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A Certificate of Cohabitation (Lebensgemeinschaftsbestätigung) proves that two people live together as domestic partners in Austria. This official document confirms your shared living arrangement, even if you're not married or in a registered partnership.

You'll need this certificate for various legal and administrative purposes in Austria - from applying for residency permits to accessing partner benefits through employers. Local authorities (Magistrat or Bezirksamt) issue these certificates after verifying your shared address and living situation through registration records and sometimes witness statements.

Get a Certificate of Cohabitation when you need to prove your living arrangement with your partner to Austrian authorities. This document becomes essential when applying for family-based residence permits, registering for joint health insurance, or accessing partner benefits through employers.

The certificate helps during visa applications, especially if one partner is a non-EU citizen. Many Austrian banks also request it when opening joint accounts or applying for shared mortgages. Some employers require it to extend workplace benefits like health insurance or emergency contact privileges to unmarried partners.

• Standard Certificate: Basic form issued by municipal authorities (Magistrat) confirming shared residence and domestic partnership status
• Enhanced Certificate: Includes additional witness statements and proof of shared financial responsibilities, often needed for immigration purposes
• Temporary Certificate: Valid for specific time periods, typically used for short-term arrangements or provisional residency situations
• International Format: Includes certified translations and apostille for use outside Austria
• Emergency Certificate: Expedited version available for urgent situations like hospital authorization or immediate visa requirements

• Cohabiting Partners: The primary users who need to prove their living arrangement and domestic partnership status
• Municipal Authorities: Issue and validate Certificates of Cohabitation after verifying registration records
• Immigration Officials: Review these certificates when processing residence permits for non-EU partners
• Employers: Use them to extend workplace benefits to unmarried partners of employees
• Financial Institutions: Request these certificates for joint financial products or shared mortgages
• Healthcare Providers: Accept them as proof for partner insurance coverage and medical decision-making rights

• Personal Documents: Gather valid IDs, passports, and registration certificates (Meldezettel) for both partners
• Proof of Address: Collect rental agreement or property ownership documents showing shared residence
• Financial Evidence: Prepare shared utility bills, joint bank accounts, or other documents showing financial connection
• Registration History: Obtain proof of shared address registration for at least 6 months
• Witness Information: Identify two people who can confirm your living arrangement if required
• Municipality Visit: Schedule an appointment at your local Magistrat or Bezirksamt for certificate issuance

• Personal Information: Full legal names, birth dates, and nationalities of both partners
• Address Details: Current shared residential address and duration of cohabitation
• Declaration Section: Clear statement confirming the domestic partnership relationship
• Authority Information: Issuing municipality name and official reference number
• Verification Details: Methods used to confirm cohabitation (registration records, witness statements)
• Official Signatures: Municipal authority signature, official stamp, and date of issuance
• Data Protection Notice: Statement about personal data handling under Austrian privacy laws

A Certificate of Cohabitation differs significantly from a Cohabitation Agreement. While both documents relate to unmarried couples living together, they serve distinct legal purposes in Austria.

• Legal Function: A Certificate of Cohabitation officially proves your living arrangement to authorities, while a Cohabitation Agreement sets rules for your relationship, including property rights and financial responsibilities
• Issuing Authority: Municipal offices issue Certificates of Cohabitation, but Cohabitation Agreements are private contracts between partners, often drafted with legal assistance
• Duration and Scope: Certificates typically confirm current living status, while Agreements outline ongoing rights and obligations throughout the relationship
• Primary Use: Certificates are mainly for administrative purposes like visa applications or benefits claims, whereas Agreements protect both partners' interests in case of separation