- e-mail us
- We are Open
Austria
- Home
- Austria
Ways to immigrate to Austria & obtain residency
Immigrating to Austria, the various methods to obtain a residence permit in Austria, and everything you need to know about the types of Austrian visas are discussed in this article with a specialized and scientific approach. Migration to Austria has been very well received in recent years, and those interested in moving to Austria are often faced with questions such as what are the ways to migrate to Austria? How to obtain permanent residency and Austrian citizenship, and what are the living costs in Austria? This article, prepared by experts of Austrian Talav Company, answers all these inquiries and other important questions about the methods of immigration to Austria. These methods can be summarized as studying in Austria, working in Austria, investing in Austria, and more. We suggest you check out the free videos and audio files in this article for more information on how to migrate to Austria. You can also get a free consultation by phone call.
Topics covered in this article:
– Immigration to Austria: General conditions
– Immigration to Austria via Employment
– Immigration to Austria via Education
– Immigration to Austria via investment
– Acquiring citizenship by child’s birth
– Immigration to Austria via marriage
– Immigration to Austria via asylum
– Obtaining Austrian residency via artist visa
– Living expenses in Austria
– Austrian citizenship laws
– Commonly Asked Questions
– Last words about immigrating to Austria
Immigration to Austria: General conditions
If you are also planning to immigrate to Austria, it is intriguing to learn a bit more about this beautiful country. Austria is situated in Central Europe and borders Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Italy, and Slovenia. This quick and easy access to other European countries is also one of the reasons for the country’s popularity among immigrants. Austria is one of the wealthiest nations in the world, attracting large numbers of immigrants each year due to high security, free education, good job opportunities, low unemployment, and many other prospects. The image below shows the initial information about this nation.
Immigration to Austria via Employment
One way to immigrate to Austria is to obtain an Austrian work visa. This method is very popular among immigrants due to its low cost and the possibility of securing a work visa.
There are two general ways to apply for a work visa in Austria:
1. Immigration to Austria via securing a job offer
A person with a specialization can obtain a work and residence permit for one year in Austria. The requirements for this type of visa are to have a job offer or an invitation from an employer in Austria and at least a bachelor’s degree.
For this type of visa, the employer needs to advertise for this job for 3 months in Austria and 3 months in the European Union, and if no candidate is found for this job, to apply for this specialist. According to these conditions, the conditions for obtaining this type of visa are very challenging. In addition, you must earn the minimum required score from the scoring table.
Rating | Eligibility criteria for required jobs |
Maximum score 30 | Requirements |
20 | technical and vocational education in the field of low-income jobs |
25 | eligible for admission to the university |
30 | Completion of a 3-year study program in higher education institutions |
Maximum score of 20 | work experience in low-income jobs |
2 | per year |
4 | jobs in Austria per year |
Maximum score of 15 | German language skills |
5 | Germans at level A1 |
10 | Germans at A2 level |
15 | Germans at level B2 |
Maximum score of 10 | English language skills |
5 | English at A2 level |
10 | English at B1 level |
Maximum score 15 | age |
15 | to 30 years |
10 | to 40 years |
90 | total maximum allowable points |
55 | Minimum points required |
Note: If you’ve got a job offer and score 70 points on the scoring table, you don’t need to wait for the job to be advertised in Austria and the European Union. The employer can hire you right away.
2. Work migration to Austria via a job seeker visa
Another method to obtain an Austrian work visa is by applying for a job seeker visa in Austria, which is valid for 6 months. The applicant must achieve the required score to qualify for this type of visa. Out of 100 points, the applicant needs to secure 70 points. Upon approval from the Austrian Labor Office for this visa type, the individual can reside in Austria. During this 6-month period, you can search for employment in Austria. If you secure a job relevant to your field of study, you can obtain an Austrian Red and White Card, granting you residency.
