Wofür hafte ich mit einer Verpflichtungserklärung?

Für Kosten, die öffentlichen Rechtsträgern durch den Aufenthalt Ihres Gastes entstehen, etwa eine Abschiebung oder dringende medizinische Behandlungen ohne Versicherung. Nicht für private Schulden des Gastes.

Was ist der Unterschied zur Haftungserklärung?

Die Verpflichtungserklärung gilt für Visa, etwa für Besuche. Die Haftungserklärung ist für Aufenthaltstitel nach dem NAG gedacht und muss notariell oder gerichtlich beglaubigt sein.

Wie senke ich mein Risiko?

Bestehen Sie auf einer Reiseversicherung mit ausreichender Deckung. Sie deckt vor allem medizinische Kosten ab.

Formal Obligation | Immigration Lawyer Vienna

In short

With a formal obligation (Verpflichtungserklärung), you take on costs that your visitor causes to the public authorities.
These include, for example, deportation costs and urgent medical treatment.
They do not include private debts or costs arising from criminal offences committed by your guest.
For residence permits, there is the declaration of liability (Haftungserklärung), certified by a notary or a court.

Invitation

What a formal obligation is

A person who needs a visa and cannot prove sufficient own funds for the stay will usually not be granted a visa. In that case, a person with their main residence in Austria can make a formal obligation: they undertake to bear certain costs that the visit may cause to the public authorities. For visitor visas, this is now usually done as an electronic formal obligation with the aliens police authority (Fremdenpolizeibehörde).

Scope

What you are liable for

all costs that public bodies incur through the stay
for example, the costs of a deportation if your guest does not leave the country; these can quickly amount to several thousand euros
urgent medical treatment, unless your guest has health insurance that is valid in Austria

Limits

What you are not liable for

your guest's private debts
costs arising from criminal offences committed by your guest

Tip: Travel insurance with sufficient cover reduces your risk considerably.

Residence permits

The declaration of liability under settlement law

For residence permits under the Settlement and Residence Act (NAG), for example for students, there is the declaration of liability. For humanitarian residence permits under the Asylum Act, the equivalent is called a sponsorship declaration (Patenschaftserklärung). It must be certified by a notary or a court, and the authority checks whether you yourself have sufficient financial means. How long and up to what amount you are liable depends on the permit. Get advice before you sign.

Questions we get asked

Formal obligation: short answers

What am I liable for with a formal obligation?

For costs that public bodies incur through your guest's stay, for example a deportation or urgent medical treatment without insurance. Not for your guest's private debts.

What is the difference from a declaration of liability?

The formal obligation applies to visas, for example for visits. The declaration of liability is intended for residence permits under the NAG and must be certified by a notary or a court.

How do I reduce my risk?

Insist on travel insurance with sufficient cover. It mainly covers medical costs.