How to Obtain a Residence Permit in Austria

You can obtain a residence permit in Austria if you have a lawful basis for staying in the country, such as university studies, employment or launching a start-up. A residence permit allows foreign nationals to live legally in Austria for the authorised period and carry out the activity for which the status was granted.

An EU passport can be obtained under simplified procedures available in certain countries, allowing its holder to relocate freely to Austria. Book a consultation to learn which routes may allow you to obtain citizenship within approximately 1–1.5 years.

Benefits of an Austrian Residence Permit

After obtaining a residence permit and moving to Austria, you can benefit from the rights available under your status, including the ability to:

• travel freely across countries in the Schengen Area and/or the European Union;
• work for Austrian companies, where permitted by the type and purpose of your residence permit;
• apply for social benefits where eligible;
• invite eligible family members to join you in Austria;
• register a company and conduct business activities;
• study in the European education system;
• apply for permanent residence and, in the future, citizenship.

At the same time, obtaining and living in Austria with a residence permit involves certain restrictions:

• the need to renew the residence permit regularly and continue meeting the conditions on which it was granted;
• employment restrictions for certain types of residence permits;
• the need to prove sufficient income, suitable accommodation and health insurance;
• annual quotas for certain residence categories, including permits for financially self-sufficient applicants;
• German-language requirements for certain categories of applicants;
• a lengthy route to permanent residence and citizenship — permanent residence is generally available after 5 years of residence, while citizenship under the standard procedure is typically available after 10 years.

How to Obtain a Residence Permit in Austria: Main Routes

Under Austria’s Settlement and Residence Act, there are several routes to obtaining a residence permit and relocating to Austria. Family reunification may be one of the more straightforward options and can provide broad access to the labour market, but it requires an eligible family member or partner in Austria. For applicants with sufficient financial resources, a quota-based settlement permit without employment may be suitable. Employment, education, research and artistic activities are also common grounds for Austrian residence.

Start-up Founders

To establish an innovative start-up in Austria and obtain residence on this basis, applicants may qualify for the Red-White-Red Card for Start-up Founders. This card serves as both a residence permit and authorisation to carry out the declared self-employed activity. The applicant must demonstrate that the company will develop and bring innovative products, services, processes or technologies to market and that they will personally take an active role in managing the business.

At least EUR 30,000 must be invested in the company. No less than half of this amount must come from the applicant’s own funds, which must be documented. The application must also include a viable business plan, and the applicant must score at least 50 points under the applicable criteria.

Financial Self-Sufficiency

Austria allocates an annual quota for this residence category. A residence permit for financially self-sufficient applicants who are not EU/EEA or Swiss citizens does not allow employment or self-employment in Austria. Income may come from a pension in Austria or abroad, as well as from investments, assets or a company operating outside Austria.

The available income must be at least twice the applicable reference rate. Under the current reference values, the indicative amount is approximately EUR 2,617 per month for a single applicant, EUR 4,128 for married couples or registered partners, plus around EUR 404 for each child. The income must be documented, for example with bank statements.

Employment

Austria offers residence with employment rights through the Red-White-Red Card (RWR Card). The card may be issued for up to 2 years and permits employment with a specific company or, for eligible categories, self-employment. The Red-White-Red Card is available to:

• very highly qualified workers;
• skilled workers in shortage occupations;
• other key workers;
• graduates of Austrian universities and universities of applied sciences;
• regular workers in tourism, agriculture and forestry;
• self-employed key workers;
• start-up founders.

Requirements vary by Red-White-Red Card category. The Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) assesses the applicant’s qualifications, points score, proposed salary and any other criteria applicable to the selected route. A labour-market test is required only for certain categories.

Family members of foreign nationals holding an RWR Card may obtain an RWR Card Plus. This status allows residence in Austria, self-employment and unrestricted access to the labour market. An RWR Card Plus may also be available in other cases provided by law, including to:

• an RWR Card or EU Blue Card holder who, during the previous 24 months, worked for at least 21 months in accordance with the conditions of their permit;
• a family member of an RWR Card holder, EU Blue Card holder or holder of certain other residence statuses;
• a researcher after the required period of residence under the relevant permit;
• holders of certain other residence permits who meet the specific statutory requirements.

