Want to immigrate to Austria? Find out about the many ways to migrate to Austria.
Austria is a popular destination for people wanting to live overseas. The country offers a high standard of living, innumerable employment opportunities and a chance to enjoy a great work-life balance.
Austria has a mix of big cities and quaint little villages. As part of the Schengen region, people from non-EU countries can travel to Austria with a Schengen region. If you’re looking at spending an indefinite period of time in Austria, you need a permanent residence permit.
Permanent residence permits take the form of Red-White-Red Cards and Red-White-Red Plus Cards.
Read: Different Types Of Visas To Austria
Immigrate To Austria With A Red-White-Red (RWR) Card
The RWR Card serves as work authorization and a residence permit. The length of stay permitted by an RWR card is usually tied to the purpose of the visa. In most cases, it is issued for 24 months and can be renewed. To be eligible for an RWR card, you must belong to one of the following categories:
- Very Highly Qualified Workers
- Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations
- Other Key Workers
- Graduates of Austrian Universities and Colleges of Higher Education
- Self-employed Key Workers
- Start-up Founders
Eligibility
Applicants must prove that they have health insurance coverage, accommodation and adequate means of sustenance. This is calculated as below:
- For individuals: € 1,030.49
- For couples: € 1,625.71
- For each child additionally € 159.00
In addition, each category has its own eligibility criteria and minimum point score requirement.
Immigrate To Austria As A Very Highly Qualified Worker
Applicants must have a valid offer of employment from an Austrian employer and score a minimum of 70 points on the point scale.
Special qualifications and skills (max points: 40)
| Criteria | Points |
| Graduating from a minimum 4-year course from an institution of higher education | 20 |
| Graduating with mathematics, informatics, natural sciences or technology subjects | 30 |
| Graduating with a PhD | 40 |
| Holding a recognized award | 20 |
| Involvement in research and innovative activities | 20 |
| Gross salary of €50,000 to 60,000 in the previous year | 20 |
| Gross salary of €60,000 to 70,000 in the previous year | 25 |
| Gross salary of more than €70,000 in the previous year | 30 |
Work Experience
| Criteria | Points |
| Every year of work experience | 2 |
| 5-months of work experience in Austria | 10 |
Language Skills
| Criteria | Points |
| A1 level of fluency in English or German | 5 |
| A2 level of fluency in English or German | 10 |
Age
| Criteria | Points |
| Less than 35 years | 20 |
| Less than 40 years | 15 |
| Less than 45 years | 10 |
Studies In Austria
| Criteria | Points |
| Completed second half of a diploma program | 5 |
| Completed a diploma program/Bachelor’s degree/ Master’s degree | 10 |
Immigrate To Austria As A Skilled Worker In Shortage Occupations
Applicant must have a binding job offer with remuneration that matches or exceeds the minimum pay stipulated by the state. They should also have proof of being trained in a shortage occupation. The minimum point score required is 55.
Qualification
| Criteria | Points |
| Graduation with vocational education/training in a shortage occupation | 20 |
| General eligibility for university admission | 25 |
| Completed a minimum of a 3-year program at an institute of tertiary education | 30 |
Work Experience
| Criteria | Points |
| Every year of work experience | 2 |
| Every year of work experience in Austria | 4 |
English Language Skills
| Criteria | Points |
| B1 level of fluency over German | 15 |
| A1 level of fluency over German | 5 |
| A2 level of fluency over German | 10 |
German Language Skills
| Criteria | Points |
| B1 level of fluency in English | 10 |
| A2 level of fluency in English | 5 |
Age
| Criteria | Points |
| Less than 30 years | 15 |
| Less than 40 years | 10 |
Other Key Workers
Applicants from third-world countries can apply for RWR cards if they have a job offer for a statutory minimum monthly salary of € 3,402 if they are over 30 years old and € 2,835 if they are less than 30 years old. They need a minimum of 55 points as calculated for Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations.
Graduates Of Austrian Universities And Colleges Of Higher Education
Third-world migrants who have completed their studies or compulsory training can extend their existing permit for 12 months while they search for a job. They are eligible for an RWR card if they find employment that earns them a minimum monthly salary of €2,551.50. There is no points system for graduates.
Self-Employed Key Workers
To be eligible for this category of RWR cards, applicants must be self-employed in an occupation that involves a sustained transfer of at least € 100.000 to Austria, creates new jobs, introduces new technologies and benefits the entire region. This is no points system.
Immigrate To Austria As A Start-Up Founder
Start-up founders can apply for an RWR card if they establish an innovative business with a 50% equity valued at a minimum of € 50.000, have a consistent business plan, maintain control over the new company and score at least 50 points.
Qualification
| Criteria | Points |
| Graduation with vocational education/training in the prospective occupation | 20 |
| Completed a diploma program/Bachelor’s degree/ Master’s degree | 30 |
| Completed a minimum of a 3-year program at an institute of tertiary education | 20 |
Work Experience
| Criteria | Points |
| Every year of work experience | 2 |
Language Skills
| Criteria | Points |
| A2 level of fluency over German | 5 |
| B1 -B2 level of fluency over German | 10 |
| C1-C2 level of fluency over German | 15 |
| B2 level of fluency in English | 10 |
Bonus Pints
| Criteria | Points |
| Investing at least € 50.000 | 10 |
| Having the new business funded by an Austrian start-up funding agency or admitted to a business incubator | 10 |
| Being less than 35 years old | 10 |
Immigrate To Austria With A Red-White-Red Plus (RWR Plus) Card
This card is designed for dependents of RWR card holders. This is initially issued for 1 year with the possibility of being extended for as long as required. Dependents include spouses, registered partners and unmarried minor children.
Applying For An RWR Or RWR Plus Card
Applications for RWR and RWR+ Cards can be submitted along with all supporting documents to the Austrian embassy or consulate. The documents required vary depending on the RWR category in which the applicant falls into. The application forms are available here:
The application process usually takes about 8 weeks depending on the documents submitted and the application.
Also Read
- 16 Countries Offering Citizenship Through Investment
- Everything You Need to Know About the EU Blue Card
- European Travel Information And Authorization System Or ETIAS
