Applying For An Austrian Residence Permit: A Step-By-Step Guide

If you're considering a move to Austria, you'll need to apply for a residence permit. The type of permit you need depends on your personal circumstances, and there are several categories of people who can submit their first application in Austria. These include family members of Austrian citizens, EU citizens, and EEA citizens, as well as foreign nationals with specific qualifications or seeking to study in Austria. In most cases, applications for a residence permit must be submitted from abroad to the Austrian representative authorities before entering Austria. However, there are exceptions for certain individuals, such as students or those with specific visas. It's important to note that the requirements and procedures for obtaining a residence permit in Austria can be complex, and it's recommended to consult official sources for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

How to Apply for an Austrian Residence Permit

Who can apply for an Austrian residence permit?

Applications for an Austrian residence permit must be submitted from abroad to the Austrian representative authorities (embassy or consulate) before entering Austria. The Austrian representative authority will check that the application is complete and correct and forward it to the competent settlement authority in Austria.

The following categories of persons may submit their first application for a residence permit in Austria:

• Family members of Austrians, EU citizens, other EEA citizens (from Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Norway), or Swiss citizens who are permanent residents in Austria and have not exercised their right of residence under EU law or the EC-Switzerland Agreement on Free Movement of Persons. "Family members" include spouses and registered partners aged 21 or over at the time of submission of the application, as well as unmarried minor children (including adopted children and stepchildren).
• Foreign nationals (i.e., persons without Austrian citizenship) who apply for a residence permit as a researcher or an "EU Blue Card" and their family members, as well as foreign nationals who apply for a ""student" residence permit, a "volunteer" residence permit, or a settlement permit for other relatives of EU citizens and Swiss nationals who are third-country nationals.
• Third-country nationals who are entitled to enter without a visa during their legal residence or who hold an Austrian matriculation certificate or diploma from a school in Austria or abroad following legal entry and during their legal stay in Austria.
• Third-country nationals who are in possession of a valid residence permit for intra-corporate transferees (ICTs) from another Member State or a valid residence permit as a "researcher" from another Member State and are applying for a "Residence Permit - Researcher Mobility".
• Foreigners who apply for a "Red-White-Red Card" after lawful entry and during their lawful residence. This card is for qualified workers and citizens of third countries (outside the EU) seeking to live and work in Austria. To be eligible, applicants must have a fixed and regular personal income that enables them to cover their living costs without resorting to welfare aid.
• Students who are studying at an Austrian higher education institution within the framework of a Union or multilateral mobility programme or an agreement between two or more higher education institutions can apply for a "Residence Permit - Student". This permit is intended for nationals of third countries who have been admitted to study at an Austrian higher education institution and may be granted for degree or non-degree programme studies.

Where to apply for an Austrian residence permit

Applications for an Austrian residence permit are handled by the Austrian representative authority, which is typically the embassy or consulate of your country of residence. The specific authority depends on the applicant's place of residence. Applications must be submitted in person and cannot be renewed in Austria.

For students intending to study at an Austrian higher education institution, you can apply for a "Residence Permit – Student" with a validity period of two years. This can be done at the competent Austrian representative authority in your country of residence or within Austria after lawful entry and during lawful residence.

If you are a citizen of a third country (a country outside the EU) and seeking to live and work in Austria, you will need a Red-White-Red Card. This card is issued for a period of 24 months and entitles you to fixed-term settlement and employment by the employer specified in your application.

Foreign nationals who are family members of Austrians, EU citizens, EEA citizens, or Swiss citizens permanently residing in Austria can also submit their first application for a residence permit in Austria. This includes spouses and registered partners aged 21 or over, as well as unmarried minor children.

Additionally, foreign nationals can apply for specific residence permits, such as the "Residence Permit - Researcher" or the "Settlement Permit - Special Cases of Gainful Employment," depending on their circumstances.

Documents required for an Austrian residence permit

The documents required for an Austrian residence permit vary depending on the applicant's circumstances and the type of permit they are applying for. Here is an overview of the documents needed for different categories of applicants:

Family Members of Austrians or EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens:

• Family members of Austrian citizens, EU citizens, EEA citizens (from Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Norway), or Swiss citizens can apply for a residence permit in Austria. "Family members" include spouses and registered partners aged 21 or over, as well as unmarried minor children (including adopted children and stepchildren).
• Applicants in this category should provide proof of their family relationship, such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, or adoption documents.
• They must also demonstrate that they have not exceeded the duration of their authorized stay and that they have entered and resided in Austria lawfully.

