U.S. Embassy in Austria

Information regarding Social Security Numbers (SSN) and Social Security Benefits

Service members, Veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits services on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website at www.va.gov. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) can also be of assistance if Veterans and beneficiaries have questions about benefits and services.

If you are a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder), you are responsible for filing U.S. federal income tax returns while abroad. You will find useful information on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website, such as Frequently Asked Questions about taxes or how to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you are a U.S. government employee working overseas, you cannot claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. For additional information, visit the IRS website.

U.S. embassies and consulates overseas assist the Selective Service System with its registration program abroad.

Now all U.S. citizens can receive their blank ballots electronically. Depending on the state in which you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax, or internet download. We recommend overseas U.S. citizens get in the habit of completing Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) each January.

Austrian attorneys are prohibited by law from accepting cases on a contingency basis. Those attorneys below who accept collection cases usually assess their fees by mutual agreement or on the basis of a complex recommended fee guide established by ordinance.

Although the hospitals, doctors and medical groups listed have been selected with care, the Embassy cannot assume responsibility for their professional ability and integrity and has no control over the professional fees they charge. Private medical practitioners in Austria establish their own fees. Furthermore, hospitals and physicians they will not settle fee claims directly with U.S. insurance companies. Therefore, the U.S. citizen patient will be expected to pay his bill at the time of treatment/consultation. The patient may thereafter present his paid bill to his U.S. insurance carrier, if any, for reimbursement. Medicare is not valid for medical expenses in Austria.

Civil records have been carefully prepared and preserved in nearly all areas of Austria. Thus, civil documents such as birth, death and marriage certificates are usually available. Some difficulty and delay may be encountered, however, since record keeping functions are decentralized and procedures for obtaining documents and fees assessed vary from area to area.

The U.S. Embassy/Consular Section does not keep copies of the documents it issues, such as Consular Reports of Birth. These documents are filed in Washington. We also do not keep any files of Austrian civil documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc. Other records, such as birth certificates of people born in the U.S. are stored in the state of origin.

U.S. citizens and some foreigners may be asked to present a “certificate of good conduct” or “lack of a criminal record” for a variety of reasons for use abroad including adoption, school attendance, employment, etc. U.S. law enforcement authorities may not be familiar with such a procedure since it is not commonly requested in the United States. There are a variety of options available to U.S. citizens and foreigners seeking to obtain proof of their lack of a criminal record.

Relinquishing U.S. citizenship or taking the oath to renounce U.S. citizenship before a U.S. diplomatic or consular officer overseas is a serious and irrevocable act. Therefore, you should carefully consider and fully understand the consequences and ramifications of this act prior to your decision to begin the process to request a Certificate of Loss of Nationality.

Applications for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad must be submitted before the child turns 18. If you were born abroad to a U.S. parent and have never been documented as a U.S. citizen before the age of 18, you may still qualify for U.S. citizenship.

Sometimes foreign financial and/or other private institutions request that a customer provide proof that they are not a U.S. citizen.