Austrians abroad and their institutions

The Austrian Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs Department for Austrians Abroad

The Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs Department for Austrians Abroad (AuslandsösterreicherInnen-Abteilung of the BMEIA) is the Austrian government's central point of contact for Austrians abroad and any issues that may affect them. Some of the main areas the department deals with include citizenship, the right to vote (including in referendums), welfare, employment, healthcare, and the financial impact of expropriation of property outside Austria (support in this area is also available to Austrian citizens resident in Austria). Individual queries from Austrians living abroad can be sent directly to the relevant municipality/local council or district authorities or, if appropriate, to the relevant social security provider. Alternatively, enquires can be sent to the relevant Austrian representative authority (embassy or consulate-general) in your country of residence.

The Fund for Austrians Abroad (AÖF)

The Fund for Austrians Abroad (AÖF) aims to support Austrian expatriates in times of need. Payments from the fund can be used to cover one-off or personal expenditure in emergencies. Applications for funding should be submitted to the relevant Austrian representations abroad. For more information and an application form, please contact the Fund directly.

Associations for Austrian expatriates

The World Association of Austrian Expatriates (AÖWB) is an umbrella organisation that brings together Austrian expatriate organisations based all over the world. It represents the interests of Austrians abroad and provides them with a range of services. The AÖWB was founded following the merger of the Auslandsösterreicherwerk and the Weltbund der Österreicher im Ausland, and has assumed all the responsibilities and activities of those organisations.

The Burgenländische Gemeinschaft (or Burgenland Society) was founded in 1956. Its aim is maintain the connection of all Burgenländer to their homeland, wherever they are throughout the world.

Further links

• Living abroad (→ BMEIA)^{German text}
• Citizenship and European Union Citizenship (→ BMEIA)^{German text}
• Elections and direct democracy (→ BMEIA)^{German text}
• Financial issues with expropriation (→ BMEIA)^{German text}
• Austrian representations (→ BMEIA)^{German text}
• Fund for Austrians Abroad (→ BMEIA)^{German text}
• World Association of Austrians Abroad - in German only (→ AÖWB)^{German text}
• Burgenländische Gemeinschaft (→ BG)^{German text}