If you are heading to Austria to study, work or invest, one of your first questions is usually whether your family can come too. That is what the Austria family reunification visa is for.
The Austria family reunification visa lets close family members, normally a spouse and children under 18, join the main applicant and share the benefits of living in one of Europe’s most developed countries. It comes with specific conditions and a document checklist, and both are set out below.
One point to note before you plan. Austria has suspended family reunification for people who hold asylum or subsidiary protection status, citing pressure on housing, schools and social services. That suspension applies to protection cases, including people whose asylum claim is still pending or who have received a removal order. It does not affect the skilled worker and investor routes covered on this page.
What is the Austria family reunification visa?
The Austria family reunification visa (Family Reunion Visa, or Aufenthaltstitel fuer Familienangehoerige) is the permit that allows an applicant’s family members to enter Austria lawfully and live with them.
It is normally issued to a spouse and to children under 18, and in defined circumstances to parents or other close relatives. It makes no difference whether you came to Austria on an Austria student visa or on a job offer. If the checklist is complete, your family can be granted permits and join you.
Who can get the Austria family reunification visa?
The Austria family reunification visa is available to:
- A legal spouse or registered partner (both must be at least 21 years old)
- Unmarried children under 18, including adopted and stepchildren
- Parents or legal guardians (in exceptional cases, on specific grounds)
- Dependants of the applicant (in certain defined circumstances)
Special circumstances for parents
If you want to apply for parents who fall into a special category, you must prove that status to the embassy with documents and fit one of the categories below:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Dependency on the child | Financial or physical (due to frailty or illness) |
| No income or adequate support of their own | Such as a pension or retirement income |
| Need for the parents to live with the child | For those holding permanent residence, a work visa or a long-term study visa |
Requirements for a spouse and children
- Family members can apply only if the main applicant, the sponsor, holds one of the following residence titles in Austria:
-
- Red-White-Red Card
- EU Blue Card
- Red-White-Red Card Plus
- Residence permit for researchers
- Residence permit for self-employed people
- Residence permit for special cases of dependent employment
- Long-term resident – EU
- Evidence that the sponsor has regular, sufficient income and does not rely on social assistance.
- Health insurance that covers all medical services and is valid in Austria.
- A tenancy agreement or title deed proving accommodation that meets Austrian standards.
- In most cases, the joining family member must provide a German language certificate at A1 level.
- Family members of holders of the Red-White-Red Card for very highly qualified workers, the EU Blue Card or a researcher permit are exempt from that language requirement.
Documents for the Austria family reunification visa
Alongside a valid passport and a recent biometric photograph, the embassy will want to see the following:
- Valid passport
- Completed application form
- Passport photograph
- Proof of the family relationship
- Proof of accommodation in Austria
- Health insurance
- Proof of financial means
- Police clearance certificate
- Flight reservation
How to apply, step by step
- File the application: the applicant must apply in person at the Austrian embassy or consulate in their own country.
- Give biometrics: fingerprints and other biometric data are recorded as part of the application.
- Processing time: this varies, so file well before the intended travel date.
- Visa issued: if approved, a national visa (type D) is issued, which permits entry to Austria.
- Apply for the residence permit: after arriving, the applicant must apply for the residence title at the local authority (Magistrat) or the provincial governor’s office.
Limits to be aware of
There are real constraints on this route:
- German at A1: family members must prove German at A1 level unless one of the exemptions applies.
- Restrictions on the type of work: holders may face limits on which roles they can take, particularly in certain sectors or regulated professions.
- Work permits: in some cases a family member needs a separate work permit before taking a job.
- Limited duration: the permit is issued for a set period and must be renewed, subject to conditions.
- Financial means: the sponsor must show they can support the family without recourse to state assistance.
What rights do family members have in Austria?
The Austria family reunification visa carries the following rights:
Residence rights
- Residence permit: third-country family members of holders of permits such as the Red-White-Red Card or the EU Blue Card can apply for a residence title in Austria. It is usually issued for one year and is renewable.
- Accommodation: applicants must prove suitable accommodation that meets Austrian standards and offers enough space for the whole family.
Education rights
- Access to education: family members can enrol and study at Austrian institutions, including schools, universities and vocational colleges, provided they meet each institution’s admission requirements.
- Language: German is not always required, but it makes integration and study easier and some institutions ask for it.
Work rights
- Work permission: family members who hold the Red-White-Red Card Plus have full, unrestricted access to the Austrian labour market.
- Self-employment: as well as employment, family members can work for themselves within the framework of Austrian business law.
For detail specific to your own case, check the official Austrian government portal or contact the embassy or consulate.
Cost and processing time
Austrian residence-title fees are set by law and revised from time to time. Confirm the current amount with the Austrian representation or residence authority handling your file before you pay.
Processing usually takes 4 to 8 weeks, and longer where a case is complex or the mission is busy. Book the embassy appointment two to three months before your intended travel date.
Practical points worth knowing
If you are ready to book the appointment and get your family to Austria, keep these in mind:
- Book the embassy appointment early and prepare the documents completely and accurately.
- Be ready for an interview. You may be asked about the purpose of the move and about your family relationships.
- The family member’s permit is usually issued for the same period as the sponsor’s. If you intend to stay on, apply for renewal in good time.
- Holders are generally allowed to study and, in some cases, to work part time. Check the legal detail with the immigration authority before a job interview or before enrolling.
Aval Visa on your Austria family reunification visa
If you are moving to Austria and want your family with you, the reunification file is one of the most important steps in front of you. Aval Visa works on European family and skilled migration, and our team handles this route end to end: checking that your residence title qualifies as a sponsor, testing the income and accommodation evidence against what the authority actually accepts, arranging the A1 certificate or confirming an exemption, preparing certified translations, booking the appointment and following the file through to the residence permit after arrival. Decisions belong to the Austrian authorities. A complete, well-evidenced file is what we control. Talk to our advisers to get started.
Frequently asked questions
- Can children over 18 apply?No. Only children under 18 qualify for family reunification on this route.
- When can the application be filed?Once the main applicant holds their permit, the spouse and children can apply. A family member’s right is initially derived from the sponsor, but Austrian law provides for an independent residence entitlement in defined circumstances, including the death of the sponsor or the end of a marriage after a qualifying period. Take advice on your own case rather than assuming the permit simply ends.
- Can family members change status after arriving in Austria?Yes. In some cases they can switch, for example from a family permit to a work or student permit, provided the requirements for the new permit are met.
- Can family members work in Austria?Yes. Family members holding the Red-White-Red Card Plus can work without restriction in the Austrian labour market, in any role, with no further permit required.
- How long is the permit valid and can it be renewed?Initial permits are normally valid for one year. Renewals of one or three years are possible, depending on factors such as the sponsor’s residence status and the family member’s integration progress.