Republic of Austria · skilled migration · Leads to settlement

Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte)

By Sam Parks · Last reviewed: 18 April 2026

Austria's points-based work and residence permit for skilled workers, key workers, and graduates of Austrian universities — 70 points required.

Requires employer sponsorshipLeads to permanent residency2 years; then RWR Card Plus (employer-independent, also 2 years, renewable).

Processing time: 4–8 weeks for standard categories; "Very Highly Qualified" may be faster.
Government fees: €160 application fee; €20 residence card production.
Typical duration: 2 years; then RWR Card Plus (employer-independent, also 2 years, renewable).
Sponsorship required: Yes
Leads to permanent residency: Yes

Reviewed 18 April 2026Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) ↗

Overview

The Red-White-Red Card (RWR Card) is Austria's headline skilled-migration route and the most common way for non-EU nationals to work in Austria. It uses a points-based assessment scoring qualifications (up to 30 points), work experience (up to 20 points), language skills (German and English, up to 10 points each), age (up to 20 points — younger applicants score more), and salary (bonus points for above-median salary). There are five distinct categories, each with its own points table: (1) Very Highly Qualified Workers (special talents — 70 points, no job offer needed at application), (2) Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations (70 points, must be on the Mangelberufsliste), (3) Other Key Workers (55 points + salary above a fixed threshold), (4) Graduates of Austrian Universities (no points — just a qualifying job offer), and (5) Startup Founders (business plan assessed by an expert jury). The RWR Card is issued for 2 years and tied to a specific employer. After 2 years, the holder can apply for the RWR Card Plus (employer-independent work rights). After 5 total years of continuous residence, long-term EU residence (Daueraufenthalt-EU) is available.

Guidance by nationality

Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.

Additional sources

Primary source
AMS — Red-White-Red Card points calculator ↗ · AMS (Arbeitsmarktservice)
Link last verified: 18 April 2026

Eligibility

Typical criteria

✓Score 70+ points on the relevant RWR Card points table. Points are awarded for qualifications (up to 30 — doctoral degree scores highest), work experience (up to 20), language skills (German up to 10, English up to 10), age (up to 20 — under 26 scores maximum), and salary level.
✓Job offer from an Austrian employer for a qualifying role. The offer must specify salary, hours, and conditions meeting Austrian collective-agreement (Kollektivvertrag) standards. Exception: "Very Highly Qualified" applicants can apply without a job offer.
€Salary at or above the level prescribed in the relevant collective agreement for the role. Austria has extensive collective agreements covering most sectors — salary floors are binding.
✓For Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations: your occupation must appear on the current year's Mangelberufsliste (shortage occupation list), published annually in January.

Common blockers

!Points below 70 — particularly common for applicants without German-language certification, as language points are often the swing factor between qualifying and not qualifying.
!No German or English language certification — both contribute significant points. Applicants with neither certified language lose up to 20 points, making it nearly impossible to reach 70 from other categories alone.
!Salary below the collective-agreement level — even strong points scores cannot override a below-minimum salary offer.
!Occupation not on the Mangelberufsliste (for the shortage category) — the list changes annually and some occupations are added or removed each year.

Typical evidence

·Employment contract meeting collective-agreement salary and conditions standards.
·Degree certificates with apostille and certified German translation.
·German language certificate (ÖSD, Goethe-Institut, or telc — A1 through C2).
·English language certificate (IELTS, Cambridge, TOEFL) if claiming English-language points.
·Points calculation sheet (downloadable from migration.gv.at).
·Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the planned stay.
·Criminal-record certificate from your home country and any country of residence in the past 5 years.
·Proof of accommodation in Austria.

Application pathway

Calculate your points
Use the online points calculator on migration.gv.at to verify you score 70+ in your category. Pay special attention to language points — investing in German A2 or B1 certification before applying can be the difference between qualifying and not qualifying.
Secure a qualifying job offer
The employer provides an employment contract meeting collective-agreement standards. For shortage occupations, verify your occupation is on the current Mangelberufsliste. Exception: "Very Highly Qualified" applicants (e.g. researchers, top executives) can apply without a job offer.
Apply at Austrian consulate or domestically
Submit the RWR Card application at the Austrian embassy/consulate in your country of residence, or domestically at the MA 35 (Vienna) or local Magistrat/Bezirkshauptmannschaft if already legally in Austria. The AMS (Public Employment Service) assesses the labour-market component.
Receive RWR Card and begin work
The RWR Card is issued for 2 years and tied to the specific employer and role. You can begin working as soon as you receive the card.
Apply for RWR Card Plus after 2 years
After 2 years of RWR Card residence, apply for the RWR Card Plus — this grants employer-independent work rights. You can change employers, occupations, and work in any sector without restriction.
Apply for Daueraufenthalt-EU after 5 years
After 5 total years of continuous legal residence, apply for permanent residence (Daueraufenthalt-EU). Requirements include German B1, economic self-sufficiency, and clean criminal record.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

Official guidanceApplicant + sponsor
Use Red-White-Red Card application guidance ↗
Check the official category rules before the applicant or employer files with the Austrian mission or residence authority.
Federal Ministry of the Interior · verified 18 April 2026
ChecklistApplicant
Calculate Red-White-Red Card points ↗
Use the official points calculator to test the route category before preparing evidence.
Public Employment Service Austria · verified 18 April 2026

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Frequently asked questions

How many points do I need for the Red-White-Red Card?+

70 points for most categories (Very Highly Qualified and Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations). "Other Key Workers" need 55 points plus a salary above a fixed threshold. Points are scored across five categories: qualifications (up to 30 — a doctoral degree scores highest), work experience (up to 20), German language (up to 10), English language (up to 10), and age (up to 20 — under 26 scores maximum). The exact breakdown varies by category — use the online calculator at migration.gv.at.

