Austria · Startup Visa
Austria Startup Visa: Red-White-Red Card
Austria runs a dedicated founder permit, the Red-White-Red Card for Start-up Founders. It combines a points test with a capital floor of EUR 30,000, and established entrepreneurs can use a separate card for self-employed key workers.
- Startup route
- Red-White-Red Card for Start-up Founders
- Minimum capital
- EUR 30,000, at least half of it equity
- Permanent residence
- 5 years (Long-term resident – EU)
- Citizenship
- 10 years; 6 years in specific cases
Red-White-Red Card for Start-up Founders
The card admits founders who set up a company to develop and launch innovative products, services, processes or technologies. Applicants submit a consistent business plan, show personal controlling influence over management and prove company capital of at least EUR 30,000, of which at least half is equity. They also need 50 of 85 possible points for qualifications, work experience, language skills and bonus criteria. The residence authority forwards the file to the Public Employment Service, which delivers an opinion within three weeks on the macroeconomic benefit, and the authority must decide within eight weeks.
- Validity
- Up to 24 months
- Points
- At least 50 of a possible 85
- Capital
- EUR 30,000, at least half equity
- Government fee
- EUR 218 application fee
- Processing time
- AMS opinion in 3 weeks; decision within 8 weeks
- Leads to
- Red-White-Red Card plus after 2 years
Requirements
- A newly founded company developing innovative products, services, processes or technologies.
- A consistent business plan for founding and running the company.
- Personal controlling influence over management, usually shown in the articles of association.
- Company capital of at least EUR 30,000, with an equity share of at least 50%.
- At least 50 points under the start-up founder criteria.
- The general residence requirements, such as health insurance coverage.
How to apply
- Prepare the business plan, capital evidence and documents proving each point claimed.
- Apply in person at the Austrian embassy or consulate, or at the residence authority if lawfully in Austria.
- The authority obtains the Public Employment Service opinion on the economic benefit.
- Visa-required nationals obtain a visa D to enter and pick up the card.
Red-White-Red Card for Self-employed Key Workers
This card suits entrepreneurs whose activity brings macroeconomic benefit to Austria beyond the business itself, without a points test. The benefit may be shown by investment capital of at least EUR 100,000 transferred to Austria on a sustained basis, by creating or securing jobs, by transferring know-how or new technologies, or by the business's considerable significance for a whole region. The Public Employment Service assesses the benefit within three weeks. The card lasts 24 months and permits the self-employed occupation named in the application; afterward a settlement permit can follow, including a three-year permit after two years of settlement.
- Validity
- 24 months
- Points test
- None
- Investment marker
- EUR 100,000 transferred on a sustained basis
- Government fee
- EUR 218 application fee
- Processing time
- AMS opinion within 3 weeks
- Leads to
- Settlement permit, then a 3-year permit
Requirements
- Self-employment that brings macroeconomic benefit beyond the business's own operations.
- Evidence such as EUR 100,000 of investment capital, job creation or technology transfer.
- Considerable significance of the business for the region, where relevant.
- The general residence requirements, including health insurance.
How to apply
- Document the investment, jobs and know-how the business brings to Austria.
- Apply at an Austrian representation abroad or at the competent authority in Austria.
- Await the AMS opinion and the decision of the residence authority.
How the start-up founder points add up
Qualifications earn up to 30 points: 20 for completed vocational training or special skills in the occupation, 20 for a tertiary program of at least three years, and 30 for a degree or vocational training completed in Austria. Each half-year of relevant work experience adds one point, up to 10. Language skills add up to 15 points, with German at C1–C2 earning the maximum and English at B2 earning 10.
The bonus block is worth up to 30 points. Founders gain 10 points for proving at least EUR 50,000 of additional investment capital, 10 for admission to a business incubator or start-up funding in Austria, and 10 for being 35 or younger. A young founder with a three-year degree, B2 English and an incubator place can therefore pass the 50-point threshold without any German.
Questions and answers
What is the minimum capital for Austria's start-up founder card?
Company capital must be at least EUR 30,000, and at least half of it must be equity. Proving at least EUR 50,000 of additional investment capital earns 10 bonus points, which can help applicants who are close to the 50-point threshold.
Is German required for the start-up founder card?
German is not mandatory. Language skills earn points, and English at B2 counts for 10 points, the same as German at B1–B2. Documents not in German or English need certified translations. Founders can also reach 50 points through qualifications, experience, age and incubator support.
Can the application be filed from inside Austria?
Yes, after lawful entry and during a lawful stay, the application can be filed with the residence authority for the intended place of residence, such as MA 35 in Vienna. Filing in person during a lawful stay also allows the applicant to remain in Austria, even if the visa-free period or visa has expired.
How long does the decision take?
The Public Employment Service issues its opinion within three weeks, and the residence authority must decide within eight weeks. Applicants who need a visa then obtain a visa D to travel to Austria and collect the card from the authority.
Official sources
- Start-up Founders - Migration.gv.atwww.migration.gv.at
- Start-up-GründerInnen - Migration.gv.atwww.migration.gv.at
- Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte für Start-up-Gründer – Antrag - oesterreich.gv.atwww.oesterreich.gv.at
- Self-employed Key Workers - Migration.gv.atwww.migration.gv.at
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in Austria.
Startup visa
Red-White-Red Card for Start-up Founders: 50 points, EUR 30,000 capital
02Temporary residence
First card for up to 24 months, then the Red-White-Red Card plus
03Permanent residence
Long-term resident – EU after 5 years, with Module 2 (German B1)
04Citizenship
Usually 10 years; the previous nationality must normally be renounced