If you are weighing up a move for work and immigration to Austria is on your shortlist, you have probably come across the Red-White-Red Card. It is the main professional route into the Austrian labour market for citizens of countries outside the EU.
The card was designed to attract qualified and talented workers, and it gives them a clearly defined framework for legal residence and employment in Austria.
Behind that simple name sits a body of law, a points system, a document list and a sequence of administrative steps. Knowing how they fit together is what makes the difference.
Below we set out the eligibility categories, the process, how the card compares with other permits, and the details that decide applications.
Who qualifies for the Austrian Red-White-Red Card?
You qualify if you fall into one of the following groups:
1. Very highly qualified workers
- People with advanced qualifications, senior professional experience and specialist skills.
- To qualify you need at least 70 of 100 points across criteria such as level of education, work experience, language ability and age.
2. Skilled workers in shortage occupations
- For people trained in the technical and vocational fields where Austria has a recognised shortage.
- You need at least 55 of 90 points.
3. Other key workers
- A firm job offer paying at least the minimum gross monthly salary set for this category. The income and salary thresholds for this route are revised annually; check the current figure on migration.gv.at before you rely on it.
- You need at least 55 points across education, work experience, language ability and age.
4. Graduates of Austrian universities and colleges
If you studied in Austria on an Austrian student visa, you can apply for the card to take up a position that matches your field of study.
5. Regular workers in tourism, agriculture and forestry
- You must have worked at least 7 months as a seasonal worker in one of these sectors in the past two years.
- German at A1 level and a formal job offer are required.
6. Self-employed key workers
- For people setting up a business in Austria that brings a measurable economic benefit, such as job creation or substantial investment.
- The points system does not apply to this group; the business plan and its economic impact are assessed instead.
7. Start-up founders
- For founders building an innovative product or service.
- Start-up founders are assessed on their own points scale and must reach at least 50 of a possible 85 points, as well as showing at least EUR 30,000 in capital for the company with an equity share of at least 50%.
8. Family members
The spouse, registered partner and children under 18 of a Red-White-Red Card holder can apply for the Red-White-Red Card Plus, which gives them residence and unrestricted access to the Austrian labour market.
Read more: Shortage occupations in Austria
How long the Red-White-Red Card is valid
- Initial validity: the Red-White-Red Card is normally issued for 24 months.
- Employment restrictions: according to the Austrian federal government’s official migration portal, the card only permits work for the employer named in the original application. Changing employer during that period means applying for a new card.
Renewing the Red-White-Red Card: timing and steps
- Timing: file the renewal within the three months before your current card expires. A late application can mean starting a fresh application and, in some cases, leaving Austria.
- Staying during processing: if you file on time, you may continue to live and work in Austria even if the new card has not arrived by the time the old one expires.
Moving from the Red-White-Red Card to the Card Plus
After two years of legal residence in Austria, card holders can apply for the Red-White-Red Card Plus. It is a step up in residence status and requires at least 21 months of lawful employment in a role matching your professional qualifications within the previous 24 months, plus completion of Module 1 of the Integration Agreement.
The Card Plus is first issued for one year and, if you continue to meet the conditions, can then be extended for up to three years. Its main advantages are unrestricted access to the whole Austrian labour market and the freedom to change employer without a new application.
Advantages of the Red-White-Red Card
The Austrian Red-White-Red Card gives its holder the following:
1. Legal residence and employment in Austria
- Permission to live and work in Austria for the employer named in the original application.
- The job must match your qualifications and pay at least the prescribed minimum salary.
2. A route to the Red-White-Red Card Plus
After 21 months of employment within the previous 24, you can apply for the Card Plus and its unrestricted labour market access.
3. Family reunification
Family members (spouse, registered partner, minor children) can apply for the Red-White-Red Card Plus and live and work in Austria.
4. Access to social benefits
Access to health insurance, pension contributions and unemployment benefit, subject to the usual conditions.
5. Mobility within the Schengen area
Short stays in other Schengen countries, up to 90 days in any 180, without a separate visa.
6. Permanent residence and citizenship
After five years of continuous legal residence in Austria you can apply for EU long-term resident status.
Read more: Student work in Austria
General and category-specific requirements for the Red-White-Red Card
Every application has to satisfy both a general set of requirements and the conditions attached to your category:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Sufficient income | Minimum monthly income is set by the ASVG reference rates (Ausgleichszulagenrichtsatze): Re-set every January Check the current single, couple and per-child rates before applying |
| Health insurance | Full, valid health insurance in Austria (public or private) |
| Accommodation | Legal and adequate accommodation |
| Public order and security | No threat to Austrian public order or security |
The category-specific requirements are set out below:
| Applicant Category | Requirements and Documents |
|---|---|
| Very Highly Qualified Workers | Minimum 70 points, recognised qualification, job offer, language is scored, not required (A1 = 5 points, A2 = 10 points) |
| Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations | Minimum 55 points, relevant qualification, job offer in a shortage occupation, language is scored, not required (A1 = 5 points, A2 = 10 points) |
| Other Key Workers | Minimum 55 points, relevant qualification or experience, job offer in a key sector, language is scored, not required (A1 = 5 points, A2 = 10 points) |
| Graduates of Austrian universities | Degree from a recognised institution, relevant job offer, no minimum language level required |
| Seasonal workers | Seasonal job offer in tourism, agriculture or forestry, no minimum language level required |
| Self-employed Key Workers | Viable business plan, no minimum language level required |
| Start-up founders | Innovative and workable business plan, language is scored, not required (A1 = 5 points, A2 = 10 points) |
Documents required for a Red-White-Red Card application
Below is the list of general documents and the additional documents required for each category.