Education

Students enrolled at Austrian universities, universities of applied sciences and other higher education institutions recognised by law may initially obtain a residence permit for one year, renewable until the end of their studies. School pupils have a separate residence category — Residence Permit – Pupil.

Students may work provided that employment does not interfere with their studies. For Turkish students, an employer may obtain an employment permit for up to 20 hours per week without a labour-market test.

Family Reunification

To obtain residence through family reunification, the applicant must prove a qualifying family relationship with a person who holds an appropriate status in Austria. Under the standard family reunification rules, eligible family members include spouses, registered partners and unmarried minor children, including adopted children and stepchildren. Spouses and registered partners must generally be at least 21 years old. Unrestricted access to the labour market depends on the type of permit granted; for example, the RWR Card Plus provides this right.

Other Purposes

Austria may also issue residence permits to foreign nationals who meet one of the following conditions:

• they carry out non-profit activities in Austria that are not intended to generate income;
• they participate in the European Voluntary Service and can provide evidence of this activity.

After a permit of this type has been issued, changing to a family reunification permit is possible only in exceptional cases, while other changes of purpose are generally unavailable. Any gainful employment in Austria under this status is prohibited.

The available grounds for an Austrian residence permit are limited, and applicants must continue meeting the relevant conditions and renew their status to remain in the country. An alternative route to living and working legally in Austria is to obtain a passport of another EU country, which gives its holder the right to reside across the European Union.

Austrian Residence Permit Application Procedure

Obtaining an Austrian residence permit generally involves several stages:

1. Submit the residence permit application and obtain an entry visa if required. For Turkish citizens, the first residence permit application is generally submitted in person before entering Austria — at the Austrian Embassy in Ankara or the Consulate General in Istanbul, depending on the applicant’s place of residence. Once the application has been approved, the applicant obtains a Visa D to enter Austria and collect the residence card. Under the current fee schedule, a Visa D costs EUR 195 for applicants over the age of 6 and EUR 97 for children under 6.
2. Submit the residence permit request. An Austrian residence permit application can be filed with the competent Austrian representation responsible for the applicant’s place of residence. The authority checks whether the documentation is complete and correctly prepared and, if there are no issues, forwards the case to the competent authority in Austria. Only certain categories of foreign nationals may submit an initial application from within Austria. Filing an application in Austria does not, as a rule, give the applicant the right to remain after their authorised period of stay expires.
3. Wait for the decision. Processing by the competent authority may take several months depending on the type of permit. Complete Red-White-Red Card applications are generally processed in approximately 8 weeks. The actual timeframe depends on the residence category, completeness of the file and workload of the authorities.
4. Collect the residence permit. If the application is approved, the competent Austrian authority will notify the applicant, for example by telephone or post. The residence permit must then be collected in person from the responsible authority.
5. Relocate to Austria. Once the permit has been issued, the applicant can move to Austria and settle at the chosen address. The place of residence must be registered with the competent municipal authority within 3 days of moving in. The resident may then exercise the rights attached to the specific permit, such as working, studying, running a business or living in Austria without employment.

Requirements for an Austrian Residence Permit

To obtain an Austrian residence permit, applicants must meet the general conditions applicable to their residence category:

