AustriaWork residence permit

Red-White-Red Card in Austria

A programme for skilled workers and other categories of third-country nationals who want to live and work in Austria. The card is issued for two years and provides for limited settlement and work (with a specific employer or on a self-employed basis). There are seven categories of candidate, from the very highly qualified to graduates of Austrian universities and entrepreneurs. Assessment is by a points system (where applicable) or by criteria of investment and experience.

Visa term

Usually 24 months tied to the employer, then the RWR Karte plus

Processing time

Officially up to 90 days, in practice 1-3 months

Work

Work with a specific employer; after the RWR+ the labour market is open

After 5 years — Daueraufenthalt EU

Source: migration.gv.at — Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte, all categories

Seven routes for skilled migrants

The Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte covers seven categories of worker, each with its own requirements, points and financial conditions. Choose the route that fits you.

Through points and education

Very highly qualified workers — at least 70 points
Skilled workers in shortage occupations — 55 points, a long-term contract
Other key workers — 55 points, salary from EUR 3,465

Without the points system

Graduates of Austrian universities — work in a matching field
Key workers (seasonal trainees) — 7 months a year for 2 consecutive years
Start-up founders — EUR 30,000 of capital, 50 points out of 85, an innovative plan

Investment-based

Self-employed key workers — EUR 100,000 of capital transferred to Austria
Creation of jobs or transfer of know-how and technology
The company's regional significance is confirmed by an expert opinion

When this programme will not suit you

You are looking for work without a contract or an offer from an employer

Look for work on a tourist visa or a job-seeker visa (not available on this portal)

You want to bring your whole family at once on the main card

Family members apply separately for the RWR Karte plus once you have worked 21 months out of 24

You are an EU citizen or a relative of an EU citizen

Mobility within the EU is governed separately; this programme is only for third-country nationals

What it costs

Fee for the Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte (standard card)For most categories (skilled workers, shortage occupations, key workers, graduates, start-ups)	218 EUR
Fee for the Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte plusThe move after 21 months of work within 24 months; wider access to the labour market	218 EUR
Job-seeker visa (for some categories, optional)Allows you to keep looking for work and a contract on Austrian territory; you then apply for the RWR Karte	+195 EUR
Financial guarantees (single worker)The minimum means you must have available (from 1 January 2026)	1 308,39 EUR
Financial guarantees (married couple)If you are coming with a spouse or partner	2 064,12 EUR
For each child under 18Added to the requirement for a single person or a couple	+201,88 EUR
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. “Job-seeker visa (for some categories, optional)” adds 195 EUR; “For each child under 18” adds 201,88 EUR; the “Financial guarantees (married couple)” branch replaces the “Financial guarantees (single worker)” line — 2 500,12 EUR. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	1,744.39–2 141,27 EUR

Paid separately

Costs of accommodation, company registration and notarial certification — These are your personal costs, not part of the state fee for the card
Health insurance (where included in the package) — Mandatory, but the cost is not regulated by the programme — it depends on the insurer you choose

Documents to gather

The list depends on your category, but the general requirements are the same for most.

Passport (valid)
Photograph 45 x 35 mm, no more than 6 months old
Criminal record certificate (preferably no more than 3 months old)
Proof of health insurance (covering all eventualities in Austria)
Proof of financial means (bank statement, payslips)
Employment contract, job offer or employer's declaration
Documents on education and qualifications (translated into German or English)
Language certificates (German at least A1, English at B1+ where held)
Business plan (for start-ups and the self-employed)
Proof of capital or investment (for start-ups and the self-employed)
Employer's certificate of qualifications and length of service (for the key categories)
Translation of all documents into German (except documents in English)

How the process runs

The process is straightforward — filing, processing, issue for two years.

