IMMIGRATION

Persons, who do not hold a citizenship of a member state of the European Union or Switzerland and wish to stay in Austria for longer than three months per half a year, have to obtain a residence permit for Austria.

The most popular residence permit types in Austria:

 

  1. Residence permit for financially independent persons

  2. Red-White-Red Card for self-employed persons

  3. Red-White-Red Card for key employees

 

 

1. Residence permit for financially independent persons

 

This residence permit is obtainable by persons, who

 

  • do not plan to pursue gainful employment in Austria
  • already have sufficient funds in Austria to cover all living costs for themselves (and family) in Austria
  • have comprehensive health insurance coverage in Austria provided by an Austrian insurance company
  • are entitled to accommodation (e.g. rental agreement) in Austria according to the local standards
  • possess a high school diploma, university diploma, or a German language certificate at A1-Level within CEFRL.

 

Residence permits for financially independent persons are restricted by quota. The quota is approximately 400 places available each year. Every applicant needs a quota place, in order to obtain the first residence permit. Follow-up residence permits are not quota restricted.

Due to the small quota this kind of residence permit is very exclusive.

For further information please refer to our Immigration Infosheet.

 

 

2. Red-White-Red Card for self-employed key persons

 

This kind of residence permit is available to applicants who wish to set up a company and pursue business
activities in Austria.

The company’s business has to:

 

  • trigger a transfer of foreign capital (minimum EUR 100.000) to Austria
  • create new jobs or help to avoid the loss of existing ones
  • provide a positive impact on the region where the company is located or
  • trigger practical knowledge transfer to Austria.

 

 

3. Red-White-Red Card for key employees

 

In order to obtain a Red-White-Red Card for key employees an applicant has to:

 

  • enter into an employment contract with an Austrian-based employer
  • receive a sufficient salary from this employment
  • collect a minimum amount of qualification points and
  • the envisaged employment must be adequate to the applicant’s education and previous
    professional experience.

 

Depending on the applicant’s education, professional experience, language skills, and age, he/she can be
qualified either as a ”highly skilled employee” or “other key employee”. 

For further information please refer to our Immigration Infosheet.

 

 

AUSTRIAN RESIDENCE LAW DISTINGUISHES BETWEEN:

01

Settlement permits – except for gainful employment (private individual)

02

Residence permits – EU Blue Card and Red-White-Red Card

03

Residency permits for highly qualified and other key workers

04

Residence permits for notable managers, expatriates, researchers, and rotating employees

05

Residence cards for family members of EEA citizens

06

Residence permits for family members and other relatives of Austrian citizens

07

Residence permits for Startup founders
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