Leslie Massey
Austria's migration policy has been a topic of heated debate in recent years, with the country experiencing a rise in far-right sentiment and anti-immigrant rhetoric. The Freedom Party (FPO), a right-wing populist group, has gained traction with its Austria First campaign, echoing the America First rhetoric of former US President Donald Trump. The FPO promotes a xenophobic remigration policy, seeking to cut social benefits for irregular migrants and asylum seekers and block family reunification. Austria's migration policies have also been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2015-2016 migration crisis, with the country witnessing an increase in asylum seekers and struggling to balance public health measures with migrant inclusion. While some policies reflect a liberal approach, others are restrictive, indicating Austria's ambivalence towards immigration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Net migration rate | 3.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.) |
| Ethnic groups | Austrian 80.8%, German 2.6%, Bosnian and Herzegovinian 1.9%, Turkish 1.8%, Serbian 1.6%, Romanian 1.3%, other 10% (2018 est.) |
| Third-country nationals (TCNs) | 1.1 million (2024) |
| EU citizens | 883,900 (2024) |
| Non-EU citizens with temporary protection | 85,135 (2025) |
| Integration policy | Two-way process requiring adequate services from the state and active participation of migrants |
| Integration tests | Evaluating language skills, knowledge of rights and obligations, and Austrian social values |
| Integration funding | Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) allocation for 2021-2027 is €157 million |
| Asylum policy | Seeking to curb irregular migration and improve migrant return mechanisms |
| Family reunification | Halted for refugees |
| Headscarf ban | Proposed for girls up to age 14 |
| Immigration concerns | Ability to integrate migrants, especially Muslims |
| Political parties | Far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), Social Democrats, NEOS |
| Election promises | Tougher asylum laws, crack down on illegal immigration, cut social benefits for irregular migrants, promote "remigration", deport foreigners convicted of crimes |
| Permanent immigration requirements | Health insurance, visa or residence permit depending on duration of stay, income requirements, no impact on public order or security |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's ambivalent immigration policy
Austria's immigration policies have been described as ambivalent, with some more restrictive and others more liberal. The country has seen increasing immigration in recent years, with a small annual increase in third-country nationals (TCNs) over the last five years. As of January 2024, there were over 1.1 million TCNs and 883,900 EU citizens living in Austria, comprising 12.4% and 9.7% of the population, respectively.
Austria's integration process is guided by an action plan focusing on labour market inclusion and language acquisition. The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) offers exams to evaluate migrants' language skills, knowledge of rights and obligations, and social values. The country also provides national funds for projects aiming to better integrate migrants, such as those targeting migrant women or voluntary work.
However, the rise of the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) in the 2024 elections has shifted Austria's stance on immigration. The FPO campaigned on a platform of curbing irregular migration, tightening asylum laws, and promoting remigration. They advocate for limiting asylum rights, suspending asylum applications in the event of a "significant increase" in refugee numbers, and halting family reunifications for refugees. The FPO has been criticised for its xenophobic rhetoric and demonisation of foreigners, particularly Muslims, drawing parallels to the targeting of Jews in the early Nazi era.
The FPO's influence has led to concerns about the country's ability to integrate migrants and a rightward shift in Austria's migration policies. The government has emphasised curbing irregular migration and improving migrant return mechanisms. It remains to be seen how these policies will be implemented and what impact they will have on Austria's immigrant population.
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Migrant integration
Austria's migrant integration policies have been influenced by the country's ambivalent stance on immigration, with some policies being more restrictive while others are more liberal. The country has experienced a recent increase in immigration, and the successful integration of migrants into communities, labour markets, health, and education systems is a key focus of the Austrian government.
To facilitate integration, Austria has implemented an action plan that focuses on labour market inclusion and language acquisition. This plan, designed with input from various stakeholders, promotes the integration of migrants into the Austrian labour market and encourages them to learn German. As of January 2024, there were over 1.1 million third-country nationals (TCNs) in Austria, representing 12.4% of the population. This group has been steadily increasing over the years, with a small annual increase observed over the last five years.
Austria's integration process is understood as a two-way effort, requiring both adequate state services and the active participation of migrants. The Austrian government provides funding for migrant integration through the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund (AMIF), allocating €157 million for 2021-2027. This funding is available for projects that aim to better integrate migrants, with a recent focus on supporting migrant women and promoting voluntary work.
Additionally, the Integration Act of 2019 established a framework for national standardised integration tests, evaluating migrants' language skills, knowledge of rights and obligations, and understanding of Austrian social values. These Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) exams are available at levels A1 to B2. The Expert Council for Integration, appointed by the Ministry of Integration, plays a crucial role in evaluating the National Action Plan for Integration and providing recommendations and good practices through annual integration reports.
Despite these efforts, concerns about Austria's ability to integrate migrants persist, especially among the far-right Freedom Party (FPO), which has gained support through its anti-immigration and anti-Muslim rhetoric. The FPO's election program, "Austria First," echoes nativist sentiments and has advocated for limiting social benefits for irregular migrants, blocking family reunification, and promoting "remigration." The party's victory in the 2024 national elections has added to worries about the rise of the far right in Europe and the potential for stricter immigration laws.
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The rise of the far-right
Austria's policy on migration has been described as "ambivalent", with some policies being more restrictive and others more liberal. The country has experienced a rise in far-right sentiment in recent years, with the anti-migrant Freedom Party (FPO) gaining traction and influencing the country's migration policies.
