Living in Austria

Austria is known for its high quality of life (Vienna consistently ranks #1 globally), but it is a highly conservative immigration jurisdiction. There is no digital nomad visa.

The Red-White-Red Card (RWR Card)

This is a points-based immigration system designed to attract highly qualified workers in shortage occupations.

• Requirements: You must score points based on your age, education, language skills (German is highly rewarded), and work experience. Crucially, you must have a binding job offer from an Austrian company paying a minimum statutory salary.
• Very Highly Qualified Workers: You can apply for a 6-month Job Seeker Visa to come to Austria and look for work if you score high enough on the points grid (e.g., holding a STEM degree from a top university).

The Settlement Permit - Gainful Employment Excepted

This is the closest thing to a passive income visa.

• Requirements: You must prove a stable, regular passive income (e.g., pensions, dividends) of around €2,500/month (for singles), and you must show sufficient savings in a liquid bank account.
• The Quota Trap: This permit is subject to a strict annual quota. Applications open on January 2nd each year, and the quota is usually filled within hours. You must camp outside the embassy or submit the application the very second the clock strikes midnight. You cannot work on this permit.