Loading...
Loading...
Points-based permit for highly qualified workers, skilled workers in shortage occupations, and graduates of Austrian universities. Open to all non-EU nationalities; minimum salary thresholds and qualification requirements apply.
Issued to family members of Red-White-Red Card holders and to holders who have completed 2 years on the standard card. Grants unrestricted access to the Austrian labour market.
For highly qualified non-EU professionals with a university degree and a job offer meeting the minimum salary threshold (approximately 67,000 EUR/year in 2024). Provides a fast track to permanent residency after 21 months.
For freelancers, artists, and the self-employed. Applicants must prove their business or creative activity is viable and demonstrate sufficient income to support themselves without relying on public funds.
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens have the right to live and work freely. Register with local authorities within 3 months of arrival.
Austria is an EU/Schengen member and EU/EEA citizens have full freedom of movement. Non-EU nationals require a national (Type D) visa for stays over 90 days, followed by a residence permit. Austria has a points-based immigration scheme called the Red-White-Red Card (RWR Card) for skilled workers, which is processed by the Austrian Public Employment Service and immigration authorities. The system is well-regulated with predictable processing times.
The Red-White-Red Card (RWR) is Austria's primary work permit for non-EU nationals, awarded based on a points system assessing qualifications, language skills, work experience, and age. A minimum score (typically 70 out of 100) is required. There are separate RWR categories for very highly qualified workers, skilled workers in shortage occupations, and key staff transfers.
The Red-White-Red Card Plus is issued to family members (spouse and children under 18) of RWR Card holders, granting unrestricted labor market access. Family reunification applicants must generally apply from abroad and meet language requirements (A1 German) in most categories.
Austria taxes residents on worldwide income, with progressive rates up to 55% for very high earners. A flat tax rate of 27.5% applies to investment income and capital gains. Austria has approximately 90 double tax treaties. The country is a high-tax welfare state with excellent public services in return.
Austria has an excellent public healthcare system; employees are automatically covered through mandatory health insurance (Oesterreichische Gesundheitskasse). Non-employed residents must arrange voluntary public health insurance or private coverage. Quality is very high and English-language services are available in Vienna.
Opening a bank account in Austria requires a valid residence permit, passport, and proof of address. Major banks include Erste Bank, Raiffeisen Bank, Bank Austria (UniCredit), and Bawag. Expats in Vienna find banking relatively accessible, particularly with international banks present.
Austria does not have a formal golden visa or investor residency program. High-net-worth individuals may apply for a residence permit under the self-employment or entrepreneurship category by demonstrating economic benefit to Austria, but there is no minimum investment threshold and the process is discretionary.