Ways To Immigrate To Austria

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.