General documents
- A valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining
- An identity card or equivalent document for certain categories, for example EU Blue Card holders
- The residence application form, marked “Red-White-Red Card”
- 2 colour photographs meeting ICAO standards (3.5 x 4.5 cm, taken within the past six months)
- A Meldebestaetigung (proof of registered address) or a rental or purchase contract
- A copy of your e-card (social insurance) or comprehensive private health insurance
- An employment contract or payslips for the past three months
- A police clearance certificate
- Proof of language or integration (German at A2 or B1, or a certificate confirming completion of Module 1 of the Integration Agreement)
Additional documents by applicant category
| Applicant group | Additional documents |
|---|---|
| Very Highly Qualified Workers | - Recognised university qualification (diploma, master's, doctorate) - AMS assessment or equivalent (in some cases) |
| Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations | - Relevant technical or vocational certificates - Recognition of the qualification (where required) via Berufsanerkennung.at |
| Other Key Workers | - Employment references or proof of professional experience - Job offer meeting the prescribed minimum salary (EUR 3,465 gross/month plus the statutory special payments) |
| Graduates of Austrian universities | - Thesis certificate or graduation certificate from an Austrian university - Transcript of records |
| Seasonal workers | - Seasonal employment contract in tourism, agriculture or forestry - Seasonal insurance (where required) |
| Self-Employed Key Workers | - Business plan with economic detail and expected benefits for Austria - Proof of investment and company registration document |
| Start-up founders | - Innovative business plan and financial plan (Start-Up Concept) - Proof of initial capital (bank statements) |
| Family members | - Marriage / registered partnership certificate - Children's birth certificates |
The Red-White-Red Card application step by step
Here is the process in practical order:
Step one: confirm which category you fall into
Start by identifying the right sub-category. The card covers very highly qualified workers, skilled workers in shortage occupations, graduates and entrepreneurs, and each has its own conditions. A very highly qualified worker, for instance, needs at least 70 points for education, work history, age and language ability. Choosing the correct category makes the rest of the process straightforward.
Step two: secure a job offer
Apart from very highly qualified workers, every applicant needs a genuine job offer in their field from an Austrian employer. The employer must also submit a formal declaration covering pay, working hours and insurance. That declaration carries real weight in the assessment.
Read more: Permanent residence in Austria: conditions and steps
Step three: assemble the documents
Collect the documents for your chosen category: a valid passport, educational certificates, proof of work experience, language certificates, the job offer and the employer declaration. Depending on your circumstances, further documents may be requested.
Step four: file the application
Where you file depends on where you live. From outside Austria, you submit the file to the Austrian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. If you are already legally in Austria, you file with the competent provincial authority, such as the residence office or the district administration.
Step five: wait for the assessment
Once the file is submitted, it goes into assessment. This normally takes around eight weeks, though an incomplete file or a heavy caseload can extend it.
Step six: receive the decision
If the application is approved, you are notified formally. You may only start work once you hold the Red-White-Red Card. Starting earlier is not lawful.
Step seven: collect the card
After approval you attend the relevant authority in person to collect the card. It is the legal document that evidences your right to live and work in Austria.
Step eight: arrange for your family to join you
If your family are coming with you, they can apply for the Red-White-Red Card Plus, which gives them residence and unrestricted labour market access. They will need identity documents and proof of the family relationship.
Step nine: renewal and permanent residence
The Red-White-Red Card is normally issued for 24 months. At the end of that period, and provided you still meet the conditions, you can renew it or apply for the Red-White-Red Card Plus, which lasts longer and allows free choice of employer. Over time this route can lead to permanent residence in Austria.
Read more: The best cities in Austria compared
Red-White-Red Card or EU Blue Card?
The Austrian Red-White-Red Card and the EU Blue Card are both residence and work permits for third-country nationals, but they differ in requirements, validity, scope and process. Here is a full comparison:
| Feature | Austrian Red-White-Red Card | EU Blue Card |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | Up to 24 months | Up to 4 years |
| Tied to an employer | Yes | Yes |
| Main admission criteria | Points system (education, experience, etc.) | University degree + minimum salary threshold |
| Family reunification | Yes, via the Red-White-Red Card Plus | Yes, simpler process |
| Mobility between countries | Austria only | EU mobility possible after 12 months in the first member state |
| Permanent residence | After 5 years | After 5 years |
Building a career with the Red-White-Red Card
The Red-White-Red Card gives professionals and entrepreneurs from outside the EU a clear way to live and work in Austria. With an initial validity of 24 months, it grants temporary residence and employment with a named employer, and it reflects Austria’s interest in retaining skilled people and supporting their careers.
For anyone who wants a transparent, merit-based route into the Austrian labour market, the Red-White-Red Card is a serious option. Meet the criteria set out above and the programme gives you a defined way to pursue your professional goals in Austria.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I change employer?
No. The Red-White-Red Card is tied to the employer named in your application. To change employer you must apply for a new card. - What happens after approval?
You are notified and collect the card in person. Only then can you legally start work in Austria. - Do I need a job offer before applying?
Yes, except for very highly qualified workers, who can first obtain a six-month job seeker visa and apply for the card once they find a position.
