List of heirs to the Austrian throne Heirs to the Austrian Empire Heirs to the Austrian Empire

| Emperor | Heir | Relationship_to_emperor_and_status | Became_heir | Ceased_to_be_heir | Next_in_line |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis II | Crown Prince Ferdinand | Son Heir apparent | 11 August 1804; foundation of the Empire | 2 March 1835; succeeded | Archduke Joseph Franz 1804–1807, brother |
| Francis II | Crown Prince Ferdinand | Son Heir apparent | 11 August 1804; foundation of the Empire | 2 March 1835; succeeded | Archduke Franz Karl 1807–1835, brother |
| Ferdinand I | Archduke Franz Karl | Brother Heir presumptive | 2 March 1835; brother succeeded | 2 December 1848; renounced his succession rights | Archduke Franz ` 1835–1848, son |
| Franz Joseph I | Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian | Brother Heir presumptive | 2 December 1848; brother succeeded | 21 August 1858; son born to Emperor | Archduke Karl Ludwig 1848–1858, brother |