Austria – Work Permits and Working Legally

Do expats need a work permit to work legally in Austria?

The requirement for a work permit in Austria hinges on nationality. Non-EU/EEA citizens must obtain proper authorisation before taking up any employment, while citizens of EU or EEA member states and Switzerland are exempt from this requirement entirely, thanks to the principle of free movement across the European Union. If your passport is from one of these countries, you may begin working in Austria without any additional permit or official approval.

It is important to understand that a visa or a temporary residence permit on its own does not grant the right to work. Non-EEA nationals typically need both a valid residence permit and a work permit to be legally employed. Fortunately, certain permit categories — the Red-White-Red Card being the most prominent — combine residence and employment rights in a single document, sparing applicants the burden of separate processes.

In Austria, work permits are generally applied for by the prospective employer at the Public Employment Service Austria (AMS — Arbeitsmarktservice). While Austria places considerable responsibility on the employer to initiate the process, employees may also file certain applications themselves at an Austrian embassy or consulate in their home country.

Third-country nationals who are the spouses, registered partners, or parents of EU citizens are not required to obtain a Red-White-Red Card or EU Blue Card. They may instead apply for a Residence Card, which grants them unrestricted access to the Austrian labour market — allowing them to work as employees or on a self-employed basis without being tied to any particular employer.

Similarly, third-country nationals who are the spouses or registered partners of Austrian citizens do not need a Red-White-Red Card. They may apply for a Residence Permit – Family Members, which also grants them open access to the Austrian labour market.

Highly qualified scientific researchers are not required to obtain a work permit under Austrian law, given the strong demand for their expertise. In addition, students from third countries may be issued an employment permit for up to 20 hours of work per week without the need for a labour market test, provided the employer files the relevant application with the AMS.

What types of work permit are available in Austria?

Austria’s Red-White-Red Card (“Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte”) provides a pathway for third-country nationals seeking long-term skilled employment in Austria. Rather than a single permit, the system encompasses seven subcategories. The principal categories are described below.

Red-White-Red Card (RWR Card)

The RWR Card is a criteria-driven immigration scheme designed to give highly qualified workers a straightforward route to living and working in Austria. Because it merges residence and employment rights into one document, no separate work permit is required. Modelled on points-based approaches used in countries such as Canada and Australia, it evaluates applicants on factors including educational background, professional experience, language ability, and age.

A minimum score of 70 points is required for the Job Seeker Visa and the Red-White-Red Card for Very Highly Qualified Workers. For skilled workers in shortage occupations, the employer must pay at least €3,465 (2026) gross per month, confirm through the AMS that no equally qualified registered jobseeker is available, and the applicant must achieve a minimum of 55 points.

The Red-White-Red Card for Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations targets third-country nationals who have received a job offer in a field listed among Austria’s designated shortage occupations, which are updated annually. Because labour demand in these areas is already established, the immigration pathway tends to be more straightforward and a labour market check is not required.

Red-White-Red Card Plus

The Red-White-Red Card Plus is a longer-term settlement permit available to those who have held a Red-White-Red Card for at least 21 months. It is intended to offer greater permanence and employment flexibility. Unlike the standard RWR Card, which restricts the holder to a single named employer, the RWR Card Plus grants unrestricted access to the entire Austrian labour market.

EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is a combined residence and work permit aimed at highly qualified workers. To be eligible, an applicant must hold a university qualification obtained through a course of at least three years, be offered a position commensurate with that qualification, and earn a minimum annual salary of €47,855 gross (2024). Alternatively, IT professionals with at least three years of relevant professional experience at graduate level, gained within the preceding seven years, may also qualify for an EU Blue Card.

Seasonal Worker Permit

Employers wishing to take on temporary workers in agriculture, tourism, or forestry must first secure a quota-based permit from the AMS. Each permit covers employment of up to six months. Within any twelve-month period, seasonal workers may be employed under such permits for a combined total of no more than nine months.

Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT) Permit

Employees being temporarily transferred to an Austrian branch or subsidiary of their existing company may obtain a residence and employment permit for that purpose. Where workers are sent to Austria to carry out project-based work, a posting permit (Entsendebewilligung) must be secured through the relevant regional AMS office. Projects may not exceed six months in duration, and the employee may not be present in Austria for more than four months over the course of the project.

Self-Employed Key Worker

Third-country nationals may apply for a Red-White-Red Card for Self-Employed Key Workers if their proposed self-employed activity would generate measurable economic benefit for Austria — for instance, by bringing in a sustained capital investment of at least €100,000, creating or preserving employment, or introducing new technologies or specialist knowledge to the Austrian market.

