Immigration In Austria: A Comprehensive Overview

Austria has a population of around 9 million people, and according to statistics, the country is host to a large number of immigrants. In 2023, an average of 2.4 million people with a migration background lived in Austria, accounting for 26.7% of the entire population. The Austrian population is growing almost exclusively through immigration, with net migration gains significantly outweighing the surplus of births. In 2020, for instance, the population increased by 557,500 people, of which 539,905 can be attributed to net migration gains. In 2022, there were 1,587,251 foreigners living in Austria, mainly from Eastern and Central European countries such as Germany, Romania, Serbia, and Turkey. In the same year, 26,664,700 people with refugee status and 108,781 new asylum applications were registered in the country. The number of immigrants in Austria has been steadily increasing, and it is estimated that by 2080, the country's population will reach 9.94 million.

Immigration from Germany

Austria is home to more than 1 million expats from all over the world, with a total foreign-born population of 1,275,992 in 2010 and 1,492,374 in 2015. The country has seen strong immigration over the past four decades, significantly changing the composition of its population. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born people was around 19% of the total population, the second-highest foreign-born proportion of all EU countries after Luxembourg.

Austria's immigration laws differ for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA citizens). Citizens of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland can move to Austria permanently without a visa if they are working, studying, or have an Austrian family member. After three months, they must register their stay with the local Austrian authorities. On the other hand, third-country nationals need a visa and a residence permit to move to Austria. They can obtain these from an Austrian embassy or immigration authorities before settling in the country.

For stays of up to six months, third-country nationals do not need a residence permit, but they do need a visa. For stays of up to 90 days within 180 days, some third-country nationals may not require a visa, depending on their citizenship. To work in Austria, non-EU citizens need to apply for a work permit and a D visa (long-stay visa). Austria issues the Red-White-Red Card work permit to highly skilled non-EU nationals, valid for up to two years.

While Germany is not mentioned as a significant source of immigrants to Austria in the sources provided, it is worth noting that German is the official language of Austria, with 88.8% of the population being native German speakers as of 2001. This suggests a historical and cultural connection between the two countries, which may have influenced migration patterns over time.

Impact of the Ukraine-Russia war

Austria has seen strong immigration over the last four decades, significantly changing the composition of its population. According to statistics from 2023, more than a quarter of the total Austrian population has a migration background. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born people was around 19% of the total population, the second-highest foreign-born proportion of all EU countries after Luxembourg.

The impact of the Ukraine-Russia war on immigration in Austria has been significant. Here are some key points:

• Austria has strongly condemned Russia's unprovoked, unjustified, and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, which has led to a further deterioration of bilateral relations.
• Austria has supported sanctions against Russia and has not recognized the illegal annexations of Ukrainian territories by Russia, including Crimea.
• Austria has provided humanitarian and financial support to Ukraine and actively participates in the International Crimea Platform.
• Before the Russian invasion, more than 250 Austrian companies were active in Ukraine, and Austria was among the top 10 foreign investors in the country.
• The war has disrupted energy supplies to Austria, with Russia halting gas supplies to the country in November 2024 due to a payment dispute.
• Austria's biggest energy supplier, OMV, is seeking to recover damages from Gazprom, the Russian state energy firm, for unfulfilled supplies.
• The end of the five-year transit agreement for the Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod pipeline, which brings gas to Austria via Ukraine, is due at the end of 2024, further impacting energy security.
• Austria has experienced an increase in immigration from Ukraine due to the war, contributing to population growth in 2022.
• Austria has a history of providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including in connection with the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident.

Austria's population growth

Austria's population is projected to grow between 2024 and 2029, with an estimated increase of 0.1 million people (+1.1 percent). This growth is forecasted to result in a new peak of 9.25 million people by 2029, marking the tenth consecutive year of population growth in the country.

Austria's immigration statistics have seen notable increases over the past two decades. From 2005 to 2010, the number of immigrants rose by 12.3%, and from 2010 to 2015, it increased by 16.96%. The country's total fertility rate, estimated at 1.48 children per woman in 2018, is relatively low in comparison to other countries. This rate contributes to an aging population structure, with individuals aged 65 and above comprising 19.44% of the total population in 2018.

