Austria : Visa and immigration

Do I need a visa or work permit?

Holders of European Economic Area (EEA) or Swiss passports do not require a visa for Austria. (The EEA comprises the European Union (EU) plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.) However, they must register with the local Aliens Administration Office within five days of arrival in Austria. They should also obtain an ID document (available from police stations or employment offices) within three months of arrival in order to prove their right of abode in Austria, although this is not obligatory.

With the recent enlargement of the EU, the above policies may not yet be applicable to citizens of some new EU member states. If you are from Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania or Bulgaria, and want to work in Austria, some restrictions on work permits may apply. You should contact the Austrian Embassy in your home country for more information, or visit EURES - European Job Mobility Portal to find out which regulations apply (go to 'Living & Working' and select 'Austria').

How do I apply for a visa?

If you are from a non-EU country, you should check with your nearest Austrian Embassy about visa requirements and regulations for working in Austria. A list of embassies is available from Embassies Worldwide .

Any foreign national to whom labour restrictions apply, and who wishes to work in Austria, will need both a work permit and residence permit. Your work permit must be applied for by your future employer in Austria and must be obtained prior to your departure from your country of residence. Your work permit, along with a residence permit, the form for which can be obtained from any Austrian Embassy, must be presented upon arrival in Austria.

How do I apply for permanent residency?

If you intend to stay in Austria for a period exceeding six months you must apply for a residence permit.

EU and EFTA citizens who intend to reside in Austria should file their application after their arrival in Austria.

If you are of a different nationality, you must obtain your residence permit before you travel. Forms are available from any Austrian Embassy.