Austria Approves New Law to Expedite Deportation of Foreign Convicts

Austria Approves New Law to Expedite Deportation of Foreign Convicts
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Austria’s parliament has approved new measures designed to facilitate the deportation of foreign nationals convicted of crimes, allowing certain offenders to be transferred to their home countries directly from prison without their consent.

According to Austria’s Interior Ministry, the National Council approved the amendments on October 14, with the legislation scheduled to take effect on November 1, 2026. The changes are intended to simplify deportation procedures and reduce the administrative burden on police and correctional facilities.

Under the new provisions, eligible foreign offenders may be deported after serving the minimum required period of imprisonment, including after half of their sentence has been served where the applicable conditions are met. The measure does not apply to people convicted of serious violent crimes, sexual offences or terrorist offences. Deportation also requires the relevant legal conditions to be satisfied, including an applicable entry and residence ban.

The legislation also seeks to make it easier for European Economic Area nationals who have no legal right to reside in Austria to serve their prison sentences in their home countries. Authorities say procedural changes will help remove administrative obstacles that have complicated the transfer of sentenced prisoners.