How to Get Married in Austria as a Foreigner

Austrian Wedding Traditions

Austrian wedding festivities start the night before the wedding with a gathering of guests to break porcelain called the Polterabend. This is believed to bring luck to the couple's marriage. The couple sweeps up the shards to symbolise their teamwork in facing future challenges.

On the wedding day, one of the most picturesque moments is the tradition of fetching the bride, known as "Braut holen" in German. The groom, accompanied by his groomsmen, musicians, and sometimes a procession of guests, sets off to the bride's home. When he arrives at the bride's home, he may be asked to perform various tasks—ranging from humorous to sentimental—designed by the bride's family or the bridesmaids. After completing these tasks, the groom is granted permission to "fetch" his bride. They then lead the procession to the church or ceremony location, marking their first public appearance as a couple on their wedding day. This procession is often a spectacle in itself, drawing attention and well-wishes from the community.

You should expect the ceremony to be held in one of Austria’s magnificent churches as Catholicism is the largest religion in Austria, representing about 74% of Austria's population at the end of the 20th Century. The wedding ceremony is a solemn and moving affair filled with the sounds of classical music, by legendary composers like Mozart or Strauss. The couple will be joined by a priest amidst many other rituals like prayers and readings. After the ceremony, it's time for the Agape. This is a small reception immediately following the ceremony, offering guests drinks and snacks to symbolise the couple's first act of service together. 

The wedding reception is usually set in a grand ballroom or a beautiful outdoor setting. For food, usually, the Hochzeitssuppe (wedding soup) is served first to symbolise the start of a good marriage. Multi-course meals like Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, and a variety of Austrian pastries will be served as well. 

As the night draws to a close, the newlyweds are often escorted to their bridal suite with a path lit by guests holding lights, creating a magical end to the day. 

Types of Marriages in Austria

1. Civil Marriages: In Austria, only civil marriages are legal. They are performed by officials of the Vital Statistics Office (Standesamt). The process of a civil wedding starts with an application and an interview at the Standesamt. You must make your application no more than six months before your proposed wedding date.  You might have to endure a waiting period of about two to six weeks to get a confirmed date for your wedding. Publication of the banns of marriage, (announcement of your intention to marry) is a usual practice but may not be mandatory in all regions. 

The marriage ceremony is pretty simple. You and your future spouse must be present at the same time and personally state your wish to get married in front of a registrar. The registrar will ask each of you, one after the other in the presence of either two, one or no witnesses if you want to get married. After the affirmation, the registrar will pronounce you legally married. The ceremony is conducted in German so if you cannot speak the language, arrange for a translator to accompany you.

2. Religious Marriages in Austria: Religious marriages in Austria can only happen after the civil ceremony since the civil marriage is the only legally recognised marriage. Since Catholicism is the major religion of the people, religious marriage ceremonies are usually conducted in a church. You may choose to marry in any other religious fashion you choose but in addition to your religious ceremony, you must also have a legal or civil ceremony for it to be considered legal. 

The Legal Requirements for Marriage in Austria 

The first thing you need to do is understand what the legal requirements for getting married in Austria are. Here are the criteria you need to meet before getting married in Austria: 

• You both must be at least 18 years old (written and notarised parental consent is needed if you are 16 or 17).
   
• If you are marrying between the ages of 16 and 18, you cannot marry someone older than 18 years. 
   
• You must be marrying of your own free will. 
   
• You both must understand the nature of marriage and what it entails.
   
• You both must either be single, widowed or divorced with proof such as a civil status certificate, death certificate, divorce certificate, dissolution of civil partnership certificate, etc.
   
