How to become an Austrian

Although many people here in Austria beg to differ, it’s actually quite a nice country to live in. Especially if you’re a fugitive, or emigrated to Austria in search of better living conditions.
The downside is, that our government is not only ruthlessly conservative, it’s also extremely, and I’d like to emphasize on that, extremely stupid. Apart from the fact that it’s destroyed itself in 2002, only to return again with some shifted balance, or that ministers tend to come and go as quickly as the tenants in my neighboring flat (considering that about a year ago two con-artists used to inhabit said flat, I don’t think my comparison is very far off the mark), it is filled with idiots who think that the greatest threat to our nation lies in the millions of immigrant children trying to cheat their way into becoming legal citizens of Austria. Thus they’ve devised a little scheme in order to sort out those who really are worthy to become citizens of this great nation and those who better keep their Turkish, Albanian, Nigerian or whatever citizenship. So, here’s their plan: If you’re an immigrant child, they want some kind of proof that you’re actually not too stupid to become Austrian (which is interesting, because if you’re born in Austria you can be as stupid as you like, and still keep your citizenship…hell, you can even found new parties and cheat yourself into the government).
Well, so government has devised this plan that any kid who’s failed a class, is not eligible to become an Austrian citizen. So even if you’ve mastered the German language (something which probably about 1/10th of BZÖ politicians have managed to do), but are not exactly a whizz-kid in maths and failed that class, well, then you’re out of luck.
So here’s my proposal: Why not let every member of government take that test they devised for kids who failed classes, and everyone who doesn’t have a perfect score will have to be let go?

Here’s a link
to an article describing the mess. In German. Which you should be able to read around here.

8 Responses to “How to become an Austrian”


  1. 1 val

    Unbefuckinglievable!

  2. 2 nwistheone

    did you make chanegs to the site? i know you did.

  3. 3 gibarian

    Actually, I did change the layout a bit. Mainly because I switched to K2, and because I wanted a bit of a cleaner look.

  4. 4 nwistheone

    i like it. it looks good.

  5. 5 Hodish

    I am 41 years old…and I am a resident of the United States…I was born in Austria where my father used to go to Medical school…!!! Unfortunately due to his heart failure he passed away when I was only 4 years old.

    Then we moved out of Austria when I was actually 4 and never returned to the Country.

    My question is that, am I eligible to become an Austrian Citizen or not?

    Regards
    hodish

  6. 6 richard

    @Hodish: Interesting question, but I’m no lawyer, so I couldn’t tell you. As far as I know, if your father or mother were Austrian citizens when you were born, then you’re eligible.

  7. 7 Rachel

    @Hodish and Richard: Yeah, that’s not quite right Richard. My father is Austrian born, and I can’t get citizenship. However, the rules, when I last checked, were:

    1. If your mother is Austrian born
    2. If your father is Austrian born, and you were born in wedlock
    3. Your father is Austrian born, and you were born out of wedlock before 1983

    Also, one of your parents has to be a citizen at the time of your application, so they will have to reapply again first.

    And I think that is the first round of screening so to speak. I’m not sure what happens after that because I gave up, because I didn’t meet any of the criteria.

    The best bet is to call the cosulate though. If your parents left during war-time, then I think there are a NEW set of rules that you fall under.

    Hope this helps

  8. 8 CMD

    My grandfather was born in Bewez Austria and his mother was born in Sokal Austria, however the birth certificates have the town birthplace blacked out and re-written, so the town I am now so sure of, but both from Austria.

    I was considering obtaining my Austrian citizenship. Judging from your knowledge of the system, can you forsee any problems with this request?

    Secondly, where would I find the application and rules and regulations for this process - if you could send me a link I would appreciate it.

    You may also be able to assist me with another question I have. I have the original birth certificates, however when I was younger I was always told that I was Ukrainian, but there is no trace of this, that I have found in the history of the family - why would this be?

    Thank you in advance for your information.

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