Austria · Temporary Residence
Austria Residence Permits for Founders
A start-up founder in Austria lives on the Red-White-Red Card for up to two years, then moves to the Red-White-Red Card plus. That second card removes the tie to self-employment and opens the whole labor market.
- 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
During its first term, the founder card grants fixed-term settlement and the right to self-employment. It is issued for a maximum of 24 months. Under the Integration Agreement, the grant of a Red-White-Red Card is treated as completion of Module 1, a condition that matters later for the longer follow-up card. Founders who decide to take up a job instead can switch to the Red-White-Red Card for very highly qualified workers, other key workers or skilled workers in shortage occupations, provided they meet those criteria and hold a binding job offer.
- Validity
- Up to 24 months
- Rights
- Fixed-term settlement and self-employment
- Integration
- Card grant counts as Module 1
- Switch option
- Employee Red-White-Red Cards with a job offer
- Government fee
- EUR 218 application fee
Requirements
- Continued operation of the start-up presented in the application.
- General requirements such as health insurance, accommodation and means of subsistence.
- A binding job offer and the relevant criteria, if switching to an employee card.
- Proof that the legal requirements for the follow-up card are met after two years.
How to apply
- Run the company and keep records of capital, activity and income.
- Before the 24 months end, prepare the application for the Red-White-Red Card plus.
- Alternatively, secure a binding job offer and apply for an employee Red-White-Red Card.
Red-White-Red Card plus
The Red-White-Red Card plus grants fixed-term settlement and unlimited access to the labor market, so the holder can be self-employed or work for any employer. Start-up founders can obtain it after two years if the legal requirements are met. The standard validity is one year, rising to three years for holders who have been lawfully settled in Austria for at least two years and have fulfilled Module 1 of the Integration Agreement. Spouses and registered partners aged at least 21 and unmarried minor children can receive the same card as family members.
- Validity
- 1 year, or 3 years after 2 years of settlement
- Work rights
- Unlimited labor market access
- Government fee
- EUR 218 application fee
- Family
- Spouse or partner aged 21+, unmarried minor children
- Family language
- A1 German for first-time family applicants
- Leads to
- Long-term resident – EU after 5 years
Requirements
- Two years on the start-up founder card with the legal requirements met.
- Module 1 of the Integration Agreement for the three-year validity.
- General requirements: health insurance, adequate accommodation and regular income.
- For family members, German at A1 level on a first application unless an exemption applies.
How to apply
- Apply to the residence authority for the place of residence.
- Submit evidence of the founder card period and of integration status.
- Family members apply for their own Red-White-Red Card plus based on the sponsor's permit.
Integration duties and family members
Third-country nationals who first receive a Red-White-Red Card, a Red-White-Red Card plus or certain settlement permits must fulfil Module 1 of the Integration Agreement within two years. Holders of a Red-White-Red Card are deemed to have completed it, which helps founders qualify for the longer three-year Red-White-Red Card plus. Grace periods of 12 months can be granted on application, and people who declare in writing that they will not stay more than 12 months in any 24-month period are exempt.
Family members of a founder apply for the Red-White-Red Card plus in their own right, with validity tied to the sponsor's permit. On a first application they generally need German at A1 level; the exemption from that rule covers families of very highly qualified workers, EU Blue Card holders and researchers rather than start-up founders. The application fee for each family card is EUR 218.
Questions and answers
What happens when the start-up founder card expires after 24 months?
If the legal requirements are met after two years, the founder can receive the Red-White-Red Card plus. It keeps the right to self-employment and adds access to any employer. Founders who take a job instead can apply for one of the employee Red-White-Red Cards with a binding job offer.
Can family members of a start-up founder work in Austria?
Family members receive the Red-White-Red Card plus, which gives unlimited access to the labor market, covering both employment and self-employment. Spouses and registered partners must be at least 21 when applying, and children must be unmarried and under 18 at the time of the application.
Does the family need to speak German?
First-time family applicants generally need German at A1 level. The rules exempt family members of very highly qualified workers, EU Blue Card holders and holders of a researcher settlement permit, but that list does not include start-up founders, so their families should plan for the A1 proof.
Why does Module 1 matter for founders?
Module 1 of the Integration Agreement unlocks the three-year Red-White-Red Card plus once a holder has been lawfully settled for two years. Under the Integration Agreement rules, the grant of a Red-White-Red Card counts as completing Module 1, and the residence authority confirms this in each case.
Official sources
- Red-White-Red Card plus - Migration.gv.atwww.migration.gv.at
- Start-up Founders - Migration.gv.atwww.migration.gv.at
- Integration Agreement - Migration.gv.atwww.migration.gv.at
- Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte für Start-up-Gründer – Antrag - oesterreich.gv.atwww.oesterreich.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