• You cannot marry or enter into a civil partnership with someone whom you are related to by blood to a degree that legally prohibits you from marrying them. Such relationships include:
  • Mother or father
  • Father’s sister or brother (aunt or uncle)
  • Mother’s sister or brother (aunt or uncle)
  • Sister or brother
  • Father’s daughter or son (half-sister or brother)
  • Mother’s daughter or son (half-sister or brother)
  • Daughter or son
  • Son’s daughter or son (granddaughter or grandson)
  • Daughter’s daughter or son (granddaughter or grandson)
  • Brother’s daughter or son (niece or nephew)
  • Sister’s daughter or son (niece or nephew)
  • Grandmother or grandfather
  • Grandfather’s or grandmother’s spouse (step-grandmother or step-grandfather)
  • Father’s or mother’s spouse (stepmother or stepfather)
  • Father’s brother’s or sister's spouse
  • Mother’s brother’s or sister's spouse
  • Son’s or daughter’s spouse
  • Son’s son’s or daughter’s spouse
  • Daughter’s son’s or daughter’s spouse
  • Brother’s son’s or daughter’s spouse
  • Sister’s son’s or daughter’s spouse
  • Spouse's grandmother or grandfather (grandmother-in-law or grandfather-in-law)
  • Spouse's mother or father (mother-in-law or father-in-law)
  • Spouse's father’s sister or brother
  • Spouse's mother’s sister or brother
  • Spouse's daughter or son (stepdaughter or stepson)
  • Spouse's son’s son or daughter
  • Spouse's daughter’s son or daughter
  • Spouse's brother’s son or daughter
  • Spouse's sister’s son or daughter
  • Adopted relatives
     
• You must have at least two witnesses that are at least 18 years old. 

Documentation Requirements

For Civil Marriage Registration:

• An international passport.
• Photocopies of the data page of the passports of the bride and the groom.
• Photocopies of the data page of the passports for your two witnesses, listing their names, addresses and occupations.
• Birth certificate (original or certified showing mother and father's names, bearing the stamp apostille).
• If you are adopted – an Adoption Certificate.
• Driver's License or a document that shows your address.
• A residence registration form ("Meldezettel") issued by the Austrian authorities after arrival, unless you are staying in a hotel, youth hostel or accommodation of that sort.
• Final divorce, dissolution and nullity decrees as well as death certificates in respect of all previous marriages and civil partnerships.
• Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (Ehefähigkeitszeugnis).

If you have a child or joint children, you will need to submit:

• birth certificates of the children.
• acknowledgement of paternity of the children (if the father has not been specified on the birth certificate)
• proof of citizenship, if available.
• proof of residence of the children.

All of the above documents (except your passport and driver’s license) that are not in German need to be translated by a certified translator or a certified translation service in Austria (Beglaubigte Übersetzung). Translayte is a language service provider that provides you with highly skilled German-certified translators who work to accurately convey the message of your documents. You can get German translations to or from a large variety of languages like English to German translations, Hindi to German translations, Italian to German translations, and vice versa. Moreover, your foreign documents must be legalised or bear an apostille stamp from the country of issuance to be valid in Austria. 

How to Get Married in Austria

So, we’ve looked at all we need to put in place before marrying in Austria. Now, let’s simplify the entire process for you into a few steps. 

Get a Visa

You need to apply for a visa to enter Austria to get married if you are not an Austrian citizen or a citizen of an EU/EEA country. You will need to apply for either the "Type C Visa" for short stays or a "Type D Visa" for longer stays, depending on the length of your stay and your specific circumstances. 

The Type C Schengen visa is for short stays in the Schengen area, including Austria, up to 90 days within 180 days. If you plan to have your wedding and leave Austria within 90 days, this is the appropriate visa. Applications are typically submitted through the Austrian embassy or consulate in your home country. You'll need to provide proof of your intention to marry, such as a letter from the Standesamt in Austria, alongside other documents like proof of accommodation, return tickets, and financial means.

The Type D National visa is for longer stays in Austria exceeding 90 days but not exceeding six months. If your wedding preparations require you to stay in Austria for more than 90 days, or if you plan to stay in Austria immediately after your wedding, this visa might be more appropriate. The application process is similar to the Visa C application process, but you'll need to provide additional documentation justifying the extended stay. This could include detailed wedding plans or evidence of your future spouse's residence in Austria.

Submit a Marriage Application

The next step to getting married in Austria is to put in a marriage application.

If either you or your partner is an Austrian citizen or lives in Austria (regardless of citizenship), your marriage application must be filed at your local Standesamt. 

If both of you are neither Austrians nor residents, your marriage application must be filed at the Standesamt for the First District of Vienna, located at Standesamt Wien-Innere Stadt, Schlesingerplatz 4, A-1082 Vienna, Austria. You can call to make enquires on 01143 1 40134 08580, send a fax to 01143 1 40134 99 08580, or send an email to post-a08(at)m61.magwien.gv.at).