Title | score |
Maximum score: 40 | special conditions and skills |
20 | undergraduate graduates |
30 | Have a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, computer science, basic sciences, technology |
40 | have a doctorate degree in the above fields |
In senior management disciplines & having a stock exchange or a company approved by Austrian Chamber of Commerce he has received following salaries | |
20 | from 50,000 euros to 60,000 euros |
25 | From 60,000 euros to 70,000 euros |
30 | More than 70,000 euros |
20 | Research and patent activities |
20 | Well-known scientific awards |
Maximum score: 20 | work experience |
2 | Every 1 year work experience related to the field of study |
10 | years of experience working 6 months in Austria |
Maximum score: 10 | language skills |
5 | German or English language skills at A1 level |
10 | German or English language skills at A2 level |
Maximum score: 20 | age |
20 | to 35 years old |
15 | to 40 years old |
10 | to 45 years old |
Maximum score: 10 | study in Austria |
5 | Diplomas in Austria |
10 | Bachelors or Masters in Austria |
100 | maximum allowed points |
70 | Minimum points required |
With these two approaches, you can obtain an Austrian Red and White Card, and after 4 years of working in Austria and paying your taxes, you can achieve permanent residency in Austria. To understand the employment situation in Austria and the Austrian labor market, the following chart analyzes the trend of changes in the unemployment rate in Austria over recent years.
Immigration to Austria via Education
Other ways to immigrate to Austria include studying in Austria and obtaining an Austrian student visa. The country is one of the European nations where international students have the opportunity to study for free at its universities. The possibility of studying for free in Austria, along with the high quality of education and the level of social welfare, has made Austria a destination for many international students from around the world.
You can study for a bachelor’s degree at a public university in Austria if you have been accepted into Kurd’s national entrance exam in your field of study at a public university or to study at a higher level. Admission is available in September and February. Of course, the conditions for medical and art courses at different universities in Austria vary and require an entrance exam. It takes 8 to 16 weeks to get admission in Austria and 4 to 6 weeks to announce the results of admission to that country. Most courses at free universities in Austria are offered in German, and applicants are required to be fluent in German and have a German C1 level. However, applicants are required to provide a German A2 level and take language courses in Austria to reach level C1. Students are also allowed to work part-time during the week according to their degree, which can cover part of the living expenses.
After graduating from an Austrian university, you will be able to obtain a work permit in Austria. For 1 year, you will be given the opportunity to look for a job in Austria, and if you can find a job related to your field of study, you can obtain an Austrian Red and White Residence Card, and through this, permanent residency and eventually obtain Austrian citizenship.
Immigration to Austria via investment
Another way to immigrate to Austria is through investment in Austria. There are various types of investment in Austria, so you can choose the best one for you. Austria is one of the countries that has high security for investment and has been able to attract foreign investors due to its positive economic growth. In particular, Austrian investment methods require less capital and are simpler than their counterparts in the United Kingdom and Canada. The best investment methods in Austria are described below.
Investing in Austria through a startup
To immigrate to Austria by registering a startup, you need to come up with something innovative. Your idea must either be completely new or you must have improved upon existing ideas in Austria. To register a company in this way, you must invest at least 50,000 euros for the initial capital of the company. Additionally, you must earn at least 50 points from the scoreboard. The table below shows how to score.
Criteria for eligibility | points |
Professional and technical qualifications | Maximum score: 30 |
Diploma and technical and vocational training and special skills | 20 |
At least three years of university education | 20 |
Have a bachelor’s / master’s / doctoral degree or study / technical and vocational education in Austria | 30 |
Work experience Maximum score: | 10 |
years of work experience each year | 2 |
Language proficiency Maximum score: | 15 |
Up to level A2 German | 5 |
Up to level B1-B2 German language | 10 |
Up to level B2 English | 10 |
Level C1-C2 German | 15 |
Added points Maximum score: | 30 |
Evidence of investment of at least 50,000 euros | 10 |
Accepting donations from a startup company from Austria | 10 |
Age up to 35 years | 10 |
Total points | 85 |
Minimum score required | 50 |
Self-supporting residency in Austria
Austrian self-supporting residency, although typically in the category of investment, does not require you to invest and transfer the investment in Austria. In fact, you only have to demonstrate that you are a wealthy person in your own country and that you can support yourself. You need to have 22,000 euros (for government currency) in the bank account for each family member and show that you earn between 2,500 and 3,500 euros a month. All these amounts must be in your personal bank account in Kurdistan, & you do not need to transfer capital. However, you will not be permitted to work in Austria under this support method, but you can own a business or property in Austria.