The FPO has promoted a xenophobic policy of "remigration", which includes returning asylum seekers to their countries of origin and blocking family reunification for migrants. The party has also advocated for cutting social benefits for irregular migrants and asylum seekers, and has combined its tough stance on immigration with criticism of Islam. The FPO's election program, "Austria First", echoes Donald Trump's "America First" campaign and seeks to put Austrian people and their culture first. The party has denied accusations of xenophobia and sought to distance itself from its past, including its first leader, who was a former Nazi lawmaker.
The rise of the FPO has added to concerns about the increasing support for far-right parties across Europe, such as the Alternative for Germany and the National Rally in France. In Austria, immigration has been a central issue for voters, and the FPO has capitalised on public concerns about immigration and diversity, as well as concerns about national security. The party's tough stance on immigration and criticism of Islam gained prominence following the arrest of a teenager with North Macedonian roots on suspicion of planning an Islamic State-inspired attack in Vienna.
The FPO's influence has impacted Austria's migration policies, with the government taking a harder line on migration and emphasising curbing irregular migration and improving migrant return mechanisms. The government has also proposed making an 'integration program' mandatory for refugees and asylum seekers, including learning German and classes on Austrian values. However, Austria has also allocated funding for migrant integration through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), with a budget of €157 million for 2021-2027.
Austria's migration policies continue to evolve, reflecting the country's ambivalent attitude towards immigration and the influence of far-right parties, particularly the FPO.
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Asylum and immigration laws
Austria's asylum and immigration laws have been subject to much debate in recent years, with the country experiencing a rightward shift in political sentiment. The far-right Freedom Party (FPO) has gained traction with its anti-immigration rhetoric, tapping into public concerns about immigration and diversity. The party's election program, "Austria First", echoes Donald Trump's "America First" campaign, advocating for stricter immigration laws and a reduction in social benefits for irregular migrants and asylum seekers.
In line with this political shift, Austria's asylum and immigration laws have become more restrictive. The government has implemented policies to curb irregular migration and improve migrant return mechanisms. It has also taken a hard stance on family reunification for refugees, temporarily halting this process while seeking changes to the European Union's regulations. Additionally, the government reserves the right to suspend asylum applications in the event of a significant increase in refugee numbers.
Austria's integration policies have also come under scrutiny. The Integration Act of 2019 established a framework for national standardised integration tests, evaluating migrants' language skills and their knowledge of rights, obligations, and Austrian social values. These tests, known as Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) exams, are available at levels A1 to B2. However, critics argue that migrants, especially Muslims, face obstacles in settling into Austrian society long-term. There are concerns about xenophobic sentiments and the potential demonisation of foreigners.
To support integration, Austria has established the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund (AMIF), allocating €157 million for the 2021-2027 period. This fund aims to facilitate the integration of migrants through projects led by service providers and other stakeholders. Additionally, non-profit organisations and local authorities can apply for financing for migrant integration through various EU funds.
Austria's asylum and immigration laws continue to evolve, reflecting the country's ambivalence towards immigration. While some policies aim to restrict immigration and tighten asylum laws, others strive to promote integration and provide support for migrants' inclusion in Austrian society.
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EU member states' responses to migration
EU member states have had varying responses to migration over the years. In 2015, the European Council activated the integrated political crisis response (IPCR) arrangements to help coordinate the political response to the migration crisis. The EU's Common European Asylum System (CEAS) was established in 1999 to enhance coordination across member states and streamline systems for processing asylum claims and supporting refugees granted protection. However, the 2015 migration crisis exposed the challenges of implementing a cohesive EU-wide response, with member states resorting to ad hoc measures to fortify their borders and restrict access to asylum. This incoherence has been exploited by populist parties, particularly those on the far right, who have gained traction by portraying governments as losing control over sovereignty.
In recent years, there has been a shift towards more restrictive migration policies among EU member states. For instance, Germany's centre-left government has expanded border controls, tightened rules on benefits for asylum seekers, and deported convicted foreigners. Austria, facing increasing immigration, has also seen the rise of the far-right Freedom Party, which advocates for reducing social benefits for irregular migrants and blocking family reunification. The party's election programme, "Austria First," reflects a nationalist and anti-migrant stance.
To address these challenges, the EU has adopted the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, aiming to regulate and harmonise asylum management and establish similar procedures and standards across member states. The pact introduces a new solidarity system, obliging all member states to share responsibility by receiving asylum applicants, paying fees to assist hosting countries, or contributing other resources. However, critics argue that the pact's focus on securitising borders neglects humanitarian considerations and may increase the risks of human rights violations.
While the EU works towards a unified migration policy, member states continue to navigate the complex dynamics of migration. Some countries, like Austria, struggle with integrating increasing numbers of asylum seekers, while others, like Germany, balance security concerns with humanitarian obligations. The impact of migration on labour markets, cultural institutions, and social services further complicates the response, with cities across Europe witnessing transformations due to migration.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria's policy on migration has been described as ambivalent, with some policies being more restrictive and others more liberal. In 2024, the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) won the national election for the first time, with a campaign that included pledges to tighten asylum laws and crack down on illegal immigration. The FPO has also promoted remigration, including returning asylum seekers to their countries of origin, and limiting asylum rights. The FPO has been criticised for its anti-immigrant and xenophobic rhetoric, and for stoking fears about Muslims in particular.
The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) provides exams to evaluate migrants' language skills, as well as their knowledge of rights, obligations, and Austrian social values. These exams are available at levels A1 to B2.
The AMIF is an EU fund that provides financing for migrant integration projects in Austria. The allocation for Austria under AMIF 2021-2027 is €157 million.
Austria's policy on asylum seekers has been a topic of debate among the country's political parties. The government has barred some asylum seekers from accessing federal benefits, and has also reserved the right to suspend asylum applications in the event of a "significant increase" in refugee numbers.
