Damon Mcknight
Austria is a desirable country to emigrate to, with its high standard of living, stable economy, and accessible Alpine resorts. For those wishing to stay longer than six months, a residence permit is required. EU/EEA citizens and Swiss nationals can reside in Austria for up to three months without a visa, and can stay longer if they meet certain requirements. Nationals of other countries require a visa to enter Austria, which entitles them to a stay of up to six months. For those seeking to live and work in Austria, a Red-White-Red Card is required. This article will provide an overview of the process for emigrating to Austria, including the necessary documentation and requirements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Austrian citizens | Can reside in Austria without restriction. |
| Austrian citizens entering Austria | Need a valid travel document. |
| EU/EEA citizens and Swiss nationals | Can reside in Austria for up to 3 months without a visa. |
| Nationals of other countries entering Austria | Need a visa for stays up to 6 months. |
| Nationals of other countries staying in Austria for longer than 6 months | Need a residence permit. |
| Nationals of other countries staying in Austria for longer than 90 days | Need a visa. |
| Third-country nationals staying in Austria for longer than 6 months | Need a Red-White-Red Card. |
| Family members of third-country nationals | Can apply for the Red-White-Red Card Plus. |
| All children under 18 living in Austria | Must be registered with the competent authority. |
| All children residing in Austria | Are subject to compulsory schooling from the age of 6. |
| People looking for a job in Austria | Will be supported by the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS). |
| Nationals of third countries working in Austria | Need a work and residence permit. |
| People with a fixed place of work in Austria | Must report to their employer after entering Austria. |
| People immigrating to Austria | Must have health insurance coverage. |
| People immigrating to Austria | Must provide evidence of a legal title to locally customary accommodation. |
| People immigrating to Austria | Must give fingerprints and present original documents in a personal appointment with the Immigration and Residence Authority. |
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What You'll Learn
Residence permits and visas
If you are a citizen of a country within the EU or the Schengen Area, you can reside in Austria for up to three months without a visa. If you are a citizen of a third country (a country outside the EU), you can stay in Austria for up to six months without a residence permit, but you will need a visa. For stays of up to 90 days within 180 days, some third-country nationals do not require a visa, depending on their citizenship. If you are planning to stay in Austria for longer than six months, you will need to apply for a residence permit.
There are different types of residence permits, and the one you need will depend on your qualifications, job details, and family status. For instance, if you are a highly qualified worker, you can apply for a Red-White-Red Card. If you are a citizen of a third country and you have a fixed job offer in Austria, your future employer can submit your residence permit application to the Immigration and Residence Authority in Austria. Alternatively, you can submit your application with the Austrian Embassy/Consulate in your country of residence. If you are moving with family members, they can submit their applications at the same time as yours.
If you are a US citizen, you will need to obtain a visa if you intend to stay in Austria for more than 90 days or if you plan to work there. You will need to provide proof of health insurance with your visa application.
If you do not have a job offer yet, you can come to Austria to look for work for six months on a Job-Seeker Visa. To obtain this visa, you will need to reach a minimum of 70 points based on a list of criteria. You will also need to submit the following documents:
- Valid travel document (e.g. passport)
- Photo (dimensions: 45x35mm) which is not older than six months
- Proof of locally customary accommodation (e.g. lease contracts, preliminary agreement on tenancy rights or ownership evidence)
- Proof of health insurance covering all risks
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Job applications
If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU, you will need to apply for a Red-White-Red Card to live and work in Austria. This card is issued for a period of 24 months and allows you to work for a specific employer. You will need to have a job offer in place before applying for the card. Your potential employer will need to file the application with the competent residence authority in Austria and submit an employer's declaration with details about your future place of employment.
To apply for a job in Austria, you can either look for a job directly or hire a recruitment agency to find a suitable position for you. Austrian companies typically require a CV and an application letter. Some companies may also ask for a paper form of your application. Interviews are usually conducted in German, and punctuality and formality are valued.
If you are a non-EU citizen, you will need to apply for a job-seeker visa before arriving in Austria. To obtain this visa, you must achieve a minimum score of 70 out of 100 points based on criteria such as higher education, language level, research and innovation, and special qualifications. The processing time for this visa can take several months.
Once you have found a job in Austria, you will need to apply for a residence permit if you plan to stay longer than six months. This can be done at the Austrian Consulate in your country of residence, which will forward the application to the local visa office in Austria. As part of your residence permit application, you will need to provide proof of health insurance and a police record certificate. If you are insured through your employment in Austria, this will be sufficient to meet the health insurance requirement. You will also need to provide evidence of a legal title to locally customary accommodation, such as a lease contract.
