Austria Settlement Permit (no local work)

Key requirements

We convert the published single-person monthly euro amount into a USD planning figure. Spouses and children raise the required monthly total on the same official table.

• Income we use for estimates~$2,750 / month (estimate)
• SavingsNot modeled as required
• Accepted income typesPassive income, Pension
• Remote work allowedNo
• Local employment allowedNo
• Health insuranceUsually required
• Criminal record checkUsually required
• Accommodation proofUsually required
• Bank accountUsually required
• Processing (rough)Months (annual quota, provincial office, consulate)

Rules differ by province and embassy. Confirm which office handles your case, when quotas open, and which documents they want before you legalise papers.

1. 1

   Check province and quota calendar

   Find which Austrian province handles your case and when quota slots are released. Eligibility without an open quota does not guarantee a quick grant.

2. 2

   Gather recurring income proof

   Prepare pension letters, rental or dividend contracts, distribution proofs, and bank statements showing steady income above required levels.

   • •Officers often prefer regular monthly income over one large deposit.
3. 3

   Show bank trail and available funds

   Document how money moves, who owns the accounts, and that you can actually pay living costs in Austria.

4. 4

   Pass German A1 or prove a waiver

   Get recognised A1 language proof before first grant unless you clearly qualify for an exemption and can document it.

5. 5

   Secure suitable housing

   Provide lease or ownership papers and proof the home meets local standards for your province.

6. 6

   Arrange health insurance

   Buy coverage that Austrian authorities accept for settlement permit issuance and ongoing stay.

7. 7

   Collect police and civil records

   Gather criminal and civil-status records, then apostille and translate as your embassy or authority requires.

8. 8

   Apply during an open quota window

   File the complete application through the correct channel and keep proof of date and time if queue order matters.

9. 9

   Complete biometrics and get your card

   After approval, finish biometrics, collect your residence card, and register your address locally if required.

10. 10

    Renew and plan long-term stay

    Keep lawful stay, income proof, and integration requirements current for renewals and any future long-term EU residence goals.

This is general information, not legal advice. Austrian quotas, income tables, and integration rules can change yearly. Check official migration guidance and your competent authority before you apply.

Pathway last reviewed: 2026-05-15

Citizenship & nationality

This permit is narrow. You must show steady lawful income from abroad, meet integration and insurance rules, and compete for a limited annual quota. EU and EEA citizens use free movement rules instead.

• •Official tables list a lower general income reference and a higher one for this no-work settlement permit. Always budget using the higher amount for this route.
• •You normally need German A1 before the first permit unless a written waiver applies (for example if you declare you will stay under three years).
• •First permits are often one year. Longer validity is possible after integration modules and uninterrupted lawful residence.
• •Income should look steady and repeating: pension letters, foreign company payouts, rental contracts with payment history.

Check current euro amounts, quota opening dates, and which provincial office handles your case on migration.gv.at and at your Austrian embassy before you translate documents.

Best for

• •Passive or stable recurring income from pensions, rent, or dividends
• •People planning to stay several years with a clear residence record

Long-term path

• Permanent residence: Yes
• Citizenship: Possible, but depends on your case

After five years of uninterrupted lawful stay and Integration Agreement Module 2 (plus other tests), EU long-term residence may be possible. That is a different permit from the initial no-work settlement permit.

Practical difficulty

hard

Rough guide only. Your case depends on papers, timing, and rule changes.

Hard because of quotas, German before entry, provincial discretion, and strict financial paperwork.