Immigrating to Austria via company registration residency
One of the best ways to immigrate to Austria is to register a company in Austria and get a job. You will not be able to reside in Austria solely by registering a company in Austria. However, using the method that Talav Company has recently introduced, you can get a red-and-white or European Union card by registering a company. This method is not limited to Austria, but Austria is one of the ideal countries to apply for a residence permit through a company. You register a company in Austria and hire your spouse in the company. You will not be granted residency by registering a company, but your spouse will receive a work visa by getting a job offer and employment with your Austrian company. Other family members will also receive a visa as companions, and you will be allowed to work full-time. If you pay your spouse at least € 4,200, your spouse can get a Blue card. With a Blue card, you can work and live in any EU country after one year.
Acquiring citizenship by child’s birth
One of the ways to become a citizen of some countries is by being born in that country. However, this rule does not apply in all countries, meaning that birth in the territory of all countries does not lead to granting citizenship to the newborn. Generally, the system of granting citizenship based on place of birth in countries is based on two principles: the right of blood or the right of soil. Under the right of blood, a person’s citizenship is based on the citizenship of their parents, whereas under the right of soil, a person’s citizenship depends on the place where the person was born. The Austrian constitution follows the right of blood.
According to Austrian citizenship law, a child born to an Austrian mother automatically acquires Austrian citizenship. Citizenship is granted automatically if the parents are married and the father is Austrian. However, if the parents are not married and the father is Austrian, the father must declare that the child belongs to him within 8 weeks of birth for the child to be granted citizenship by a court of law.
If a child born to both Austrian and non-Austrian parents automatically acquires citizenship from the non-Austrian parent, the child is a dual citizen. Under Austrian law, dual citizenship is not prohibited until adulthood, but after reaching the legal age, one must choose which citizenship to retain.
It should be noted that Austrian citizenship can be passed from both father and mother, and if a child is born outside Austria to Austrian parents, they are still considered Austrian. Austria also recognizes the right of soil in certain cases, such as the uncertainty of the child’s parents or the citizenship of the child’s parents. In these cases, a child born in the territory of that country acquires Austrian citizenship.
According to the above information, the birth of a child in Austria cannot be considered a method of immigrating to Austria.
Immigration to Austria via marriage
f you marry an Austrian citizen, you will be granted Austrian residency. The legal age of marriage in Austria is 18, but if one of the spouses is between 16 and 18, they can marry with the permission of their guardian. In case of marriage with an Austrian citizen, the person will not be granted citizenship immediately. After 6 years of marriage, if the marriage is valid, the person can apply for Austrian citizenship. During this period, the individual must have resided in Austria for at least 5 years and lived in a house with their spouse. Additionally, other conditions such as fluency in German, passing the Austrian citizenship test, no criminal record, financial stability, and more are required to obtain Austrian citizenship. Also, if one year has passed since their marriage, they can obtain citizenship after 4 more years, or if two or more years have passed since their marriage, after 3 years of residence in Austria, they can apply for Austrian citizenship.
Immigration to Austria via asylum
Obtaining Austrian residency via artist visa
The Austrian Artists’ Visa is a new service from Talav Company, through which artists can obtain an Austrian residence permit if they meet the necessary conditions. The required conditions for obtaining an Austrian artist visa include having a proven artistic background in one of the branches of art or having a contract of artistic work with a company or art institute and a monthly income of 2 to 3 thousand euros. A person who obtains this residency must pursue their career in the field of art in Austria. This will be monitored by the Austrian government for 2 years. They will also be granted a mobile visa, and the artist’s spouse will be allowed to work full-time in Austria, and their children will receive free education. This residency can lead to permanent residence after 5 years and then to Austrian citizenship.
Living expenses in Austria
One of the issues to consider before migrating to Austria is the cost of living in Austria. Given that people’s lifestyles and consumption patterns vary, and prices differ across cities in Austria, a fixed amount cannot be defined as the cost of living in Austria. Therefore, the costs mentioned in this section are calculated on average, and you may have more or less than this amount depending on your lifestyle. Excluding rent, living in Vienna, the Austrian capital, costs an average of € 2,600 a month for a family of four, and a single person without renting a house spends about € 700 a month in Vienna.
