The citizenship office in Vienna is under fire as applicants suffer from years of delays.
An open discussion in a forum in Vienna has brought attention to the ongoing criticisms of the procedures for obtaining Austrian citizenship, particularly those managed by the MA35 (Migration and Citizenship Office), where applicants described their experiences as long and frustrating.
One participant recounted that her journey towards obtaining citizenship began two years ago when she registered to attend a mandatory information session. Due to overcrowding, she waited nearly five months to participate in it. Although she found the session clear and helpful in explaining the conditions and procedures, the waiting period was the first obstacle she faced.
After finishing the session, she booked an appointment to officially apply for citizenship, but she did not receive it until several months later, with the appointment set for June 2025. She confirmed that she submitted all the required documents on time, holds a university degree, works regularly in Austria, and has no remarks in her legal or professional record.
Despite passing all the required tests with the highest grades, she later received several communications from MA35 demanding additional certified translations and updated official extracts. She described these repeated requests as excessive and unjustified, especially since she had met all the conditions from the beginning.
She added that she had not received any communication from the relevant authorities in the past three months, considering this silence concerning and humiliating. Although she already holds the nationality of one of the EU countries and does not practically need Austrian citizenship, she clarified that her motivation was the right to vote and political participation. The discussion reflected broader criticisms directed at MA35 in Vienna, where applicants have been complaining for years about the ambiguity of procedures, long processing times, and poor communication regarding citizenship, family reunification, and long-term residence permits.