In 2023, Austria's population growth was influenced by immigration from Ukraine, resulting in a stronger increase than in the previous year. The country's population density is approximately 111 people per square kilometre, with an urban population of about 58% as of 2024. The median age of Austria's population is 43.4 years, indicating a mature demographic structure.

Integration of immigrants

Austria has seen strong immigration from other parts of Europe over the last four decades, significantly changing the composition of its population. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born people was around 19% of the total population, the second-highest foreign-born proportion of all EU countries after Luxembourg. In 2023, 32% of all newborns had mothers with a foreign (non-Austrian) nationality, and 34.7% had foreign-born mothers.

The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) aims to facilitate the language, professional, and social integration of asylum beneficiaries and migrants based on their respective rights and obligations in Austria. The ÖIF also provides factual and background information to the majority population on this subject, as successful integration requires common efforts. The ÖIF has integration centres in nine regions across Austria, providing services such as counselling for new immigrants, organising workshops for new immigrants and authorities, and counselling on issues related to integration, including language, education, and employment.

To promote integration, Austria has an integration agreement comprised of two sequential modules. The agreement serves to integrate third-country nationals legally settled in Austria and focuses on acquiring advanced German language skills and knowledge of the democratic system and its fundamental principles. Basic knowledge of German is required before entry for the granting of a residence permit. Module 1 of the integration agreement provides German language skills for in-depth basic language use and knowledge of fundamental values, legal, and social systems. Module 2 is optional but is generally required for the granting of citizenship and long-term residence permits. It focuses on independent language usage and obtaining advanced knowledge of the legal and social systems.

Austria does not collect data on the ethnicity or race of its citizens but does gather information on the nationality of residents. According to the Austrian Statistical Bureau, 814,800 foreigners legally resided in Austria in mid-2006, representing 9.8% of the total population, one of the highest rates in Europe. Of these foreign residents, 305,100 were from the former Yugoslavia, and 110,800 were from Turkey. As of 2011, official estimates indicate that more than 19% (approximately 1.6 million inhabitants) had at least one parent of immigrant background. There are over 415,000 descendants of foreign-born immigrants in Austria, most of whom have been naturalized.

Immigration policy

Austria has seen a significant influx of immigrants over the past four decades, which has notably altered the composition of its population. As of 2022, more than a quarter of Austrians (approximately 2.24 million people or 25.4%) have a migration background, according to Statistics Austria. This marks a 24% increase since 2015, when the number of people with migration backgrounds was around 1.81 million.

The Austrian government has adopted a stringent approach to migration policy, emphasising the need to address issues like illegal migration, terrorism, and organised crime. However, the country has also welcomed a substantial number of refugees, particularly from Ukraine due to the Russian invasion, with approximately 75,000 Ukrainian refugees being accepted.

• Austria's population growth is primarily driven by immigration. Without it, the population would decline to 1950s levels, according to the Director of Statistics Austria, Tobias Thomas.
• The largest group of foreign nationals in Austria are Germans, with 217,000 people as of 2022. This is followed by Romanians (138,000), Serbs (122,000), Turks (118,000), and citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina (97,000).
• The number of Ukrainian citizens in Austria has increased significantly due to the conflict with Russia. From around 13,000 at the beginning of 2022, the number surged to nearly 53,000 by April, and it is estimated that there are now over 72,000 Ukrainians in the country.
• Austria has also accepted up to 17,000 refugee applications from countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, and Syria.
• The Austrian government maintains a strict stance on migration, as highlighted by Chancellor Karl Nehammer, who cautioned against neglecting migration policy due to the conflict in Ukraine.
• Integration is facilitated by personal contact between Austrian-born individuals and immigrants. Positive interactions and living experiences are fostered through direct contact, as noted by Thomas.
• Social media plays a more significant role in the lives of foreign-born residents, with higher usage rates among those from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Turkey, Afghanistan, Syria, and Russia compared to Austrian-born individuals.
• Austria defines individuals with a migration background as those whose parents were both born abroad. If only one parent was born in Austria, the person is not considered to have a migration background.

Frequently asked questions