Applying For Legal Residency In Austria: A Comprehensive Guide

Austria has different types of residence permits depending on the applicant's country of origin, planned duration of stay, and whether they are related to an Austrian citizen. For stays of up to six months, a visa is required. For stays of up to 90 days within 180 days, some third-country nationals do not need a visa, depending on their citizenship. For stays of more than six months, applicants should contact the Austrian embassy or consulate in their country of residence. Applicants must submit the required documents, including a valid passport, proof of health insurance, German language proficiency, and a clean criminal record, to the Austrian consulate or embassy. The initial residence permit is usually issued for one year and must be collected in person. After 10 years of legal residence, applicants may be eligible for Austrian citizenship.

Required documents for legal residency

To apply for legal residency in Austria, you must submit your application in person at the Austrian Embassy in your home country. Every person aged 6 or older must be present for the application as fingerprints will be taken. You must also bring all the required documents, in their original form, and copies of them. You must also pay a fee for each application.

The specific documents required will depend on the type of residence permit you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a "Residence Permit - Researcher", you will need to provide evidence of your qualifications. If you are applying for a "Red-White-Red Card", you will need to show that you have a fixed and regular personal income that will enable you to cover your living costs without resorting to welfare aid from local authorities.

If you are a citizen of an EU country, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland, you will need to request a "confirmation of registration of Right of Residence under EU law" from the competent authority if you want to stay longer than 3 months in Austria.

If you are applying for permanent residence, you must fulfill the Integration Agreement, which consists of 2 modules. Module 1 requires you to learn German to A2 level and understand the values of the Austrian legal and societal system. After 2 years of residence in Austria, you must pass the Integration German Examination. Module 2 requires you to improve your German to B1 level and learn more about the legal and societal system. This module must also be completed with an Integration German Exam, which is a prerequisite for permanent residence.

Once your initial application has been approved, you will be notified by the Embassy, and you can enter Austria with an entry visa. When you arrive in Austria, you must collect your residence permit in person. Your first residence permit will usually be issued for 1 year and will look like a bank card. It will state whether you are allowed to work in Austria, and you should carry it with you at all times as an ID card.

How to book an appointment to file your application

To book an appointment to file your application for legal residency in Austria, you must first determine whether you need to apply from your home country or if you can apply from within Austria. If you are a citizen of an EU country, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland, you can stay in Austria for up to 90 days within 180 days without a visa. If you plan to stay longer than 3 months, you must request a "confirmation of registration of Right of Residence under EU law" from the competent authority.

For stays of more than six months, you must apply from your home country. Contact the Austrian embassy or consulate general in your country of residence. If you are allowed to enter Austria without a visa, you may be able to file your application in Austria during your visa-free stay. You can check if you need a visa to enter Austria on the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior website.

If you are applying from your home country, you must apply in person at the Austrian embassy or consulate. All applicants 6 years or older must be present for the application process as fingerprints will be taken. You must bring all required documents, including originals and copies, and pay a fee for each application.

If you are applying from within Austria, you can book an appointment to file your application with the Municipal Department 35 - Immigration and Citizenship (MA 35). You can find information about the requirements, necessary documents, and the office to contact on the MA 35 website.

The Austria Private Residence Program

Applicants must have approximately €50,000 in a bank account, the amount of which will increase depending on family size. They must also provide proof of permanent residential real estate (either purchased or leased), where they and their dependents will live. Dependents include the spouse of the main applicant and their minor children. Applicants must also have private health insurance and documented German language skills.

To apply, applicants must submit the mandatory documentation in person to the Austrian consulate or embassy in their current country of residence. Required documents include a valid passport, proof of health insurance and German language proficiency, a clean criminal record, and other supporting documents. Once approved, applicants must obtain a special visa at the Austrian embassy, which will enable them to travel to Austria to collect their residence permit from the relevant authority.

The residence permit is initially issued for one year and can be renewed without problems or interruptions. Applicants must reside in Austria for six months per year to maintain residence. After 10 years of legal residence, and in certain circumstances after six years, it is possible to apply for Austrian citizenship.

Requirements for a right of residence

To obtain a right of residence in Austria, you must have a purpose for living in the country. This could include:

• Family reunification: You are joining a family member who is already living in Austria.
• Employment: You have been offered employment in Austria, or you are self-employed.
• Education: You are coming to Austria as a student.

If you are a citizen of an EU country, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland, you can stay in Austria for up to three months without a visa or residence permit. If you want to stay longer than three months, you must request a "confirmation of registration of Right of Residence under EU law" from the competent authority.

For citizens of other countries (known as "third-country nationals"), the requirements for a right of residence in Austria are as follows:

• If you plan to stay in Austria for less than six months, you do not need a residence permit, but you will need a visa. For stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, some third-country nationals may not need a visa, depending on their citizenship.
• If you plan to stay in Austria for more than six months, you will need a residence permit. You must submit your application for a residence permit in person at the Austrian Consulate of your domicile before entering Austria. The application must include all required documents in their original form, as well as copies. You must also pay a fee for each application.
• If you are coming to Austria as a qualified worker, 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. To be eligible for this card, you must have a fixed and regular personal income that covers your living costs without needing welfare aid.
• To obtain a right of residence in Austria, you may need to demonstrate proficiency in German and knowledge of the Austrian legal and societal system. This is assessed through the Integration German Examination, which you must pass after two years of residence in Austria.

The Integration Agreement

Module 1 requires individuals to learn German to A2 level and understand the values of the Austrian legal and societal system. This includes attending a German integration course, and after two years, sitting the Integration German Examination. Evidence of completion must be provided by the Austrian Integration Fund in the form of an Integration Exam Certificate. Module 1 is deemed to be completed if individuals can provide evidence of having attended a university or intermediate secondary technical and vocational school.

Module 2 requires individuals to further improve their German language skills to B1 level and continue learning about the legal and societal system. This module must also be completed with an Integration German Exam, and evidence of completion must be provided by the Austrian Integration Fund.

The following groups are exempt from completing Module 1: third-country nationals who are underage, in bad health, or not staying in Austria for more than 12 months within a 24-month period. Third-country minors who are not yet subject to compulsory education and third-country nationals in a permanently bad physical or mental health condition are exempt from completing Module 2.

Frequently asked questions