AustriaFamily residence permit

Family reunification in Austria

The programme allows family members of Austrian citizens and of holders of certain residence permits to obtain a stable status in the country. A steady income, health insurance, adequate accommodation and a basic knowledge of German are required, although exemptions exist for some categories. Spouses and registered partners must be of a certain age. The permit is initially issued for a set period and can be renewed if the conditions of the Integration Agreement are met.

Source: migration.gv.at — Family reunification

How to apply depending on your situation

The programme distinguishes several routes depending on the type of sponsor and the status of the family members.

Families of Austrian citizens

Spouses and partners aged 21 and over
Unmarried minor children
German (A1) is compulsory, except for children under 14 and certain exemptions
Application through an embassy, or in Austria under certain conditions

Families of highly qualified workers

Holders of the Red-White-Red Card, the EU Blue Card and researcher status
Spouses, partners and children receive the RWR Card Plus
Exempt from the German language requirement
Unrestricted access to the labour market

Other family members and dependants

Elderly parents, partners and other dependants of Austrian citizens
A declaration of liability from the sponsor is required
Settlement Permit – Dependant, with restrictions on work
Depends on quotas and special conditions

Family members of researchers

Spouses, partners and children of researchers holding the appropriate title
May apply inside Austria after lawful entry
Exempt from the language requirement
Receive the Red-White-Red Card Plus

When this programme will not suit you

Citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland

They use the EU freedom of movement rules and do not fall under this programme

Spouses and partners where the applicant is under 21

Wait until you turn 21 before applying for family reunification

Candidates who cannot provide the required monthly income

Increase your financial resources or find a sponsor who meets the requirements

People unable to provide a certificate of knowledge of German (with no exemption)

Take a German course and sit the examination at level A1

What it costs

Application feePaid when lodging the application	218 EUR
Monthly income (single person)The ASVG standard income rate for 2026	1 308,39 EUR
Monthly income (married couple)Applies if both spouses apply together	2 064,12 EUR
Additional amount for each childAdded to the basic income requirement for each dependent child	+201,88 EUR
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. “Additional amount for each child” adds 201,88 EUR; the “Monthly income (married couple)” branch replaces the “Monthly income (single person)” line — 2 282,12 EUR. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	1,526.39–1 728,27 EUR

Paid separately

Housing costs — Although the accommodation must meet local standards, there is no set state price; it varies by region
Health insurance — The applicant must hold a policy, but the price depends on the provider chosen
Language tuition costs — If a course is needed to reach level A1, this is a private expense

Documents to gather

The following documents must be collected in order to apply for family reunification:

A valid passport or other valid travel document (except for newborns during the first 6 months)
A birth certificate or equivalent document
A passport photograph
A marriage certificate (where applicable)
A divorce certificate or a decree of annulment of the marriage (where applicable)
A death certificate of the former spouse (where applicable)
A certificate of registered partnership (where applicable)
A certificate of dissolution of the partnership (where applicable)
Adoption documents (where applicable)
Documents confirming the family relationship and custody
Proof of adequate accommodation meeting local standards (tenancy contract, certificate of ownership)
Proof of health insurance covering all risks in Austria
Proof of a stable income meeting the required rates (bank statements, income documents)
Proof that the sponsor holds the necessary residence title (a copy of the residence permit)
A certificate of knowledge of German at level A1 (from a recognised institution, no older than one year at the time of application)
A document showing exemption from the language requirement (where applicable)

How the process runs

The family reunification process involves the following stages:

