--- title: "Austria Red-White-Red · Self-employed 2026: €100k+ needed" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/austria/rwr-self-employed-key/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-11 --- Austria · Business / Startup # Austria Red-White-Red · Self-employed **Investment needed:** €100k+ ≈ $112k Red-White-Red Card – self-employed key workers First checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **Investment needed:** €100k+ ≈ $112k (An investment of at least EUR 100,000 (≈ $112,000) · Sustained transfer of investment capital to Austria; one alternative among job creation, know-how transfer or regional significance. A fee of EUR 218 (≈ $240) · Application fee.) - **First stay:** 2 yrs (24 months, then a three-year settlement permit after two years of settlement if conditions are met.) - **Who can apply:** Most passports (Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals.) - **Family:** Family can join (Spouses and registered partners (aged 21 or over at application) and unmarried minor children under 18, including adoptive and stepchildren, can apply for a Red-White-Red Card plus.) ## Key facts Red-White-Red · Self-employed is a business / startup route for Austria. Applicants need an investment of €100k+ ≈ $112k. You can stay 2 yrs, renewable. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source. - **Money needed:** €100k+ ≈ $112k - **Government fees:** €218 ≈ $240 - **Processing:** Up to 180 days - **First stay:** 2 yrs ## Cost, time and long term To apply: government fee €218 ≈ $240; investment €100k+ ≈ $112k; decision: up to 180 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included. **Government fees: €218 ≈ $240** - EUR 218 (≈ $240) Application fee. **Invested and held: €100k+ ≈ $112k** - EUR 100,000 (≈ $112,000) Sustained transfer of investment capital to Austria; one alternative among job creation, know-how transfer or regional significance. **Renewal: Renewable** After 2 years the Red-White-Red Card is replaced by a 3-year settlement permit if conditions are met. [Federal Ministry of the Interior](https://www.migration.gv.at/en/types-of-immigration/permanent-immigration/self-employedkeyworkers/) **Permanent residence: After 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. [oesterreich.gv.at](https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/de/themen/menschen_aus_anderen_staaten/aufenthalt/3/2/Seite.120402) **Citizenship: After 10 years of residence** Citizenship needs 10 years of lawful, uninterrupted residence, at least 5 of them settled, and the general naturalisation conditions. [oesterreich.gv.at](https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/de/themen/menschen_aus_anderen_staaten/staatsbuergerschaft/1/Verleihung-nach-zehn-Jahren) **Processing: Up to 180 days** Authorities must decide without undue delay and no later than 6 months after receiving the application. [Federal Ministry of the Interior](https://www.migration.gv.at/en/types-of-immigration/permanent-immigration/other-forms-of-settlement/) ## Why this route may not fit Check this before you apply. - Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - The self-employed activity creates macroeconomic benefit beyond its own. - The benefit is shown by one of: sustained transfer of investment capital, new or secured jobs, transfer of know-how or new technology, or considerable regional significance. - No points system applies. #### What you must show - A sustained transfer of at least EUR 100,000 (≈ $112,000) of investment capital is one of the alternatives. #### Documents - A business plan. - Evidence of capital transfer or job creation. - Proof of qualification. #### Steps 1. The Public Employment Service gives an expert opinion within three weeks. ## When you become tax resident How Austria decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records. - **Stay on this route:** **2 years 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](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/austria/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026 **Full official text** For self-employed persons whose activity creates macroeconomic benefit beyond its own: a sustained transfer of at least EUR 100,000 (≈ $112,000) of investment capital, or new or secured jobs, or transfer of know-how or new technology, or considerable regional significance. No points system. (source 1) #### What you must show and pay - An investment of at least EUR 100,000 (≈ $112,000) · Sustained transfer of investment capital to Austria; one alternative among job creation, know-how transfer or regional significance. (source 1) - A fee of EUR 218 (≈ $240) · Application fee. (source 1) #### Requirements - The self-employed activity creates macroeconomic benefit beyond its own. (source 1) - The benefit is shown by one of: sustained transfer of investment capital, new or secured jobs, transfer of know-how or new technology, or considerable regional significance. (source 1) - No points system applies. (source 1) - A sustained transfer of at least EUR 100,000 (≈ $112,000) of investment capital is one of the alternatives. (source 1) - A business plan. (source 1) - Evidence of capital transfer or job creation. (source 1) - Proof of qualification. (source 1) - The Public Employment Service gives an expert opinion within three weeks. (source 1) #### Stay - 24 months, then a three-year settlement permit after two years of settlement if conditions are met. - Initial permitted stay: 24 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 Self-employed activity described in the application; employment needs a change of purpose. #### Family Spouses and registered partners (aged 21 or over at application) and unmarried minor children under 18, including adoptive and stepchildren, can apply for a Red-White-Red Card plus. Checked 2026-10-11 ## Official sources 1. [Self-employed key workers](https://www.migration.gv.at/en/types-of-immigration/permanent-immigration/self-employedkeyworkers/) · Federal Ministry of the