Austria’s Balkan-origin communities have developed deep roots in the country, and the latest figures from Statistik Austria offer a glimpse into how people with migration backgrounds navigate that dual connection.

Among people born in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 77.8% said they felt they belonged in Austria, compared with 72.1% of those born in Serbia. Among people born in Türkiye, the figure was 75.6%. Across all immigrants surveyed, 75% reported a sense of belonging to Austria.

But feeling at home in Austria does not necessarily mean losing a connection to the country of birth. More than half of respondents born in Bosnia and Herzegovina (51.5%) said they also felt they belonged to their country of origin. The figure was 47.1% among those born in Serbia and 46.2% among those born in Türkiye.

The length of time spent in Austria appears to matter. Among immigrants who had lived in Austria for one to five years, 66% reported belonging to Austria. That rose to 82% among those who had lived in the country for more than 15 years.

For communities from Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Montenegro, the survey does not provide separate comparable figures on belonging. Nevertheless, they are an important part of Austria’s broader migration story.

The figures suggest that, for many residents of Balkan origin, belonging may not be an either-or question. Austria can become home without erasing the connections that began elsewhere.