How to Obtain Austrian Residency

Austria is renowned for its high standard of living, quality education, healthcare, and favorable environment. While many Europeans find it relatively easy to relocate due to EU membership, significant diasporas from the Balkans and CIS countries also contribute to the country’s diverse population. This article details the process of obtaining Austrian residency, the grounds for it, and recent changes in immigration laws.

Previously, we wrote about how to move to and find work in Ireland.

As of January 1, 2023, Austria was home to 1,730,286 people with foreign citizenship. Notably, the largest groups included 225,012 Germans, followed by 147,490 Romanians, 121,916 Serbians, and 119,706 Turks. Changes in migration legislation in October 2022 aimed at simplifying procedures resulted in a notable acceleration in residency issuance.

Further amendments in April 2023 targeted the facilitation of employment for qualified workers proficient in Spanish, French, Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian. Additionally, starting October 1, 2023, Austria eased the rules for a Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte, or RWR), a type of work visa, making the application process even faster. Criteria were relaxed, including qualification points, work experience requirements, and minimum wages for key workers.

Since many of the changes took effect quite recently and extensive practice of issuing RWRs under the new rules has not yet developed, it is still impossible to give an unambiguous answer about how positive these innovations have been for foreigners as applicants and Austria as the host country.

Austrian law governing the issuance of residence permits is called the “Settlement and Residence Act” (NAG). According to this law, residence permits can be obtained based on:

Residence permits are typically issued for one year, with subsequent extensions for the same duration. Only after the second extension can a residence permit for three years be obtained. The processing of applications takes up to two months.

The Austrian residence permit is a plastic card containing a photo, personal information, and biometric data (fingerprints). Unlike many other countries, Austria does not grant residency permits based on investments or property purchases.

The RWR (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte) is something between a work visa and a short-term residence permit. The card can be obtained by:

To obtain a student residence permit in Austria, applicants need to provide enrollment or study documents from a university. The permit is initially granted for one year and can be extended based on academic progress.

Numerous social programs in Austria require specialists from other countries. Immigrants must prove their voluntary work and meet all criteria, along with having a contract with the hosting organization.

Graduates from art and design colleges and universities can secure their residency. They need to verify their education and provide a work contract for employed individuals or establish grounds for self-employment.

This type of residency is for scientific researchers affiliated with research organizations. A doctoral degree is mandatory, and the field of study must align with the planned research.

Usually, the permit is issued for two years if the contract is not for a shorter period. Afterward, it’s possible to extend it for one year for job searching in Austria.

Available for individuals engaged in religious activities, media professionals, and employees of foreign schools. Those who have graduated from medical institutions and need to undergo practical training can also apply.

To confirm eligibility, applicants must provide a work contract, documents regarding social benefits, and their diploma.

Individuals who are landlords or retirees from non-EU countries and hold permanent residency in EU countries can obtain this type of residency.

The monthly income required is €1,110 for a single immigrant, €1,751 for a couple, and €171 for each child. Applicants should prepare documents demonstrating their financial means, such as bank statements and proof of other income sources, like rental income.

Residence permits on this basis can be obtained by:

Reunited family members can work in the country or be self-employed. However, at the initial stage, the sponsor (reuniting family member) must prove that they can provide material and housing support for the arriving relatives.

To reunite, it will be necessary to confirm the family relationships with relevant documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.), financial sufficiency, and the availability of necessary housing. Especially for elderly family members, it is necessary to demonstrate that they are dependent on the sponsor.

Refusal to issue a residence permit can occur for the following reasons:

Translate all documents into German and apostille them. You will need:

You must personally submit all these documents to the consulate in your country of residence. Different processing times are specified for various types of residence permits, but according to feedback from those who have obtained permits for different reasons, it takes no more than 90 days. The minimum waiting time is 8 weeks, and the maximum is 6 months.

Wait for the permit to be issued. After that, you can enter the country with a visa pass, which is issued along with the residence permit.

To extend your residence permit, submit the corresponding request no earlier than 3 months before the expiration of the current permit. In case of delay, you must prove the existence of insurmountable circumstances that caused the violation.

The entities responsible for processing applications are the district administration or the governorship. After residing in the country for 2 years, it is necessary to complete a special integration course.

To obtain permanent residency in Austria, you must live in the republic for at least 5 years.

Based on immigrants' stories, it is noteworthy that the majority obtain the desired status faster than initially anticipated.

Moving to a country with a different culture and traditions is undoubtedly a significant source of stress. However, in today’s globalized world, where most people use the same messengers and social media, watch similar movies, and eat comparable food, relocating may be a somewhat more peaceful experience.

In this context, the Korona mobile application aids immigrants in maintaining connections with their homeland, supporting their loved ones, and, if necessary, facilitating family reunification.

KoronaPay is a money transfer service that allows you to send money quickly, easily, and conveniently to over 50 countries. When converting currency (e.g., euro to lari, euro to tenge, euro to dollar, etc.), no commission is charged.

Transfer receipts can be used as proof of financial dependence when processing family reunification applications. KoronaPay holds a European license, and its documents are accepted by relevant authorities.

You can download the application for free from the App Store and Google Play.

In our blog, we share insights about life and work in Europe. Read all our articles here.