Residence Permit in Austria

Candidates must score a minimum of 55 points based on the following criteria:

• Completed professional education, special knowledge, and skills relevant to the job profile - 20 points;
• Higher education - 25 points
• Completed specialized education in the job profile lasting at least 3 years - 30 points
• Professional experience in years - 2 points per year
• Professional experience in Austria in years - 4 points per year
• German language, level A-1/A-2 - 5/10 points
• German language, level B1 - 15 points
• English language, level A2 - 5 points
• English language, level B1 - 10 points
• Age up to 30 years - 15 points
• Age up to 40 years - 10 points

Citizens of third countries who meet specific requirements have the right to apply for the Red-White-Red Card (RWR Karte) status. As of the end of 2022, this status is particularly popular among employers and entrepreneurs who plan to obtain a residence permit.

To be eligible for the RWR Karte, the employer must be willing to pay a salary of €3,222 gross per month (for individuals above 30 years old) or €2,685 gross per month (for individuals below 30 years old). The salary is paid 14 times per year.

The net salary received by the employee amounts to €30,970 per year (for individuals above 30 years old) and €26,736 per year (for individuals below 30 years old). The employer's actual expenses for such an employee amount to €58,626 and €48,855 per year, respectively.

The Austrian Employment Service (AMS) is often unable to provide an employee with a comparable qualification registered for employment search, which further contributes to the popularity of this status.

Many employers and entrepreneurs use this status to register a legal entity and hire themselves as "key employees," often assuming the role of Director in the company.

Citizens of non-European countries who meet the following requirements can apply for the Blue Card EU:

1. A diploma from a higher education institution in their home country, with a study duration of at least 3 years.
2. A guaranteed employment contract with an Austrian employer for a minimum period of 1 year, related to the obtained education.
3. A guaranteed gross annual salary of at least €63,672 and a net salary of €40,600. Additional employer expenses amount to €19,100 per year.
4. The Austrian Employment Service (AMS) is unable to offer a suitable alternative candidate to the employer.

The popularity of this status is due to the fact that candidates for the Blue Card EU are not subject to the point system used in other residence permit categories.

The document verification process by the Austrian Employment Service (AMS) is simplified for Blue Card EU applicants.

Candidates for this status are not required to take German language exams for initial or renewal applications. It is sufficient to present the diploma obtained from their home country.

After holding this status for 2 years, the cardholder can change their country of residence to any other EU country.

Renewal Algorithm: 2 + 3, and at the second stage, a switch to RWR Plus is possible.

The main drawback of this status is its higher maintenance cost.

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Third-country nationals who are engaged in activities that are of value to the country's economy and go beyond purely consumer purposes are eligible for the RWR Karte in this capacity.

The main characteristics of such activities are:

• transfer of investment capital of at least €100,000 to a bank account in Austria;
• the creation of jobs in Austria or the retention of existing jobs;
• the application of know-how or new technologies of value to the national economy within the scope of their activities; activities of interest or significance for a specific region of Austria.
• The fulfilment of one or more attributes is sufficient to fulfil the requirements.

The attributes and the significance of the activities are not assessed point by point, but on the basis of the findings of the specialists of the Labour Exchange.

The application must be submitted to the Austrian consulate in the candidate's country of residence. If the candidate has a visa-free stay in Austria, the application may be submitted in person to the relevant Magistrate.

In case of a favourable decision, the candidate receives a residence permit and a self-employment permit for a period of 2 years. If the conditions of the application are fulfilled in good faith, an extension for a further 3 years is possible.

Criteria for a Start-Up Entrepreneur to be eligible for a residence permit:

1. Completed professional education, specialized knowledge, and skills related to the project - 20 points.
2. Completion of additional, specialized education in a relevant educational institution for a minimum period of 3 years - 20 points.
3. Obtaining a diploma, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree, or completion of professional, specialized education in Austria - 30 points.
4. Professional experience in years - 2 points per year.
5. German language proficiency, level A2 - 5 points.
6. German language proficiency, level B1-B2 - 10 points.
7. English language proficiency, level B2 - 10 points.
8. German language proficiency, level C1-C2 - 15 points.
9. Additional capital of at least €50,000 - 10 points.
10. Acceptance of the project into any entrepreneurship support program in Austria - 10 points.
11. Age up to 35 years - 10 points.

Candidates who score at least 50 points are eligible for the Red-White-Red Card based on this criteria for 2 years, with the possibility of extension for another three years under the RWR Plus status, subject to compliance with all conditions during the initial two years.

Citizens of third countries who meet the following requirements are eligible to apply for the RWR Card under this category:

1. If you establish and introduce innovative products, services, processes, or technologies to the Austrian market within the framework of a new business venture.
2. Present a well-founded and detailed business plan to substantiate the above.
3. Be personally ready to actively work and manage the enterprise.
4. Possess an initial capital of €50,000, with at least 50% being in cash and as part of your own capital.

The basis for obtaining such a status should meet the following conditions:

1. Availability of a quota in any federal state. That's why this type of residence permit is often referred to as a quota-based permit.

2. Confirmed monthly income from another country, such as a pension, profits from companies where the candidate is a co-owner or owner, income from property, savings, etc.

The size of the aforementioned confirmed income should be:

- For a single candidate: €2,221 per month
- For a family of two adults: €3,504 per month

In addition, there is an additional income requirement for each child who is also obtaining this type of residence permit with the parents: €343 per month.

3. Confirmed knowledge of the German language.

After 5 years without interruption, the holder of this status, subject to meeting the necessary conditions, is eligible for a permanent residence permit (Indefinite Residence Permit) in the EU.