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First Steps for Living in Austria
The favourable location in the foothills of the Alps and the numerous lakes offer a wide range of sports and leisure activities in summer as well as in winter. Perfect infrastructure, affordable housing, childcare and educational facilities as well asa flourishing economy make Upper Austria a country worth living in.
Upper Austria offers endless opportunities also to those who love exploring cultural sights or natural wonders. The website of Oberösterreich Tourismus gives you a broad variety of ideas, if you wish to spend your free-time actively. For inspiration follow their Instagram channel @upperaustria too.
Orientation and basics
Have these original documents ready
- Passport
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
- Health Insurance Card
- Medical documents: prescription of ongoing treatments, vaccination records (especially for children)
- Driver‘s License
- Vehicle Documents (if bringing a car: registration, EU type approval, proof of ownership, insurance, etc.)
- E-Form/Portable Documents (European documents confirming social insurance and employment-related information)
- Original Employment References, School Reports, Certificates, Diplomas (with German/English translation where necessary)
If you have a job offer, present the signed contract from your future employer
Please note that some countries require an apostille or diplomatic recognition of your original certificates. You can check if your country requires this, using the following link:
Things to Check Before or Shortly After Arrival
- Entry requirements and residence permit (some countries need a Visa D to enter Austria)
- Accommodation and health insurance
- Secure financial means (proof of income, savings, or a job contract to demonstrate that you can support yourself)
- Open a local bank account
- Childcare and schooling (if applicable)
- Inform authorities in country of origin of the move
Before arriving to Austria
You must apply for a visa from your home country through the Austrian embassy. Here is a short list of the first steps:
- Contact the Embassy of Austria in your home-country
- Depending of your education you can apply either to a Red-White-Red Card or a Blue Card
- If you´re coming as a stundent, you must apply to a student visa
- Bring fully completed forms and supporting documents (as indicated above)
- Please ask your future employer to fill in the Employer Declaration for you, as you will need it
- First submissions must be made in person at the Austrian embassy/consulate, unless special exceptions apply
- Await the decision & apply for entry visa (if needed)
- Your contact point will be the municipality of the city or town in which you will be living
More Information about the residence:
Visa and Residence Permit
The residence of foreigners for up to six months is subject to the Foreigners Police Act (Fremdenpolizeigesetz/FPG).
- Federal Ministry of the Interior
Settlement and residence
- The migration platform of the Austrian Federal Government
Types of migration
- The online guide for public agencies and authorities
Living in Austria
Citizens of EEA countries and Switzerland are not required to obtain a residence permit. However, they must apply for confirmation of their right to reside in Austria within four months of moving there. According to the rules of the European Union, a residence for these citizens of over three months is possible, provided
- they pursue work in Austria (as an employee or selfemployed)
- OR the reason for residence is education, and the cost of living and health insurance for themselves and their family is secured.
- AND they have enough funds and health insurance for themselves and their family members
People who do not come from EEA countries or Switzerland are third-country nationals, and require a residence permit for stays longer than six months, provided they do not have a right to residence under EU regulations. Generally a permanent immigration is differentiated from a temporary residence.
The aim of the Red-White-Red Card is to allow individualized and labor market oriented immigration for qualified workers from third countries and their family members. This residence card is valid for 24 months and allows a limited settlement and employment with a particular employer. The following people can apply for a Red-White-Red Card:
- Especially highly qualified
- Specialists in understaffed professions
- Other key workers
- Self-employed key workers
- Start-up founders
- Graduates of Austrian universities
The Blue Card EU If you are a citizen of a third country, want to live and work in Austria for more than 6 months and you meet all the requirements, you will receive the EU Blue Card. For example, you must be particularly highly qualified, i.e. you do have a university degree and a job offer from a company or organization in Austria with a certain minimum salary. The Blue Card EU represents a combined residence and employment permit, meant for long-term employment in Austria. However, the pre-requisite is a binding job offer from an employer proving job perspectives. The Blue Card EU is valid for 3 months longer than the job offer from the company or organization, but for a maximum of 2 years.
For temporary residences with no intention of settling, a temporary residence permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung) is issued to third-country nationals. Among others, the following can apply for a temporary residence permit:
- Workers on loan within a company
- Company delegates
- Self-employed
- Special cases of gainfully employed persons
- Pupils/Students
- Researchers
- Family members
- Volunteers
The issuance of a Red-White-Red Card and temporary residence permit both have the following minimum requirements:
- Secure livelihood
- Health insurance
- Entitlement to accommodation in Austria
- No threat to public order or safety
Important information and definitions about the above mentioned groups and requirements along with a points calculator, documents to be provided, application forms, time scales and responsible offices can be found >>here
The point of contact for residence in Upper Austria is generally the competent residence authority. Find the right one in your region:
Once your application to a residence has been approved
You will have to travel to Austria to complete the application procedure and get your residence permit
- Bring all your original documents with you (some countries need an apostille or a diplomatic recognition – See www.bmeia.gv.at
- Make an appointment at the municipality of the city or town that you´ll be living in
- You will need to present your fingerprints and a passport foto (not older than six months)
- Before collecting your card, you need to register your address locally (Meldezettel)
- Around 7 to 10 days (depending of the municipality) you´ll be able to collect your card (Red-White-Red Card or Blue Card)
Please note: You are only allowed to work once you have the physical card in your hands
Citizenship
Austrian citizenship is either acquired by descent or is awarded.
Acquisition by descent:
- If one of your parents is Austrian.
Acquisition by award:
- By marriage: Foreign spouses of Austrian nationals can apply after 6 years of residency and 5 years of marriage, living together—and must renounce any other citizenship.
- By naturalization: Common path for expats—standard requirement is 10 years of continuous legal residency (including at least 5 years as permanent resident).
Note: The 10 years can be reduced to 6 years if: you demonstrate exceptional integration, speak German at B2+, or belong to specific categories (e.g., EU citizen)
Please note that each case is unique. If you require further information, please contact us!