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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.

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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”.

Austrian Residence Law distinguished between:

  • Settlement permits – except for gainful employment (private individual)
  • Residence permits – EU Blue Card and Red-White-Red Card
  • Residency permits for highly qualified and other key workers
  • Residence permits for notable managers, expatriates, researchers, and rotating employees
  • Residence cards for family members of EEA citizens
  • Residence permits for family members and other relatives of Austrian citizens
  • Residence permits for Startup founders