Find out how to apply for an Austrian residence permit step by step.
Are you considering moving to Austria? Well, if you're coming from a non-EU/EEA/Swiss country you'll need to get an Austrian residence permit. To help you speed up the process, we've outlined the application process and costs for an Austrian residence permit, and even how you can get a permanent residence permit, too! Let's dive in.
If you're moving from a non-EU/EEA/Swiss country and you plan on living in Austria for longer than 6 months, you need an Austrian residence permit. Nationals of EU/EEA/Swiss members don't need a residence permit, but they need to register at the local municipality of they plan on residing in Austria for more than 3 months.
Generally, you must apply for a visa and Austrian residence permit at the embassy or consulate in your home country before entering the country. If you're moving to Austria for work, you can check out our guide to work visas to learn how to apply. We also outline how to get an Austrian work permit.
A few exceptions allow you to apply for your residence permit from Austria. For example, if you're applying for a student or research permit or can enter Austria and then apply for a residence permit.
Residence permits allow non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens to reside in Austria and engage in authorized activities such as work or study, but they don’t grant permanent residency or the same rights as Austrian citizens. There are several types of residence permits depending on the purpose of your move. Below you can see the 3 main types of Austrian residence permits for expats.
You’re eligible for a Red-White-Red Card if you fall into one of the following categories:
Eligibility for Red-White-Red Card is evaluated using a point-based system specific for each category.
You’re eligible for an Austrian EU Blue Card if you meet all the following requirements:
If you hold an EU Blue Card or Red-White-Red Card in Austria, you can engage in self-employment activities alongside your primary employment.
You’re eligible for the residence permit ICT if you’re going to work as a:
You’re eligible for Red-White-Red Card Plus if you fall into one of the following categories:
Residence permit for students (Aufenthaltsbewilligung Student) allows you to study in Austria for 12 months. You can renew the permit before its expiration date.
To qualify for a student residence permit, you must meet one of the following requirements:
If you’d like to work during your studies, you must request an employment permit separately. With the employment permit, you can work for up to 20 hours/week.
EU Long-Term Residence Permit (Daueraufenthalt-EU) allows you to permanently stay and work freely in Austria. The long-term residence permit is issued for 5 years and can be renewed.
You’ll be eligible for a long-term residence permit if you meet all the following requirements:
To apply for a residence permit in Austria, you must always provide the following documents:
Other documents specific to your type of permit might include proof of German language skills, proof of qualification, proof of relevant education, birth/marriage certificate and employer’s declaration.
Keep in mind that you must submit all documents in original and copy. The documents must be legalized and translated into German by a sworn translator.
Gather necessary documents. Collecting the documents for your residence permit might take time, especially if you need to translate them. So start preparing weeks in advance.
Make an appointment at your local Austrian embassy. Typically, applying for a temporary residence permit in Austria costs €160, while a permanent residence permit costs €210. The renewal fee is €30.70.
Attend the appointment and pay the application fee.
Apply for a visa. The application processing time for visas is typically shorter than for residence permits, so you can apply for it as your last step.
Travel to Austria and pick up your residence permit. You can enter Austria with a visa and pick up your residence permit from the Austrian settlement authority within 6 months.
The processing time for an Austrian residence permit can range from several weeks to 6 months.
For the following resident permits you’ll typically get response within 8 weeks:
It usually takes up to 90 days to process applications for the following Austrian residence permit types:
Once you've applied for your residence permit, it's time to cross off the rest of the items from your relocation checklist. Finding your new home is a crucial step to ensure a smooth transition and settle comfortably in Austria. Start planning ahead and explore rental properties in Austria on HousingAnywhere! Have you chosen to move to Austria's capital? Then start your search and find a furnished rental in Vienna.
This article is for informational purposes only.
Please reach out to content @housinganywhere.com if you have any suggestions or questions about the content on this page. For legal advice or help with specific situations, we recommend you contact the appropriate authorities.
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