Getting Our Austrian Passports
We have picked Austria to live as Bens dad is from Austria and when we researched our odds they were very high that the kids and Ben could get dual citizenship. AKA their Austrian passports. After visiting the Austrian consulate in Sydney and filling out a lot of paperwork we waited over 4 months to receive a yay or nay and it was a yay. The kids and Ben both received glossy purple passports - meaning they could now not only live in Austria but also live anywhere in Europe. However unlike alot of other European Countries that allow married partners to have the same rights, I was unable to get a passport and I have to admit it was like being stuck with a knife through the heart. My kids and husband can live in Austria but I had to earn my way of passage. Nothing was going to stop me. I had made up my mind we were going as did Ben and after months of research and speaking to all consulates we found out that I could study A1 German and pass a test, then apply for a family re unification visa.
With renewed hope it was all plans full steam ahead. What we didn’t realise is that we couldn’t apply for my Visa until we arrived and were living in Austria.
The consultate requires Ben to be registered in Austria, having accommodation, health insurance and bank account.
As someone who has to have certainty and have everything planned and organised this is stretching me. I am having visions of
(a) being kicked out of Austria after 90 days
(b) Husband and children setting up a life in Austria and leaving me behind
(c) Loving Austria but having to leave because I can’t get my Visa.
To see these Austrian passports and then my Aussie passport knowing we are planning on making a life in Austria is tough but this is the start of the journey and I have to just have faith that it will all workout.
I am grateful that we were able to get the Austrian passports as that in itself was a hurdle and now we need to decide where we want to live in Austria.
Enjoying the museum in Sydney after we got our passports.
When we visited the sydney austrian consulate
The markets in Sydney when we went to get the passports.
These are our
passports
Getting ready for Austriaaaa!