Austria Red-White-Red Card: Requirements and How to Apply

The Red-White-Red Card is Austria's points-based residence and work permit for qualified non-EU workers with a binding job offer. It is issued for 24 months, ties you to the employer named in your application, and leads to the Red-White-Red Card plus after 21 months of qualifying work in the previous 24. Other key workers need gross pay of at least €3,465 a month in 2026, and the application fee listed on the official pages is €218.

There are several categories, each with its own points target. Check the official Austrian migration portal before applying, because pay figures and the shortage-occupation list change.

Who qualifies

• Very highly qualified workers: 70 points; a job-seeker visa valid for six months lets you look for work.
• Skilled workers in shortage occupations: 55 points, completed vocational training in an occupation on the annual shortage list, and pay at the legal or collective minimum.
• Other key workers: 55 points, gross pay of at least €3,465 a month in 2026, and a labour market test showing no equally qualified registered jobseeker is available.
• EU Blue Card: no points; a university degree of at least three years, a binding job offer matching your education, and gross pay of at least €55,678 a year in 2026, plus a labour market test.
• Self-employed key workers: no points; the business must create macroeconomic benefit, for example by transferring at least €100,000 of investment capital or creating or securing jobs.
• Start-up founders: 50 points, an innovative business plan, personal control of the company and capital of at least €30,000 with at least 50% equity.

Points come from qualifications, work experience, language (German A1 gives 5, B1 gives 15 for key workers; English B1 gives 10), and age. Americans, Brits, Canadians and Australians all apply under the same rules.

Income and investment requirement

Pay is the key filter. Other key workers must earn at least €3,465 gross a month in 2026, as stated on the portal; check whether an age-based scale applies to you. Shortage-occupation workers must be paid the minimum set by law, regulation or collective agreement (and any customary overpay). The Blue Card threshold is €55,678 gross a year in 2026, about €4,640 a month. Start-up founders need €30,000 of capital.

Documents you'll need

• Valid passport and a recent photo (45 x 35 mm).
• Proof of full health insurance.
• Qualification evidence, work certificates and language diplomas not older than five years.
• The employer's declaration (Arbeitgebererklärung) describing the job.
• Marriage and birth certificates if family applies; criminal record extracts may be requested.

Step-by-step application

1. Check your category and score on the official points calculator.
2. Secure a binding job offer; the employer completes the declaration.
3. Apply at the Austrian embassy or consulate in your country of residence, or have the employer apply with the residence authority in Austria (MA 35 in Vienna).
4. The authority sends the file to the AMS (labour market service), which checks points, pay and the labour market test.
5. If approved and you need a visa to enter, collect a Category D visa and then your card in Austria.

Costs and timeline

The portal lists an application fee of €218 for key workers, shortage occupations and self-employed key workers; confirm the fee for your category. The portal states no processing time. The card is valid for 24 months, and a change of employer lets you start provisionally after a 45-day waiting period from filing a complete application to change the purpose of the permit.

Taxes once you're resident

Austria taxes worldwide income at rates up to 50% above €104,859 and 55% above €1,000,000 in 2026, with no local income taxes. The 13th and 14th salaries get lower special rates, and the first €620 is tax exempt. See moving to Austria.

Family members

Spouses, registered partners and unmarried children under 18 can apply for the Red-White-Red Card plus; spouses must be at least 21 at application. First-time family applicants usually apply from abroad before entering Austria.

Permanent residence and citizenship

Long-term resident status needs German at B1 under Module 2 of the Integration Agreement. Citizenship generally requires 10 years of residence, including at least 5 on a residence permit, and in principle loss of your previous citizenship.

Alternatives

• Sweden work permit, Denmark work permit and Norway skilled worker permit for Nordic routes.
• Take the quiz to compare.