Austria's Refugee Population: A Comprehensive Overview

Austria has received a high number of refugees in recent years, with 257,811 refugees in the country as of 2023. This figure represents a 0.31% decline from 2022, which saw a 69.57% increase from 2021. In 2022, there were 1,587,251 foreigners living in Austria, mainly from Eastern and Central European countries, with Germany, Romania, Serbia, Turkey, Bosnia, and Croatia being the top countries of origin. In 2023, 154,212 new immigrants arrived, constituting a 13.1% increase compared to 2020. Additionally, 108,781 new asylum applications were registered in 2022, with Afghanistan, India, Syria, Tunisia, Morocco, and Pakistan being the leading countries of origin.

Austria hosts ~146,000 refugees and subsidiary protection holders

Austria is currently home to around 146,000 refugees and subsidiary protection holders, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This figure includes people who have fled their home countries due to conflict, persecution, or other threats to their safety and have been granted refugee status or subsidiary protection by the Austrian government. In addition to this number, there are also over 18,000 asylum seekers in Austria, awaiting the outcome of their applications for refugee status.

The presence of such a significant refugee population in Austria is a relatively recent development. The country received nearly 90,000 asylum applications in 2015, and in the years since, it has continued to be a significant destination for people seeking safety and protection. The majority of refugees in Austria come from just two countries: Syria and Afghanistan. Close to 58,000 Syrian refugees are in Austria, while around 41,000 are from Afghanistan. These two nationalities also account for the majority of asylum seekers in the country.

Austria has a well-established legal framework for addressing refugee and asylum issues. The Federal Law on asylum is included in the 2005 Asylum Act, and the country is a signatory to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. UNHCR has been present in Austria since 1951 and plays an important role in protecting refugees, subsidiary protection holders, asylum seekers, and stateless persons. This includes monitoring Austrian laws, reception and integration conditions, and advocating for those under its mandate with the relevant authorities.

The process of seeking asylum in Austria is structured and involves several steps. Applicants must make their application in person at a police station or with a police officer. They are then typically taken to an initial reception centre, where their identity is confirmed and it is established whether Austria is responsible for processing their application. Unaccompanied minors are always transferred to a reception centre. If the initial result is positive, the asylum seeker is allowed to travel to a federal government-run centre, free of charge.

In 2023, Austria received 59,157 asylum applications

The decrease in asylum applications was partly due to a change in migratory routes, influenced by a heavy military presence in Serbia and a joint police operation with Hungary. This led to a decrease in the number of registrations, and subsequently, the temporary altered registration system in Burgenland was discontinued. The regular registration system was resumed, and the pressure on Austria's reception system was relieved.

In addition to the decrease in registrations, there was also a high number of discontinued cases, with almost 30,000 cases discontinued due to the onward travel of applicants to other countries. This trend had already been observed in 2022, with a record number of discontinued cases.

Despite the overall decrease in asylum applications, Austria continued to receive a significant number of refugees and subsidiary protection holders. As of 2020, there were around 1,738,183 migrants living in Austria, representing about 19.5% of the total population. This included granted refugees but excluded asylum seekers. As of January 2024, approximately 70,000 Ukrainians who had entered Austria since the start of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 were registered in the country's Central Register of Residence.

In 2022, 26,664,700 people with refugee status were registered in Austria

Austria has seen a large influx of refugees and asylum seekers in recent years, with the number of new immigrants increasing by 13.1% in 2023 compared to 2020. The country received nearly 90,000 asylum applications in 2015 and 59,157 in 2023, according to the UNHCR. The high number of asylum applications has led to the implementation of new measures to manage the influx, including passing a law on asylum to limit the transit of refugees.

Austria's response to the refugee crisis has been mixed. On the one hand, the Austrian government has taken steps to protect recognised refugees and provide them with basic care, integration support, and protection from deportation. The government has also implemented temporary protection measures for Ukrainians fleeing the war, allowing them to stay and access basic services. On the other hand, Austria has also passed laws that make it more difficult for asylum seekers to apply for refugee status, such as requiring them to apply in a "safe country of transit" before applying in Austria.

Overall, Austria is facing a significant challenge in managing the large number of refugees and asylum seekers arriving in the country. The government has implemented various measures to address this issue, but it remains a complex and ongoing situation.

Afghans are the second-largest group of refugees in Austria

Austria is home to around 146,000 refugees and subsidiary protection holders, with over 18,000 asylum seekers also living in the country. Afghans are the second-largest group of refugees in Austria, with around 41,000 Afghan refugees residing there. This is the second-highest number of any country in Europe, after Germany, which hosts 148,000 Afghan refugees.

Austria has historically been a popular destination for refugees and asylum seekers, particularly during the European migration crisis of 2015 and 2016. During this period, Austria took in more than 1% of its population in asylum seekers, with Chancellor Sebastian Kurz noting that the country had made a "disproportionately large contribution".

Afghans make up a significant proportion of refugees and asylum seekers in Austria, and their presence in the country can be traced back to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. While many Afghan refugees have settled in neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and Iran, some have made their way to Europe, including Austria.

The Austrian government has taken a hard line on immigration in recent years, with Kurz stating his opposition to accepting more refugees from Afghanistan. He has argued that people fleeing Afghanistan should seek refuge in neighbouring countries in the region. However, Afghans in Austria face various challenges, including the need for job training and language learning to better integrate into Austrian society.

Austria's largest city, Vienna, is home to the UNHCR National Office

Austria is home to around 146,000 refugees and subsidiary protection holders and over 18,000 asylum seekers. In 2022, there were 26,664,700 people with refugee status and 108,781 new asylum applications registered in the country. In 2023, Austria received 59,157 asylum applications, with around 55% of initial applications being answered positively. Vienna, Austria's largest city, is home to the UNHCR National Office. The UNHCR, or United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, opened its representation in Vienna in 1951, the founding year of the United Nations refugee agency. The UNHCR is the longest-serving UN organisation in Austria. In 1979, the office moved to the Vienna International Centre, also known as "UNO City". Vienna is one of the four headquarters of the United Nations, along with New York, Geneva, and Nairobi.

The UNHCR's work in Austria focuses on protecting recognised refugees, subsidiary protection holders, asylum seekers, and stateless persons. This includes monitoring Austrian laws, reception and integration conditions, and advocating for those under the UNHCR's mandate with authorities and relevant stakeholders. The UNHCR also works with Austrian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) dealing with refugees and asylum seekers. The UNHCR National Office in Vienna maintains close relations with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and raises awareness of the refugee situation through public information, teaching materials, and other publications. The Vienna office supports and co-finances a nationwide network of lawyers who provide legal advice and assistance to refugees and asylum seekers.

Vienna's history as a hub for refugees and asylum seekers dates back to the Hungarian uprising in 1956, when the UNHCR saw its first emergency in the country. Since then, Austria has continued to be a significant destination and transit country for refugees and migrants. The country's central location in Europe and its membership in the Schengen area have made it a popular entry point for those seeking refuge within the continent.

Austria has a long history of assisting refugees fleeing war, torture, and persecution. Since 1945, more than two million refugees have entered the country, with 700,000 choosing to stay. The Austrian government has implemented various measures to support and protect refugees, including providing basic care, accommodation, and access to education and healthcare.

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