Students (Third-Country Nationals):

• Third-country nationals (non-EU citizens) who wish to study at an Austrian higher education institution can apply for a "Residence Permit – Student" under the Student Mobility Programme.
• Applicants must provide proof of admission to a degree or non-degree programme at an Austrian university, university of applied sciences, accredited private university, or teacher education institution.
• They should also demonstrate that they have sufficient financial means to cover their living costs during their stay.
• Students can apply for the residence permit at an Austrian embassy or consulate in their country of residence before arriving in Austria.

Highly Qualified Workers (Red-White-Red Card):

• Qualified workers from third countries (outside the EU) seeking to live and work in Austria can apply for the Red-White-Red Card.
• Applicants must demonstrate a fixed and regular personal income that meets the equalisation supplement reference rate specified in the General Social Insurance Act.
• They should also provide proof of their qualifications and show that they can cover their living costs without resorting to welfare aid.
• Family members of Red-White-Red Card holders can apply for the Red-White-Red Card Plus.

Researchers and Volunteers:

• Foreign nationals can apply for a residence permit as a researcher ("Residence Permit – Researcher") or volunteer ("Residence Permit – Volunteer").
• Researchers may need to provide proof of their qualifications and the purpose of their research.
• Volunteers may need to demonstrate the nature of their voluntary work and any relevant qualifications or experience.

It is important to note that the specific documents required may vary, and applicants should refer to the Migration Platform of the Austrian Federal Government and the OeAD website for detailed information and checklists specific to their situation.

Austrian residence permits for students

The "Residence Permit – Student" is intended for third-country nationals who have been admitted to study at an Austrian higher education institution. This includes degree programme studies at an Austrian university, university of applied sciences, accredited private university, or public or private university college of teacher education. It also includes non-degree programme studies with at least 40 ECTS credits, as long as the course is not exclusively for language learning.

In most cases, applicants must submit their application at the competent Austrian representative authority (embassy or consulate with the power to issue a visa) in their country of residence and await the decision there. The Austrian representative authority will check that the application is complete and forward it to the competent settlement authority in Austria. If the conditions for issuing the permit are met, the Austrian representative authority will be notified, and the applicant can then enter Austria with a valid visa or without a visa, depending on their nationality. They can then collect their "Residence Permit – Student" in person.

Students who are entitled to enter Austria without a visa may submit their application at the locally competent residence authority in Austria. It may also be possible to submit a domestic application at the competent residence authority in Austria after entering with a visa that has been lawfully acquired for purposes other than the domestic application.

To collect the residence permit, students must show their residence registration and final admission to an Austrian university. If they stated that they would take out student self-insurance upon arrival in Austria, they must also present confirmation of this insurance from "Österreichische Gesundheitskasse".

Family members of students holding a "Residence Permit – Student" can apply for a "Residence Permit – Family Community". This includes spouses, partners in a civil union, and unmarried minors. Spouses and partners must be at least 21 years old at the time of application.

Austrian residence permits for family members

In Austria, family members of Austrian citizens, EU citizens, EEA citizens, and Swiss citizens can apply for residence permits. This includes spouses and registered partners aged 21 or over, as well as unmarried minor children (including adopted children and stepchildren). Family members can apply for a residence permit in Austria if the Austrian citizen or resident has not exercised their right of residence under EU law or the EC-Switzerland Agreement on Free Movement of Persons.

Third-country nationals, or foreign nationals without Austrian citizenship, can also apply for residence permits for Austria. This includes family members of those with a "Red-White-Red Card" or "EU Blue Card" residence permit, as well as relatives of EU citizens and Swiss nationals. These applicants must have lawfully entered and resided in Austria.

For family reunification, children within six months of birth can apply for a residence permit, provided that the person reuniting the family is lawfully resident in Austria and charged with the child's care and upbringing. Family members of researchers or students with residence permits can also apply.

When applying for a residence permit in Austria, applications must typically be submitted from abroad to the Austrian representative authorities (embassy or consulate) before entering the country. However, there are exceptions where applications can be made directly in Austria, such as for family members of Austrian or EU citizens. The consulate will examine the completeness and correctness of the application before forwarding it to the competent settlement authority in Austria for a decision.

To be granted a residence permit, applicants must meet certain requirements, including having adequate means of subsistence, health insurance coverage, and proof of accommodation. Family members of Red-White-Red Card holders may be covered by their sponsor's health insurance.

Frequently asked questions