Permanent immigration
Third country nationals, i.e. persons, who are not EEA citziens or Swiss nationals, need a residence permit for Austria, when they plan to stay longer than six months. There are different types of residence permits. You can read about it on the following pages.
For stays up to six months third country nationals do not need a residence permit. They need a visa. For stays up to 90 days within 180 days a visa is not required for some third country nationals (depending on their citizenship).
Third country nationals, i.e. persons, who are not EEA citziens or Swiss nationals, need a residence permit for Austria, when they plan to stay longer than six months. There are different types of residence permits. You can read about it on the following pages.
For stays up to six months third country nationals do not need a residence permit. They need a visa. For stays up to 90 days within 180 days a visa is not required for some third country nationals (depending on their citizenship).
Criteria-based Immigration to Austria - Red-White-Red Card
You are a qualified worker and citizen of a third country (a country outside the EU) seeking to live and work in Austria? In this case you need the Red-White-Red Card. Your family members can apply for the Red-White-Red Card plus (please refer to the chapter on family reunification).
The Red-White-Red Card is issued for a period of 24 months and entitles you as the holder to fixed-term settlement and employment by the employer specified in your application.
You are eligible for a Red-White-Red Card if you belong to one of the following groups:
You are a qualified worker and citizen of a third country (a country outside the EU) seeking to live and work in Austria? In this case you need the Red-White-Red Card. Your family members can apply for the Red-White-Red Card plus (please refer to the chapter on family reunification).
The Red-White-Red Card is issued for a period of 24 months and entitles you as the holder to fixed-term settlement and employment by the employer specified in your application.
You are eligible for a Red-White-Red Card if you belong to one of the following groups:
General Requirements for Issuing Residence Permits
The authorities may only grant you a residence title if you meet the following requirements:
Adequate means of subsistence
You have to have a fixed and regular personal income enabling you to cover your living costs without resorting to welfare aid from local authorities. At the time of application the regular monthly income must be equal to the equalisation supplement reference rate (Ausgleichszulagenrichtsatz) of the General Social Insurance Act (Allgemeines Sozialversicherungsgesetz - ASVG).
Equalisation supplement reference rate since 1st of January 2021:
- For singles: € 1,000.48
- For couples: € 1,578.36
- For each child additionally € 154.37
Proof of social benefits which you are entitled to only after your residence permit has been granted (welfare benefits or equalisation supplements in particular) is not factored in.
PLEASE NOTE:
When applying for a Red-White-Red Card or a Blue Card EU, make sure to take note of the special requirements concerning your income.
Health Insurance Coverage
For your stay in Austria, you must have health insurance coverage which provides benefits in Austria and covers all risks. If you are insured in the public social insurance system (e.g. you are employed in Austria), this coverage is sufficient.
Austria-wide shortage occupations
For the year 2021, the following occupations are deemed shortage professions:
For the year 2021, the following occupations are deemed shortage professions:
1. Graduates in power engineering
2. Technicians with a higher level of training (engineer) for power engineering technology
3. Agricultural equipment engineers
4. Black toppers
5. Technicians with a higher level of training (engineer) for data processing
6. Graduate engineers for data processing
7.Special (ist) power engineers
8. Technicians with a higher level of training (engineer) for mechanical engineering
9. Graduate mechanical engineers
10. Roofers
11. Graduate nurses
12. Construction joiners
13. Physicians
14. Graduates in weak-current and telecommunications engineering
15. Train driver, stoker (locomotive drivers, heaters)
16. Concrete fitters
17. Pipe installers, pipe fitters (pipe fitters, pipe fitters)
18. Electrical installers, electrical fitters (electrical installers, electrical fitters)
19.Special graduate engineers (technicians with higher education (engineering), unless otherwise classified)
20. Carpenters
21. Special fitters (tinsmiths)
22. Metal turners
23. Cost accountant
24. Floor and Wall Tilers
25. Welders, cutting torch operators (welders, cutting torches)
26. Milling machinists
27.Specialist technicians for mechanical engineering
28. Ophthalmic opticians
29.Technicians with a higher education (engineer) for civil engineering
30. Graduate engineers - special professions (graduate engineers, unless otherwise classified)
31. Technicians with a higher level of training (engineer) for technical chemistry, chemical engineer
32.Special floor layers
33. Motor Mechanics
34.Special fitters (locksmiths)
35. Retailer and seller of iron and metal goods, machines, household and kitchen appliances
36. Payroll accountants
37.Building plumbers
38. Pavers (pavers)
39. Construction and furniture joiners
40.Special technicians for low voltage engineering and communication engineering
41. Varnishers
42.Special (ist) technicians for data processing
Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations
As a third-country citizen, you may apply for a Red-White-Red Card as a Skilled Worker in a Shortage Occupation valid for 24 months, if
- you are able to furnish proof of completed training in a shortage occupation under the regulation
- you have received a binding job offer in Austria and the prospective employer is willing to remunerate you with the minimum pay stipulated by law, regulation or collective agreement (in the event that overpay is customary in the respective company, it must also be granted to you)
- you reach a minimum of 55 points according to the following list of criteria:
Eligibility criteria for skilled workers | Points |
Qualification | Maximum allowable points: 30 |
Completed vocational education/training in the shortage occupation | 20 |
General eligibility for university admission | 25 |
Completion of a programme of studies with a minimum duration of three years at an institution of tertiary education | 30 |
Work experience matching one's qualification | Maximum allowable points: 20 |
Work experience (per year) | 2 |
| Work experience in Austria (per year) | 4 |
German language skills | Maximum allowable points: 15 |
Elementary use of the German language on a basic level (A1 level) | 5 |
German language skills for the intensified elementary use of the language (A2 level) | 10 |
| German language skills for the independent use of the language (B1 level) | 15 |
English language skills | Maximum allowable points: 10 |
| English language skills for the intensified elementary use of the language (A2 level) | 5 |
| English language skills for the independent use of the language (B1 level) | 10 |
Age | Maximum allowable points: 15 |
Up to 30 years of age | 15 |
| Up to 40 years of age | 10 |
Sum total of maximum allowable points: | 90 |
Required minimum: | 55 |
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