Eligibility quiz
Do you want to settle in Austria without gainful employment?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Austria
You can live and make a home in Austria until the date on your card.
Residence cards are generally issued for 12 months, but the expiry date on your card controls.
Study in Austria
You can study in Austria while living there.
Visit Schengen countries
With your valid residence card and passport, you can visit other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
This does not give you the right to live or work there.
How to apply
From outside AustriaFrom outside Austria
Find your consulate
Find the Austrian embassy or designated consulate responsible for the place where you live. You must apply before entering Austria.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Austrian embassy or designated consulate covers your city for a Niederlassungsbewilligung – ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit application?”
Download the application form
Download the application form for the Niederlassungsbewilligung – ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit residence permit.
Download the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the Austrian Niederlassungsbewilligung – ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit application form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsFill in the form
Fill in and sign the application form. For a child, the parents sign the form as required.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Austrian Niederlassungsbewilligung – ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit application form?”
Register for a quota
If your application needs a quota place and your consulate requires pre-registration, register and obtain a reservation code. Each applicant, including each child, needs a separate code.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pre-register for an Austrian Niederlassungsbewilligung – ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit quota application at the consulate covering your city?”
Book an appointment
Follow your consulate’s instructions to book an appointment to submit your application.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment for an Austrian Niederlassungsbewilligung – ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit application at the consulate covering your city?”
Go to your appointment
Bring your signed form and the requested original documents and copies to the consulate, and give your fingerprints and photo if asked. Pay the application fee as the consulate instructs.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit an Austrian Niederlassungsbewilligung – ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit application at the consulate covering your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait abroad while the Austrian settlement authority decides your application. Answer any questions and send any extra documents it requests.
See how long it takesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does an Austrian Niederlassungsbewilligung – ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit application made at a consulate take?”
Apply for an entry visa
If you need a visa to enter Austria, apply for a visa D within three months of being told your permit was approved.
Find visa instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply for an Austrian visa D after approval of a Niederlassungsbewilligung – ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit?”
Travel to Austria
Travel to Austria with your entry visa, or without a visa if you are allowed to enter visa-free.
Find entry instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Austria after approval of a Niederlassungsbewilligung – ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit?”
Once in AustriaOnce in Austria
Contact your local office
Promptly after arriving, contact the Austrian settlement office responsible for your intended home to arrange collection of your card.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Austrian settlement office handles a Niederlassungsbewilligung – ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit for your city?”
Collect your residence card
Collect your card in person from the settlement office. If you needed an entry visa, collect it within the three months after the visa deadline, and no later than six months after you were told your permit was approved; the card lets you settle in Austria without gainful employment.
Find collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my Austrian Niederlassungsbewilligung – ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit residence card?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates *
Get your birth certificate showing your parents’ names. If you were adopted, add the adoption decision.
* Only if you are under 18 and your office asks for it.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationMarriage certificates *
Get your marriage certificate or registered partnership certificate from the office that issued it.
* Only if you are married or in a registered partnership.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Income, housing and insurance
You must keep enough lawful income to support yourself, at twice the social insurance reference rate.
You must also keep a valid passport, suitable housing and comprehensive health insurance valid in Austria.
Renewal deadline
Apply to renew your residence no earlier than three months before your card expires and no later than its expiry date.
Applying on time keeps your stay lawful while a decision is made.
A late application counts only if an unavoidable or unforeseen event stopped you, you had no or slight fault, and you apply within two weeks after the obstacle ends.
Restrictions on work
This status does not allow employment or self-employment in Austria; you need another permission to work.
Residence can end
Your residence can end if your card expires without a valid renewal application, or in some cases after a long absence.
It can also be withdrawn if conditions are no longer met or on serious public-order or security grounds.
Withdrawal must take account of its impact on your private and family life.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
r/AnchorLessEurope
English Reddit group for people living in Europe interested in visas
Join on RedditForeigners and Expats in Vienna and Austria
English Facebook group for people living in Austria interested in Austrian local life
Request to joinExpats World in Vienna
English Facebook group for people living in Austria interested in Austrian local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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