Added
created from migration.gv.at Self-employed Key Workers page; verified 2026-10-09 Source
Minimum investment
$112,000
Company capital
Stay
24
months, renewable
Application fee
$244
Tax
Worldwide
Progressive income tax 0-55%
Path to staying
- Residence permit24 months
- Renew36 months at a time
- Permanent residencyafter 5 years
- Citizenshipafter 10 years
- Permanent residency 5 years
- Citizenship 10 years
- Dual citizenship not allowed
- Language required for citizenship B1
Overview
- Country
- Austria
- Program
- Austria Red-White-Red Card (Self-employed Key Workers)
- Local name
- Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte für selbständige Schlüsselkräfte
- Type
- Entrepreneur
- Status
- Active
- Initial duration
- 24 months
- Renewable
- Yes (36 mo)
- Min stay
- 183 days per 12 months
Red-White-Red Card for third-country self-employed key workers whose Austrian activity creates macroeconomic benefit beyond the business itself, for example through EUR 100,000+ investment, jobs, know-how or regional importance.
Investment options
| Type | Tier / zone | Min amount | USD equivalent | Holding | Returnable | Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company capital | Macroeconomic benefit via investment | EUR 100,000 | $112,000 | — | Yes | Optional |
Eligibility
- Minimum age 18+
- Criminal record check required
- Health check not required
- Health insurance required
- Endorsement Ams opinion
Work rights
- Employment not allowed
- Self-employment allowed
- Own a business allowed
- Work permit included no
Family and dependents
- Dependents allowed
- Yes
- Spouse included
- Yes
- Max child age
- 18
- Parents allowed
- No
Benefits and mobility
- Schengen access
- Bank account can open
- Property purchase allowed
- Public healthcare access granted
- Must be primary residence required
Tax
- Tax regime
- Worldwide
- Regime name
- Progressive income tax 0-55%
- Foreign income taxed
- Yes
- Capital gains taxed
- Yes
How to apply
- Method
- consulate
- Processing time
- 56–180 days
- Apply from abroad
- Yes
Notes
No points system. AMS issues a macroeconomic-benefit expertise within three weeks. The Card is issued for 24 months for the self-employed occupation in the application; afterwards a settlement permit for that self-employed activity may follow, and after a total of two years of settlement a three-year settlement permit is possible. Full labour-market access for employed work requires a purpose change to another RWR Card category. Application fee EUR 218 from 2026. Path to Long-term Resident – EU after five years with Module 2; ordinary naturalisation generally after 10 years.
Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Last changed Oct 10, 2026 Source