Key issues 16 Authorities handling naturalisation often have to tackle the question of the prerequisites for ensuring the individual can support himself/ herself. These financial aspects are often highly problematic, and the authorities do not have any discretionary scope. In many instances lack of income leads to hardship cases. This applies particularly to people who, through no fault of their own, end up in financial distress and are then unable to obtain citizenship. Ombudswoman Terezija Stoisits has drawn attention to the fact that generally it is not that the authorities implement the legislation incorrectly, but rather that the legislation as such contains problematic provisions. One of the prerequisites for naturalisation is that the person needs to have been in the country for an uninterrupted period of at least 10 years. Thus beneficiaries of a subsidiary protection status may find it very difficult or impossible to obtain citizenship. Moreover, the lengthiness of the proceedings means numerous investigative proceedings arise.