AustriaResidence permit, financially independent

Financially independent person in Austria

A settlement permit for financially independent third-country nationals who wish to live in Austria without working. It requires proof of a regular monthly income from pensions, investments or property, a quota place, knowledge of German and health insurance. Family members can obtain the same permit if they meet the financial criteria.

Visa term

Usually 1 year, renewed annually

Work

The category excludes paid activity

Residence

Live in the country for most of the year and have accommodation

After 5 years of residence — Daueraufenthalt EU

Source: oesterreich.gv.at — Niederlassungsbewilligung ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit

Who can apply and how

The permit is intended for financially independent third-country nationals. There are two main routes: a first application and the renewal of an existing permit.

You are applying for the first time

Third-country nationals without a quota place
Pensioners from countries with a social security agreement
Regular financial independence is required

You are renewing the permit

The application is lodged 3 months before expiry
Documents showing the income is current
Proof that accommodation is available

When this programme will not suit you

You want to work outside Austria

The permit prohibits any paid activity; use a standard work permit

Your income is unstable or below the required level

Build up funds first; an alternative is family reunification through EU family members

You are a citizen of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland

Use the simplified registration procedure based on freedom of movement

What it costs

Fee for the permit applicationPaid when lodging the application at an embassy or consulate abroad	218 EUR

Paid separately

Schengen visa — Not required for nationals of most third countries when applying under this programme
German language courses — Not part of the official cost of the programme; a private expense of the applicant

Documents to gather

All documents are submitted in the original or with a notarised translation into German.

A valid passport
A photograph 45 x 35 mm, no older than 6 months
Proof of housing rights (a tenancy contract or a document of ownership)
A health insurance policy covering all risks
Proof of financial independence (account statements, pension documents, evidence of investments)
Documents showing knowledge of German (a certificate or proof of study)
A criminal record certificate (where required)
A marriage or partnership certificate (for family members)

How the process runs

The process consists of several stages, beginning with an application abroad and ending with the permit being issued locally.

1
Lodge the application at an embassy or consulate
1-2 weeks to collect the documents
The application is lodged in person (or through a representative) at the Austrian diplomatic mission in your country. All the required documents are submitted with the application. A Schengen visa is not required for nationals of most third countries.
2
Waiting for the preliminary examination
up to 90 days
The competent authority (the local administration for your intended place of residence) examines the application. If it is approved, you receive a notification.
3
Receive the notification of approval
on the day of the decision
Once approved, you receive a written notification. From that moment you are entitled to apply for the visa.
4
Apply for the visa at the embassy
within 3 months of the notification
After receiving the notification of approval you apply for the visa at the same diplomatic mission. The visa is issued within 3 months and is valid for 6 months for use.
5
Enter Austria and register
up to 90 days after entry
After entering Austria you must register with the local settlement authority (Niederlassungsbehörde) within the stated period. At this stage you are issued with the final settlement permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis).
6
Receive the final permit document
usually 1-2 weeks
The local authority issues you with the official settlement permit document (Aufenthaltserlaubnis). The document is issued for a period set by the authority (usually 1 year, with the option of renewal).

Who you can bring with you

Family members can obtain the same permit, but they must meet the financial and other criteria.

Spouse or civil partner

A joint income of EUR 4,128.24 (as at 01.01.2026) is required instead of the individual figure. They lodge a separate application, but as part of the family package.

Children

For each child, EUR 403.76 (as at 01.01.2026) must be added to the family income. Children receive the permit as dependants.

Other family members

Parents, aunts and uncles and other relatives generally cannot obtain this permit; they must prove personal financial independence.

Renewal and the grace period

The permit can be renewed under the existing procedure. The renewal application must be lodged with the local settlement authority no earlier than three months before the current permit expires and no later than the day of expiry. The procedure is the same as for the first application, but it is carried out locally in Austria rather than abroad. The financial criteria and the German language requirements remain the same.

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.

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

Usually 10 years (or 6 with integration)

Frequently asked questions about Financially independent person

For what period is the permit issued?

The exact period of validity is not stated on the official page. In practice, however, the permit is usually issued for 1 year with the option of renewal. The exact term is set by the local authority when it is issued.

What level of German is required?

Knowledge of German must be proven, but the specific level (A1, A2, B1) is not stated on the programme page. For precise information about the required level, contact the Austrian embassy or consulate.

Is a Schengen visa required in order to apply?

No, a Schengen visa is not required in order to apply at the embassy. The application is lodged before arriving in Austria, at the Austrian diplomatic mission in your country. Once it is approved you receive a long-stay visa.

Can you work on this permit?

No, the permit expressly excludes paid activity (the category "ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit" means "excluding gainful employment"). If you wish to work, you will need a different permit.

How do you move to permanent residence?

After 5 years of continuous lawful residence in Austria on this permit you can apply for permanent residence (Daueraufenthalt). You must prove the continuity of residence and meet the other conditions set by the local authority.

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.