Residence in Austria: permits and requirements
Living legally in Austria is possible through 6 permit types: temporary, permanent, family, study, international protection. Each program has its own requirements; below are the duration, renewal, costs and documentation according to the country's official sources.
Aufenthaltserlaubnis (Temporary Residence Permit – Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte)
Residence type #1 of 6
Temporary residence permit for skilled employment under the Rot-Weiß-Rot points system for third-country nationals
Requirements
- Minimum score of 65-70 points in the RWR system (criteria: qualification, experience, German/English language, age, job offer)
- Concrete job offer with a minimum salary according to the sector
- Professional or university qualification
- No criminal record
- Health insurance
Documentation
- Valid passport
- Completed application form
- RWR points assessment
- Work contract
- Qualification certificate (recognized in Austria if necessary)
- Language certificate (German/English)
- Criminal record certificate
- Health insurance
- Biometric photos
Frequently asked questions about residence in Austria
How many types of residence permits are there in Austria?
Austria offers 6 residence permit types, grouped into the categories temporary, permanent, family, study, international protection. Each permit has its own requirements, duration and documentation, detailed in this fact sheet according to the country's official sources.
How long do residence permits in Austria last?
Durations vary by permit type: 2 years (unless a shorter duration is requested); after 2 years change to RWR Plus (3 years) with 21 months of employment in the last 24; 3 years (renewable); Indefinite (5-year card, renewable); 12 months; after 2 years of lawful residence and Integration Agreement Module 1: 3 years. The exact details of each type appear in the corresponding fact sheet.
Can residence permits in Austria be renewed?
Yes. All residence permit types of Austria (6 in total) are renewable before their expiration, according to the rules of each program.
What documentation is usually required to reside in Austria?
Although each permit requires its own file, the most recurrent documents are: Datos biométricos; Seguro médico; Valid passport. The complete list by residence type appears in each fact sheet, together with the corresponding official link.
Does residence in Austria lead to nationality?
Yes, through the Naturalization by residence pathway, which requires 10 years of lawful and uninterrupted stay (5 of them with settlement status "Niederlassung") of legal residence. The complete requirements are in the nationality fact sheet of Austria.
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Anything to correct or add about Austria?
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