AustriaAsylum / refugee status

Refugee status in Austria

Asylstatus provides legal protection to people who have fled their country because of danger or persecution. The programme covers two types of status: full refugee status for those who have proved persecution, and subsidiary protection for people whose life would be in danger on return. Those granted status obtain the right to live, to work and to receive basic care from the state. The status is valid for a limited period, after which it can be renewed.

Visa term

Refugee status initially for 3 years, then indefinite

Threshold

No financial requirements; basic care (Grundversorgung)

Processing time

From several months to years

Work

After recognition — an unrestricted right to work

Source: oesterreich.gv.at — refugee status (Asylberechtigter)

Who refugee status suits

Asylstatus is intended for people who cannot return to their country because of danger. There are two routes to recognition — full refugee status or subsidiary protection.

Refugee status (Flüchtlingseigenschaft)

Proven persecution on political, religious, national or social grounds
A well-founded fear of returning home
Full access to the labour market from the first day of recognition

Subsidiary protection (Subsidiärer Schutz)

A threat of death, torture or inhuman treatment on return
No need to prove individual persecution
Full access to the labour market from the first day of recognition

Special cases

Unaccompanied minors (under 18) receive subsidiary protection through the child welfare services
People who return to their home country automatically lose the status
The status can be withdrawn if the situation in the country of origin changes

When this programme will not suit you

You are looking for a work visa and have a job offer

A work visa or the red-white-red card for labour migrants

You want to study in Austria

A student visa or a permit for study

You are the family of EU citizens living in Austria

Long-term residence for EU citizens (Daueraufenthalt-EG)

You are afraid, but not on grounds of persecution or a threat to life

Consult an immigration lawyer to assess other routes

Documents to gather

The exact list of documents depends on your situation and country of origin. Be ready to provide evidence of danger and persecution.

Identity documents (a passport or other identity document, if available)
Evidence of persecution or a threat to life (letters, documents, medical reports, witness statements)
A photograph for the biometric data
Information about relatives and place of residence in the country of origin
Documents on education and work experience (useful for integration)

How the process runs

The examination of an asylum application is carried out by the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum (BFA) through its regional offices.

1
Lodging the asylum application
The application is lodged at a regional BFA office. At this stage you are given information about your rights and obligations, and your basic data is recorded.
2
Collection of biometric data
Fingerprints, a photograph and a signature must be provided for identification and the refugee register.
3
Interview at the BFA
A BFA official conducts a detailed interview to assess your grounds for asylum. You may bring a lawyer or a representative for support.
4
Issue of the decision
The BFA issues a decision to recognise or refuse. If the decision is positive, you receive documents confirming refugee status or subsidiary protection.
5
Issue of the travel document
After recognition you can obtain an Austrian travel document for refugees, which allows you to travel and to return to Austria.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

Live in Austria; returning to the home country leads to a review

Refugee status is initially granted for 3 years and can be renewed. On the first renewal the term may be extended by a further 3 years, and then by 5 years. Subsidiary protection is granted initially for 1 year, on renewal for 3 years, and then for 5 years. The status must be renewed before the current term expires by lodging an application with the BFA. If you leave Austria and return to your home country, the status is automatically lost and is not restored.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

	Refugee status	Red-White-Red Card	Blue Card
Visa term	Refugee status initially for 3 years, then indefinite	Usually 24 months tied to the employer, then the RWR Karte plus	Up to 2 years (or the term of the contract plus 3 months), renewed for 3 years
Money	No financial requirements; basic care (Grundversorgung)	Sufficient means plus a salary above the sector collective rates; for a start-up — a business plan	An annual salary above the Austrian average (about EUR 45,595 for 2023, indexed)
Work	After recognition — an unrestricted right to work	Work with a specific employer; after the RWR+ the labour market is open	The right to work under the contract; a change of employer requires approval

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

After the status, Daueraufenthalt is possible

Route to citizenship

Naturalisation after about 6 years with integration and the language

Frequently asked questions about Refugee status

How long is refugee status valid after recognition?

Refugee status is initially granted for 3 years. After that you can apply for a renewal, which may be approved for a further 3 years, and then for 5 years each time. The exact renewal periods depend on the situation in your country of origin.

Can I work after receiving refugee status?

Yes. Once you have refugee status you have full access to the Austrian labour market without restrictions. This means you can work in any position, just as Austrian citizens do. You do not need a separate work permit.

What is the difference between refugee status and subsidiary protection?

Refugee status requires proof of persecution on political, religious, national or social grounds. Subsidiary protection is granted where your life is threatened by death, torture or inhuman treatment on return, but without the requirement to prove individual persecution. Both statuses give the same rights to residence and work, but the renewal periods may differ.

Can I obtain Austrian citizenship after receiving refugee status?

Yes. Once you have refugee status you can apply for Austrian citizenship. There is an accelerated route to naturalisation after 6 years of residence in Austria (Vorzeitige Verleihung nach sechs Jahren) or the ordinary route after 10 years (Verleihung nach zehn Jahren). The requirements include integration, knowledge of German and no criminal convictions.

Other ways to move to Austria

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Austria.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 8 August 2026.