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Education
If you are a student or teacher intending to emigrate to Austria, there are several requirements and opportunities to be aware of.
For students, the requirements for matriculation at an Austrian university are as follows: you must have a place on the desired course, and you must have an A-level or high school diploma that is considered equivalent to an Austrian Matura examination certification. This can be decided by an agreement or on a case-by-case basis by the vice-chancellor, who may impose certain requirements. Alternatively, you can provide proof of completion of a minimum three-year study at another certified post-secondary educational institution. This certification must be sufficient for acceptance onto the desired course in the country in which it was acquired. Any study-related requirements, such as entrance examinations, must be fulfilled in the country in which the A-level or high school diploma was issued.
Students from third countries (non-EU/EEA citizens or Swiss nationals) have to pay a tuition fee of €726.72 per semester. Students with EU/EEA citizenship pay €363.36 per semester if they exceed the minimum period of their BA, MA, or PhD programme by more than two semesters. Irregular students, who are only admitted to certain lectures, pay €363.36 per semester, irrespective of their citizenship.
If you are under 27 and can provide proof of achievement similar to family allowance, then you can apply to be co-insured with your parents or spouse. If no other insurance protection is available, you can insure yourself at a preferential rate. In 2025, this will cost €73.48 per month.
The National Academic Recognition and Information Centre (ENIC NARIC Austria) provides information on the recognition of exams, report cards, and other matters in the field of higher education. The Austrian National Student Union (Österreichische Hochschülerschaft) provides information and counselling for students on topics such as health insurance, work, and funding.
If you are a teacher, and a citizen of a third country (a country outside the EU), you will need a Red-White-Red Card to live and work in Austria. 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, you must have a fixed and regular personal income that enables you to cover your living costs without resorting to welfare aid from local authorities. This income must be at least equal to the equalisation supplement reference rate of the General Social Insurance Act. You must also have health insurance coverage that provides benefits in Austria and covers all risks.
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Health insurance
Public Health Insurance
Public health insurance covers all essential care in Austria, including doctor visits and emergency care. As an employee in Austria, you are automatically covered by public insurance. This coverage also extends to your dependents, such as children, spouses, or life partners, and school and university students. If you are employed, your monthly contribution towards statutory health insurance is 7.65%, with the employee paying 3.87% and the employer covering 3.78%. If you don't have an income, statutory health insurance costs €495.58 per month and is known as "self-insurance."
Private Health Insurance
Private health insurance is also available in Austria, and some expats may benefit from a private or international health insurance plan. The costs of private supplementary insurance depend on additional benefits, age, and overall health. For adults, it typically ranges from €45 to €85 per month, while for children, it is around €30 per month.
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
If you are a citizen of the EU, EFTA, or the UK, the EHIC card allows you to access state-provided healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. It covers the treatment you need during your stay in Austria.
Social Insurance Card (E-Card)
There is an annual charge of €13.80 for the E-Card (exceptions apply). This card provides access to the public health insurance system, and in the event of illness, your employer will continue to pay your wages for up to twelve weeks. After that, sickness benefits will be paid by the health insurance fund until you can return to work.
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Family reunification
To be eligible for family reunification in Austria, your family member in Austria must hold a residence permit or be an Austrian citizen. Family members of Austrian citizens shall obtain the residence title "Family Member", provided they meet the general granting requirements.
Third-country nationals, i.e. persons who are not EEA or Swiss citizens, need a residence permit for Austria when they plan to stay longer than six months. Family members of holders of a residence title "Red-White-Red Card" for Very Highly Qualified Workers, "EU Blue Card", or "settlement permit – researcher", are usually covered by their sponsors' health insurance (co-insurance). The "Red-White-Red Card plus" grants its holders free access to the labour market.
If you immigrate to Austria together as a family, you may submit your applications at the same time. However, it is not possible to file any family member's application before the reunifying skilled worker's application. If you are permitted to enter Austria without a visa, you may apply personally to the responsible Immigration and Residence Authority ("Aufenthaltsbehörde") in Austria. The advantage is that you submit the application directly to the public authority, which will process the application. However, it is important to take account of your visa-free days (usually a maximum of 90 out of 180 days). Another option would be for the future employer of the skilled worker in your family to file all applications, including those for family members, with the competent authority.
As a rule, family members who immigrate to Austria for the first time must consider rules relating to visa exemption. The competence of examining the application and deciding on whether to grant a residence permit or reject the application rests exclusively with the federal provinces and will be taken by the competent Austrian authority (as a general rule, the urban or district administration of the future place of residence).
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