zu einer Bewilligung

Eine Doppelstaatsbürgerschaft liegt dann vor, wenn eine Person zugleich österreichischer Staatsbürger und Staatsbürger eines anderen Staates ist. Das angeführte Prinzip der Vermeidung von Doppelstaatsbürgerschaften wird in Ausnahmefällen durchbrochen.

Um die österreichische Staatsbürgerschaft nicht zu verlieren, muss die Beibehaltung vor dem Erwerb der fremden Staatsangehörigkeit schriftlich beantragt und mit Bescheid bewilligt werden.

Die Bewilligungsgründe können dem § 28 Staatsbürgerschaftsgesetz entnommen werden. Die Beibehaltung der österreichischen Staatsbürgerschaft im Sinne einer Doppelstaatsbürgerschaft wird dann ausnahmsweise bewilligt, wenn diese
> im Interesse der Republik Österreich liegt oder
> mit einem besonders berücksichtigungswürdigen Grund im Privat- und Familienleben des Antragstellers begründet wird und die österreichische Staatsbürgerschaft mit der Geburt erworben wurde oder
> im Fall von Minderjährigen dem Kindeswohl entspricht.

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04/06/2026

🚛 Transport & Shipping Law in Austria – We handle your cargo claims and disputes

Transport and logistics involve high-value goods, tight deadlines and complex legal relationships. Disputes can arise quickly – from delivery damage and freight claims to lost cargo or delays in international shipping.

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Road, rail, air & sea transport (CMR, Incoterms, Montreal Convention etc.)

Freight claims and contractual disputes

Liability for transport damages and delays

Enforcement of compensation and insurance claims

Representation before Austrian courts and arbitration panels

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30/05/2026

Thinking about taking a second passport? Read this first.

Austria is one of the most restrictive countries in Europe when it comes to dual citizenship. The basic rule of the Austrian Citizenship Act (Staatsbürgerschaftsgesetz, StbG) is the avoidance of multiple nationalities – not the encouragement of them.

Under § 27 StbG, anyone who voluntarily acquires a foreign citizenship by application, declaration or express consent automatically loses Austrian citizenship – unless retention has been granted in writing in advance. This loss occurs ex lege, meaning automatically by operation of law. No separate decision by the authorities is needed.

The consequences are far-reaching: voting rights, EU citizenship, access to certain professions, and even some property and inheritance rights linked to Austrian nationality can be affected from one day to the next.

Even more important: the loss is permanent. According to consistent case law of the Austrian Administrative Supreme Court (VwGH), even later giving up the foreign citizenship does NOT restore your Austrian one.

If you are an Austrian national considering US, UK, Australian, Canadian or any other naturalization – the order in which you act matters more than almost anything else.

Have your case reviewed before you apply abroad – Law Experts.

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Dual citizenship Austria: Expert legal guidance for Austrian dual citizenship from Law Experts Attorneys Austria. Specialized in Dual citizenship Austria.

29/05/2026

What counts as "achievements in the interest of the Republic"? 🏆

§ 28 para 1 subpara 1 of the Austrian Citizenship Act (StbG) allows retention of Austrian citizenship if retention is in the interest of the Republic due to achievements already provided OR expected to be provided. The law itself does not define "achievements" – but Austrian courts and authorities interpret the term broadly.

Typical recognized categories include:

- Scientific research benefiting Austria
- Economic investments, entrepreneurial activity, job creation
- Cultural contributions, including artists representing Austrian heritage internationally
- Athletic achievements raising Austria's international profile

Two important points from VwGH case law (e.g. Ra 2009/01/0023):
- Average achievements may already be sufficient – extraordinary, world-class accomplishments are NOT required.
- For future expected contributions, a prognosis decision is possible: education, career and personal track record can support a positive forecast.

And: where the requirements are met, retention is NOT a discretionary act. There is a legal right to approval. The authority must grant it.

The decisive factor is how the application is structured, documented and argued. Have your achievements professionally framed – Law Experts.

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#§28StbG

29/05/2026

There is an exception – but it is narrow. ✋

Austrian citizenship law permits the retention of Austrian nationality when acquiring a foreign one only in tightly defined cases. The legal basis is § 28 of the Austrian Citizenship Act (StbG):

1. Retention is permitted if it is in the interest of the Republic of Austria – based on achievements already provided or expected (scientific, economic, cultural, sporting contributions);

2. Retention may be granted if particularly weighty personal or family reasons justify it – for example to avoid extreme disruption of private and family life;

3. For minors, retention is allowed if it serves the best interest of the child.

Crucial: the application for retention (Beibehaltung) must be filed in writing BEFORE acquiring the foreign citizenship and granted by formal decision of the competent provincial government (Amt der Landesregierung). A retroactive grant is, according to consistent VwGH case law, generally not possible – the Austrian citizenship is then already lost.

Once approval is granted, you have a two-year window to acquire the foreign nationality. If you miss it, the approval becomes void.

Plan retention strategically – Law Experts.

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#§28StbG

29/05/2026

Can children hold two passports? 👶

Citizenship rules for minors in Austria follow their own logic. The starting point: dual citizenship from birth is allowed.

If a child automatically acquires two nationalities at birth – for example because the mother is Austrian and the father is American, or because the child is born in a country applying the ius soli principle (place of birth) – BOTH citizenships are kept. No application, no risk of loss.

The situation changes if a foreign citizenship is actively acquired LATER in life through naturalization. In that case, the rules of § 27 of the Austrian Citizenship Act (StbG) apply – with the risk of automatic loss without a prior retention permit.

