Family immigration with an EU/EEA/Swiss national
Family members of citizens of
- European Union member states
- Switzerland
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
have special rules applying to them when they immigrate to Austria. Depending on the nature of their family relationship and their citizenship(s), different consequences apply.
You are Austrian and want your family to join you in Austria?
Special rules apply to third-country nationals who are in close family relationships with Austrians:
- Third-country nationals who are spouses, civil partners or minor children of Austrians are eligible for the so-called Residence Permit – Family Member ("Aufenthaltstitel Familienangehöriger").
- Third-country nationals who are unmarried partners of Austrians are eligible for the so-called Settlement Permit – Dependant ("Niederlassungsbewilligung – Angehöriger").
- If you, as the Austrian in the family, lawfully lived or have been living in another EU member state for more than three months with your family before moving to Austria together, you are considered an EU citizen in terms of immigration law and your family members are eligible for attractive residence permits. Please note that this scenario also applies if you had lawfully lived in another EU member state with your family for more than three months before moving to a third country together after which you are now about to move or have just moved to Austria with them. Find out more below and feel free to check your family member's situation.
Family members who are EU/EEA/Swiss nationals
Are you immigrating to Austria as a family? Are all family members citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland? In that case, all family members can immigrate to Austria without further ado. However, certain registrations are still necessary.
Family members who are third-country nationals
Are you immigrating to Austria as a family? Are some family members third-country nationals, meaning that they are not citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland? These family members may need a visa to enter Austria. In addition, depending on the exact family status, they need to apply for and obtain a residence permit in order to stay in Austria for more than six months.
