🛂 Residence permits
Which permit fits you, what it costs and where to apply in Vienna: EU rules, Red-White-Red Card, Blue Card, family, students and citizenship in 2026.
Visas and residence permits for Austria
Your passport decides your path. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens only register. Everyone else needs a visa or a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel). Updated November 2026.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and amounts change every year. Check the official source before you apply.
Moving to Austria as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen
You need no visa and no work permit. You can live, work, study or start a business from day one. You only register.
- Register your address: get your Meldezettel (registration form) within 3 days of moving in. Our registration guide shows you how.
- Apply for the Anmeldebescheinigung (registration certificate) if you stay longer than three months. You must report your stay within 4 months of entering Austria.
- Show why you are here: a work contract, proof of self-employment, or enough money plus full health insurance. Students show enrolment, health insurance and enough money.
- Pay €44 when you apply. You apply in person. The certificate has no expiry date.
- After 5 years of lawful residence you can ask for a certificate of permanent residence (Bescheinigung des Daueraufenthalts).
In Vienna
MA 35, the Vienna immigration office, handles EU registration in its EWR department. Some offices need an appointment, so book online first. Bring your passport or ID card and the proof for your situation.
Family members from outside the EU
Your non-EU spouse, registered partner, children or parents get an Aufenthaltskarte (residence card). They apply within 4 months of entry. The card is valid for 5 years, and they can usually work from day one. Partners and other relatives who are not core family can get a Niederlassungsbewilligung without quota if you sign a Haftungserklärung (liability declaration).
Visa-free stays and the Visa D
A visa lets you stay for a short time. To live in Austria, most non-EU citizens need a residence permit on top.
| Option | Who it is for | How long | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa-free entry | Citizens of visa-exempt countries, for example the US, UK, Canada or Australia | Up to 90 days in any 180 days in the Schengen area | No work allowed. ETIAS, the new online travel authorisation, is planned for the last quarter of 2026. |
| Visa C (Schengen visa) | Short trips for people who need a visa | Up to 90 days in 180 days | For visits, not for moving |
| Visa D (national visa) | Longer stays, for example short work or study stays, or to collect a permit | Usually 91 days to 6 months | You apply only at an Austrian embassy or consulate abroad |
| Job seeker visa | Very highly qualified people with 70 points or more | 6 months | Fee €195. You look for a job in Austria and then apply for the RWR Card. |
Red-White-Red Card and EU Blue Card
The Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte, RWR Card) lets non-EU citizens live and work for one employer. Most types use a points system. The AMS (Public Employment Service) checks the points.
| Type | Points needed | Pay in 2026 | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very highly qualified workers | 70 of 100 | Pay that fits your qualification | Points for degree, PhD, research, experience, age, languages. Job seeker visa possible. |
| Skilled workers in shortage occupations | 55 of 90 | Collective agreement wage plus usual extra pay | Job on the 2026 shortage list (Mangelberufsliste). Completed training in that job. No labour market test. |
| Other key workers | 55 of 90 | At least €3,465 gross a month | Labour market test: no equally qualified jobseeker at the AMS |
| Graduates of Austrian universities | No points | Usual starting salary for Austrian graduates | Job that fits your degree. No labour market test. |
| Self-employed key workers | No points | Not applicable | Business with a wider benefit for Austria, for example €100,000 capital or new jobs. AMS opinion within 3 weeks. |
| Start-up founders | 50 of 85 | Not applicable | Innovative company, at least €30,000 capital, at least 50 % share, business plan |
| EU Blue Card | No points | At least €55,678 gross a year | Degree of at least 3 years (or 3 years IT experience), job that fits it, labour market test |
Salaries are gross and include special payments where the official page says so. Austrian salaries are usually paid 14 times a year.
How the points work
For shortage occupations and other key workers you collect points for qualification (up to 30), work experience (up to 20, more for time in Austria), languages (up to 25) and age (up to 15). Under 30 gets 15 points, under 40 gets 10. German B1 gives 15 points, English B1 gives 10. You get 5 extra points if English is the main language in the company.
The 2026 shortage list has 64 occupations for all of Austria, down from 81. Each federal state also has its own regional list. Use the official points calculator on migration.gv.at before you apply.
Card validity and the RWR Card plus
- The RWR Card and the Blue Card are usually issued for 24 months.
- They tie you to one employer.
- After 21 months of qualifying work in the last 24 months, you can switch to the RWR Card plus.
- The RWR Card plus gives you free access to the labour market. You can change jobs or work self-employed.
- Founders and self-employed key workers can also move on after two years.
