Permanent residence permit in Austria - a resident status, which gives you the right to permanent residence in the state and free access to the labor market. In general, it is issued 5 years after moving with a temporary residence permit, obtained, for example, for self-employment, family reasons or other legal grounds. You will also need to successfully pass the integration exam, prove the availability of a source of livelihood and housing in the country. Other requirements include law-abiding behavior, health insurance and immigration procedures.

The Republic of Austria is a member of a number of important international organizations, including the EU. As a permanent resident of an EU country, you receive many privileges, such as free employment, business development on the international market, participation in grant and scholarship programs, the opportunity to reunite with close relatives. In the future you can become a citizen of the republic if you fulfill the accompanying conditions of naturalization and spend at least 10 years on its territory. All important information about moving to Austria is collected in this article.

What gives the status of permanent resident in Austria?

Most of those who want to get the status of permanent resident of Austria for the sake of indefinite stay in the state with a high standard of living. Also, the residence permit card gives you the right to:

• visa-free travel to Schengen countries;
• access to the European labor market without separate permits;
• representation of commercial interests in the country and worldwide;
• simplified visa opening to popular countries such as the USA and China;
• family immigration with the prospect of citizenship for yourself and your relatives;
• unlimited service in reliable European banks and modern clinics;
• social support and other types of assistance from the state.

All residents of Austria, including foreigners with permanent residence, are obliged to adhere to the norms of the national constitution and local laws. To ensure that your permanent residency status is not revoked, you must not leave the European Economic Area (EEA) for more than 12 consecutive months without a valid reason.

Immigrantinlaw's international law specialists can help you apply for an EU passport within 4 to 12 months and obtain all the rights of an Austrian citizen. Sign up for a free consultation to analyze your chances of participating in simplified immigration programs.

Ways to immigrate to Austria

To obtain an Austrian residence permit, it is necessary to spend five years in the state with a temporary residence permit. Only the following categories of residence permit holders can count on permanent residency:

• Highly qualified specialists.
  Moving to Austria for permanent residence is possible for those who have a demanded profession and are employed by a local company according to their profile. There is a point system of evaluation of potential residents taking into account their work experience and education, knowledge of foreign languages, salary level at the previous place, age and awards. Eligibility for residency is subject to approval by the State Employment Service (AMS).
• Members of scarce professions.
  It is possible to immigrate to Austria if you are a member of a profession in which the country has a shortage. These include certified engineers and technicians, doctors and nurses, artists, accountants, cooks, teachers, drivers, social workers. A residence permit is opened upon obtaining an appropriate score in points after a work contract and verification by AMS representatives.
• Personnel of local companies.
  Employers can hire foreigners if they are ready to pay them a salary of at least 3030 EUR per month and there are no applicants from among Austrian residents. Employees who have already worked in the same sector of the economy for 14 months or more in the previous two years (e.g., with a temporary residence permit), who know German at A1 level or higher and who have signed a long-term contract with the company can also stay in the country.
• Self-employed entrepreneurs.
  Self-employed foreigners whose activities are of economic interest to Austria have a chance to stay in the country permanently. Your business must meet one of the conditions of prospectivity, e.g., you invest 100,000 EUR or more in the country, create new jobs, have a positive impact on the region or introduce new technologies in the chosen sector. The point-based evaluation system is not applied to FDs.
• Startup founders.
  It is possible to go to Austria for permanent residence if you submit to the relevant authorities a business plan for the opening of an innovative enterprise that is potentially useful for the republic. It is important to have a start-up capital of 30 000 EUR and to be a member of the management of the future company. Startups are also subject to a point check.
• Researchers.
  Emigration from other countries to Austria is possible for those who are going to work as a scientist or researcher at the invitation of a certified institution or university. It is necessary to have a relevant specialized education (usually a doctoral degree).
• Financially independent persons.
  Popular options for moving to Austria include living in the country with one's own money earned abroad, e.g., from remote work, as dividends or rent. The minimum monthly income per person is 2435 EUR as of 2025. These types of residence permits are limited by the number of annual quotas and do not entitle to employment or business in the Republic.
• Family members of residents of the Republic.
  It is possible to move to Austria for permanent residence to a close relative from among the citizens or residents of the Republic. Reunification is available with legal and de facto spouses, unmarried children under the age of 21. Requests are sometimes approved for dependent family members, such as elderly parents who are supported by the host country.
• Requests for asylum or subsidiary protection.
  Less common ways of moving to Austria include immigration on humanitarian grounds. The Republic offers protection to those who have been forced to leave their home country in fear for their lives and can prove that the request is justified. Not all applications are approved - each application is considered individually.

It is also possible to go to Austria with other types of residence permits, e.g., for education or as an intern, volunteer, seasonal worker. However, it is not possible to open a residence permit with them. You must, for example, complete your studies at a university, then go to work and get the corresponding resident card - only then you can count on the status of permanent resident.

