# Van der Bellen Backs Birthright Citizenship

October 27, 2026 at 10:19 AM

> Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen supports granting citizenship to children born in Austria following an open house discussion.

**Austrian** Federal President **Alexander Van der Bellen** hosted an open house at the **Hofburg** on the national holiday. During the event, he expressed support for changing the nation's citizenship law after a conversation with an eleven-year-old child attendee.

The child questioned why individuals born in Austria do not automatically receive citizenship. Van der Bellen clarified that current laws do not grant automatic status by birth, as citizenship is primarily acquired through descent from an Austrian parent.

The President indicated he would support a new regulation where children born in Austria automatically become citizens. This potential shift would move the country away from its strict descent-based system toward a birthright-based citizenship model.


[#Austria](<https://austriareport.com/hashtag/austria>) #VanderBellen #CitizenshipLaw #Hofburg #NationalHoliday

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