How do you apply for a work permit in Austria, and how long does it take?

Applying for a work permit in Austria is a collaborative process. While Austrian law assigns the employer a central role — particularly in obtaining employment authorisation from the AMS — the employee also has responsibilities, particularly when applying from outside Austria. The following outlines the standard steps for a Red-White-Red Card application:

1. Obtain a concrete job offer. Except when applying for the Austrian Job Seeker Visa, a firm offer of employment is a prerequisite before any work visa application can be made. The offer should clearly set out the role, salary, working hours, and length of the contract.
2. Identify your intended place of residence in Austria. You must decide where in Austria you will live before the application is submitted, as different branches of the Immigration Authority have jurisdiction over different regions. The branch responsible for your case is determined by your future address.
3. Employer files for employment authorisation. Your employer must apply for employment authorisation from the AMS before a work permit can be issued. This step confirms that your skills are genuinely needed and that your employment will not adversely affect the local labour market.
4. Labour market test (where applicable). For some permit categories, the employer is required to demonstrate that no suitable Austrian or EU candidate exists for the position. This assessment is conducted by the AMS. The labour market test does not apply to EU Blue Card applicants, Red-White-Red Card categories such as Very Highly Qualified Workers, Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations, graduates of Austrian universities, and start-up founders, as well as intra-company transferees and family members applying for a Red-White-Red Card Plus.
5. Lodge the application. The application may be submitted by the employee at an Austrian embassy or consulate in their country of residence, or by the employer directly to the competent residence authority in Austria. In either case, the relevant authority will pass the application and accompanying documents to the AMS for assessment.
6. AMS assessment. The AMS evaluates whether the applicant has attained the required points threshold, whether the offered salary meets the statutory minimum, and whether no suitable registered jobseeker can be matched to the position. Once the AMS confirms that all conditions have been met, it notifies the residence authority, which then issues the Red-White-Red Card.
7. Receive an entry visa and travel to Austria. If the RWR Card is approved while the applicant is still living abroad, the Austrian embassy will issue a Visa D to facilitate entry. Upon arriving in Austria, this visa is exchanged for the RWR Card, and the employee must register their address with the local registration office within three days of arrival.

How long does the process take?

Processing times depend on the permit type and circumstances. RWR Card applications typically take between 6 and 8 weeks, while a Visa D may take anywhere from 15 to 60 days to issue. Temporary residence or work permit applications generally require around 6 to 12 weeks once all documentation has been received and the file is deemed complete by the competent authority.

Incomplete applications are among the most common causes of delays — Austrian authorities will not begin processing until all required materials are in order. Employers and applicants alike should ensure that submissions are thorough from the outset, and that any follow-up requests from authorities are addressed promptly.

Where a labour market test is required, this step typically adds 2 to 6 weeks to the timeline, depending on the region and the profession. This should be factored into planning, especially for roles that do not qualify for an exemption.

What documents do expats need to apply for a work permit in Austria?

The precise documentation required varies according to the permit category, but the following items are generally expected across most application types. Requirements can change, so always confirm the current checklist with the relevant Austrian authority before submitting.

Documents required from the applicant

• A valid travel document (e.g. passport) along with a recent passport photograph (dimensions: 45x35mm) taken within the last six months, and proof of comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• A current criminal record certificate from the applicant’s country of origin or most recent country of habitual residence. It is advisable to use an extract that is no more than three months old at the time of submission.
• Evidence of relevant educational qualifications, together with a language certificate demonstrating proficiency in German at A1, A2, or B1 level, or in English at A2 or B1 level, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
• A signed employment contract or formal written job offer from an Austrian employer, stating the position title, agreed salary, working hours, and contract duration.
• Proof of accommodation in Austria and confirmation of health insurance coverage, demonstrating that the employee will have appropriate living arrangements and access to medical care.
• Documentation of relevant professional qualifications and work history, demonstrating suitability for the specific role applied for.

Documents required from the employer

• A completed employer’s declaration (Arbeitgebererklärung) providing detailed information about the intended place of employment, which must accompany the application.
• Company registration documents and evidence of the employer’s legal standing in Austria.
• Confirmation that the terms of employment — including salary, hours, and contract conditions — comply with Austrian labour law and any relevant collective bargaining agreements. If the industry-mandated minimum wage exceeds the agreed salary, the application may be refused.
• Evidence relating to the labour market test, where required, showing that no suitable candidate from Austria or another EU/EEA country was available to fill the position.

