AustriaSubsidiary protection

Subsidiary protection in Austria

Subsidiary protection is granted to foreign nationals and stateless people who do not have refugee status under the Geneva Convention but face a threat to their life or physical integrity on return to their country of origin. The threat must come from a specific actor, not from natural disasters or pandemics. Those granted the status have full access to the labour market and the option of requesting an alien's passport.

Visa term

Usually 1 year with renewal (then for 2 years)

Threshold

No financial requirements; basic care

Processing time

From several months to years

Work

The right to work once the status is granted

Source: oesterreich.gv.at — subsidiary protection (subsidiärer Schutz)

Ways of lodging an application

An application for international protection can be lodged only on Austrian territory and only in person, at one of the designated places.

Entry through the authorities

At a local police station
At a border check (Schwechat airport, land borders)
At the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum (BFA) from 12 June 2026

Order of registration

Identity check and collection of biometric data
Security check
Issue of a procedure card for the duration of the examination

Timing of the application

Registration usually takes place on placement in a reception centre
You have 21 days after registration to lodge the formal application
The application is lodged in person at the BFA

When this programme will not suit you

You have refugee status under the Geneva Convention

The refugee status programme (Asyl), with a longer initial permit (3 years instead of 1 year)

You do not face a threat to your life or physical integrity on return

Consider other routes to a residence permit (labour migration, family reunification, education)

The threat comes only from natural disasters or pandemics

These reasons are not grounds for subsidiary protection in Austria

Documents to gather

To apply for subsidiary protection you must provide documents confirming your identity and the threat you face on return. The full list of required documents is clarified by the BFA depending on the particular situation.

A document proving your identity (passport, national identity card or any other document identifying you)
Evidence of a threat to your life or physical integrity on return to your country of origin (documents, witness statements, medical certificates, reports of threats)
Biometric data (fingerprints, photograph)
Information about family members (if they are applying together with you)
Documents on your place of residence in Austria

How the process runs

The examination of an application for subsidiary protection consists of several stages, from initial registration to the decision.

1
Registration with the authority
On lodging
Lodge the application in person with the police, the border service or the BFA. You will be issued with a procedure card (Verfahrenskarte), which confirms your status while the application is examined.
2
Screening and checks
On the day of registration
An identity check is carried out, biometric data is taken (fingerprints, photograph) and security information is checked. This procedure is compulsory for all applicants.
3
Lodging the formal application
Within 21 days of registration
You must formally lodge the application for international protection with the BFA. This includes providing all the necessary information and documents confirming the threat you face on return.
4
Interview at the BFA
During the proceedings
A BFA representative will conduct a personal interview with you to clarify the circumstances of your case. You may attend the interview with an interpreter or a lawyer. This is the key stage for presenting evidence of the threat.
5
Examination of the application
Ordinary: 6 months; accelerated: 3 months; border procedure: 12 weeks
The BFA will examine your situation in detail, check the evidence and reach a decision. The timescales depend on the complexity of the case: ordinary proceedings take about 6 months, accelerated proceedings up to 3 months, and the border procedure (on entry through an airport) 12 weeks.
6
Issue of the decision
After the proceedings are completed
You will receive an official decision in writing. If the application is granted, you will be issued with an Aufenthaltstitel (residence card), initially for one year, with the right to work. If it is refused, you can appeal to the administrative court.

Who you can bring with you

Members of your family can be included in the examination of your application. Each family member will receive their own decision, but the procedure is conducted jointly.

Spouse or registered partner

Included in the application if the partnership existed before your entry into Austria. If the partner meets the conditions for subsidiary protection, they will receive the same status.

Minor children

Automatically included in your application when it is lodged, provided they are on Austrian territory and are not married. Each child will receive a separate decision.

Parents of a minor applicant

May be included in the procedure if the minor lodges an application. The parents will receive their own decision on status.

Legal representative

If the representation was established before your entry into Austria, the representative can be included in the application.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

Live in Austria and renew the status

The initial residence permit is issued for one year. On the first renewal the term is extended to three years. On subsequent renewals the permit is issued for five years each time. The renewal must be lodged before the current permit expires, at the relevant BFA office.

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.

	Subsidiary protection	Red-White-Red Card	Blue Card
Visa term	Usually 1 year with renewal (then for 2 years)	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	Threat to life	Skilled workers / start-up founders	High qualification + contract
Money	No financial requirements; basic care	Sufficient means plus a salary above the sector collective rates; for a start-up — a business plan	An annual salary above the Austrian average (about EUR 45,595 for 2023, indexed)
Work	The right to work once the status is granted	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 permanent residence

After sufficient residence — a route to long-term residence

Route to citizenship

Naturalisation under the general timescales, with integration

Frequently asked questions about Subsidiary protection

Which documents prove my identity while my application is being examined?

While the application is being examined you are issued with a Verfahrenskarte (procedure card). It is not an identity document or a travel document, but it confirms your status and your right to be in Austria. Once the application is granted you will be issued with an Aufenthaltstitel (residence card) in the uniform European format.

Can I work before a decision is taken on my application?

Yes, people with subsidiary protection status are given full and immediate access to the labour market. However, the specific rules on working while the application is being examined may differ. It is advisable to clarify this with the local BFA office.

What legal assistance is available when lodging an application?

From 12 June 2026, free legal advice is available in the administrative proceedings. Free legal assistance and representation before the administrative court are also provided when appealing against a BFA decision. All services are provided by the Federal Agency for Reception and Support Services (BBU).

Are there financial requirements or fees for applying for subsidiary protection?

No, applying for subsidiary protection in Austria is entirely free. No state fees or other financial requirements are charged on application. However, a charge under the Gebührengesetz applies when the residence card is renewed or reissued (for example if it is lost or damaged).

Can I obtain an alien's passport after receiving subsidiary protection status?

Yes. Once you have subsidiary protection status you can apply for a Fremdenpass (alien's passport) if it is impossible to obtain a valid travel document from your country of origin. The alien's passport will allow you to travel and to return to Austria.

How long does it take for an application for subsidiary protection to be examined?

The timescales depend on the type of proceedings: in ordinary proceedings the decision is taken within 6 months; in accelerated proceedings within a maximum of 3 months; in the border procedure (if the application is lodged on entry through an airport or a border) within 12 weeks. In some cases the timescales may be extended.

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.