Settling in Austria without working
The Niederlassungsbewilligung ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit (settlement permit except gainful employment) is for non-EU citizens who live from a pension, rent or savings. You cannot work with it.
| Household | Regular net income needed per month (2026) |
|---|---|
| Single person | €2,616.78 |
| Married couple or partners | €4,128.24 |
| Each child | plus €403.76 |
These amounts are twice the ASVG Richtsatz (the legal minimum income level). The 2026 Richtsatz is €1,308.39 for a single person and €2,064.12 for a couple. Ongoing costs are deducted before the income counts.
- Quota place: you need one. Each federal state gets a set number of places per year in the Niederlassungsverordnung (settlement regulation). Ask the authority whether places are still free.
- German A1: you prove basic German with your first application.
- Health insurance that covers all risks in Austria. Our health insurance guide explains your options.
- Accommodation: a rental contract, pre-contract or proof of ownership.
- Apply abroad in person at the Austrian embassy or consulate for your home country, before you move.
- Fee: €218.
Bringing your family to Austria
Your spouse or registered partner (at least 21) and your unmarried children under 18 count as core family. Which permit they get depends on your own status.
| Your status | Your family gets | Quota |
|---|---|---|
| RWR Card or EU Blue Card holder | RWR Card plus, with full labour market access | No quota |
| Austrian citizen | Familienangehöriger permit | No quota |
| Holder of a settlement permit or other titles | Niederlassungsbewilligung or RWR Card plus | Often a quota place is needed |
| EU, EEA or Swiss citizen living in Austria | Aufenthaltskarte (residence card) | No quota |
German before entry (Deutsch vor Zuzug)
Most family members prove German at level A1 with their first application. The certificate must come from ÖSD, Goethe-Institut, telc or ÖIF and be no older than one year.
You do not need it if you are under 14, cannot take the test for health reasons, or you join a very highly qualified RWR Card holder, a Blue Card holder or a researcher.
Income for family reunification 2026
The sponsor must show regular income of at least €1,308.39 a month for a single person or €2,064.12 for a couple, plus €201.88 for each child. You also need housing and health insurance for everyone.
Family permits are usually issued for 12 months at first. The fee is €218.
General information, not legal advice. Family rules for refugees and people with subsidiary protection changed in August 2026 and follow separate rules.
Studying in Austria and staying on
Non-EU students need the residence permit Students (Aufenthaltsbewilligung Studierender). Your programme needs at least 40 ECTS and cannot be a language course only.
Money you must show
Under 24: €722.58 a month. From 24: €1,308.39 a month. Rent counts toward these costs. You also need health insurance.
Working while you study
You can work up to 20 hours a week. Your employer gets a permit from the AMS first, even for a mini job.
After you graduate
You can extend your permit once for 12 months to look for a job or start a business. With a matching job offer you switch to the RWR Card for graduates.
You file your first application at the Austrian embassy abroad. In Vienna, MA 35 issues the permit. You must show study success when you extend it.
Permanent residence and Austrian citizenship
After 5 years you can get permanent residence. After 10 years you can usually apply for citizenship. Both need German.
Daueraufenthalt EU (permanent residence EU)
- 5 years of lawful, uninterrupted settlement in Austria
- Not more than 10 months abroad in total, or 6 months in one go. Blue Card holders may be abroad longer.
- Module 2 of the Integration Agreement (German B1)
- Secure income, health insurance and housing
- Fee: €275. The card is renewed every 5 years, your right to stay has no end date.
The Integration Agreement
The Integrationsvereinbarung (Integration Agreement) applies to non-EU citizens who settle in Austria.
- Module 1: German A2 plus values. You complete it within 2 years of your first permit. RWR Card holders count as fulfilled.
- Module 2: German B1 plus values. You need it for permanent residence and citizenship.
- The ÖIF (Austrian Integration Fund) runs the integration exams.
| Citizenship route | Years of residence | Extra conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 10 years, at least 5 of them settled | German B1, citizenship test, stable income |
| Early route | 6 years | For EEA citizens, people born in Austria, spouses of Austrians (5 years married). German B2 and proof of integration, for example 3 years of volunteering. |
| Long residence | 15 or 30 years | Special rules for very long stays |
- Income: you show regular income at the ASVG Richtsatz for 36 months within the last 6 years, including the last 6 months.
- Dual citizenship: Austria usually makes you give up your old citizenship. Exceptions apply when that is impossible or cannot be expected of you.
- Time abroad may not be more than 20 % of the residence period.
- Where: the citizenship office of your federal state government. In Vienna this is MA 35, and you attend an information session first.
