Permanent immigration
Third country nationals, people who are not citizens of the EEA or Switzerland, need a residence permit for Austria, when they plan to stay longer than six months. There are different types of residence permits. You can read about it on the following pages.
For stays up to six months third country nationals do not need a residence permit. They need a visa. For stays up to 90 days within 180 days a visa is not required for some third country nationals (depending on their citizenship).
Criteria-based Immigration to Austria - Red-White-Red Card
Are you from a third country (outside the EU) and want to live and work in Austria? Then you'll need a Red-White-Red Card, which is available to qualified workers from third countries.
Family members can apply for a Red-White-Red Card Plus (see family reunification).
The Red-White-Red Card is issued for a period of 24 months and entitles you as the holder to fixed-term settlement and employment by the employer specified in your application.
You may be eligible for a Red-White-Red Card if you belong to one of the following groups (subject to certain conditions):
General Requirements for Issuing Residence Permits
The authorities may only grant you a residence title if you meet the following requirements:
Adequate means of subsistence
You have to have a fixed and regular personal income enabling you to cover your living costs without resorting to welfare aid from local authorities. At the time of application the regular monthly income must be equal to the equalisation supplement reference rate (Ausgleichszulagenrichtsatz) of the General Social Insurance Act (Allgemeines Sozialversicherungsgesetz - ASVG).
Equalisation supplement reference rate since 1st of January 2026:
- For singles: € 1,308.39
- For couples: € 2,064.12
- For each child additionally € 201.88
Proof of social benefits which you are entitled to only after your residence permit has been granted (welfare benefits or equalisation supplements in particular) is not factored in.
More information in german language can be found there: Informationsbroschüre über die Unterhaltsberechnung.
Please note:
When applying for a Red-White-Red Card or a Blue Card EU, make sure to take note of the special requirements concerning your income according to “Act Governing the Employment of Foreign Nations”. There is no proof of income necessary according to Settlement and Residence Act”
Health Insurance Coverage
For your stay in Austria, you must have health insurance coverage which provides benefits in Austria and covers all risks. If you are insured in the public social insurance system (e.g. you are employed in Austria), this coverage is sufficient.
Adequate Accommodation
You have to provide evidence of a legal title to locally customary accommodation (e.g. by providing a lease contract), considered adequate for your family size.
In applications for the following residence permits no proof of adequate accommodation is required (but the monthly costs for the accommodation have to be taken into account in calculating adequate means of subsistence where those are required).
- Red-White-Red Card
- Blue Card
- Settlement permit Researcher and Researcher-Mobility
- Settlement permit for extended family members of EEA nationals or Swiss nationals
- Student
- ICT and mobile ICT
- Volunteers
Please note:
An accommodation free of charge, which can be revoked at any time without a notice period, does not meet this requirement, since no legal title to accommodation is constituted.
Proof of secure means of subsistence and the right to accommodation can be provided by a third party’s liability declaration, as far as this option is expressly provided for.
No threat to public order or security
Your stay must not be contrary to public order or public security or substantially affect Austria's relations with other countries.
Further information and useful links
Application forms
- Application forms
- Application forms for the Jobseeker Visa and criteria data sheet (German/English)
Laws and Provisions
Links
- Austrian consular representations (English)
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