Republic of Austria · entrepreneur · Leads to settlement
Red-White-Red Card — Startup Founder
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Dedicated RWR Card category for innovative startup founders — business plan assessed by an expert jury, no points calculation needed.
- Processing time
- 4–12 weeks (jury assessment adds time).
- Government fees
- €160.
- Typical duration
- 2 years; then RWR Card Plus progression.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Overview
Austria introduced a dedicated RWR Card category for startup founders. Unlike the standard RWR Card, there is no points calculation — instead, an expert jury assesses the business plan for innovation, scalability, and economic contribution. The founder must demonstrate sufficient capital to fund the startup and support themselves, and the business must create value for the Austrian economy (new technology, innovation, or significant employment). The permit is issued for 2 years, with the same progression to RWR Card Plus and permanent residence as other RWR Card categories.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Innovative business plan assessed positively by an expert jury — the plan must demonstrate innovation, scalability, and economic contribution to Austria.
- ✓Sufficient capital to fund the business and support yourself (specific amount assessed case-by-case).
- ✓The startup must create value beyond the founder's own employment — technology innovation, IP creation, or job creation.
Common blockers
- !Business plan not deemed sufficiently innovative — consulting, trading, or traditional service businesses generally do not qualify.
- !Insufficient capital.
- !Business idea with no connection to the Austrian market or economy.
Typical evidence
- ·Detailed business plan with financial projections.
- ·Evidence of capital.
- ·CV and evidence of relevant expertise.
- ·Market research and competitive analysis.
Application pathway
Develop your business plan
Create a comprehensive plan demonstrating innovation, scalability, and Austrian economic value.
Submit application with business plan
Apply at the Austrian consulate or domestically. The business plan is forwarded to an expert jury for assessment.
Jury assessment
The expert jury evaluates the innovation, viability, and economic contribution. This adds 2–4 weeks to processing.
Receive RWR Card and build the startup
On approval, receive the RWR Card for 2 years. Progress to RWR Card Plus after 2 years, then permanent residence after 5 years.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
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 guidanceApplicantUse startup founder RWR guidance ↗
Use the official Red-White-Red Card guidance to confirm the startup-founder category and filing authority.
Federal Ministry of the Interior · verified
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Frequently asked questions
What qualifies as "innovative" for the startup RWR Card?+
The expert jury looks for technology innovation, novel business models, IP creation, and scalable solutions. Traditional businesses (restaurants, retail, consulting) generally do not qualify. Deep tech, software platforms, biotech, fintech, and green technology are well-received. The business must create economic value beyond the founder's own employment.
How much capital do I need?+
There is no fixed minimum — the amount is assessed in relation to your business plan. The jury evaluates whether the capital is realistic for the proposed business. Software startups with low capital requirements are assessed differently from hardware or manufacturing startups. As a rough benchmark, demonstrating €50,000+ in available capital strengthens the application.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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