Added
created from migration.gv.at Start-up Founders page; verified 2026-10-09 Source
AT
Austria Red-White-Red Card (Start-up Founders)
Active
Worldwide
Schengen
Austria · Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte für Start-up-GründerInnen · Startup · apply consulate · processing 56–180 days
Minimum investment
$33,600
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 (Start-up Founders)
- Local name
- Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte für Start-up-GründerInnen
- Type
- Startup
- Status
- Active
- Initial duration
- 24 months
- Renewable
- Yes (36 mo)
- Min stay
- 183 days per 12 months
Red-White-Red Card for third-country founders building an innovative Austrian start-up with at least EUR 30,000 capital, controlling influence, a coherent business plan and a 50-point score.
Investment options
| Type | Tier / zone | Min amount | USD equivalent | Holding | Returnable | Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company capital | Mandatory seed capital | EUR 30,000 | $33,600 | — | Yes | Required |
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
AMS issues an expertise within three weeks; the residence authority decides thereafter (statutory outer limit six months). The Card is issued for up to 24 months for the self-employed activity described; a Red-White-Red Card plus with full labour-market access can follow if legal requirements are met. Sufficient means of subsistence are not separately listed for Red-White-Red Card titles the way they are for settlement permits. Application fee EUR 218 from 2026. Ordinary naturalisation generally after 10 years with Module 2 German and renunciation of prior citizenship where possible.
Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Last changed Oct 10, 2026 Source