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Work Permit in Austria

Grow your team in Austria

Is a Work Permit needed in Austria?

In Austria, a work permit is essential due to its unique position within the European Union and its structured approach to managing foreign labor. While workers from other EU countries benefit from the freedom of movement, non-EU nationals face stringent regulations designed to protect the local labor market. In 2024, Austria continues to enforce a quota system, limiting the number of foreign workers in specific sectors, particularly for low-skilled jobs, to prioritize local workers.

The Austrian work permit system also emphasizes maintaining high professional standards and national security. All foreign workers must undergo thorough criminal record checks and qualification verifications before receiving a work permit, ensuring that only qualified individuals are allowed to work in Austria. This process helps maintain the quality of the workforce and safeguards public safety. By integrating foreign workers into the Austrian social security system, the government ensures that they contribute to public funds and receive fair treatment under labor laws.

Austria’s approach to work permits also reflects its broader economic and social policies aimed at promoting stability and growth. In 2024, Austria has refined its work permit regulations to ensure that foreign labor continues to address specific shortages without overwhelming the local job market. This balance supports both economic development and social cohesion, making sure that the benefits of foreign labor are maximized while potential negative impacts are minimized.

About the Austrian Job Market

Austria is one of the wealthiest countries in Europe. Its stable economy and high salaries make it a popular destination for expats looking to move abroad. Austria’s job market heavily relies on industries and is constantly looking for laborers and highly skilled workers.

Work Permit in Austria

Number of Expats:

1.67 million

Expats Job Websites:

Popular Industries for Expats:

Construction, Tourism, Electronics, Chemicals and Metals, and IT

Types of Austria Work Visa Available

Austria is a part of the Schengen Agreement so the Austria work visa process is simpler for EU citizens. But to hire third-country nationals (non-European citizens), there are several types of Austria work permit visas that are available. In addition, Austria has a points-based system that ranks immigrants on the basis of their merit.

The different types of Austria work visas are as under:

Red-White-Red Card

‍This scheme is for highly-skilled foreign employees, assigning them a work and residence permit in Austria. It is issued for two years and given to the following groups of people:

  • Very Highly Qualified Workers: This visa is issued to highly qualified workers who come with related work experience. It requires an applicant to score more than 70 points.
  • Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupation: If your employee has certain skills that are listed in the shortage occupation listed by the Federal Minister of Economics, they are eligible for this type of visa. These employees must score a minimum of 55 points in the criteria.
  • Other Key Workers: This Austria work permit is applicable to hire people with special skills or expert know-how and have formal training in the related field. Employees have to reach a minimum of 55 points in the criteria.
  • Graduates of Austrian Universities and Colleges of Higher Education: This visa applies to student graduates from Austrian universities who wish to stay back and seek employment in Austria. There is no points system for graduates.
  • Self-employed Key Workers: Employees with business entities that create macroeconomic benefits beyond their own operations in Austria are entitled to this visa. There is no points-based system for this visa.
  • Start-up Founders: This Austria work visa applies to those who want to establish a firm or launch innovative products and services. These applicants need to score a minimum of 50 points.

EU Blue Card

‍This is similar to the Red-White-Red Card, giving applicants equal work rights as Austrian citizens. It is applicable for highly skilled workers, although there is no points-based system for this card.

Job Seeker Visa

‍This visa is issued to highly skilled individuals who haven’t yet secured employment. They can enter the country and look for a job.

Seasonal Workers

‍This Austria seasonal work visa is a temporary permit issued meant for fixed-term employment in agriculture and tourism. An employer has to apply for the quota meant for seasonal workers to hire them.

Requirements for an Austria Work Permit by/for Employers

Austria work visas are categorized into several types on a points-based system. On selecting the appropriate visa category, employers must ensure that their employees score the required points to be eligible for their Austria work permit. To hire non-nationals, an employer has to sponsor the work permit for their employees.

The Austria work permit requirements for employers are:

  • The employer has to apply at the Public Employment Service Austria (AMS).
  • Submit a declaration stating details of the employment

Note: You may have to give a Labour Market Test, which requires you to prove that no registered worker with the AMS can be employed for the role.

Requirements for an Austria Work Permit by/for Employees

The list of Austria work visa requirements for an employee is extensive. Employees must submit the following documents:

  • Valid passport
  • Birth certificate
  • Recent photographs
  • Evidence of adequate means of subsistence
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Health insurance

Considering the points-based system of eligibility, additional documents in Austria work permit requirements include:

  • Evidence of completed vocational education/training
  • The gross annual salary in a senior management position
  • Research and innovation activities
  • Awards and prizes
  • Work experience certificates
  • Language Skills
  • Examination certificates of studies in Austria

Austrian Work Permit Application Process

The Austrian work visa process differs according to the type of visa applied for. Most of your employees offered a secured job have to apply for the Red-White-Red card. The two main ways of getting a Red-White-Red Card are:

  • You can apply for your employee’s Austrian work permit at the local residence authority.
  • Your employee can personally apply at the representative authority in the respective country.
  • Submit all the necessary documents.
  • Pay the Austrian work visa fees.
  • Wait for the processing.

Timeframe for Work Permit Application

The Austria work permit processing time is about seven to eight weeks. However, it usually takes less time for short-term or self-employed key worker visas – about three weeks.

Austrian Work Permit Fees

The Austrian work visa under the Red-White-Red card has additional costs at the time of application. The table below lists the details of Austrian work visa fees.

Visa TypeAdditional CostsTotal Cost (In$US)
Red-White-Red Card

Application: $140

Granting: $23

Cost of Personalisation: $23

$186
Short-term Visas$70
Long-term Visas$116

How Multiplier Helps with Work Permits

As a global EOR solution, Multiplier has local entities in over 150 countries. As a result, we can smoothen the process of managing your employees around the world. Our HR solutions with qualified experts provide seamless and end-to-end solutions to all users.

With our SaaS-based solution, you can request a work permit for Austria, and our in-house department will take care of the rest. Let the experts handle all particulars, from necessary documentations to costs incurred. We will keep you informed at all points to obtain an Austria work permit.

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