Self-employment / Freelance in Austria
One documented route of this kind in Austria, with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.
Red-White-Red Card - Self-employed Key Workers
RWR Card for self-employed persons whose activity brings macroeconomic benefit through capital investment, job creation or know-how transfer.
- Processing time
- AMS issues macroeconomic-benefit expertise within 3 weeks, then authority decides
- Validity
- 24 months
- Language requirement
- None for issuance
- Permanent residence
- Convert to a 3-year settlement permit after 2 years; Long-term Resident-EU after 5 years
- Citizenship
- Generally 10 years (6 with B2/integration)
Requirements
- Business plan
- Investment-capital transfer to Austria of at least EUR 100,000, or job creation / know-how transfer
- Relevant qualifications and company/trade authorisations
- Criminal-record extract
Required Documents
- Business plan required
- Evidence of investment-capital transfer of at least EUR 100,000 / job creation / know-how transfer required
- Qualifications and company/trade authorisations required
- Criminal-record extract
- Valid passport and photo required
Official fees
- Application fee 218 EUR
Process Steps
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1
Lodge application
Lodge at the embassy with business plan and investment evidence.
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2
AMS expertise
AMS issues its macroeconomic-benefit expertise within 3 weeks.
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3
Card and entry
Card issued (24 months); obtain Visa D to collect.
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4
Convert
After 2 years convert to a 3-year settlement permit.