Wann muss ich den Verlängerungsantrag stellen?

Vor Ablauf des Titels, frühestens drei Monate davor (§ 24 Abs 1 NAG). Dann bleiben Sie bis zur Entscheidung rechtmäßig in Österreich. Ein Antrag nach Ablauf gilt als Erstantrag.

Kann ich den Erstantrag in Österreich stellen?

Grundsätzlich nein. Erstanträge sind vor der Einreise bei der österreichischen Vertretungsbehörde zu stellen (§ 21 Abs 1 NAG). Ausnahmen gibt es etwa bei rechtmäßiger visumfreier Einreise für bestimmte Titel.

Wann bekomme ich einen unbefristeten Titel?

Den Daueraufenthalt – EU nach fünf Jahren ununterbrochener Niederlassung, wenn Sie die allgemeinen Voraussetzungen und Modul 2 der Integrationsvereinbarung erfüllen (§ 45 NAG).

Residence Permits in Austria | Immigration Lawyer Vienna

Quick check

Where are you in your proceedings?

Choose what you received most recently.

A decision (Bescheid) from an authorityFor example from the BFA, MA 35 or a district authority (Bezirkshauptmannschaft).

A court ruling (Erkenntnis)From the Federal Administrative Court or a regional administrative court. It decides on the merits.

A court order (Beschluss)The court rejected the case, discontinued it or decided on a procedural question.

I am not sureOr nothing has arrived yet.

For guidance only. This is not legal advice.

In short

Third-country nationals need a residence permit to stay in Austria for more than six months.
Which permit fits depends on the purpose: work, family, studies.
As a rule, you file the first application abroad, and the renewal always before expiry.
After five years of settlement and Module 2: EU long-term residence (Daueraufenthalt – EU).

Residence law

The right permit for your purpose

If you are a third-country national and want to live in Austria for more than six months, you need a residence permit under the Settlement and Residence Act (Niederlassungs- und Aufenthaltsgesetz, NAG). Which permit is possible depends on the purpose: work, family, studies or another reason. In Vienna, the competent authority is MA35; elsewhere it is the district authority (Bezirkshauptmannschaft) or the municipal authority (Magistrat).

Overview

The most important permits

Work

Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte) for skilled workers, key workers and highly qualified people; EU Blue Card for university graduates with a high salary.

Family

Red-White-Red Card plus or family member permit (Familienangehöriger) for spouses and children of permit holders or of Austrian citizens.

Studies

Residence permit for students (Aufenthaltsbewilligung Studierender) for studying at an Austrian university.

Permanent

EU long-term residence after five years of settlement and Module 2 of the integration agreement (Integrationsvereinbarung).

Requirements

What almost every application requires

customary local accommodation (tenancy agreement, ownership or right-of-residence agreement)
health insurance that covers all risks in Austria
fixed and regular income, at least at the level of the reference rates under the ASVG
no valid entry ban or residence ban
for many permits, knowledge of German before you move

As a rule, you file the first application from abroad at the Austrian embassy or consulate. Filing in Austria is only possible in exceptional cases, for example after lawful visa-free entry. You always apply for the renewal before the expiry of your permit.

Questions we get asked

Residence permits: short answers

When do I have to file the renewal application?

Before the permit expires, at the earliest three months before (§ 24 Abs 1 NAG). You then remain lawfully in Austria until the decision. An application after expiry counts as a first application.

Can I file the first application in Austria?

As a rule, no. First applications must be filed before entry at the Austrian embassy or consulate (§ 21 Abs 1 NAG). There are exceptions, for example after lawful visa-free entry for certain permits.

When do I get a permanent permit?

EU long-term residence status after five years of uninterrupted settlement, if you meet the general requirements and Module 2 of the integration agreement (§ 45 NAG).

My application was refused. What now?

You can file an appeal (Beschwerde) against the decision (Bescheid) to the administrative court, usually within four weeks of service. For decisions of the BFA, the deadline can be shorter. The instructions on legal remedies (Rechtsmittelbelehrung) are decisive. Against the decision of the administrative court, you have six weeks for a revision or a complaint to the Constitutional Court.

Options after a negative decision →

Applying for a residence permit

When there are problems

Proceedings and bans

Next step

Initial consultation at a flat fee

We review your situation, tell you which permit fits and which documents are missing, and take care of the application if you wish.

Book an initial consultation →

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).

Decision served on

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.

Renewal

When should you file the renewal application?

Enter the date until which your residence permit is valid. We show you from when and until when you can renew it.

Valid until

You will find the date on your residence permit card in the field “Gültig bis” (valid until).

For the renewal, the integration agreement (Integrationsvereinbarung, Module 1) may also be required. Integration agreement Module 1 and 2 →

For guidance only. This is not legal advice. Applies to temporary residence permits under the Settlement and Residence Act (NAG). As of October 2026, source: § 24 NAG (RIS), oesterreich.gv.at, wien.gv.at.