Austria
Republic of Austria · Capital: Vienna
Austria pairs Alpine quality of life with Vienna, repeatedly ranked the world's most liveable city. EU/EEA citizens move freely; skilled non-EU workers use the points-based Red-White-Red Card or the EU Blue Card. Strong public services, safety and central-European connectivity are the draw.
Migration statistics
Who is arriving
Top source countries and the make-up of recent arrivals into Austria.
Policy overview
6 visa routes into Austria
Eligibility, fees, processing times and whether each route leads to permanent residence.
EU/EEA Free Movement
Permanent residencyEU/EEA
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens can live and work in Austria freely, registering residence after arrival.
Eligibility
- EU/EEA/Swiss citizenship
- Employment or sufficient means
Document checklist (8 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Red-White-Red Card
SkilledRWR Card
Points-based work-and-residence card for very highly qualified workers, shortage occupations and skilled workers with a job offer.
Eligibility
- Meet the points threshold (qualifications, experience, language, age)
- Job offer (most categories)
- Salary above the category minimum (other key workers: EUR 3,465 gross a month in 2026)
Document checklist (11 items)
Core
Professional
Background
EU Blue Card
SkilledBlue Card
Route for university graduates with a job offer above the Blue Card salary threshold.
Eligibility
- Recognised higher-education degree
- Job offer paying at least EUR 55,678 a year (2026)
- Contract of 6+ months
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Background
Self-Employed Key Worker
EntrepreneurSelf-Employed
Residence for founders and self-employed key workers whose business brings macro-economic benefit or investment.
Eligibility
- Investment or job creation / macro-economic benefit
- Viable business plan
- Sufficient funds
Document checklist (11 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Student Residence Permit
StudentStudent
Study at an Austrian institution, with limited work rights and a post-study job-search permit.
Eligibility
- Admission to a recognised institution
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance and accommodation
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
AT-RWRP
Join a spouse, partner or close family member who is a citizen or resident.
Eligibility
- Genuine relationship to a citizen/resident
- Sponsor meets income/housing rules
- Relationship evidence
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Economic context
The numbers behind the move
Pay reflects the local market in Austria, what you'd typically earn there, not your current salary.
Skill shortages
Sectors actively recruiting from abroad
Where Austria needs foreign talent most, and what those roles pay.
Technology
Shortage-occupation list prioritises IT for the RWR Card.
Skilled trades & engineering
A long Mangelberufe (shortage) list is dominated by trades and tech.
Healthcare
Nursing and care among the top shortage occupations.
Tourism
Alpine tourism needs seasonal and skilled hospitality staff.
Recent changes
What's changed lately
Recent policy changes that affect migrants, newest first.
No policy changes recorded in the last 90 days. The intelligence agent is monitoring.
Quality of life
What living there feels like
Vienna
World's most liveableRepeatedly ranked the world's most liveable city, affordable housing, superb culture and transit.
- Cost index
- 78
- 1-bed rent
- $1,300
- Quality
- 88
Graz
University & UNESCOA relaxed, affordable university city with a beautifully preserved old town.
- Cost index
- 70
- 1-bed rent
- $1,100
- Quality
- 84
Linz
Industry & tech-artAn industrial and digital-arts city on the Danube with strong employers.
- Cost index
- 72
- 1-bed rent
- $1,150
- Quality
- 83
Salzburg
Alpine cultureA baroque, alpine cultural gem, scenic and calm but on the pricier side.
- Cost index
- 76
- 1-bed rent
- $1,300
- Quality
- 85
Innsbruck
Alpine sportsA buzzing alpine university city surrounded by world-class skiing and hiking.
- Cost index
- 76
- 1-bed rent
- $1,300
- Quality
- 85
Living essentials
The practical day-to-day of settling in Austria.
Excellent universal healthcare via compulsory insurance.
Free public schools and universities; international schools in Vienna.
Moderate; Vienna offers exceptional value (low-cost public housing).
Fast and reliable.
Temperate alpine, cold winters, warm summers.
Safety & climate
The reception you can expect
How welcoming the public and political mood is, how safe it is, and how geopolitically stable the country is right now.
Anti-migrant sentiment
trendStable and high-services, though immigration is a prominent and polarised political topic.
Higher = more hostile public/political climate.
Geopolitical stability
A composite of governance, security and regional-risk signals. Higher means a more predictable environment for settling long term.
Higher = more stable.
Safety
Very safe; petty theft around Vienna's tourist and station areas.
Higher = safer (crime index 26/100).
Where to live
Which Austria city fits you?
Cities matched to who you are, career, family, retirement, study or remote work. We flag the ones to consider and the ones to approach with care.
Vienna
Imperial quality of life
Repeatedly ranked the world's most liveable city, affordable housing, superb culture and transit.
Salzburg
Mozart and mountains
A baroque, alpine cultural gem, scenic and calm but on the pricier side.
Innsbruck
Mountain university town
A buzzing alpine university city surrounded by world-class skiing and hiking.
Graz
Charming student city
A relaxed, affordable university city with a beautifully preserved old town.
Linz
Reinvented steel city
An industrial and digital-arts city on the Danube with strong employers.
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