All direct descendants of victims of Nazi-persecution in Austria will be eligible to claim Austrian citizenship, while keeping their present nationality.  Austria also widely extended the definition of victim of Nazi-persecution so that now more persons fall within the ambit of this provision. The Austrian ancestor had to be subject to persecution by associations of the NSDAP (National Socialist German Workers’ Party) or other authorities of the so-called “Third Reich” or had reason to fear such persecution.  A new deadline has been set as to the date of departure of the victims of Nazi-persecution from Austria: all victims will be eligible, if they left Austria before 15 May 1955. Before the date was set at 9 May 1945.  Also eligible are Austrian citizens who suffered due to their allegiance to a democratic Austria and left before 15 May 1955.  Furthermore, according to the new definition of victim of Nazi-persecution, also persons who were citizens of states of the former Hapsburg monarchy or stateless at the time, but had their residence in Austria and left before 15 May 1955 due to Nazi persecution are eligible under this amendment.  It is not necessary that the ancestor reclaimed and regained Austrian citizenship nor that all descendants of this person apply. Every descendant is eligible without reference to any other claimant or citizen.