MA35 to be increased

For citizenship: applications almost tripled

Deputy Mayor Christoph Wiederkehr (Neos) and MA35 boss Georg Hufgard-Leitner.(Bild: PST)

The number of applications for Austrian citizenship has tripled in recent years. To cope with the onslaught, 105 new employees are now being sought. 

The global trouble spots are also making waves in Vienna. More and more people want a red-white-red passport. "Between 2019 and 2021, we had 300 to 400 new applications for Austrian citizenship every month. Now we are approaching 1,000 applications per month," says Deputy Mayor Christoph Wiederkehr (Neos).

Red-white-red passport as security
The reasons: Many immigrants from the 2015 refugee crisis are now allowed to submit applications. In addition, many foreigners living in Austria are seeking the protection of the Austrian passport. In addition, almost all applications from Nazi displaced persons are processed in Vienna.

Forecasts are currently difficult. How do you know exactly how many are coming to Vienna? And where are they coming from? We have probably reached the peak at the moment. But ask me again in a year's time.

Christoph Wiederkehr auf die Frage, ob mit einem weiterer Anstieg bei Staatsbürgerschaftsanträgen zu rechnen ist

Efforts to stabilize
And even before that, MA35, which is responsible for immigration and citizenship, was already struggling with excessive demands. A reform process was therefore initiated in March 2021. The aim was to significantly reduce waiting times for initial appointments. In view of the current rush, this was only partially successful. Although there have been noticeable improvements for telephone inquiries and immigration, customers still have to wait an average of 341.4 days for an initial citizenship appointment.

Waiting time still almost a year
MA35 boss Georg Hufgard-Leitner: "Thanks to our reforms, we were at least able to stabilize the situation despite the rush." To ensure that the waiting time of almost a year does not deteriorate again, 105 new employees are now being recruited. Wiederkehr: "We are keeping a close eye on immigration flows. But forecasts are difficult."