Where to apply and how long it takes
First applications usually go to the Austrian embassy or consulate in your home country. Extensions and some first applications go to the residence authority (Niederlassungsbehörde) in Austria.
| Permit | Fee 2026 | Decision time |
|---|---|---|
| Anmeldebescheinigung (EU citizens) | €44 | Ask your local office |
| RWR Card, RWR Card plus, Blue Card | €218 | RWR Card within 8 weeks, AMS check within 4 weeks |
| Settlement permit, family and student permits | €218 | Up to 4 months, often faster with complete papers |
| Daueraufenthalt EU | €275 | Ask your local office |
| Job seeker visa | €195 | Depends on the embassy |
Vienna: MA 35
MA 35 (Immigration and Citizenship) at Dresdner Straße 91, 1200 Vienna, handles permits, EU registration and citizenship. Phone +43 1 4000 3535. Book an appointment online where you can.
After approval you have 3 months to apply for your entry visa. You then collect the card in person within another 3 months.
Other federal states
Outside Vienna you apply at the Bezirkshauptmannschaft (district office) or, in larger cities, at the Magistrat. In Lower Austria quota applications go to the state government office. In Graz the Styrian state government is in charge.
Extend your permit up to 3 months before it ends, and at the latest on the last day. A late application counts as a new first application.
Useful German words
Forms and letters from the authorities are in German. These words come up all the time.
| German | English | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Aufenthaltstitel | Residence permit | Any permit for non-EU citizens |
| Anmeldebescheinigung | Registration certificate | EU, EEA and Swiss citizens after 3 months |
| Meldezettel | Registration form | Within 3 days of moving into a home |
| Niederlassungsbewilligung | Settlement permit | Retirees, people with own means, some family |
| Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte | Red-White-Red Card | Work permit for non-EU citizens |
| Aufenthaltskarte | Residence card | Non-EU family of EU citizens |
| Daueraufenthalt EU | Permanent residence EU | After 5 years of settlement |
| Integrationsvereinbarung | Integration Agreement | German modules A2 and B1 |
| Quotenplatz | Quota place | Settlement and some family permits |
| Haftungserklärung | Liability declaration | When a relative guarantees your costs |
| Verlängerungsantrag | Extension application | Before your permit runs out |
| Bescheid | Official decision | Approval or refusal letter |
Questions about residence permits in Austria
Do EU citizens need a residence permit for Austria?
No. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can live and work in Austria freely. If you stay longer than three months, you apply for an Anmeldebescheinigung within 4 months of entry. The fee is 44 euros.
How long can I stay in Austria without a visa?
If your country is visa-exempt, you can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area. You cannot work during that time. For longer stays you need a Visa D or a residence permit.
What is the minimum salary for the Red-White-Red Card in 2026?
For other key workers it is 3,465 euros gross a month in 2026. Skilled workers in shortage occupations get at least the collective agreement wage. Graduates of Austrian universities need the usual starting salary for comparable Austrian graduates.
What salary do I need for the EU Blue Card in Austria?
In 2026 you need a gross annual salary of at least 55,678 euros. You also need a degree of at least three years and a job that matches it. The fee is 218 euros.
How much income do I need to retire in Austria as a non-EU citizen?
For the settlement permit except gainful employment you need regular net income of 2,616.78 euros a month as a single person or 4,128.24 euros as a couple in 2026, plus 403.76 euros per child. You also need a quota place, German A1, health insurance and housing.
Does my spouse need German to join me in Austria?
Usually yes. Most family members prove German at level A1 before entry. Family of very highly qualified RWR Card holders, Blue Card holders and researchers are exempt, as are children under 14.
When can I get permanent residence in Austria?
After 5 years of lawful, uninterrupted settlement. Non-EU citizens apply for Daueraufenthalt EU, which needs German B1 (Module 2 of the Integration Agreement) and costs 275 euros. EU citizens can ask for a certificate of permanent residence.
Can I keep my old citizenship if I become Austrian?
Usually not. Austria generally requires you to give up your previous citizenship. Exceptions exist when that is impossible or cannot be expected of you. The standard route to citizenship takes 10 years of residence.
- migration.gv.at: Red-White-Red Card overview
- migration.gv.at: Very highly qualified workers and job seeker visa
- migration.gv.at: Skilled workers in shortage occupations
- migration.gv.at: Other key workers, 2026 minimum pay
- migration.gv.at: EU Blue Card, 2026 salary
- migration.gv.at: Start-up founders
- migration.gv.at: Self-employed key workers
- migration.gv.at: Graduates of Austrian universities
- migration.gv.at: Family reunification and German before entry
- WKO: Shortage occupation list 2026
- oesterreich.gv.at: Settlement permit except gainful employment
- oesterreich.gv.at: Anmeldebescheinigung for EU citizens
- oesterreich.gv.at: Daueraufenthalt EU
- oesterreich.gv.at: Integration Agreement
- oesterreich.gv.at: Citizenship after ten years
- oesterreich.gv.at: ASVG Richtsatz 2026
- migration.gv.at: Students
- Austria Tourism: ETIAS start
Rules change. Check the official source before you apply.