How important is German language for the RWR Card?+

Very important. German A1 scores 5 points, A2 scores 10 points. English also scores up to 10 points but cannot fully compensate for no German. In practice, most successful applicants have at least A2 German. Beyond the points calculation, German is essential for daily life in Austria — particularly outside Vienna. It is also required (B1 level) for permanent residence after 5 years.

What is the Mangelberufsliste?+

The Mangelberufsliste (shortage occupation list) is published annually in January by the Austrian government. It lists occupations experiencing documented labour shortages. Workers in these occupations have a separate, slightly easier RWR Card category with its own points table. Common occupations on the list include IT professionals, engineers, healthcare workers, and skilled tradespeople. Check migration.gv.at for the current year's list — it changes every year.

Can I change employers on the RWR Card?+

The initial RWR Card (first 2 years) is tied to a specific employer. You cannot change employers without obtaining a new RWR Card or upgrading to the RWR Card Plus. After 2 years, the RWR Card Plus grants employer-independent work rights — you can change jobs, occupations, and sectors freely.

What is the RWR Card Plus?+

The RWR Card Plus is an employer-independent work and residence permit available after 2 years on the initial RWR Card. It removes all employer-tying restrictions — you can work for any employer in any sector. It is also issued to family members of RWR Card holders (spouses get work rights). The RWR Card Plus is valid for 3 years and renewable.

Can I apply without a job offer?+

Only in the "Very Highly Qualified Workers" category. This targets researchers, top executives, and individuals with exceptional achievements (patents, academic prizes, etc.). The points threshold is still 70, but the assessment focuses on academic and professional distinction rather than a specific employer. All other RWR Card categories require a concrete job offer.

Need tailored advice?

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Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte)

By Sam Parks · Last reviewed: 18 April 2026

Austria's points-based work and residence permit for skilled workers, key workers, and graduates of Austrian universities — 70 points required.

Requires employer sponsorshipLeads to permanent residency2 years; then RWR Card Plus (employer-independent, also 2 years, renewable).

Overview

Eligibility

Typical criteria

✓Score 70+ points on the relevant RWR Card points table. Points are awarded for qualifications (up to 30 — doctoral degree scores highest), work experience (up to 20), language skills (German up to 10, English up to 10), age (up to 20 — under 26 scores maximum), and salary level.
✓Job offer from an Austrian employer for a qualifying role. The offer must specify salary, hours, and conditions meeting Austrian collective-agreement (Kollektivvertrag) standards. Exception: "Very Highly Qualified" applicants can apply without a job offer.
€Salary at or above the level prescribed in the relevant collective agreement for the role. Austria has extensive collective agreements covering most sectors — salary floors are binding.
✓For Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations: your occupation must appear on the current year's Mangelberufsliste (shortage occupation list), published annually in January.

Common blockers

!Points below 70 — particularly common for applicants without German-language certification, as language points are often the swing factor between qualifying and not qualifying.
!No German or English language certification — both contribute significant points. Applicants with neither certified language lose up to 20 points, making it nearly impossible to reach 70 from other categories alone.
!Salary below the collective-agreement level — even strong points scores cannot override a below-minimum salary offer.
!Occupation not on the Mangelberufsliste (for the shortage category) — the list changes annually and some occupations are added or removed each year.

Typical evidence

·Employment contract meeting collective-agreement salary and conditions standards.
·Degree certificates with apostille and certified German translation.
·German language certificate (ÖSD, Goethe-Institut, or telc — A1 through C2).
·English language certificate (IELTS, Cambridge, TOEFL) if claiming English-language points.
·Points calculation sheet (downloadable from migration.gv.at).
·Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the planned stay.
·Criminal-record certificate from your home country and any country of residence in the past 5 years.
·Proof of accommodation in Austria.

Application pathway

Calculate your points

Use the online points calculator on migration.gv.at to verify you score 70+ in your category. Pay special attention to language points — investing in German A2 or B1 certification before applying can be the difference between qualifying and not qualifying.

Secure a qualifying job offer

The employer provides an employment contract meeting collective-agreement standards. For shortage occupations, verify your occupation is on the current Mangelberufsliste. Exception: "Very Highly Qualified" applicants (e.g. researchers, top executives) can apply without a job offer.

Apply at Austrian consulate or domestically

Submit the RWR Card application at the Austrian embassy/consulate in your country of residence, or domestically at the MA 35 (Vienna) or local Magistrat/Bezirkshauptmannschaft if already legally in Austria. The AMS (Public Employment Service) assesses the labour-market component.

Receive RWR Card and begin work

The RWR Card is issued for 2 years and tied to the specific employer and role. You can begin working as soon as you receive the card.

Apply for RWR Card Plus after 2 years

After 2 years of RWR Card residence, apply for the RWR Card Plus — this grants employer-independent work rights. You can change employers, occupations, and work in any sector without restriction.

Apply for Daueraufenthalt-EU after 5 years

After 5 total years of continuous legal residence, apply for permanent residence (Daueraufenthalt-EU). Requirements include German B1, economic self-sufficiency, and clean criminal record.