AustriaWork residence permit

Red-White-Red Card plus in Austria

A temporary settlement title giving unrestricted access to the Austrian labour market, both as an employee and on a self-employed basis. It is issued to holders of the Red-White-Red Card and the EU Blue Card on renewal after the required period of employment, to their family members, to researchers, and also to other people with a residence permit provided they show progressive integration. It is valid for one or three years depending on whether the integration requirements are met and on the length of stay.

Source: migration.gv.at — Red-White-Red Card plus

Who qualifies: the main categories

The Card plus is available to different groups — from workers renewing their permit to families and academics.

Card holders

Renewal of the Red-White-Red Card after 21 months of employment within the last 24 months
Renewal of the EU Blue Card where the employment requirement is met
Direct transfer on a change of residence status (researchers, other people with a residence permit)

Family members

Spouses and registered partners of Red-White-Red Card and EU Blue Card holders (aged 21 and over)
Unmarried minor children, including adopted children and stepchildren
Family members who have moved over from other residence statuses

Researchers and other people

People with a researcher residence permit after at least two years of stay
Holders of other types of settlement permit with two years of lawful stay and signs of progressive integration
People who previously held permanent settlement status and lost it because of a long absence

Family members in special cases

Family members of holders of residence permits for permanently resident foreign nationals
Family members of researchers and of people settled on other grounds
Categories of people transferring from other residence programmes while keeping their family status

When this programme will not suit you

Looking for a first job in Austria without an existing card or status

Apply for the Red-White-Red Card under the relevant special category (highly qualified, shortage occupations, start-ups) or for the EU Blue Card

Less than 21 months on the Red-White-Red Card or the Blue Card

Stay on the original card; apply for the plus version once you reach the required period of employment

Family reunification without a link to a Red-White-Red Card or Blue Card holder or a researcher

Consider the researcher residence permit or permanent settlement programmes; use the general family reunification rules

Third-country nationals under 21 (spouses and partners)

Wait until you reach the required age or apply as a family member on other grounds (as a child)

What it costs

Application feeThe only official fee charged when lodging the application	218 EUR

Paid separately

Translations of documents — Not included in the state fee; paid by the applicant where a notarised translation is required
Criminal record certificate — The cost of obtaining it from countries of origin is not included in the state fee
Language courses or certification — The A1 certification required for family members is paid for separately

Documents to gather

You need to prepare documents proving identity, means, accommodation and integration. Some requirements (for example language certification) apply only to family members.

A valid passport (travel document) proving identity
A photograph 45x35 mm, taken no more than 6 months ago
Proof of accommodation meeting local standards (tenancy contract, certificate of ownership, etc.)
Proof of health insurance covering all risks (statutory or equivalent private cover)
Documents showing sufficient means of subsistence (salary statements, employment contracts, pension documents)
A criminal record certificate from the country of origin (may be required, usually no older than three months)
For family members: a German language certificate at level A1 or above (exemptions apply for relatives of highly qualified workers and researchers)

How the process runs

The procedure differs depending on whether you are applying for the first time or renewing the title. A first application goes through an embassy or consulate; with an existing title it goes through the local authorities in Austria.

1
Deciding where to lodge the application
If you are applying for the first time and have no valid residence title, the application is lodged in person at the Austrian representation (embassy or consulate) in your country of stay before you enter Austria. If you are already in Austria with a valid residence permit or are entitled to visa-free entry, lodge the application with the competent settlement authority (the regional administration or the authorities of the federal province).
2
Preparing and submitting the documents
before lodging
Collect all the required documents: passport, photograph, proof of accommodation, insurance, proof of income, criminal record certificate. Make sure the accommodation meets local standards. Family members must hold a German A1 certificate unless they fall into an exempt category. Check the full list with the authority in advance, as the requirements can differ between federal provinces.
3
Lodging the application
at a personal appointment
For a first application, attend the Austrian representation or the competent authority in person. For a renewal, lodge the application at least three months before the current title expires, but no later than the day of expiry. The date of lodging affects the start date of the new title.
4
Checks and processing
not stated
The authorities examine the application and check that the requirements are met, including means, accommodation, insurance and the integration indicators. Clarifying documents or a personal interview may be required. Exact timescales are not stated on the website; it is advisable to check with the authority you are dealing with.
5
Issue of the title
If the decision is positive you are issued with the Card plus for one year. If you meet the conditions for an extended term (two years of lawful residence and completion of Module 1 of the Integration Agreement), the card may be issued for three years straight away. The card certifies the right of settlement and unrestricted access to the labour market.

