Austria — migration.gv.at / AMS
Austria Red-White-Red Card points calculator
Check whether you reach the 55-point threshold for the Red-White-Red Card as a Skilled Worker in a Shortage Occupation. Points come from your qualification, work experience, German and English levels, and age, scored against the official migration.gv.at grid (maximum 90).
Meets the 55-point threshold
56 / 55 points
- Qualification · Completed vocational training in the shortage occupation
- +30
- Work experience · 3 year(s) — capped at 20
- +6
- Language · German A2 (10) + English — (0), capped at 25
- +10
- Age · Under 40
- +10
- • Scoring the points grid is only part of eligibility: the Public Employment Service (AMS) also checks that your occupation is on the shortage list, that your qualification matches it, and that your pay meets the required minimum. Regulated professions (e.g. health, teaching) need formal recognition. This is indicative and educational — confirm with the official points calculator on migration.gv.at.
Worked examples
Typical profiles scored by the same calculator above. You need 55 of 90 points, plus vocational training in a shortage occupation.
| Profile | Detail | Points | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roofer, 29 (official worked example) | Vocational training, 10+ years experience, German A1 — the migration.gv.at example: 70 points. | 70 / 55 | Meets threshold |
| Care worker, 32 | Vocational training, 3 years experience, German B1. | 61 / 55 | Meets threshold |
| Technician, 28, 2 years in Austria | Vocational training, 2 years experience in Austria (double rate), German A2 + English A2. | 68 / 55 | Meets threshold |
| Tradesperson, 45 | Vocational training, no experience yet, German A1 only — falls short of 55. | 40 / 55 | Does not qualify |
| Strong profile, no shortage-occupation training | High points on experience + language + age, but without the qualifying vocational training the category does not apply. | 60 / 55 | Does not qualify |
| Multilingual applicant, 35 | German B1 (15) + English B1 (10) caps the language block at 25. | 67 / 55 | Meets threshold |
Points are scored against the migration.gv.at grid only. Meeting the threshold does not by itself grant the card — the AMS also checks the shortage list, qualification match, and pay.
About this calculator
The Red-White-Red Card is Austria’s points-based route for qualified workers from outside the EU. This calculator scores the Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations category, which needs 55 of 90 points and completed vocational training in an occupation on the federal or regional shortage list. It does not assess the shortage list itself, salary, or qualification recognition, all of which the AMS checks.
Primary source
migration.gv.at — Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations
https://www.migration.gv.at/en/types-of-immigration/permanent-immigration/skilled-workers-in-shortage-occupations/
Last checked: 2026-06-05.
FAQs
How many points do I need for the Austria Red-White-Red Card (shortage occupation)?
55 of a possible 90 points, plus the core requirement: completed vocational training in an occupation on the shortage list. Points come from qualification (30), work experience (up to 20), language (up to 25), and age (up to 15).
How are points awarded?
Qualification in the shortage occupation is 30 points. Work experience scores 1 point per half-year (2 per half-year if gained in Austria), capped at 20. German is A1=5, A2=10, B1+=15 and English A2=5, B1+=10 (summed, capped at 25). Age is 15 under 30, 10 under 40, 5 under 50.
Does this calculator cover all Red-White-Red Card categories?
No. It scores only the Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations category. Very Highly Qualified Workers, Other Key Workers, Graduates and Start-up Founders use different grids and thresholds.
Does passing the points test guarantee the card?
No. The Public Employment Service (AMS) also checks that your occupation is on the shortage list, that your qualification matches it, and that your pay meets the minimum. Regulated professions need formal recognition. The authoritative check is the official points calculator and the AMS decision, not this tool.