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Welcome Service Tirol

The Welcome Service Tirol is the first point of contact for Tyrolean companies and universities and their international, highly qualified employees.

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Immigration from EU/EEA/Switzerland

Austria is a member of the European Union, and the principle of the free movement of persons applies.

This means that citizens of other EU states may move freely in Austria, establish residence and take up employment.

For entry into Austria, such persons do not require a visa or any other form of official registration regardless of the reason for their visit.

The same applies to citizens from the EEA states Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway as well as to citizens from Switzerland.

The above-mentioned citizens are entitled to stay for more than 3 months on condition that they:

  • are in employment or are self-employed in Austria, or
  • have sufficient financial resources and insurance cover for themselves and their family, or
  • are pursuing a course of study or vocational training and have sufficient financial resources and insurance cover.


For a stay that exceeds the period of three months, such nationals must apply for a registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung) within the first four months from entry into Austria. After five years of continuous lawful residence (with adequate insurance cover), an application may be made for a document certifying permanent residence (“Bescheinigung des Daueraufenthalts”).

The right of residence and access to the labour market also applies to third-country national family members of the above-mentioned persons (spouse, registered partner, children, grandchildren under the age of 21, parents and under certain conditions also grandparents). They can first apply for a residence card and, after five years of continuous lawful residence (with adequate insurance cover), a EU long-term residence permit. We would be happy to inform you about the individual requirements (e.g. possible visa requirements for entry or necessary documents)!

In addition, the law requires the person’s residence to be registered ("Wohnsitzanmeldung") within three working days after arrival (separate deadlines for the registration may apply when moving into tourist accommodation). If the person’s main residence is in Innsbruck, it must be registered at the registration office in the Stadtmagistrat Innsbruck in the Innsbruck Town Hall. If the residence is located outside of Innsbruck, it must be registered with the administrative authority for the district concerned (Bezirkshauptmannschaft). We would be happy to tell you which is the competent district authority in your case.

Failure to apply for a registration certificate („Anmeldebescheinigung“) or to register your residence in time may result in the imposition of a fine.

If you have any questions, please contact the Welcome Service Tirol! We are at your disposal free of charge!