Because there are no passive investor visas, foreigners who want to settle in this country can apply for residency by investment in Austria or citizenship by investment. Although many European countries have adopted the Golden Visa system, Austria has preferred to implement other types of programs to attract foreign investors. With the help of our lawyers in Austria, foreign nationals can better understand what an Austrian investment visa entails. Our experts can help you immigrate to Austria.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Nationalities accepted (EU/Non-EU) | All nationalities are accepted. |
|
Business investment option (YES/NO) |
Yes |
|
Real estate investment option |
Not available |
| Other investment options (if available) | By starting a business in Austria |
| Golden Visa in Austria |
Available for gaining permanent residency or citizenship in Austria and family members can also be included |
| Residence or direct citizenship option |
Liquid funds of at least EUR 40,000 for getting residency by investment in Austria |
| Direct immigration with family members (YES/NO) |
Yes |
| Family members allowed to join the program |
– children, – parents, – grandparents |
| Residence visa processing time (approx.) |
1 to 3 months |
| Additional financial requirements for family members (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Citizenship by investment requirements in Austria |
Significant direct investments in Austria's important economic sectors |
| Dual citizenship permitted (YES/NO) |
No |
| Reasons to choose Austria |
– one of the most powerful financial centers in the world, – excellent health care system, – great business and investment opportunities, – excellent standard of living |
| Personal income tax rate |
Progressive rate of income tax of up to 55% |
| Visa-free travel to other countries | Around 159 |
Table of Contents
Residency by investment in Austria
If the Austrian investor visa is not valid, foreigners interested in residency by investment in Austria can apply for the Austria Private Residence Program, which involves the following:
- Minimum investment of EUR 40,000 is required to access the above-mentioned program, which can be considered an Austrian investment visa. If you want to move to Austria with your family, you need to prove that you have at least EUR 80,000 in your account.
- The money to be invested must be deposited in a bank account in Austria.
- Applicants must provide proof of residence in Austria, either purchased or rented.
- Full health insurance is required to access the Austrian investment visa.
- The application and the necessary documents are submitted to the embassy or consulate in the country of origin. Our Austrian lawyers can offer you legal advice in order to avoid possible rejections.
- Applicants must have a minimum knowledge of German, especially A1 level.
- Once a residence permit has been issued in Austria, foreign nationals must personally pick up this important document. Our lawyers can represent and act on your behalf if you are unable to travel. You can ask for an Austrian startup visa or residency by investment in Austria.
These are some of the formalities to consider if you are interested in investing and obtaining a residency by investment in Austria. As there is no Austrian investor visa, foreign citizens can apply for other programs to establish their activities in this country. We invite you to talk to attorneys in Austria and find out all the details in this case. They can also help you relocate and apply for residency by investment in Austria.
We recommend that those who want residency in Austria to get in touch with our specialists and discover the legal services offered. Such a permit can be obtained if you prepare all the documents, including a valid passport, health insurance, birth certificate, proof of domicile, and some bank statements. It is good to know that you have the obligation to register with the local authorities, but we can help you in this endeavor as well. Below is an infographic on residency by investment in Austria:
About the Golden visa in Austria
Compared to other countries, there is no Golden visa in Austria, although foreign citizens have at their disposal various options and relocation schemes through investments. During the application process, candidates can personally submit the requested documents to the Austrian consulate or embassy in the country of origin.
Direct investment options are available in Austria and are a path to citizenship. Creating a joint venture, investing in an innovative business, or contributing to a government fund are some of the programs that are seen as a Golden visa in Austria. Normally, investments ranging from EUR 2 million to EUR 10 million, having an international reputation, and creating a significant number of jobs are some of the Austrian Golden visa requirements. In order to eliminate errors when applying for an Austrian investment visa from the start, we recommend our legal services. Our attorneys in Austria are up to date with changes in legislation and visa procedures, so they can guide you from the beginning of your visa application.
Conditions for getting the Golden visa in Austria
Although it is not a formal program like in other European countries, Austria allows different types of investments for getting residency and/or citizenship, with approvals made by the government. Normally, an investment visa in Austria can be issued in 24-36 months. Among the required documents, you should also prepare a proof of income for the last 3 years, the source of money to be invested, a complete CV, a valid passport, and diplomas. We would like to point out here that the citizenship fee in Austria is approximately EUR 700 or EUR 1,400 for couples, plus other administrative costs. We invite you to find out more about our legal services when applying for a Golden visa in Austria or maybe an Austrian startup visa.
What does citizenship by investment in Austria entail?
With an investment of EUR 3 million, as a minimum contribution, foreign citizens can obtain Austrian citizenship, which comes bundled with a number of benefits. Free movement in about 188 countries, including those in the Schengen area, is one of these advantages. This is done with the Austrian passport, and the respective citizens do not need visas.
