Persecuted persons within the scope of the Austrian Citizenship Act are:

•    Persons who went abroad as Austrian citizens, citizens of one of the successor states of the former Austro-Hungarian monarchy or as stateless persons with their main place of residence in the federal territory of Austria before May 15, 1955 because they feared or suffered persecution. This also includes those who lost their Austrian citizenship shortly before they left the country because they acquired a foreign citizenship through marriage.

•    Persons who were Austrian citizens and did not have their main place of residence in Austria between January 30, 1933 and May 9, 1945 because they would have feared persecution if they returned to or entered Austria for the first time (“prevented return”).

•    Persons who, as Austrian citizens, died due to persecution or were deported abroad before May 9, 1945.

•    Persons who, as nationals of one of the successor states of the former Austro-Hungarian monarchy or as stateless persons with their main place of residence in the federal territory of Austria, died due to persecution or were deported abroad before May 9, 1945.

Who qualifies as Descendant?

Every person who descends in a direct line from an persecuted person (so children, grand children, great grandchildren etc) is eligible to apply.