© Citizenship Lab
AboutContactPrivacyTerms

Independent study tool — not affiliated with any government agency.

Exam guide
How to apply
Unofficial · Based on Mein Österreich – Lernunterlage zur Staatsbürgerschaftsprüfung (BMI) and the Länder learning materials
Last updated: 2026-10-01

About the exam

The Staatsbürgerschaftsprüfung is the written test that most foreign nationals must pass before Austria grants them citizenship. It checks basic knowledge of three areas: the democratic order of the Republic of Austria and the principles behind it, the history of Austria, and the history of the federal state (Land) where you live. The legal basis is § 10a of the Citizenship Act (StbG) and the Citizenship Test Regulation (Staatsbürgerschaftsprüfungs-Verordnung, StbP-V). Each of the nine Länder runs the test for its own residents.

The format has not changed since 1 November 2013. The 2025–2029 government programme plans to raise the language requirement to B2 and to add a compulsory citizenship course run by the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF), but on 1 October 2026 no draft law had been published. The rules below are the ones in force.

Eligibility

(As of 1 October 2026, StbG)

  • Standard route: 10 years of lawful, uninterrupted residence in Austria, of which at least 5 years with a settlement permit (Niederlassung)
  • 6 years are enough for: spouses of Austrian citizens (married for at least 5 years and living together), EEA citizens, people born in Austria, people with extraordinary achievements in the interest of the Republic, people with B2 German, and people with B1 German who show lasting personal integration (for example at least 3 years of volunteering, work in education, social care or health, or an office in an interest group)
  • Recognised refugees: 10 years
  • Also possible: 15 years with lasting personal and professional integration, or 30 years of main residence
  • German at B1 level (for example the ÖIF integration exam B1)
  • Secure income: on average over 36 months within the last 6 years, at least the ASVG reference rates (2026: €1,308.39 for a single person, €2,064.12 for couples, plus €201.88 per child), after rent and loan costs above €386.43
  • No criminal convictions, no pending criminal proceedings, and not more than one serious administrative offence (such as drink-driving)
  • A positive attitude towards the Republic, and no links to extremist or terrorist groups
  • Giving up your previous citizenship, where this is possible and reasonable (see "Things to watch out for")

Who does not need to take the test:

  • Children under 14 at the time of application
  • Minors who attend primary school, or secondary school with a pass in German
  • People with a school-leaving certificate in "History and Social Studies" (Geschichte und Sozialkunde) at least at the level of the 4th year of Hauptschule
  • People who cannot take the test because of a lasting physical or mental health condition, confirmed by an official medical report
  • Some special cases, such as descendants of victims of Nazi persecution who apply under § 58c StbG

Format

(StbP-V §§ 2–5, in force since 1 November 2013)

  • 18 questions, 6 from each area: democratic order, history of Austria, history of your Land
  • Each question has 4 answer options; at least one and at most three of them are correct
  • Every correct option you tick earns part of the point for that question. If you tick a wrong option, the whole question scores 0
  • Time: 2 hours, written, without any aids. The paper is in German
  • Pass: at least half of the points in each of the three areas (3 of 6 each), or at least two thirds of all points (12 of 18)
  • You are invited at least 8 weeks before the test date, and the invitation tells you what will be tested

How this app practises: each app question has exactly one correct answer, and an app exam has 18 questions, 6 of them on the Land you choose. You pass the app exam with 12 correct answers. This is the stricter of the two official rules, because the "half in every area" rule (as little as 9 points) cannot be shown as a single score. In the real test, read every option, because several may be correct, and tick only the ones you are sure about.

Test fee and naturalisation fee

(As of 2026; subject to change)

  • Test: Vienna states that the test and the learning materials are free. The federal regulation sets no test fee, and the other Länder do not publish one. Ask your Land office if you are unsure.
  • Federal fees (Gebührengesetz): €163 for the application (€89 for a minor) and, when citizenship is granted, €1,448 for the standard 10-year route or €1,126 for most other routes (for example the 6-year routes). Extending citizenship to a spouse costs another €1,126, and to each minor child €322.
  • Land fee (Landesverwaltungsabgabe): differs by Land and usually depends on income. For example, Lower Austria charges €169–€1,317, and Upper Austria up to €864.
  • The federal application fees must be paid even if the application is refused.

How to register

  1. Contact the citizenship office of your Land government (in Vienna: MA 35). It is responsible for the area where you live.
  2. Submit your application in person, with the documents the office asks for.
  3. If you need to take the test, you get a test date in writing at least 8 weeks in advance, together with the place and the topics. Some Länder give you the learning materials when you apply.
  4. If you cannot attend, contact the office in good time to change the date.

Retake policy

  • You can retake a failed test as many times as you need (StbP-V § 6).
  • The new date is agreed with your Land office.
  • Vienna: if you miss two test dates you were given, your application is automatically refused.

After passing

  1. You receive a test certificate (Prüfungszeugnis).
  2. When all requirements are met, you often first receive a Zusicherungsbescheid (a promise of citizenship). You then have 2 years to give up your previous citizenship.
  3. After that, you take the oath (Gelöbnis) and commit to the basic values of a European democratic state.
  4. You receive the Verleihungsbescheid (grant decision) and become an Austrian citizen on the date it states. You can then apply for an Austrian passport or ID card.

Official resources

  • Federal learning material and online practice test: staatsbuergerschaft.gv.at ("Mein Österreich", PDF 2022: download). The practice test only covers the two federal areas.
  • Learning materials of all nine Länder: bmi.gv.at/406
  • Vienna, test information: wien.gv.at
  • Salzburg, test information: salzburg.gv.at
  • Test Regulation (StbP-V): ris.bka.gv.at
  • Citizenship Act (StbG): ris.bka.gv.at
  • Fees, example of Lower Austria: noe.gv.at

Things to watch out for

  • Dual citizenship is generally not allowed. You must give up your previous citizenship if this is possible and reasonable. The Land office decides on exceptions.
  • The Land part is different in each Land. Study only the material of the Land where you live. This app lets you choose your Land.
  • In the real test, more than one answer can be correct, and a single wrong tick costs you the whole question. Do not guess.
  • Planned changes (B2 German, a compulsory ÖIF citizenship course) were not law on 1 October 2026. Check your Land office's website before you apply.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take the test in English? No. The test is in German. You can still use this app in your own language to study.

What if I fail? You can retake the test as often as you need. Your Land office agrees a new date with you.

How many questions are about my Land? Six of the 18 questions. They come from your Land's own learning material, which you can download from the Land's website or get from the Land office when you apply.