Immigration from third countries
For third-country nationals who wish to move to Austria – alone or with their families – to live and work here, various legal options have been created.
Third-country nationals who intend to relocate to Austria, either individually or with their families, to live and work, must meet specific legal requirements.
In most cases, the appropriate residence and work permit must be obtained. The Red-White-Red Card is often a suitable option, as it allows both residence in Austria and employment with a specific employer. Depending on the country of origin, a visa may also be required for entry.
In particular, the following Red-White-Red Cards are available for third-country nationals who have a job offer from a company in Austria:
- Red-White-Red Card for Very Highly Qualified Workers
- Red-White-Red Card for Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations
- Red-White-Red Card for Other Key Workers
- Red-White-Red Card for Graduates
- Red-White-Red Card for Regular Seasonal Workers
The Red-White-Red Card is valid for up to two years. However, if the requirements are met, it is possible to obtain further residence permits up to an unlimited stay (please feel free to contact us for more information). Apart from the "Red-White-Red Card", there are other permits that may be suitable for the long term stay of third-country nationals. Examples of these are the „Red-White-Red Card Plus“, the „EU Blue Card“, the "Residence Permit - Family Member" or the "Long-Term Resident EU" permit. For temporary stays for specific purposes, for example, stay permits („Aufenthaltsbewilligungen“) are available.
Third-country nationals who are family members of EU, EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), or Swiss citizens exercising their right of residence under EU law, or of Austrian nationals who have exercised their right of residence under EU law, do not require a formal residence title under national law if the relevant conditions are met. In such cases, a Residence Card ("Aufenthaltskarte") may be sufficient to document their right of residence. Nevertheless, we recommend reviewing the individual circumstances thoroughly and considering all available options to ensure the most suitable legal pathway is chosen.
Whether an application for a specific residence permit is promising or which other application is to be chosen must always be assessed in the specific individual case. It is also important to note that the question of legal residence is fundamentally separate from the question of admission to the labor market, because legal residence in Austria does not always include admission to the labor market.
Further information on this topic can be found, for example, at Work in Austria (Austrian Business Agency). We recommend seeking individual advice due to the complexity and will be delighted to connect you with free support upon request.
Please also be aware that, among other obligations, the residence registration requirement must be observed. In principle, all persons must register with the authorities within three days of moving into a dwelling.
This is a brief, general summary and does not claim to be complete. The legal situation of each person, including the question of their obligations, must always be examined individually and comprehensively.
Please note
We are happy to answer your questions and help you find expert advice on specialist topics!
It is advisable to also find out about other relevant topics before moving to Austria, e.g. regarding tax and social security issues.
Some initial information for people moving to Tyrol to work for a Tyrolean employer can also be found at “Your arrival in Tyrol - FAQs for employees”. Please note, however, that each situation is unique, and therefore, different or additional topics and information may be relevant for you.