The website Berufsanerkennung.at can help you establish whether your profession is regulated in Austria and identify the body responsible for recognition. For regulated occupations, additional certification or recognition documents will be necessary. Always confirm the complete and current document requirements directly with the competent Austrian residence authority or the AMS before submitting your application.

What does a work permit cost in Austria?

Government fees for Red-White-Red Cards, EU Blue Cards, and Job Seeker Visas range from €100 to €160 depending on the permit type (as of 2025). A more detailed breakdown for the Red-White-Red Card system indicates fees of approximately €120 for the application itself, €20 for the granting decision, and €20 for fingerprinting — though these figures are subject to revision and should always be confirmed with the official authority before any application is submitted.

The Job Seeker Visa application carries a fee of €150, and proof of payment must be provided at the time of application (as of the time of publication). This figure should be verified directly with the Austrian embassy or consulate handling the application.

In addition to official government fees, applicants should set aside funds for supplementary costs such as certified translations of documents, notarisation charges, passport photographs, and any required medical assessments. The extent of these costs will vary depending on your country of origin and the language of your supporting documents.

Austria does not operate a formal employer sponsorship licence system of the kind found in some other countries, but employers nonetheless incur administrative costs through their engagement with the AMS process and the preparation of supporting documentation.

Under Austrian law, as in most EU member states, employers are not permitted to pass immigration-related costs on to employees through salary deductions or other financial penalties. Anyone asked to cover costs that appear to be the employer’s responsibility should seek independent legal guidance. For the most authoritative and current fee schedule, consult migration.gv.at or the appropriate Austrian embassy or consulate in your country of residence.

Can expats change jobs or employers while on a work permit in Austria?

A standard Red-White-Red Card grants the holder the right to reside in Austria for a fixed term and to work exclusively for the employer named in the original application. This means the RWR Card is employer-specific: if you want to move to a different employer during the initial 24-month validity period, a fresh application process will generally be required.

The Red-White-Red Card Plus offers considerably greater flexibility. Unlike the standard RWR Card, it is not tied to a specific employer, allowing holders to work for any employer anywhere in Austria. Holders of a Red-White-Red Card who have been employed in accordance with the relevant eligibility criteria for a minimum of 21 months within the preceding 24 months may apply to the competent residence authority for the RWR Card Plus, subject to assessment by the AMS. Once granted, the RWR Card Plus provides fixed-term settlement rights alongside unrestricted access to the Austrian labour market.

This employer-tied arrangement mirrors the structure of sponsored work permit systems in many other countries, where a change of employer requires either amending the existing permit or beginning a new application. The transition to the RWR Card Plus marks a meaningful shift, removing employer restrictions and enabling full occupational mobility across Austria without the need for fresh immigration authorisation.

Holders of a Red-White-Red Card or EU Blue Card may engage in self-employed activity alongside their primary employment, but only to a minor extent. Anyone considering supplementary self-employment should take legal advice beforehand to ensure they remain within the bounds of their permit conditions.

Those on seasonal permits or short-term posting permits face considerably stricter limitations and are generally not permitted to change employers or sectors without obtaining a new permit. If you are uncertain whether a planned job change is consistent with the terms of your current permit, consult the AMS or a qualified immigration adviser before proceeding.

What are the penalties for working illegally in Austria?

A valid work permit must be in place before employment commences. Employing someone without the required authorisation exposes employers to substantial fines, and repeat or serious violations can result in additional consequences for the business.

Employers found to have engaged workers without valid work permits — or who have underpaid wages, failed to retain required records, or breached posted worker notification obligations — face fines ranging from €1,000 to €10,000 per employee (as of 2025). Where more than one infringement has occurred within the preceding 12 months, the AMS may refuse to process further applications from the same company. Repeated or serious violations may be recorded in a central register and result in a temporary prohibition on hiring new foreign nationals. In the most severe cases, authorities have the power to revoke a business’s trade licence or ban commercial activity in Austria for a defined period.

Workplace inspections may be carried out regardless of how briefly or infrequently foreign workers are employed, though inspections are more common in sectors known for low wages and high levels of informal employment — including construction, hospitality, and transport and logistics. During an inspection, officials will review work permits, work visas, and residence permits, and check whether Austrian minimum wage obligations and record-keeping requirements have been met.

Foreign nationals who work without valid authorisation may themselves face financial penalties and/or deportation accompanied by a re-entry ban. Such violations can have lasting consequences for immigration prospects, particularly for anyone hoping to apply for permanent residency or Austrian citizenship in the future. Any record of non-compliance is likely to weigh against an applicant in subsequent immigration proceedings.