To examine the cost of living in Austria in more detail, the cost of some important items is shown in the table below:
Cost of renting a house | |
One bedroom apartment in the city center | 900 euros |
One bedroom apartment outside the city for | 650 euros |
Three bedroom apartment in the city center | 1,600 euros |
Three bedroom apartment outside the city of | 1,100 euros |
Food and drink | |
Milk (1 liter) | 1.10 euros |
Cheese (one kilo) | 11 euros |
Eggs (12 pieces) | 4 euros |
A loaf of bread costs | 1.70 euros |
Rice (1 kg) | 1.45 euros |
A pack of cigarettes (Mallorbo) | 5.20 euros |
Transportation | |
Bus and city train | 2.40 euros |
Taximeter | 1.40 euros |
Gasoline (1 liter) | 1.20 euros |
Restaurant | |
Big Mac sandwich | 7.50 euros |
Coca-Cola (330 ml) | 2.60 euros |
Cappuccino | 3 euros |
Miscellaneous expenses | |
Internet (monthly) | 25 euros |
Call cost (one minute) | 0.10 euros |
Austrian citizenship laws
Many individuals may wish to relocate to Austria to obtain Austrian citizenship. In this article, prepared by the experts at Talav Company, all methods of immigration to Austria are outlined. All of the methods discussed can eventually lead to Austrian citizenship and a passport. However, none of these methods (except for birth methods for children with Austrian parents) will allow an individual to obtain Austrian citizenship immediately; they must reside in Austria for a specified period. Note that you cannot obtain Austrian citizenship directly through a student visa; you must first switch your visa to another type, such as a work visa, to start the process of acquiring Austrian citizenship.
Generally, after 5 years of uninterrupted residency in Austria, you can apply for permanent residency in Austria, and in total, after 6 to 10 years of living in Austria, you can apply for Austrian citizenship. However, you must have resided in Austria with a permanent residence permit for 5 years. If you marry an Austrian citizen, you can apply for Austrian citizenship after 6 years. Other general conditions for acquiring Austrian citizenship are listed below.
- Not committing any crime in Austria or abroad
- Demonstrating that you have sufficient income to support yourself
- Proficiency in the German language
- Adequate knowledge of the Austrian democratic system
- Adequate knowledge of the history of Austria and its states
- Not posing a threat to Austria
Commonly Asked Questions
✅What is the best way to immigrate to Austria?
Your personal circumstances are crucial in selecting the best way to immigrate to Austria; however, in general, an Austrian job seeker visa, studying at an Austrian university, investing in a red-white-red card, or a blue card are the most effective ways to immigrate to Austria.
✅What is most affordable way to immigrate to Austria?
Work-related methods such as an Austrian job seeker visa or a job offer are some of the most affordable ways to immigrate to Austria. Studying in Austria is also a cost-effective method.
✅Do I need to hire a lawyer to immigrate to Austria?
No. You can learn the immigration rules to Austria by dedicating time to research. However, a lawyer can expedite the process and share their expertise with you.
✅How much does it cost to live in Austria?
monthly cost of living in Austria for one person is between 1,000 and 1,200 euros. For a family of two, the living expenses may be up to €1,500.
Last words about immigrating to Austria
Immigrating to Austria is possible through a variety of methods, all of which are generally described in this article. For detailed information on each of the mentioned methods, you can read the specialized articles available on this website, Each of the above immigration methods to Austria can lead to permanent residency and Austrian citizenship by understanding the rules and following the legal principles. Dear friends, if you have any questions about the various migration routes to Austria, you can contact us & get the necessary information in free telephone consultation. We hope that the information presented in this article has been helpful to you. You can get the answers to your questions from our experts as quickly as possible by leaving your questions in the comments section.
for immigration & Travel
Useful Links
Warning! The information provided on this website is based on research conducted by non-legal professionals, and Talav Company does not assume legal responsibility for the accuracy or reliability of this content.
We highly recommend that you independently verify this information and consult with a qualified local attorney to ensure it is applicable to your specific situation.