1
Choosing the right category
A few days if you prepare it yourself
Use the points calculator (Punkterechner) on the migration.gv.at portal if you are applying under the skilled worker or shortage occupation category. Work out which of the seven categories fits you.
2
Collecting the documents
1-4 weeks
Request the criminal record certificate, prepare the translations and obtain confirmation from the employer or an investment letter. Make sure all the requirements for your category are met.
3
Filing the application
1 day
File the application through the Austrian embassy or consulate in your country (if you are abroad) or through the local settlement authority (Aufenthaltsbehörde) in Austria. Use the official forms (available on bmi.gv.at).
4
Examination of the application
1-3 months in practice; officially up to 90 days
The authority processes the documents. For start-ups and the self-employed the employment service (AMS) has 3 weeks to assess the economic case. Clarifications or further documents may be requested.
5
Issue of the card
1-2 weeks after approval
You are issued the Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte for 24 months. The card carries the right to limited settlement in Austria and to work on the terms of your contract or as a self-employed person.
6
After the 24 months expire
The move can be made during the card's validity or after
If you have worked 21 months out of 24 on the terms of the card, you can apply for the Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte plus (which gives wider access to the labour market). Later, after working 5 years in Austria, you can move to the Daueraufenthalt – EU (EU long-term residence).

Who you can bring with you

Family members are not covered by the initial card and apply separately.

Spouse or registered partner

A marriage or registered partnership certificate, proof of living together (tenancy agreement), financial guarantees for a couple (EUR 2,064.12) and health insurance are required. They apply for the Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte plus or separately, depending on the timing.

Children under 18

A birth certificate, proof of parental rights and the consent of both parents to the move are required. The financial guarantees increase by EUR 201.88 for each child. Children are covered by family reunification (RWR Karte plus) or apply separately.

Other relatives (parents, adult children, brothers and sisters)

Usually not covered by the Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte programme. Family reunification may be possible through other programmes or maintenance-based visas, but a much higher level of financial guarantees and a direct relationship with an EU citizen or a permanently resident foreign national are required.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

Live in the country at least half of the time; for the RWR+ do not be absent for more than 24 months over 3 years

The Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte is issued for exactly 24 months. It cannot be renewed in the same form. Instead, if you have worked at least 21 months out of 24 under the terms of your contract, you apply for the Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte plus — effectively a new residence permit with wider rights (you can change employer, work for yourself and so on). The RWR Karte plus is issued for one year on the first application and can then be renewed for three years if you can show two years of continuous lawful status. After 5 years of residence in Austria you can move to the Daueraufenthalt – EU (long-term residence), and then to citizenship (usually after 10 years, or 5 years of continuous residence for people who are well integrated).

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.

	Red-White-Red Card	Blue Card	Financially independent person
Visa term	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	Usually 1 year, renewed annually
Grounds	Skilled workers / start-up founders	High qualification + contract	Financial independence
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	The category excludes paid activity

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to citizenship

Usually 10 years (5 continuous), 6 years for the well integrated

Frequently asked questions about Red-White-Red Card

Do I need German to apply for the Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte?

Most categories require German at A1 as a minimum. Exceptions are possible for spouses of very highly qualified specialists and in some other cases. Proof is by certificate, but Austria also recognises certain other languages (English at B1+, French, Spanish, Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian). If you are claiming high points for English and education, German may matter less.

How long does a decision on the application take?

Officially up to 90 days. In practice most decisions (approvals or requests for further documents) arrive within 1-3 months. For start-ups and the self-employed the employment service (AMS) has exactly 3 weeks to assess the economic case for your business, so this category is often faster.

Can I change employer while the card is valid?

On the standard Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte you are tied to the specific employer named in the application. A change requires a new application or a re-issue of the terms. Freedom on the labour market comes after moving to the Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte plus (which requires 21 months of work within 24 months). The RWR Karte plus allows you to work for any Austrian employer without further approval.

What is required financially — only the salary or something else?

Two components: (1) the minimum means of your own that you must have available (EUR 1,308.39 for a single person, EUR 2,064.12 for a couple, plus EUR 201.88 for each child in 2026); (2) a salary or income from your activity that meets the requirements of your category (for example a minimum of EUR 3,465 for key workers, or pay above the sector collective rate for some others). For start-ups — EUR 30,000 of capital (of which EUR 15,000 must be your own funds). For the self-employed — EUR 100,000 invested in an Austrian company.

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.