As a general rule, employers may only engage skilled workers from third countries if those individuals hold a valid work permit or a residence permit that includes the right to work. Engaging a worker without such documentation constitutes illegal employment and may result in significant fines. Both parties — employer and employee — share responsibility for ensuring all required permits are in place before work begins.

Where can expats find reliable and up-to-date information on work permits in Austria?

When researching Austria’s work permit system, official government sources should always be the primary reference. Fees, processing timelines, salary thresholds, and documentary requirements are subject to periodic change, and information on third-party websites — including those run by immigration advisers or recruitment agencies — may not always be current.

• migration.gv.at — The official immigration information portal of the Austrian federal government, covering all permit categories, eligibility criteria, the points calculator, and step-by-step application guidance. This is the essential starting point for anyone planning to move to Austria for work.
• ams.at — The website of the Austrian Public Employment Service (Arbeitsmarktservice), which oversees employment authorisation, labour market testing, seasonal worker quotas, and student employment permits. While the AMS handles all matters related to labour and employment law, questions about the right of residence fall under the remit of the Immigration Authority.
• workinaustria.com — A government-backed platform operated by the Austrian Business Agency (ABA) that provides comprehensive, tailored information on working and living in Austria, including guidance on residence, family reunification, and the employment of foreign nationals.
• Austrian embassies and consulates — For applicants submitting an initial application from outside Austria, the Austrian embassy or consulate in their country of residence is the first point of contact. In many cases, the employer obtains work permit approval in Austria while the employee applies for an entry visa (Visa D) at the embassy. Once the Visa D is issued, the employee travels to Austria and exchanges it for the RWR Card after arrival.
• berufsanerkennung.at — A useful resource for checking whether a particular profession is regulated in Austria and for identifying which authority is responsible for assessing professional qualifications.

Treat any fee or processing time estimates encountered on third-party websites as indicative only. Always verify precise and current figures directly with the AMS or the relevant residence authority before submitting an application or making any financial commitments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do EU citizens need any paperwork to work in Austria?

EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals do not need a work permit due to the freedom of movement within the European Union. They can take up employment in Austria freely, though they will need to register their residence if they intend to stay longer than three months.

Can I look for work in Austria before securing a job offer?

If you do not yet have a job offer, you can come to Austria to look for work for six months on a Job Seeker Visa. Reaching a minimum of 70 points according to the applicable criteria list is a prerequisite for the Job Seeker Visa. This route is available to very highly qualified workers who meet the points threshold.

Does my employer need to be registered or licensed to sponsor me?

There is no general registration system for employers who wish to hire foreign nationals in Austria. However, employers must work with the AMS and the local residence authority, fulfil salary and contract conditions, and — where applicable — demonstrate that no suitable local or EU/EEA candidate was available.

What happens if my visa expires while my work permit application is still being processed?

If your visa expires before your application has been properly processed, you are required to leave Austria and await the final decision abroad. This is an important reason to begin the application process well in advance of any visa expiry date.

Can third-country students work in Austria?

Third-country students may be granted an employment permit for employment of up to 20 hours per week, without a labour market test. The prospective employer has to file the application for the employment permit with the AMS. Students wishing to work more than 20 hours per week may be subject to a full labour market test.

Can I switch to a different employer once I have an RWR Card?

As a holder of a Red-White-Red Card, you are entitled to fixed-term settlement and employment by the employer specified in your application. To change employers during the initial permit period, you will generally need to apply for a new permit. Once you upgrade to the RWR Card Plus after 21 months, you are entitled to fixed-term settlement and unlimited labour market access.

Are there work permit options for seasonal workers in agriculture or tourism?

The employer applies for a quota permit (Kontingentbewilligung) for seasonal workers with the competent regional AMS, subject to a labour market test confirming no Austrian or already-resident worker can be placed, and subject to the employer providing locally customary accommodation. The maximum term of a quota permit is six months, and within twelve months seasonal workers may be employed for a maximum of nine months.

Can violations of work permit rules affect future residency or citizenship applications?

Yes. Working without a valid permit or breaching permit conditions can have serious long-term consequences. Foreign nationals can face moderate fines and/or deportation with a re-entry ban. Certain violations will be registered in a central register, and may lead to the prohibition from employing new foreign nationals — and in the most serious cases, authorities can revoke a trade licence or prohibit business activities in Austria. Any immigration violation is likely to be considered in future applications for permanent residency or citizenship.