Contents:
Residence
zur deutschsprachigen Version
to the German version
- EU/EEA citizens
- Family members from third countries
- Third country nationals
- Special regulations for researchers
EU/EEA citizens
EU/EEA citizens do not require any special permit to enter and reside in Austria for up to three months.
EU/EEA citizens making use of their right to free movement and their family members have to register their permanent residence with the authorities within three months if they intend to reside in Austria for more than three months.
If all requirements have been satisfied, the authority will issue a registration certificate.
EU/EEA citizens may permanently settle in Austria if they
- are employed or self-employed in Austria or attend an Austrian school or recognised education facility and/or
- earn a secure living and
- if they and their family members have sufficient health insurance coverage.
The local Foreigners’ Office [Fremdenbehörde] responsible for the place of residence of the EU/EEA citizen concerned can be either:
- the state governor [Landeshauptmann] or
- the administrative district authority [Bezirksverwaltungsbehörde] authorised by the state governor:
- the district administration [Bezirkshauptmannschaft]
- in statutory cities: the Magistrate [Magistrat]
- in Vienna: Municipal Department 35 [MA 35]
A list of all documents to be submitted has been published in the Implementation Regulations relating to the Settlement and Residence Act [Niederlassungs- und Aufenthaltsgesetz-Durchführungsverordnung (NAG-DV)].
Family members from third countries
Familiy members of EU/EEA citizens entitled to freedom of movement may be granted permanent residence if they are
- a spouse
- children or grandchildren of the EU/EEA citizen concerned or of his spouse (this rule applies until child/grandchild turns 22 and beyond if granted support)
- parents or grandparents of the EU/EEA citizen concerned or of (if parents/grandparents are granted support)
If these requirements have been fulfilled, a permanent residence card will be issued.
Other family members, who
- have already received alimony in their country of origin or
- have already lived in the same household in their country of origin or
- require urgent care for serious health reasons and who accompany or follow the EU/EEA citizen concerned,
may be issued a quota-free “Settlement permit for family members” ["Niederlassungsbewilligung-Angehöriger"]. . However, the EU/EEA citizen is required to assume liability for the third country family member(s) concerned.
The residence permit "family member" ["Familienangehöriger"] applies to third countries citizens who
- are the family members (spouses and underage, unmarried children) of Austrians or EU/EEA citizens
- intending to unite their families
- permanently reside in Austria and
- are not entitled to free movement within the EU.
Any Austrian representation abroad:
- embassy [Botschaft] or
- consulate [Konsulat]
Please note: For a permanent residence card apply to your local Austrian Foreigners’ Offices.
The local Foreigners’ Office [Fremdenbehörde] responsible for the place of residence of the EU/EEA citizen concerned can be either:
- the state governor [Landeshauptmann] or
- the administrative district authority [Bezirksverwaltungsbehörde] authorised by the state governor:
- the district administration [Bezirkshauptmannschaft]
- in statutory cities: the Magistrate [Magistrat]
- in Vienna: Municipal Department 35 [MA 35]
A list of all documents to be submitted has been published in the Implementation Regulations relating to the Settlement and Residence Act [Niederlassungs- und Aufenthaltsgesetz-Durchführungsverordnung (NAG-DV)].
Third country nationals
For information about residence permits for third country nationals, please download the following PDF documents (information is available in English, French, Spanish, Serbian, Bosnian, Croatian, Russian, Chinese and Turkish):
- Residence purposes
- Integration agreement
- Competent authority for frist application/application for extension (Short information)
- Functional and regional competence of authorities
- Mobility within the EU
- Familiy reunion – general
- Familiy dependants of citizens from the EER and Switzerland, as well as familily dependants of Austrians, who do not demand their right of unrestricted mobility
Special regulations for researchers
Which regulations of residence apply for foreign researchers can be found in the folder "Information for foreign researchers in Austria" and in the "Guide to Residence and Employment for Foreign Researchers in Austria".
