AustriaFamily residence permit

EU family residence card in Austria

The residence card for family members of citizens of the European Economic Area, Switzerland or Austria who have exercised the right of free movement. The document confirms the lawful right to live in the country. It is issued to spouses, registered partners and dependent relatives. After a certain period of continuous lawful residence a permanent residence card can be obtained.

Work

The right to work on the same terms as Austrian citizens.

Residence

The stay must be notified to the competent authority within four months of entry.

Source: migration.gv.at — Mobility of EU citizens and their family members

Who can apply and how to start

The programme is intended for foreign nationals in a family relationship with an EEA citizen. The process differs depending on status and the composition of the family.

Spouses and partners

A registered marriage or civil partnership with an EEA citizen
A valid passport of a foreign state
Lodge the application within four months of entry

Children and dependent relatives

Direct descendants under 21, or older if they receive maintenance
Direct relatives in the ascending line, if dependent on the sponsor
A document proving the relationship and a certificate of financial support

Where to apply

At the authorities (Bezirkshauptmannschaft) or the local administration office
In Vienna: MA 35 (the Immigration and Citizenship Department)
At the place of official residence registration in Austria

When this programme will not suit you

You are an EEA or Swiss citizen working or studying in Austria

Obtain a registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung) — enough for a three-month stay without a visa

You are a third-country national with no EEA family in Austria

Apply for a work visa, a study visa or another type of immigration depending on your purpose

Your family is coming to work at the invitation of a company that is sponsoring the move

Apply for the Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte plus or the relevant work visa

You already hold a permanent residence card (Daueraufenthaltskarte) valid for 10 years

No renewal is required — the card is valid automatically

What it costs

Residence card (16 and over)The standard state fee for the Aufenthaltskarte	91 EUR
Residence card (under 16)The reduced rate for minors	39 EUR

Paid separately

Photograph — The applicant arranges the photograph themselves (size 35x45 mm to 40x50 mm, colour, no older than 6 months)
Taking of fingerprints — May be required during processing; charged separately depending on the competent authority

Documents to gather

Prepare originals and copies of the documents when lodging the application.

A completed application form (available from the authority receiving the documents)
A valid passport or foreign national's identity document
A photograph 35x45 mm to 40x50 mm, colour, no older than 6 months
A certificate of residence registration of the EEA/Swiss citizen in Austria
A document confirming the relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, registered partnership certificate)
A certificate showing that the EEA citizen maintains the dependant (for children over 21 and for parents)

How the process runs

The process of obtaining the residence card begins with registration and ends with the issue of the document.

1
Registering the place of residence
1-2 days
First of all, register your permanent place of residence with the municipal office (Magistrat) or the Bezirkshauptmannschaft. A tenancy contract and a document from the owner of the accommodation confirming your right to live there will be required.
2
Lodging the application for the Aufenthaltskarte
no later than 4 months after arrival
Lodge the application with the competent authority: the regional office (Bezirkshauptmannschaft) or the local administration. In Vienna, go to MA 35 (the Immigration and Citizenship Department). You must attend in person. Pay the state fee of EUR 91 (or EUR 39 for people under 16).
3
Collection of biometric data
on the day of lodging or at a separate appointment
The competent authority may require fingerprints to be taken and a biometric photograph to be made. This may be done while lodging the application or at a separate appointment.
4
Processing the application
several weeks to several months
The competent authority checks the documents and carries out the necessary checks. The right of residence arises under EU law as soon as the conditions are met; the card merely confirms that right.
5
Issue of the card
after approval
Collect the residence card (Aufenthaltskarte) in person at the competent authority. The card is valid for five years from the date of issue. It can be used as a document for entering and leaving Austria and as an identity document inside the country.

Who you can bring with you

Family members of a citizen of the EEA, Switzerland or Austria are entitled to the residence card if they meet certain conditions of relationship and material dependency.

Spouse

The marriage must be valid. Both spouses must have legal capacity. A marriage certificate is required.

Registered partner

A registered partnership agreement concluded under Austrian law (Eingetragene Partnerschaft). Supporting document: the registered partnership certificate.

Direct descendant (children, grandchildren)

Under 21 with no further conditions; over 21 — if the EEA citizen maintains them. A birth certificate and a certificate of financial support are required.

Direct relative in the ascending line (parents, grandparents)

Only if they are dependent on the EEA citizen. A document proving the relationship (birth certificate) and a certificate showing that the sponsor maintains them are required.

Renewal and the grace period

After five years of continuous lawful residence in Austria, family members of EEA citizens can obtain a permanent residence card (Daueraufenthaltskarte). This card is valid for ten years, also serves as an identity document and does not need to be renewed periodically. The original Aufenthaltskarte is not renewed — instead a new application is made for the permanent card. Once the Daueraufenthaltskarte has been obtained, the right of residence can be lost only in exceptional cases (a threat to security, public order or health).

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

After five years of continuous lawful residence in Austria a permanent residence card (Daueraufenthaltskarte) is issued for ten years. It also serves as an identity document.

Route to citizenship

Citizenship is applied for after 10 years of lawful and continuous residence in Austria, 5 of which must be with settlement (Niederlassung).

Frequently asked questions about EU family residence card

When must the application for the Aufenthaltskarte be lodged after arriving in Austria?

The application must be lodged within four months of entering Austria. If you married or registered a partnership after arrival, the period runs from the date of registration. For a newborn child the period starts from the date of birth.

For how many years is the residence card issued and can it be renewed?

The Aufenthaltskarte is issued for five years. It is not renewed when it expires; instead, if you have been in Austria continuously and lawfully for five years, you can apply for a permanent residence card (Daueraufenthaltskarte), which is valid for ten years.

What right to work does the holder of an Aufenthaltskarte have?

The holder of a residence card as the family member of an EEA citizen has full access to the Austrian labour market on the same terms as Austrian citizens. No work permit is required. To confirm this status you can request an Exemption Confirmation (Befreiung) from the Austrian employment service (AMS).

What is the Daueraufenthaltskarte and when can it be obtained?

The Daueraufenthaltskarte (permanent residence card) is issued to family members of EEA citizens after five years of continuous lawful residence in Austria. The card is valid for ten years and serves as an identity document. It gives a more stable status: the right of residence can be lost only in exceptional cases (a threat to national security or public order).

Do the charges for the photograph and fingerprints form part of the state fee?

The state fee of EUR 91 (EUR 39 for people under 16) covers only the card itself. The photograph is arranged by the applicant; whether a separate charge is made for taking fingerprints depends on the competent authority and may vary by region. Check with your authority when lodging the application.

Is knowledge of German required in order to obtain the residence card?

Knowledge of German is not required for the Aufenthaltskarte as such. However, where there are dependent children over 6, and when permanent residence status is obtained, knowledge of German or participation in integration programmes may be required under the integration legislation in force.

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: 7 August 2026.