Darf ich im Asylverfahren arbeiten?

Das hängt vom Verfahrensstadium und vom Datum Ihres Antrags ab. Seit 12. Juni 2026 ist unselbständige Arbeit im Beschwerdeverfahren grundsätzlich ausgeschlossen, für ältere Anträge gelten Übergangsbestimmungen.

Das AMS hat mir ein Schreiben geschickt. Was tun?

Das ist meist ein Parteiengehör vor der Ablehnung. Nehmen Sie innerhalb der Frist Stellung und zeigen Sie das Datum Ihres Antrags auf. Wir übernehmen das für Sie oder Ihren Arbeitgeber.

Muss ich Arbeit melden, wenn ich Grundversorgung bekomme?

Ja, vorher. Sonst drohen Rückforderungen.

Working During Asylum | Immigration Lawyer Vienna

In short

Since 12 June 2026, asylum seekers whose case is at the appeal stage are in principle no longer allowed to work as employees.
Transitional provisions apply to applications made before 12 June 2026. This is often overlooked.
If you receive a notice to comment (Parteiengehör) from the AMS: respond in good time.
If you receive basic care (Grundversorgung), you must report any work beforehand.

Current situation

The AMS is refusing employment permits

Since the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum on 12 June 2026, asylum seekers whose case is before the Federal Administrative Court (BVwG) after the first-instance notice (Bescheid) are in principle no longer allowed to work as employees. The AMS therefore refuses extensions of employment permits, often first with a notice to comment (Parteiengehör).

But: Transitional provisions apply to applications for international protection made before 12 June 2026. In our assessment, the previous residence law then remains applicable during the appeal procedure as well. This is exactly what the authority often overlooks in practice.

Notice to comment

If you have only received a letter from the AMS so far

We submit a statement on time that points out the date of the application and the transitional provision, before a negative notice is issued.

Notice

If the AMS has already refused

We lodge an appeal (Beschwerde) with the administrative court on time and apply for the permit to be granted. For employers, we take over all correspondence with the AMS and the court.

Overview

Which work is in principle possible during the asylum procedure

work as an employee with an employment permit from the AMS, which the employer applies for
self-employed activity with a trade licence (Gewerbeschein)
self-employed activity without a trade licence as a new self-employed person, for example tutoring
household-related services with a service voucher

Which of these options is open to you under the new legal situation and at your stage of the procedure depends on the individual case. If you receive basic care, you must report any work beforehand, otherwise you risk having to pay benefits back.

Questions we get asked

Working during the asylum procedure: short answers

May I work during the asylum procedure?

That depends on the stage of your procedure and the date of your application. Since 12 June 2026, work as an employee is in principle excluded during the appeal procedure; transitional provisions apply to older applications.

The AMS has sent me a letter. What should I do?

This is usually a notice to comment before a refusal. Respond within the deadline and point out the date of your application. We take care of this for you or your employer.

Do I have to report work if I receive basic care?

Yes, beforehand. Otherwise you risk having to pay benefits back.