Time in the country with a short-term residence permit can be counted partially in the period of sedentary (residence). For example, the period of stay as a student is divided in half.

Requirements for an applicant for a residence permit and the conditions for moving to Austria

To move to Austria for permanent residence, you must first find a legitimate reason for residency. If you intend to stay in the country for a long time, you should open a residence permit of the immigration type, for example, for labor or commercial activity or for family reasons. You will then need to fulfill the following conditions to acquire a permanent residence card:

• legally reside in the country for at least 5 years and not be absent from the country for more than half a year in a row or more than 10 months during the entire period of residence;
• have a stable and legal income for self-support - from 1,217.96 EUR for a single person, 1,921.46 EUR for a married couple and additionally from 187.93 EUR for each of the children;
• own or rent a residential space in the territory of the Republic and prove your property rights by documents;
• to obtain a health insurance policy, either independently or as part of compulsory procedures, e.g., at the time of employment;
• fulfill the requirements of module 2 of the integration agreement, including German language skills at a level from B1;
• collect the required documents and complete the immigration procedures;
• not to commit illegal acts that could be considered as an attack on the security of society or the state.

How to move to Austria for permanent residence  

To move to Austria for permanent residence, you need to pass a number of mandatory steps:

1. Consult a lawyer and collect the necessary documents.
   You should start the process of immigration to Austria by consulting an international law specialist. This will help to determine the best option for relocation, taking into account the available plans and budget, as well as for the correct preparation of the necessary dossier.
2. Visit the Austrian embassy.
   To open a primary residence permit, you will need to make an appointment at the diplomatic mission in the territory of the country of your stay, fill out an application on the appointed day, submit the documents, pay the state fee.
3. Move to the republic with a residence permit.
   If the application is approved, you will open a national Austrian visa, with which you need to arrive in the country and pick up a temporary resident card in the authorized body (administration) of the federal state. The residence permit is usually valid for 1-2 years and can be extended if you still have a reason to live in the country.
4. Renew the residence permit and request a permanent residence permit.
   To extend your residence permit, you will need to re-visit the authorized body at least 3 months before the current document expires. After 5 years of residence in Austria, you pass the integration module and can apply for a residence permit.
5. Obtain a permanent residence card.
   You personally submit a request for permanent residence permit to the authorized body together with a dossier and a check on payment of the administrative fee, wait for the decision and pick up the finished identity card.

The easiest way to immigrate to Austria is with the help of Immigrantinlaw's international law specialists. Our specialized lawyers will guide you step-by-step through the process of obtaining the necessary residence permit, permanent residence permit or EU citizenship.

Collecting and submitting documents

To obtain a permanent residence card in Austria, you prepare a dossier that includes the following documents:

• a passport for traveling abroad issued by your country of citizenship;
• a 3.5 cm by 4.5 cm color photo, taken not earlier than 6 months ago;
• rental agreement, certificate of ownership or equivalent proof of housing in the country;
• a health insurance policy (if information about it cannot be obtained from public sources);
• proof of financial security, e.g., bank asset information or pay slip;
• results of successful completion of integration module #2;
• receipt of the administrative fee for submitting the request.

In individual cases, additional documents (e.g., a criminal record certificate from your home country) may be required, as determined by the Austrian authorities. In general, it usually takes about a month to compile a dossier, depending on the availability and accessibility of the required certificates. The request is submitted to the authorized body in your federal state, usually the governor, local administration or magistrate. The time period for processing the request depends on the conditions of the particular state office.

Duration and renewal of Austrian residence permit

Permanent residence in Austria is granted indefinitely. However, the residence card itself is issued for 5 years and can be extended without additional conditions. To do this, you must re-apply to the authorized body in your federal state 3 months before the expiration of the current document, submit an application and pay an administrative fee.

The residence permit can be revoked if you leave the EEA for more than a year (up to 24 months - if there is a valid reason, e.g., military service). The document is revoked if it turns out that you have committed fraudulent acts to obtain it. Permanent residence can also be revoked for unworthy behavior, for example, connections with prohibited organizations.

Austrian citizenship by naturalization is granted after 10 years of permanent residence in the republic. To do this, it is necessary to meet the same requirements as when obtaining a residence permit, retake the integration exams, as well as demonstrate loyalty to the state. It is also necessary to give up the passport in the homeland.

Peculiarities of moving to Austria for permanent residence

To make life in Austria comfortable, it is necessary to prepare for it thoroughly. Study the different nuances of immigration, which will allow you to assess the real chances of a comfortable adaptation.

Moving without knowing the language

The only official language in Austria is German. Ethnic minorities also speak Slovak, Hungarian, Czech. To obtain a residence permit you need to know German at a conversational level (B1). Your language skills are also taken into account in the scoring system when you apply for a temporary residence permit. You should move to Austria after mastering German at a basic level, and later you will need to attend integration courses or learn on your own. Residents of the republic are mostly fluent in English, which facilitates adaptation in society.