1
Preparing the documents
Depends on the individual situation, usually from several weeks to a month
Collect all the necessary documents in the original or in certified copies. Have documents translated into German if they were issued abroad. Make sure you have proof that the sponsor holds a suitable residence title in Austria.
2
Lodging the application
Depends on the method of application
Lodge the application through the Austrian consular representation in your country (the standard route for third-country nationals who are not in Austria) or directly with the competent authority in Austria (if you are a family member of an Austrian citizen, are already in the country, or meet other special conditions). Include the receipt for the application fee (EUR 218).
3
Initial check of the documents
A few days up to a week
The competent authority checks that your documents are complete and correct. If the documents are incomplete, you may be asked to provide further material.
4
Processing the application
A maximum of 6 months from receipt of the complete application
The authorities examine your application and check the financial requirements, health insurance, housing conditions and other criteria. They may contact the consulate or other institutions to verify the information.
5
Receiving the decision
Up to 6 months from lodging
The competent authority issues a written decision approving or refusing the application. If the application is approved, you are issued with a residence permit and often a visa at the same time.
6
Entering Austria and registering
The first few days after arrival
Use the visa or permit issued to enter Austria. On arrival, register with the local registration office (Meldeamt) and obtain confirmation of registration.

Timelines and rights

Work

Familienangehöriger and the RWR Card plus give unrestricted access to the labour market. The Niederlassungsbewilligung – Angehöriger gives the right to self-employment only.

Who you can bring with you

The definition of family members for the purposes of the family reunification programme under the Settlement and Residence Act:

Spouses

Must be aged 21 or over at the time of application. The marriage must be recognised as valid by the Austrian authorities.

Registered partners

Must be aged 21 or over at the time of application. The partnership must be registered in accordance with Austrian law.

Unmarried minor children

Including biological, adopted children and stepchildren. They must be unmarried and minors. Both parents do not have to be Austrian citizens or hold a residence permit.

Other family members and dependants

Elderly parents, life partners and other dependants may obtain the Settlement Permit – Dependant title if the sponsor provides a declaration of liability and maintains them. They are subject to stricter conditions and are often limited by quotas.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

German at level A1 is required before entry. Family members of holders of the RWR Card for the very highly qualified, the EU Blue Card and the researcher title, people under 14 and family members of refugees are exempt. Annual quotas apply to some categories.

The residence permit is initially issued for twelve months. It can be renewed for up to three years where two conditions are met at the same time: completion of the first module of the Integration Agreement and continuous lawful residence in Austria over the preceding two years. After five years of continuous lawful residence and completion of the second module of the Integration Agreement, the applicant can apply for European Union long-term resident status, which gives a more stable status and wider rights.

Frequently asked questions about Family reunification

Who counts as a family member under the family reunification programme?

Family members are spouses and registered partners aged 21 and over, and unmarried minor children, including adopted children and stepchildren. Other dependants, such as elderly parents, may qualify as dependants under certain conditions, but are subject to stricter regulation.

What are the income requirements for an application?

The monthly income must meet or exceed the standard rates: a single person needs at least EUR 1,308.39 a month, a married couple EUR 2,064.12, plus EUR 201.88 for each dependent child. The income must be stable and sufficient to provide support without state assistance.

Is knowledge of German required and are there exemptions?

Yes, family members must provide a certificate of knowledge of German at level A1 before lodging the application. Exemptions include: children under 14, family members of highly qualified workers (Red-White-Red Card and EU Blue Card holders), family members of researchers, family members of refugees, people with serious medical limitations (a medical report is required), and people declaring a planned stay of no more than 24 months.

Which residence title will I receive as a family member?

The title depends on the sponsor's status. Family members of Austrian citizens receive the 'Family Member' title with unrestricted access to the labour market. Family members of Red-White-Red Card and EU Blue Card holders, researchers and other highly qualified specialists receive the 'Red-White-Red Card Plus', also with full access to work. Other dependants may receive the 'Settlement Permit – Dependant', which limits work to self-employment only.

How long does it take to process an application?

The competent authority must decide without undue delay, but no later than six months after receiving the complete application. The actual time may vary depending on the complexity of your case and how complete the documents provided are.

Where should the application be lodged — abroad or in Austria?

The standard route is to lodge the application through the Austrian consular representation in your country of residence. However, family members of Austrian citizens who are already lawfully in Austria, children born in Austria within the first 6 months, and family members of researchers may lodge the application inside the country with the competent authorities for their place of residence.

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.