AustriaStart-up

RWR Card for start-ups in Austria

A card for foreign nationals setting up a company to develop and bring to market innovative products, services or technologies. It requires a business plan, controlling influence over management and a minimum amount of capital. It gives the right to carry out self-employed activity for up to two years, with the option of renewal. If the conditions are met, the card moves to an extended form with full access to the labour market.

Source: migration.gv.at — Start-up Founders

Who can apply

The card is intended for entrepreneurs with different levels of preparation. Points are awarded for education, experience, languages and investment.

Experienced specialists

Completed vocational education (20 points) or special know-how
At least several years of work experience (points for each six months)
Knowledge of German at level B1-B2 (10 points) or above

University graduates

A diploma, bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree (30 points)
English at B2 (10 points) for international projects
Age under 35 gives a bonus (10 points)

Graduates of Austrian universities

Education obtained in Austria (30 points for any degree)
Knowledge of German at A2 and above is already assured
Admission to a business incubator adds 10 bonus points

When this programme will not suit you

Citizens of EU and EEA states

EU/EEA citizens can live and work in Austria freely without a visa — use the right of free movement

You do not have EUR 30,000 to invest in the company

Consider the programme for Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations if you have an employment contract

You cannot reach 50 points out of 85

Prepare: improve your German, complete your education, build up experience, and then apply

The company does not involve innovative products, services or technologies

Use the Self-Employed Visa for standard entrepreneurial activity

What it costs

State fee for examining the applicationCharged on lodging; not refunded if the application is refused	218 EUR
Minimum capital for setting up the companyYour own funds must make up at least 50 % (EUR 15,000)	30 000 EUR
Additional investment capital (for the 10-point bonus)Total capital. Gives 10 bonus points and helps reach the minimum of 50 points	50 000 EUR
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. the “Additional investment capital (for the 10-point bonus)” branch replaces the “Minimum capital for setting up the company” line — 50 218 EUR. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	30 218 EUR

Paid separately

Visa and stamp fees — Depend on the country of residence and the consulate; separate from the state fee of EUR 218
Company registration costs — Depend on the form of company (GmbH, AG, etc.); paid to the Austrian authorities, not to the migration office
Notarisation and translation costs — Documents in foreign languages must be notarised and translated; these costs form part of the cost of the documents, not the fee

Documents to gather

Documents must be provided in the original with copies. All documents not in German or English require a notarised translation.

A valid passport or other travel document
A recent photograph (45x35 mm, taken less than 6 months ago)
Proof of health insurance covering all risks
Educational certificates (diplomas, certificates, vocational training records)
Employment references and certificates of work experience (to prove experience)
Language certificates (German, English; valid for no more than 5 years)
A document of ownership or a loan agreement for the capital (EUR 30,000 minimum)
A business plan demonstrating the innovative nature of the product, service or technology
The company's founding document (Gesellschaftsvertrag)
An extract from the criminal record register of the country of residence (issued no more than 3 months ago)

How the process runs

The process of lodging and examining the application.

1
Collecting and preparing the documents
2-4 weeks
Collect all the required documents, including educational certificates, employment references and language certificates, and check that everything has been translated and notarised. Draw up a detailed business plan describing the innovative nature of your product, service or technology.
2
Registering the company in Austria
1-2 weeks
Before applying for the card, register the company in Austria. The company must be registered and have a founding document. Confirm the capital investment (a minimum of EUR 30,000).
3
Lodging the application at a consulate or authority
1 day
Lodge the application at the Austrian consulate in your country of residence or with the competent residence authority (if you are already in Austria). Pay the state fee of EUR 218.
4
Assessment of the macroeconomic benefit (AMS)
3 weeks
The employment service (Arbeitsmarktservice, AMS) assesses whether your project brings macroeconomic benefit, within three weeks. This is an assessment of the merits of the project, not a check of your documents.
5
The decision and issue of the card
1-2 weeks
After a positive assessment by the AMS the migration authority takes the final decision. If approved, you are issued with the Red-White-Red Card for up to 24 months. The card allows you to come to Austria and begin work on setting up the company.

Timelines and rights

Work

The right to carry out self-employed activity. Employment requires a change in the purpose of stay.

Renewal and the grace period

After the first two years from the issue of the Red-White-Red Card, provided you continue to meet the requirements, you are automatically issued with the Red-White-Red Card plus. This extended card gives fixed settlement and unrestricted access to the labour market — you can either continue your self-employed activity as a founder or work as an employee for any employer, without being tied to a specific one. The fixed settlement card does not need to be renewed and remains valid indefinitely as long as you live in Austria and comply with local law.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

After the first two years on the RWR Card, the RWR Card plus is issued with unrestricted access to the labour market.

Frequently asked questions about RWR Card for start-ups

What is the minimum number of points needed to obtain the card?

You need at least 50 points out of a maximum of 85. Points are awarded for education (20-30), work experience (up to 10), language skills (up to 15) and bonuses for investment, age and admission to an incubator (up to 30). Calculate your points carefully before applying.

My company already operates in another country. Can I apply?

No. The card is issued specifically for setting up a NEW company in Austria to develop and bring to market innovative products, services or technologies. An existing business in another country does not qualify. The company must be registered in Austria and you must have a controlling influence over its management.

Can I work as an employee while I hold the Red-White-Red Card for founders?

No. The card allows only self-employed activity within your start-up company. If you need employment, you must move to a different Red-White-Red Card (Very Highly Qualified Workers, Other Key Workers or Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations), provided you meet the requirements and have an employment contract with an employer. This is known as 'Zweckwechsel' (a change in the purpose of stay).

Can I bring my family?

Information on family reunification for the Red-White-Red Card is set out on a separate page of the migration portal. As a rule family members (spouse and children) can obtain a corresponding residence permit, but separate conditions apply to them. It is advisable to contact the Austrian consulate in your country for detailed information about the possibility of family reunification.

How long is the card valid?

The Red-White-Red Card for start-up founders is issued for a maximum of 24 months. After the first two years (if all the conditions are met) the card automatically moves to the Red-White-Red Card plus, which gives fixed settlement and unrestricted access to the labour market with no time limit.

What is the minimum capital that must be invested?

A minimum of EUR 30,000 in the share capital of the company being set up, of which at least 50 % (EUR 15,000) must be your own funds. The remaining 50 % may come from other sources (a loan, investors, etc.), but the share of your own funds cannot fall below 50 %.

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.