Timelines and rights

Work

Unrestricted access to the labour market: employment with any employer and self-employment.

Who you can bring with you

Family members of Red-White-Red Card holders, EU Blue Card holders and holders of other settlement permits can apply. Spouses and partners must be adults; children must be minors and unmarried.

Spouses of Red-White-Red Card and EU Blue Card holders

At least 21 years old at the time of application. A German A1 language certificate is required unless the spouse is a family member of the holder of a Red-White-Red Card for the highly qualified, an EU Blue Card or a researcher residence permit. Family members of Card plus holders may apply immediately.

Registered partners

The same as for spouses: at least 21 years old, the language requirement applies in the same way, and the ability to apply depends on the sponsor's status.

Unmarried minor children (including adopted children and stepchildren)

Under 18 and unmarried. Language requirements do not apply. Children from previous marriages may be included. Maintenance and custody are determined by the national law of the country of origin.

Family members of researchers

Spouses and children of people with a researcher residence permit may apply. Language requirements do not apply to spouses and partners.

Family members from other settlement categories

Spouses, partners and children of people with permanent settlement or another residence permit may apply provided the head of the family has two years of lawful stay and shows signs of progressive integration.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

The first application is lodged in person at an Austrian representation abroad; on visa-free entry or with an existing title — at the settlement authority in Austria.

The title is renewed through the competent settlement authorities in Austria. The application should be lodged no later than the expiry of the current title, but no earlier than three months before it ends. If the card was issued for one year and you meet the conditions for an extended term (at least two years of lawful stay and completion of Module 1 of the Integration Agreement), the renewal can be issued for three years. The procedure requires documents showing that you continue to meet the requirements (accommodation, insurance, means). For family members, changes may arise on renewal in connection with the sponsor's conditions.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

After 5 years of continuous lawful settlement — Daueraufenthalt – EU, on completion of Module 2.

Route to citizenship

Naturalisation is generally possible after 10 years of lawful residence, at least 5 of them with a residence permit.

Frequently asked questions about Red-White-Red Card plus

I hold a Red-White-Red Card and have two years of experience. How many months out of 24 do I need to have worked to apply for the plus version?

You must have worked at least 21 months within the last 24 months in line with the requirements attached to the original Red-White-Red Card. That means a maximum of 3 months out of the 24 may be unworked or spent on another status.

Can my family apply for the Card plus immediately once I have it?

Yes. If you obtain the Red-White-Red Card plus or the EU Blue Card, your family members (spouses and partners aged 21 and over and children under 18) can apply for the Card plus immediately, with no further waiting period.

My husband holds a Red-White-Red Card for the highly qualified and I am his wife. Do I need German language certificates?

No. Family members of holders of the Red-White-Red Card for the highly qualified, the EU Blue Card and researcher residence permits are exempt from the requirement to provide a German language certificate at level A1. For other categories of sponsor the certificate is compulsory.

I have held a Red-White-Red Card for several years and am considering a move to permanent residence. What is the next step?

After five years of continuous lawful residence in Austria, on completion of Module 2 of the Integration Agreement, you can apply for permanent settlement status (Daueraufenthalt – EU). This is an intermediate stage before naturalisation. Naturalisation is generally possible after 10 years of lawful residence, with at least 5 years on a residence permit.

What does the Card plus cost and what are the hidden expenses?

The official application fee is EUR 218. This is the only state fee. Separately you must pay for health insurance covering all risks (the amount depends on the insurer), and where necessary for translations of documents, a criminal record certificate and A1 language certification. These costs are not included in the state fee.

I am a researcher and my card is expiring. Am I entitled to the Card plus?

If you have held a researcher residence permit for at least two years, you can apply for the Card plus. This will allow you to stay in Austria with the right to work without restriction and to change employer without a further permit.

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.