Austria · Spouse visas
Austria Spouse of a resident
Income needed: €2,064+ a month ≈ $2,310
Residence title "Red-White-Red Card plus" for the spouse of a third-country national in Austria (family reunification)
First checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Spouse of a resident is a spouse visas route for Austria. Applicants need income of €2,064+ a month ≈ $2,310. You can stay 1 yr, renewable. You can work locally. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.
- Money needed
- €2,064+ a month ≈ $2,310
- Government fees
- €218 ≈ $240
- Processing
- Up to 180 days
- First stay
- 1 yr
Cost, time and long term
To apply: government fee €218 ≈ $240; income to show €2,064+/mo ≈ $2,310; decision: up to 180 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included.
Government fees€218 ≈ $240
- EUR 218 (≈ $240)Application fee for the residence title.
Shown, not spent€2,064+/mo ≈ $2,310
- EUR 2,064.12 a month (≈ $2,310)Standard income rate for a married couple in 2026; EUR1,308.39 (≈ $1,460) for a single person and EUR201.88 (≈ $230) more for each child. Social benefits due only after the title is granted are not accepted.
Permanent residenceAfter 5 years of residence
Daueraufenthalt - EU after 5 years of uninterrupted settlement and Module 2 of the Integration Agreement (German and values). Red-White-Red Card, plus card and settlement permit time counts.
CitizenshipAfter 10 years of residence
Citizenship needs 10 years of lawful, uninterrupted residence, at least 5 of them settled, and the general naturalisation conditions.
ProcessingUp to 180 days
Authorities must decide without undue delay and no later than 6 months after receiving the application.
Where to applyFrom abroad
First applications are filed at the Austrian embassy or consulate; filing in Austria is possible only in listed cases.
Presence rulesAway max 10 months in total
The 5-year clock for long-term status restarts after more than 10 months in total or more than 6 months in a row outside Austria.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Applications are made from outside Austria, not after arriving
- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports
- Only from age 21
What you'll need
Who can apply7
- Applicant is a spouse or registered partner aged 21 or over at the time of application.
- Applicant shows German language skills at level A1 on the first application, with listed exceptions.
- The sponsor holds a Red-White-Red Card, EU Blue Card, long-term residence title, Red-White-Red Card plus or a listed settlement permit.
- Some family reunification titles are subject to a yearly quota; there is none for family of Red-White-Red Card and EU Blue Card holders.
- German A1 is not needed for family of Very Highly Qualified Workers, EU Blue Card or researcher sponsors.
- Health insurance covering all risks in Austria; spouses of Austrians are usually co-insured.
- Accommodation with a legal title that is adequate for the family size, such as a lease contract.
What you must show3
- Fixed and regular income at least equal to the standard rate: EUR2,064.12 (≈ $2,310) per month for a married couple in 2026.
- Add EUR201.88 (≈ $230) for each child; the single rate is EUR1,308.39 (≈ $1,460).
- The application fee is EUR218 (≈ $240).
Documents3
- Valid travel document, current photo and marriage or registered partnership certificate.
- Proof of accommodation, health insurance, secure subsistence and German language skills.
- Evidence that the sponsor holds the required residence title.
Steps2
- File the first application at the Austrian embassy or consulate abroad, which forwards it to the Austrian authority.
- The authority decides within six months of receiving the application.
After you arrive1
- Titles are first issued for 12 months, and for 3 years after Module 1 of the Integration Agreement and two lawful years.
When you become tax resident
How Austria decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
1 year at first, renewable
- Tax residence
Applies to individuals with unlimited tax liability (residence or habitual abode in Austria).
- Foreign-source income
Persons with a residence (Wohnsitz) or habitual abode in Austria are subject to unlimited income tax liability, so their foreign-source income is taxed in Austria together with Austrian income; habitual abode arises after six months of stay, retroactively.
All tax rules for Austria Tax records checked
What you need to arrange
- Health insurance
Health insurance covering all risks in Austria
- Accommodation
Accommodation with a legal title that is adequate for the family size, such as a lease contract
Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts.
