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Citizenship
Immigration Law
Insights
Family reunification in Austria.
How spouses and children can join you in Austria: which route applies to you, what the authorities require and what to do if your application stalls or is refused.
In short
- Spouses, registered partners and unmarried minor children can join you in Austria.
- Spouses must be at least 21 when the application is filed; only a civil marriage counts.
- You need income at the statutory reference rates, housing, health insurance and German at level A1.
- Since 12 June 2026, family reunification with refugees and holders of subsidiary protection also runs through the NAG, subject to a quota.
Family reunification
Two routes to Austria
Family members are spouses, registered partners and unmarried minor childrenFamily membersCore family under § 2(1)(9) NAG. Spouses and registered partners must already be 21 when the application is filed.Legal text in the RIS →, including adopted children and stepchildren. Only a civil marriageCivil marriageA marriage concluded before a registry office or an equivalent state authority. A purely religious or traditional ceremony does not count. counts: a purely traditional or religious marriage is not enough and must first be registered at a civil registry office.
Route 1
Under settlement and residence law (NAG)
For family members of residence permit holders, of Austrian citizens and of EU citizens. Which permit you apply for depends on the status of your family member in Austria:
- Red-White-Red Card Plus, for example for family members of Red-White-Red Card holders
- Family Member (Familienangehöriger) for family members of Austrian citizens
- Residence Card (Aufenthaltskarte) for family members of EU citizens who exercise their right of free movement
- Residence Permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung) for family members of students
- Settlement Permit (Niederlassungsbewilligung), in some cases without access to the labour market
Route 2
Joining a person with protection status
Since 12 June 2026, family reunification with refugees (asylum status) and holders of subsidiary protection no longer runs through the asylum procedure but through settlement and residence law. Family members receive a Red-White-Red Card PlusRed-White-Red Card PlusResidence permit for temporary settlement with unrestricted access to the labour market. You are not tied to a specific employer. (§ 46a NAG§ 46a NAGSince 12 June 2026: family members of refugees and of holders of subsidiary protection receive a Red-White-Red Card Plus if a quota place is available; for subsidiary protection, the status must have been final for at least two years (§ 46a NAG).Legal text in the RIS →). One of the requirements is a free quota place.
For refugees, housing, health insurance and income are deemed proven if the application is filed within three monthsDeadline: three monthsFrom the date refugee status becomes final (§ 46a(3) NAG). After that, all requirements must be proven. of refugee status becoming final. For holders of subsidiary protection, the status must have been final for at least two years.
Please note: The new rules are recent and there is little practice on the quota yet. We assess case by case whether an application for your family has a realistic chance now.
Requirements and documents
What the authority requires under the NAG
Requirements
- Family member of a person with a right of residence in Austria
- sufficient income at the level of the reference ratesreference ratesIncome must reach the reference rates under § 293 ASVG. Rent, loan instalments and garnishments are deducted; an allowance equal to the free board value (freie Station) is disregarded (§ 11(5) NAG).Reference rates 2026 →, after deducting rent and loan instalments
- adequate local housingAdequate local housing (ortsübliche Unterkunft)A home considered customary in the area for a family of comparable size, to which you have a legal right, for example through a lease, ownership or a right-of-residence agreement (§ 11(2)(2) NAG). (the authority checks the size per person)
- Health insurance covering all risks
- No entry ban or residence ban
Documents
- Passport and passport photo
- Marriage and birth certificates
- Proof of German at level A1German before arrivalGerman at the most basic level, proven before entry by a certificate from a recognised institute that is no older than one year (§ 21a NAG). There are exceptions, for example for minors.Legal text in the RIS →, no older than one year
- Proof of income of the person in Austria
- Lease or right-of-residence agreement
- Proof of insurance
- Criminal record certificate from the country of origin
How high the income must be is shown on our page on income: the same reference rates apply. Documents in other languages need a certified translation.
Procedure
How it works
- Application at the Austrian embassy abroad; after visa-free entry, sometimes also in Austria. If you enter on a tourist visa, you may only stay until the visa expires.
- The embassy forwards the application to the settlement authority, in Vienna to the MA35MA 35Municipal Department 35 of the City of Vienna: immigration and citizenship authority. In the other federal provinces, the district authority or the city council is responsible..
