Residence Card ("Aufenthaltskarte")
The Residence Card ("Aufenthaltskarte") is proof of the right to reside in Austria in accordance with the right of residence under EU law. The application for the Residence Card must be submitted within four months after entering the country. It is valid for a period of five years.
The Residence Card ("Aufenthaltskarte") is proof of the right to reside in Austria in accordance with the right of residence under EU law. The application for the Residence Card must be submitted within four months after entering the country. It is valid for a period of five years.
The Residence Card ("Aufenthaltskarte") ...
- is a documentation of the right to live and work in Austria as a third-country national family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen living in Austria.
- is valid for five years and can then be extended to a Permanent Residence Card ("Daueraufenthaltskarte") which is then valid for ten years.
- provides free access to the Austrian labour market.
- does not require any type of German language certificate.
Where does one apply for a Residence Card?
The application for the Residence Card card must be submitted in person to the correct branch of the Austrian Immigration and Residence Authority in Austria, the location of which depends on the place of residence. Depending on the citizenship(s) involved, it may be necessary to apply for a visa in order to enter Austria in a first step. Find out more herehere ().
Can one work with a Residence Card?
As a third-country national and family member of an EU national living in Austria, one has unrestricted access to the Austrian labour market. In other words, one is not bound to a particular employer. The Residence Card is proof of this.
Optionally, one can also apply to the Austrian Public Employment Service (“Arbeitsmarktservice“, AMS) for an additional confirmationconfirmation () that one is in fact allowed to work in Austria, even before receiving the Residence Card.
What happens after applying for a Residence Card?
One is permitted to remain in Austria after submitting your application for a Residence Card while the application is being processed, as long as the whole family fulfils the requirements for the residence in Austria according to EU law.
How long is the Residence Card valid and how can one extend it?
The Residence Card is valid for five years. After these five years of uninterrupted residence in Austria, one is entitled to a so-called Permanent Residence Card (“Daueraufenthaltskarte“), for which one can submit an application to the Immigration and Residence Authority. For this purpose, one will have to prove that one has actually lived in Austria for a period of at least five years.