Now that I’ve been living in Austria for over three years and married for w, I often have people asking me when I’m going to become a citizen.
The answer: Never.
It’s not that I don’t want to be. The red EU passport is something I’d love to have in my hot little hand.
But the thing is, I don’t want a red one, if I can’t keep my blue one.
Being in the EU and part of the Schengen area, you’d think that all the rules were the same – here’s something you may not know – they’re not.
Austria is one of the few countries within the EU that doesn’t allow dual citizenship, that is unless you have a couple of mil. to throw at the government. And although it doesn’t really affect everyday life, it does cause the occasional headache: sorting out visas for difficult foreign countries can be a nightmare because some of these (eg. Russia) require that you apply in your home country; renewing a passport requires me to take a 5 hour round trip to Vienna so I can visit the Australian embassy; and travelling together often causes confusion – because you’re generally meant to go through passport control together – yet in EU areas this is not always possible.
Like I said, nothing earthshattering or ruinous – just an occasional pain in the ass.
Technically once we are married for five years I would be eligible to apply for citizenship, but unless they change the laws I just never will. I realise that I could give up my Australian citizenship and probably get it back later no worries… but I really don’t want to take that risk. I would hate to be in the kind of situation where I desperately need to get back there, and for whatever reason, I am not allowed.
And besides, it would no doubt mean a lot of annoying paperwork and payment of money. And who needs that?
an aussie in austria 
That must be quite a headache for visas, given you’re thousands of miles from your home country. Completely agree about the paperwork… why sign yourself up for more when you don’t have to! Also, I love the emblem on the Australian passport 🙂
Luckily 90% of the places we want to go to have pretty simple visa procedures these days… will be interesting if we want to venture into Russia sometime!
Hmm, “interesting” is one way of putting it!! Glad to hear that most places aren’t too awkward visa-wise though.
Unless things have changed recently, Australia isn’t that keen on dual citizenship with Austria either.
You would think that with only a couple of letters different they would be more friendly!!! 😉