Social security

Austria is actively involved in the life of the population and provides various types of support for those who need it. You can receive benefits for health reasons, temporary incapacity for work, disability or age. Benefits are available for families with low incomes, maternity, reintegration and rehabilitation. Support also takes the form of comprehensive health care (subject to social insurance regulations), integration courses (e.g., for refugees), subsidies for housing and utilities.

Labor market and wages

The average annual salary in Austria is approximately 51,500 EUR before taxes. The minimum salary is set by collective agreements in each profession, but on average it is 1500 EUR per month. In many professions there is a shortage of employees, especially in areas that require higher technical or medical education. For successful employment it is desirable to know German or at least English, but at a high level. Depending on where you studied, you may need to have your diploma nostrified (recognized) for future employment.

Kindergarten and school

Educational institutions in Austria are private and public. You can enroll your child in kindergarten at your own will, but schooling is compulsory for all children from the age of 6. There are preparatory classes (PreSchool), primary and secondary schools. Vocational schools are common, where a teenager can learn a particular profession before or instead of entering a university. For families with children, it is better to move and immediately sign up for a kindergarten waiting list or register your child in an educational institution according to age.

Relocation of pensioners

Austria does not offer foreign pensioners any special privileges for relocation. It is possible to take advantage of a family reunification program (e.g., with children) or to live as a financially independent person. Only those who have the appropriate length of service in the country receive pension payments.

How much money you need to move?

To immigrate to Austria, you will need to pay administrative fees at each stage of the procedure. The cost of moving also depends on the distance you need to travel to the republic, the availability of housing or the need to rent/purchase it, the services of a real estate agent, trucking companies, a notary, an interpreter, and migration specialists. The table below summarizes the basic values of state fees for formal procedures.

To reduce immigration costs, it is worth contacting the international law lawyers of Immigrantinlaw. They will find the most affordable option for you to move to Austria without long waiting times and complicated procedures.

Why is it worth to move to Austria?

The main advantage of moving to Austria is the opportunity to live in a country that ranks 8th in the world quality of life index according to Numbeo. The strengths of the state are a stable and developed economy, high-quality health care and education systems, high salaries and wide opportunities for profitable employment, significant support for small and medium-sized businesses. The needs of every resident, including people with disabilities, are taken into account in the republic. One can note the rule of law and democracy, political stability and a high level of security.

There are also minuses of living in Austria. Traffic jams are common in big cities like Vienna. Lack of doctors and private offices leads to long waits for appointments with narrow specialists. There is a lot of bureaucracy in state authorities, and one can wait for months for decisions on requests. Immigrants also complain about the low level of service in institutions, the peculiar mentality of Austrians and the difficulty of mastering the German language.

Reviews of those who have moved for permanent residence

As immigrants report, moving to Austria is a complicated and not quick. Authorities take a long time to consider applications and may request additional documents. The list of immigration grounds in the country is small, and the requirements are significant, including language skills and financial security. According to feedback from those who have moved, it is best to organize the process with the help of lawyers. Then you cannot worry about the correctness of the collected dossier, waiting for the reception in the authorities and related issues.

Individual selection of immigration program

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Available options for legal migration to Austria

Austria has a strict migration policy and gives a chance to naturalize only to those who have family ties with local residents or whose activity is economically beneficial for the republic. Registration of citizenship here is very long - from 10 years from the moment of moving, and it requires a considerable stable income and knowledge of German at a conversational level.

It is easier, cheaper and faster to immigrate to Austria, if you get an EU passport under one of the simplified programs. EU citizens are equal to each other in the right to choose their place of residence in the territory of the association without any additional requirements. You can immigrate together with family members who will receive an Austrian residence permit in a simplified procedure. With the assistance of specialized lawyers, you will acquire a second EU citizenship in just 4-12 months.

EU countries such as Romania, Slovenia and Bulgaria grant citizenship without the requirements of prior residence with a residence permit/permanent residence permit, passing an integration exam and proof of financial security. You can find the optimal immigration path with the help of Immigrantinlaw's international law specialists. Our specialized lawyers will conduct a detailed analysis of your situation and draw up a personalized action plan to ensure that you receive a second EU passport in a short period of time and without major expenses. Sign up for a free consultation to learn more.

About the author

Diana Weber

Lawyer of international law

Diane Weber is an international law specialist with 10 years of legal practice experience. Her portfolio includes successful stories of citizenship in different European Union countries under simplified procedures. Diana provides detailed advice and helps many people to achieve their immigration goals in a short period of time, including resolving visa issues, assisting in obtaining residence permits and citizenship in the EU countries. In her blog, Diana Weber enjoys providing readers with detailed information about the features of most popular programs for obtaining a second passport.