Austria residence for financially independent people

What this residence permit is

Austria has no residence-by-investment programme. Financially independent foreigners who want to live in the country on their own income receive a settlement permit without the right to work. It does not allow employment or self-employment in Austria, and you must genuinely live here: the permit is for moving, not for occasional visits.

The main constraint is the quota. The number of such permits per year is capped by the settlement regulation: in 2026 there are about 285 places nationwide for this category out of roughly 5,600 places across all quota categories. Places are allocated by filing date, so a complete application should be filed early in the year.

Requirements in 2026

The amounts are indexed every year. Dollars are converted at the European Central Bank rate of 5 October 2026 and rounded up.

What it costs

Living funds are not a fee but a condition: income must arrive regularly throughout the permit. The old condition of $46,000 in an account no longer applies; what matters is monthly income.

Documents and where to get them

• A valid passport and a biometric photo no older than 6 months.
• Proof of housing in Austria: a lease or title documents.
• Income documents: pension statements, account statements explaining the origin of funds, leases on property you rent out, dividend documents.
• A health insurance policy covering all risks in Austria.
• A police certificate no older than 3 months at the first filing, apostilled and translated into German.
• A German A1 certificate from a recognised exam centre.
• For family members, apostilled and translated marriage and birth certificates.

Who it suits and who it does not

The permit suits pensioners with a good pension, people living on dividends, rent or interest, and families whose income comes from abroad and needs no work in Austria. It does not suit those who want to work or run a business in Austria: for work there is a separate Red-White-Red card for skilled workers, and for business there are permits for entrepreneurs. Nor does it suit those hoping for status without moving: the permit is for living in the country, and long absences hinder renewal and the move to permanent status.

Housing for the application

Housing must be suitable for the family by local standards and secured by a contract for a clear term. Rent in Vienna and Salzburg is expensive, and the rent reduces the income the authority takes into account, so we choose a flat with the income threshold in mind. A deposit, often three months' rent, is usually paid when signing. Since 1 July 2023 the agency commission is paid by whoever hired the agency, so a tenant usually pays no commission for a flat found at the owner's request.

Family

A spouse and children under 18 receive permits with the applicant if the income covers them too: $4,700 a month for a couple and another $460 per child. Each person needs insurance, apostilled and translated proof of relationship and their own quota place, so families file at the same time. We check the German requirements for family members in advance so that no single application holds up the others.

German A1: how to prepare

The A1 certificate is accepted from recognised exam bodies, including the Austrian Integration Fund and international language institutes with centres in many countries. The exam tests reading, listening, writing and a simple conversation. From scratch people usually prepare for 2-4 months with a teacher. It is best to start at the same time as collecting documents so the certificate is ready for the consulate appointment rather than delaying filing and the quota place.

Step by step and timelines

1. German A1: a course and an exam at a recognised centre, usually 2-4 months for beginners.
2. Collecting documents, apostilles and translations, 1-2 months; we order the police certificate last so it is no older than 3 months.
3. Filing at an Austrian embassy or consulate: nationals who need a visa must apply from abroad; getting into the quota early in the year matters.
4. Decision of the provincial migration authority and an entry visa to collect the card.
5. Entry, registration at the place of residence within 3 days of moving in, and collecting the card.
6. Renewal: first for another 12 months, then for 3 years if the conditions are still met.

How to get approved the first time

• The year's quota is used up by the time of review.
• After deducting rent and loans, income falls below the threshold.
• Savings with no explained origin, or one-off deposits before filing.
• No A1 certificate, or one issued by an unrecognised school.
• Insurance does not cover all risks or ends before the permit.
• The applicant plans to work in Austria or already does.
• A criminal record or breaches of Schengen stay rules.

Most refusals are predictable: we check the quota, income after rent and the A1 certificate before booking the consulate, and order the police certificate last so it is not out of date on the filing day.

Taxes for permit holders

With a home in Austria a person usually becomes tax resident and pays tax on worldwide income at 0-55%, with the first $16,000 a year tax-free. Capital income and crypto are taxed at 27.5%, bank interest at 25%. Austria has no inheritance or gift tax. More on our taxes in Austria page.

The path to permanent residence and citizenship

After 5 years of continuous residence and with German at B1, you can obtain European Union long-term resident status. Austrian citizenship is generally granted after 10 years of residence, earlier with special integration and good German. Austria does not allow dual citizenship except in rare cases, so many families stay on permanent status. See Austrian citizenship.

What changes in 2026

Income thresholds rose with the social minimum rates: $3,000 a month for one person, $4,700 for a couple and $460 per child. The quota for financially independent people remains one of the smallest, about 285 places nationwide, and the permit fee is about $250. German A1 is still required before filing. The 2027 thresholds will appear at the end of 2026 together with the new social minimum rates, so applications for early 2027 are calculated on them.

Alternatives to Austria

Austria wins on quality of life and Schengen, but because of the quota and the language it suits those ready to plan the move in advance.

What we do

Murblz specialists check whether your income meets the 2026 thresholds after rent, find a German A1 course, collect apostilled and translated documents, find housing and insurance, and support filing at the consulate and renewals. If Austria does not suit you because of the quota or the language, we suggest another country. A consultant will calculate the cost in the chat.

Advantages of an Austrian residence permit

How to get an Austrian residence permit step by step

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