Full official text
For the spouse or registered partner of a Red-White-Red Card, EU Blue Card or long-term resident holder, or of another qualifying third-country national. It gives a Red-White-Red Card plus with unrestricted access to the labour market. 1
What you must show and pay
- Income of at least EUR 2,064.12 a month (≈ $2,310) · Standard income rate for a married couple in 2026; EUR1,308.39 (≈ $1,460) for a single person and EUR201.88 (≈ $230) more for each child. Social benefits due only after the title is granted are not accepted. 1
- A fee of EUR 218 (≈ $240) · Application fee for the residence title. 1
Requirements
- Applicant is a spouse or registered partner aged 21 or over at the time of application. 1
- Applicant shows German language skills at level A1 on the first application, with listed exceptions. 1
- The sponsor holds a Red-White-Red Card, EU Blue Card, long-term residence title, Red-White-Red Card plus or a listed settlement permit. 1
- Some family reunification titles are subject to a yearly quota; there is none for family of Red-White-Red Card and EU Blue Card holders. 1
- German A1 is not needed for family of Very Highly Qualified Workers, EU Blue Card or researcher sponsors. 1
- Health insurance covering all risks in Austria; spouses of Austrians are usually co-insured. 1
- Accommodation with a legal title that is adequate for the family size, such as a lease contract. 1
- Fixed and regular income at least equal to the standard rate: EUR2,064.12 (≈ $2,310) per month for a married couple in 2026. 1
- Add EUR201.88 (≈ $230) for each child; the single rate is EUR1,308.39 (≈ $1,460). 1
- The application fee is EUR218 (≈ $240). 1
- Valid travel document, current photo and marriage or registered partnership certificate. 1
- Proof of accommodation, health insurance, secure subsistence and German language skills. 1
- Evidence that the sponsor holds the required residence title. 1
- File the first application at the Austrian embassy or consulate abroad, which forwards it to the Austrian authority. 1
- The authority decides within six months of receiving the application. 1
- Titles are first issued for 12 months, and for 3 years after Module 1 of the Integration Agreement and two lawful years. 1
Stay
- Twelve months initially, three years after Module 1 and two years of lawful residence; for family of Red-White-Red Card or EU Blue Card holders the validity depends on the sponsor permit.
- Initial permitted stay: 12 months.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Nationality
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.
Work
Unrestricted access to the labour market; no further permission needed for employment.
Family
Unmarried minor children, including adoptive and stepchildren.
Official sources
- Family reunification · Migration platform of the Austrian Federal Government · checked 2026-10-11
- Aufenthaltstitel "Daueraufenthalt - EU" (requirements and counting rules) · oesterreich.gv.at (Austrian federal government portal) · checked 2026-10-11
- Verleihung der Staatsbuergerschaft nach zehn Jahren · oesterreich.gv.at (Austrian federal government portal) · checked 2026-10-11
Spouse of a resident and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse of a resident | Needs income of €2,064+ a month ≈ $2,310 | 1 yr, renewable | Yes |
| Spouse of a citizen | Needs income of €2,064+ a month ≈ $2,310 | 1 yr, renewable | Yes |
| Spouse of a citizen Portugal | – | – | – |
| Spouse of a resident Spain | Needs income of €900+ a month ≈ $1,010 | – | Yes |
| Spouse of a resident Georgia | – | 1 yr, renewable | – |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Spouse of a resident?
Income of at least EUR 2,064.12 a month (≈ $2,310). Standard income rate for a married couple in 2026; EUR1,308.39 (≈ $1,460) for a single person and EUR201.88 (≈ $230) more for each child. A fee of EUR 218 (≈ $240). Application fee for the residence title.
How long can I stay on the Spouse of a resident?
Twelve months initially, three years after Module 1 and two years of lawful residence; for family of Red-White-Red Card or EU Blue Card holders the validity depends on the sponsor permit.
How long does the Spouse of a resident take to process?
Authorities must decide without undue delay and no later than 6 months after receiving the application.
Can I work on the Spouse of a resident?
Yes. Unrestricted access to the labour market; no further permission needed for employment.
Can I bring my family on the Spouse of a resident?
Unmarried minor children, including adoptive and stepchildren.
Who can apply for the Spouse of a resident?
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.
Does the Spouse of a resident lead to permanent residence in Austria?
Time on the Spouse of a resident counts toward permanent residence in Austria, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. Time on the Spouse of a resident counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 10 years of residence.
How are Spouse of a resident holders taxed in Austria?
No special regime in our records is tied to the Spouse of a resident. The standard rules apply: Progressive rates: 0% to EUR 13,539 (≈ $15,100); 20% to 21,992; 30% to 36,458; 40% to 70,365; 48% to 104,859; 50% to 1,000,000; 55% above (55% limited to 2016-2029).
More in Austria
Spouse and partner visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-11 against 3 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Family reunification · Migration platform of the Austrian Federal Government · checked 2026-10-11
- Aufenthaltstitel "Daueraufenthalt - EU" (requirements and counting rules) · oesterreich.gv.at (Austrian federal government portal) · checked 2026-10-11
- Verleihung der Staatsbuergerschaft nach zehn Jahren · oesterreich.gv.at (Austrian federal government portal) · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.