For minors, § 28 para 3 StbG provides a separate legal category:
- Retention may be granted if it serves the best interest of the child.
- Recognized factors include maintaining ties to Austrian relatives, educational opportunities in Austria, and continuity of life circumstances.

Important to keep in mind: each child's situation is assessed individually. Parents are well advised to clarify the citizenship status of their child as early as possible – ideally before any active naturalization step is taken abroad.

For children growing up between two countries, planning makes the difference.

Plan your child's citizenship situation – Law Experts.

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#§28StbG

28/05/2026

You received the retention permit – now what? ⏱️

Many applicants celebrate when the positive decision under § 28 of the Austrian Citizenship Act (StbG) arrives. That is the right reaction. But what often gets overlooked: the approval is not unlimited.

Once you have official approval to retain Austrian citizenship while acquiring a foreign one, you have a two-year window to actually acquire the other nationality. If you fail to complete the foreign naturalization process within these two years, the approval becomes void.

Acquiring the foreign citizenship after expiry of the two-year period without a new approval can again trigger the consequences of § 27 StbG – meaning automatic loss of Austrian citizenship.

What this means in practice:

- Plan your foreign naturalization timeline realistically, including processing times in the other country
- Track interview dates, oath ceremonies and any administrative delays carefully
- If the foreign procedure threatens to exceed two years, consider whether a new retention application can be filed in good time
- Keep a complete documentation trail of dates and steps – it can be decisive in case of later questions

The retention permit is a powerful tool. Used correctly, it secures the best of both worlds. Used carelessly, it loses its protective effect.

Coordinate your timeline carefully – Law Experts.

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#§28StbG

28/05/2026

Two paragraphs, two completely different stories. 📚

In conversations about Austrian dual citizenship, two provisions of the Austrian Citizenship Act (StbG) are frequently mentioned – and frequently confused.

§ 28 para 1 subpara 1 StbG applies to AUSTRIAN citizens who want to acquire a foreign nationality WITHOUT losing the Austrian one. The instrument is the retention permit (Beibehaltung). The threshold: achievements already provided or expected to be provided in the interest of the Republic. According to consistent VwGH case law, average – not extraordinary – contributions can already be enough.

§ 10 para 6 StbG goes the other direction. It applies to FOREIGN nationals seeking to be GRANTED Austrian citizenship with reference to extraordinary services (oft genannt: "VIP route" or "naturalization due to outstanding merit"). Here, the threshold is significantly higher: extraordinary services in the special interest of the Republic – think of internationally recognized scientific, economic, cultural or sporting top achievements. The federal government is involved in the decision.

In short:
- § 28 StbG = retain existing Austrian citizenship while becoming a citizen of another country
- § 10 para 6 StbG = obtain Austrian citizenship as a foreigner due to extraordinary services, typically with the option of keeping the previous citizenship

Both routes have different requirements, different procedures and different chances of success. Choosing the right framework from the start saves time and avoids costly mistakes.

Find the right legal path – Law Experts.

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#§28StbG #§10StbG

27/05/2026

Hauptwohnsitz gemeldet – also alles legal? In Tirol oft nein.

Gerade bei Häusern und Wohnungen in touristischen Regionen werden Meldedaten mit der tatsächlichen raumordnungsrechtlichen Zulässigkeit verwechselt.

Entscheidend ist nach Tiroler Recht, ob das Objekt einem ganzjährigen Wohnbedürfnis mit Mittelpunkt der Lebensbeziehungen dient. Die bloße Meldung als Hauptwohnsitz hat nach der Rechtsprechung nur Indizwirkung. Eine unzulässige Freizeitwohnsitznutzung kann Verwaltungsstrafen auslösen – in schweren Fällen bis zu 40.000 Euro.

Vor Kauf, Vermietung oder Nutzungsänderung sollte daher geklärt werden, ob ein legaler Freizeitwohnsitz vorliegt, eine Ausnahmebewilligung besteht oder das Objekt nur als Hauptwohnsitz genutzt werden darf.

Mehr zum Thema Freizeitwohnsitz: https://buff.ly/fuOMDOg

27/05/2026

The application looks simple – until you read § 28 StbG more carefully. 📌

In practice, we repeatedly see the same mistakes that turn a manageable retention case under § 28 of the Austrian Citizenship Act (StbG) into an irreversible loss of Austrian citizenship under § 27 StbG. Most of them are avoidable.

The most common pitfalls:

1. Applying for the foreign citizenship FIRST and the retention permit later. The retention permit must be in place BEFORE the foreign nationality is acquired. A retroactive grant is generally not possible (consistent VwGH case law).

2. Underestimating the duty to explain. The applicant must spell out which circumstances justify retention – the authority is not obliged to guide them (VwGH Ra 89/01/0119).

3. Submitting weak or generic justifications. Standard texts ("I have lived abroad for many years"), without concrete evidence of achievements or extreme family hardship, often fail.

4. Relying on "political" arguments. Loss of voting rights in Austria, in itself, does not justify retention (VwGH Ra 2016/01/0058).

5. Missing the two-year window after approval. Failing to acquire the foreign citizenship within two years renders the approval void.

6. Confusing § 28 StbG with the VIP route under § 10 para 6 StbG – two completely different procedures with different requirements.

7. Forgetting children and family members. Each person is assessed individually – approval for one parent does not automatically extend to children.

Avoid procedural traps – Law Experts.

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#§28StbG #§27StbG