- As a rule, the authority must decide within six monthsDeadline: six monthsDecision period from receipt of the application (§ 73 AVG). After that, a complaint for failure to decide (Säumnisbeschwerde) is possible (§ 8 VwGVG)..
- If the decision is positive, the family member receives an entry visa and collects the permit in Austria.
- A negative decision can be appealed within four weeksDeadline: four weeksAppeal period from service of the decision (§ 7(4) VwGVG). If the decision was deposited at the post office, the first day of the collection period counts as the day of service (§ 17(3) ZustG).. The appeal is filed with the authority that issued the decision. If the administrative court dismisses the appeal, you have six weeks from service of its decision to file a revision (Revision) with the Supreme Administrative Court (VwGH) or a complaint with the Constitutional Court (VfGH). Both must be filed by a lawyer. Options after a negative decision →
From our practice: The MA35 refused the permit for the wife of an Austrian citizen. The administrative court granted it after all, because she cares for her two Austrian children. Read the case (in German) →
Frequently asked questions
Family reunification: quick answers
How old must my spouse be for family reunification?
Under settlement law, both spouses or registered partners must be at least 21 when the application is filed (§ 2(1)(9) NAG).
How does family reunification with refugees work since 2026?
Since 12 June 2026 under § 46a NAG: family members receive a Red-White-Red Card Plus if a quota place is available. If the application is filed within three months of the asylum decision becoming final, housing, health insurance and income are deemed proven.
And for holders of subsidiary protection?
The status must have been final for at least two years, and the quota applies (§ 46a(2) NAG). All other requirements must be met.
Do I need German before entering Austria?
For most family reunification permits, yes: German at level A1, proven when the application is filed (§ 21a NAG). The certificate must be no older than one year.
Common reasons for refusal
Why applications fail
- Doubts about the marriage: suspicion of a marriage of convenience
- Doubts about the authenticity of marriage or birth certificates
- Income too low
- Home too small
- No health insurance or insufficient cover
Next step
Initial consultation at a fixed price
We check which route applies to your family, whether EU law applies and how you can improve your chances.
Income calculator
Is your income enough for family reunification?
Calculate for the household as it will be after the family has joined you: the person in Austria and the family members who move to Austria. All amounts are net per month.
Household after reunification
If your spouse or registered partner is moving to Austria, choose the second option.
Fixed and regular income of the person in Austria, such as wages or salary. Social assistance does not count. We check case by case what else is counted.
To persons outside the shared household.
For guidance only. This is not legal advice. The authority also checks accommodation, health insurance and German language skills. For reunification with a person granted asylum, income, accommodation and health insurance may be treated as proven (see above). As of October 2026. Sources: § 293 and § 292 Abs 3 ASVG in RIS (reference rates 2026, free board value 2026), § 11 Abs 5 NAG.
Appeal deadline
By when must you file an appeal?
Enter the date of service, and we calculate how many days you have left for the appeal (Beschwerde).
The day you received the decision (Bescheid). If it was deposited at the post office, the first day of the collection period counts.
For guidance only. This is not legal advice. Applies to decisions of MA 35 and the district authorities (Bezirkshauptmannschaften). Other deadlines may apply to decisions of the BFA.
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Packages & prices
Fixed-price packages for Austrian citizenship.
You know the full cost before you start.
- ✓ Personal consultation with our experts
- ✓ Review of your documents
- ✓ Application filed at the MA35, no appointment needed
- Everything in Basis, plus:
- ✓ Legal representation in the procedure
- ✓ Response to every letter from the authority
- Everything in Plus, plus:
- ✓ All communication with the authority
- ✓ Regular follow-ups at the MA35
- ✓ Obtaining Austrian documents
- ✓ Appeal if the application is refused
Prices per applicant. All package details →
How we work
Three steps, from the first conversation to the decision.
Initial consultation
At a fixed price. We listen, review your documents and tell you honestly where you stand.
Clear assessment
You know exactly what is realistic, what it costs and what happens next, in writing.
We get started
We file applications, monitor deadlines and keep you updated by email, phone or WhatsApp, in your language.
Team
The people behind your case.
Looking for the whole team? Meet everyone →
Contact
How to reach us.
1010 Vienna (Stephansplatz)