• Demonstrate sufficient means of subsistence.
  The applicant’s income must be sufficient to live in Austria without relying on social assistance. Available funds should cover housing costs, loan payments, food and other regular expenses. Under the current reference values, the required income is approximately EUR 1,308 per month for one person, EUR 2,064 for a married couple, plus around EUR 202 for each child. Regular housing costs, loan payments and other financial obligations are also taken into account. This minimum-income requirement does not apply in the same form to the Red-White-Red Card and EU Blue Card.
• Obtain comprehensive health insurance.
  Applicants must have health insurance provided by a public or private insurer and covering all relevant risks. Standard travel insurance is not sufficient. The policy must remain valid for at least the period for which the residence permit is issued.
• Provide evidence of suitable accommodation.
  The place of residence must be registered within three days of moving into the accommodation. The size and condition of the property are relevant and must comply with applicable housing standards. Registration is completed with the competent local authority — the Gemeindeamt or Magistrat, or the Magistratisches Bezirksamt in Vienna.
• Demonstrate German-language skills where required.
  This requirement does not apply to most residence categories. For certain first-time applications, A1-level German must be demonstrated, including the Settlement Permit – Gainful Employment Excepted for financially self-sufficient applicants, RWR Card Plus, Settlement Permit and Family Member. There is no general A1 pre-entry requirement for an employment-based Red-White-Red Card or the Start-up Founder category, although language skills may be considered within the points system for a particular category.
• Secure a quota place where required.
  Certain residence categories, including settlement without gainful employment, are subject to annual quotas. Availability of a quota place is a mandatory condition for obtaining such a permit.

This list is not exhaustive. Austrian immigration authorities may request additional evidence or documents confirming the purpose and conditions of the applicant’s stay.

Required Documents

The standard document package for an Austrian residence permit generally includes:

• a valid passport and a copy;
• a photograph taken within the previous six months, measuring 45 × 35 mm;
• a rental, sublease or property purchase agreement;
• public or private health insurance providing comprehensive coverage;
• proof of sufficient financial means, such as an employment contract, salary evidence, pension income, own capital or investments;
• civil-status documents, such as marriage, divorce, family relationship, adoption or death certificates, where applicable;
• evidence supporting the residence basis, such as a university certificate, employment contract, agreement with an Austrian organisation or another relevant document.

In addition to the standard file, the competent authority may request further documents, such as a criminal record certificate or information concerning outstanding credit obligations. Providing these documents where requested may help avoid delays. Documents must generally be submitted in original form together with copies. Certificates issued in a language other than German must be translated and certified as required.

Processing Times and Costs

The application fee for an Austrian temporary residence permit is EUR 218, irrespective of the previous fee structure that applied different rates by age category.

The Red-White-Red Card is generally issued for up to 24 months. The validity period of other residence permits depends on the relevant residence category and continued compliance with its conditions.

Residence Permits for Family Members

An Austrian residence permit may also be available to the applicant’s spouse or registered partner and to unmarried minor children, including adopted children and stepchildren. Parents, grandparents and other relatives are subject to separate legal grounds and conditions and are therefore not included in the standard family reunification category. Family reunification is generally initiated by a person who already holds a valid Austrian residence status and acts as sponsor for eligible relatives. Following divorce or the death of a partner, the right to retain an independent residence status is assessed individually and depends on whether the statutory conditions are met.

Grounds for Refusal or Non-Renewal

An Austrian residence permit may be refused for reasons including:

• false or inaccurate information or documents;
• missing certificates or supporting documents, or incorrect preparation of the application file;
• incorrect translations or translations that do not meet the applicable requirements;
• a criminal record or criminal offences involving the applicant;
• insufficient income to live in Austria without relying on social assistance.

These circumstances may also lead to cancellation of an existing status. A refusal is not automatic in every case. Where minor defects are identified in the application package, the authorities may allow the applicant to correct them or, where legally possible, apply under a more appropriate residence purpose. A residence permit may also not be renewed if the holder spends extended periods outside Austria and such absences are inconsistent with the conditions of the relevant status.

Moving to Austria Permanently and Obtaining Citizenship

A residence permit can be the first step towards Austrian citizenship and, consequently, EU citizenship. An EU passport provides the right to work and travel across the Schengen Area and to choose an EU country for permanent residence. After 5 years of continuous lawful residence, subject to the applicable integration and other requirements, an applicant may qualify for Long-term Resident – EU status. Under the standard procedure, Austrian citizenship is generally available after 10 years of continuous lawful residence, including at least 5 years with settled residence status. Neither status is granted automatically.

A 10-year residence period is a substantial commitment during which the applicable residence rules must be observed continuously. Applicants should plan each stage carefully and monitor all conditions, as interruptions or non-compliance may affect the qualifying residence period.