Interior (migration.gv.at) · checked 2026-10-10 2. [Aufenthaltstitel "Daueraufenthalt - EU" (requirements and counting rules)](https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/de/themen/menschen_aus_anderen_staaten/aufenthalt/3/2/Seite.120402) · oesterreich.gv.at (Austrian federal government portal) · checked 2026-10-11 3. [Verleihung der Staatsbuergerschaft nach zehn Jahren](https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/de/themen/menschen_aus_anderen_staaten/staatsbuergerschaft/1/Verleihung-nach-zehn-Jahren) · oesterreich.gv.at (Austrian federal government portal) · checked 2026-10-11 4. [Other forms of settlement (settlement permit – gainful employment excluded)](https://www.migration.gv.at/en/types-of-immigration/permanent-immigration/other-forms-of-settlement/) · Federal Ministry of the Interior (migration.gv.at) · checked 2026-10-10 ## Red-White-Red · Self-employed and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Red-White-Red · Self-employed | Needs an investment of €100k+ ≈ $112k | 2 yr, renewable | – | | [Red-White-Red · Start-up](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/austria/rwr-startup-founder/) | Needs an investment of €30k+ ≈ $34k | 2 yr, renewable | – | | [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/startup-visa-89-4/) Portugal | Needs savings of €6,446+ ≈ $7,200 | 2 yr, renewable | – | | [Entrepreneur visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/entrepreneur-visa/) Spain | – | 3 yr, renewable | – | | [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/startup-visa/) Italy | Needs savings of €50k+ ≈ $56k | 1 yr, renewable | – | ## Questions people ask ### How much money do I need for the Red-White-Red · Self-employed? An investment of at least EUR 100,000 (≈ $112,000). Sustained transfer of investment capital to Austria; one alternative among job creation, know-how transfer or regional significance. A fee of EUR 218 (≈ $240). Application fee. ### How long can I stay on the Red-White-Red · Self-employed? 24 months, then a three-year settlement permit after two years of settlement if conditions are met. ### How long does the Red-White-Red · Self-employed take to process? Authorities must decide without undue delay and no later than 6 months after receiving the application. ### Can I work on the Red-White-Red · Self-employed? Self-employed activity described in the application; employment needs a change of purpose. ### Can I bring my family on the Red-White-Red · Self-employed? Spouses and registered partners (aged 21 or over at application) and unmarried minor children under 18, including adoptive and stepchildren, can apply for a Red-White-Red Card plus. ### Who can apply for the Red-White-Red · Self-employed? 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 Red-White-Red · Self-employed lead to permanent residence in Austria? Time on the Red-White-Red · Self-employed counts toward permanent residence in Austria, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. Time on the Red-White-Red · Self-employed counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 10 years of residence. ### How are Red-White-Red · Self-employed holders taxed in Austria? No special regime in our records is tied to the Red-White-Red · Self-employed. 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 [Artist permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/austria/settlement-artist/) [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/austria/working-holiday/) [Financially independent permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/austria/settlement-no-gainful-employment/) [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/austria/eu-blue-card/) [Red-White-Red · Key worker](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/austria/rwr-other-key-workers/) [Red-White-Red · Shortage job](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/austria/rwr-shortage-occupation/) [Red-White-Red · Top talent](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/austria/rwr-very-highly-qualified/) [Special employment permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/austria/settlement-special-dependent-work/) ## Business / startup visas elsewhere [🇬🇷 Business investor permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/business-investment-b2/) [🇩🇪 Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/self-employment-21/) [🇫🇷 Entrepreneur / freelancer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/entrepreneur-liberal/) [🇬🇧 Innovator Founder](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/innovator-founder/) [🇳🇱 DAFT self-employed](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/daft-self-employed/) [🇨🇾 Startup visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/startup-visa/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## How this was checked **Checked on 2026-10-11 against 4 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. 1. [Self-employed key workers](https://www.migration.gv.at/en/types-of-immigration/permanent-immigration/self-employedkeyworkers/) · Federal Ministry of the Interior (migration.gv.at) · checked 2026-10-10 2. [Aufenthaltstitel "Daueraufenthalt - EU" (requirements and counting rules)](https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/de/themen/menschen_aus_anderen_staaten/aufenthalt/3/2/Seite.120402) · oesterreich.gv.at (Austrian federal government portal) · checked 2026-10-11 3. [Verleihung der Staatsbuergerschaft nach zehn Jahren](https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/de/themen/menschen_aus_anderen_staaten/staatsbuergerschaft/1/Verleihung-nach-zehn-Jahren) · oesterreich.gv.at (Austrian federal government portal) · checked 2026-10-11 4. [Other forms of settlement (settlement permit – gainful employment excluded)](https://www.migration.gv.at/en/types-of-immigration/permanent-immigration/other-forms-of-settlement/) · Federal Ministry of the Interior (migration.gv.at) · checked 2026-10-10 Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.