# Campaign Launches for Birthright Citizenship

October 20, 2026 at 03:24 PM

> Public figures launch an initiative for children born in Austria to receive citizenship if their parents are long-term legal residents.

A new initiative is calling for children born in **Austria** to automatically receive citizenship if their parents have resided legally in the country for several years. Supported by over 100 public figures, the campaign launches Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

Founders include political scientists **Rainer Bauböck** and **Gerd Valchars**, alongside filmmaker Olga Kosanovic. Supporters include former Chancellor **Franz Vranitzky** and Nobel laureate **Elfriede Jelinek**. Germany implemented a similar birthright law 25 years ago.

Currently, 1.9 million people in Austria lack citizenship, including 300,000 born domestically. While the current government program excludes birthright citizenship, proponents argue the change is vital as non-citizen rates rise among younger generations.


[#Austria](<https://austriareport.com/hashtag/austria>) #Citizenship #Birthright #LegalReform #Immigration

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