You must apply in person and bring the documents we listed earlier. Some Standesamt may need you to undergo a preliminary interview before submitting your application. This is to ensure that all legal requirements are met and to confirm that the couple is fit for marriage. At the first appointment, you do not need to present all of the required documents and evidence. The Standesamt understands that it can take a while to get all the documents you need. Some exceptional cases can permit one of you to attend the interview alone. In that case, you must fill out the ‘Declaration for Determining Marriageability’ form, available from every registry office, before putting in your marriage application. Your partner who is unable to attend the interview must state in this form why they cannot attend. Make sure to submit this form when making the marriage application.

The Standesamt will forward your documents for approval to the appropriate Superior Court (Oberlandesgericht). After the court fees have been paid, the documents will be returned to the Standesamt which then schedules the date for your wedding. You can also request an approved location for your wedding if you do not want to have it at the Standesamt office. Be careful when booking appointments around major holidays because it may be difficult to get one. The total fees for the entire marriage application process can get up to Euro 300. The whole process should be completed in two to four weeks. 

Plan Your Ceremony

After you have finished with all the major paperwork and payments, you can now get into the real fun. Let’s give you a few tips on how to plan the ceremony. 

1. Set a Budget: Choose your type of ceremony and determine your budget. Determining your budget will guide many of your decisions, from the venue to the number of guests and the style of the event. Make sure to account for any potential costs like the venue, attire, officiant fees, decorations, and any additional services you might want.

2. Select a Venue: The venue sets the tone for your wedding. Some popular wedding venues in Austria include: 

• Die Träumerei
• Hotel Imperial Vienna
• Park Hyatt Vienna
• Schloss Friedberg
• Schloss Hernstein
• Schloss Prielau

When choosing a venue, consider its location, capacity, availability, cost, and the logistics of getting married there (some venues have their own rules about catering, decoration, and music).

3. Choose a Date and Time: When selecting your wedding date, consider factors like the weather, special dates for you and your partner, and the availability of your desired venue and key vendors. Saturdays are a popular choice for weddings, but a weekday wedding might offer more flexibility and cost savings.

4. Hire Vendors: Depending on the complexity of your ceremony, you may need to hire various vendors, such as:

• Wedding Planner: This is especially helpful if you're organising a destination wedding or need help with local customs and logistics.
   
• A Photographer/Videographer: Book early, as the best ones often have their schedules filled months in advance.
   
• Hair and Makeup Artists: To ensure you look your best, consider hiring professionals who can provide hair and makeup services on your wedding day.
   
• Music: Whether you want live music, a DJ, or a simple playlist, plan how music will be integrated into your ceremony.
   
• A Florist: For bouquets, boutonnieres, and any venue decorations.
   
• A Caterer: If your venue doesn’t provide food, you’ll need to hire a caterer.

5. Plan the Ceremony Details: Decide if you want to write your vows or stick with the traditional ones. Select your wedding party, including bridesmaids, groomsmen, ring-bearers, and flower girls. Don’t forget to decide on how you want the ceremony to unfold, from start to finish.

6. Have a Dress Rehearsal: A rehearsal is typically held the day before the wedding, especially for complex ceremonies or large wedding parties. This helps ensure everyone knows their roles and the event runs smoothly.

7. Personalise Your Ceremony: Incorporate elements that reflect your personalities and relationships. This could include unique music choices, a special reading, or a ritual that has personal significance.

Enjoy Your Wedding Ceremony

On your wedding day, remember to have fun and take in all the memories of that special day. You will be required to complete several formalities. Both the couple and the witnesses must present an official photo ID so you may need to arrive at the registry office or agreed wedding venue early.

Apply for a Legal Marriage Certificate

After your civil ceremony, the marriage is officially recorded, and you are entitled to receive a marriage certificate (Heiratsurkunde) as proof of your union. If it's not automatically provided, you can request your marriage certificate directly from the registrar conducting your wedding immediately after the ceremony. 

If you need additional copies of your marriage certificate later on, you should visit or contact the Standesamt where your marriage was registered. You will be required to fill out an application form or provide a written request. Specify that you are requesting a marriage certificate and include both your names, the date of the marriage, and any other relevant information. Be prepared to present valid identification, such as a passport or personal ID.

The fees for a marriage certificate in Austria include: 

For the application:

• Verbally: Free
• In writing: 14.30 Euro
• Electronic application using your ID Austria or EU Login: 8.60 Euro

For the issue of a marriage certificate:

• Federal administration fee: 7.20 Euro
• Federal administrative levy: 2.10 Euro
   

If you want the certificate mailed to you, you should expect an additional cost to accompany that service. The cost varies by registry so make sure you confirm the cost. 

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