If you also want to know more about citizenship by investment in Austria, you can contact our specialists with experience in immigration issues. They are also the ones who can explain to you what the Austrian entrepreneur visa entails and the formalities about how to move to Austria.
Below is a video presentation about residency and required investments in Austria:
Requirements for an Austrian self-employed visa
The Austrian self-employed visa can be accessed by foreigners who want to work on their own in this country. There are a number of formalities that must be respected, and among them we mention:
- Third-country citizens must apply for the Red-White-Red Card for self-employed individuals.
- If you want to make an investment with the help of the Austrian self-employed visa, the minimum capital is EUR 100,000 or to create jobs on the Austrian labor market.
- Also, in order to obtain the Red-White-Red Card for self-employment, the respective business must be of considerable significance in the respective area.
- The Local Administrative Authority is in charge of the necessary approvals for the Austrian startup visa.
Documents to obtain an Austrian business visa
In addition to a valid passport, a birth certificate is required, which must be recognized by the Austrian authorities. Health insurance is required to cover any kind of risks and to be valid throughout the Schengen territory. To be able to prove means of subsistence, you can present employment contracts, payrolls, retirement or insurance benefits, or sufficient personal assets. The authorities will also ask for a clear criminal record and, more precisely, police records.
Besides the documents mentioned above, you also need to prepare documents that certify that you have the necessary qualifications to be able to work as self-employed. Furthermore, these documents must be translated into German or English and then legalized.
Those who want more information about the Austrian startup visa can contact our specialists. Our lawyers in Austria can take care of the formalities mentioned above so that clients can quickly obtain an Austrian self-employed visa.
What other formalities are required for the Austrian startup visa?
Regarding the documents for the Red-White-Red Card for self-employment, they must be submitted to the Public Employment Service. This department is entitled to do a macroeconomic analysis to highlight the benefits if you want to open a business and work with the Austrian startup visa.
Attention is also focused on the security of the jobs that a foreign entrepreneur can offer on the market. If all these formalities have the green light, then the Austrian business visa can be obtained. You can discuss more about the self-employed visa and residency by investment in Austria with one of our lawyers.
Validity of a Red-White-Red card for self-employed individuals in Austria
The Red-White-Red card is valid for 2 years; after this period, you can apply for a settlement permit that is valid for 3 years. We remind you that you can benefit from the legal support of our team of lawyers in Austria to obtain the necessary documents in a relatively short time.
Austrian startup visa and financial requirements for founders
Startup founders in Austria can make an investment of EUR 50,000 to benefit from the Red-White-Red card. This type of document is addressed to third-country citizens who must prove that the respective business is based on innovation and will bring significant support to the Austrian economy.
Once these aspects are approved, an Austrian startup visa is issued by the authorities. All the formalities and paperwork can be entirely managed by our local specialists with experience in immigration and applying for residency by investment in Austria.
Advantages for those who want to invest in Austria
Apart from the legislation and industries in which foreign investors can set up businesses in Austria, the country’s strategic location in Europe and being a member state of the European Union (EU) are also good reasons to choose to set up new operations or to expand existing ones here. Other advantages of Austria’s economic environment are:
- a quick company registration procedure that resembles those of other European countries, which favors investors from neighboring countries,
- a fair and equal treatment offered to foreign investors helps them have increased confidence in the rules applied locally,
- a favorable taxation of individuals and companies (the corporate tax rate is 23%),
- highly specialized workforce, which also comprises many foreigners,
- a safe business environment and economic and fiscal stability,
- the fact that it has the 4th most important purchasing power at the level of the EU.
Obtaining the Austrian passport
If you have applied for citizenship by investment in Austria and received the necessary approvals, the next step is to issue a passport. This document is one of the most powerful in the world and allows visa-free entries in about 159 countries, including the USA.
About the economy of Austria in a few lines
Being one of the most appreciated countries in the world in terms of economy and excellent living conditions, Austria offers a multitude of possibilities to foreign citizens. Highly developed industries and infrastructure, a stable business climate, and the ease with which a company can be registered are some of the most important benefits offered by Austria. Located at the intersection of Eastern and Western Europe, the country absorbs a large amount of foreign investment each year. Below you will find some statistics that show the economic direction of Austria:
- Public consumption in Austria grew by almost 1.6% in 2024.
- Inflation in Austria was almost 2.9% at the end of 2024 and is expected to decline to around 2.1% in 2025.
- Economic growth is estimated at almost 1% in 2025 and around 1.4% in 2026 in Austria, according to the latest estimates.
Foreigners interested in getting the investor visa in Austria can contact our law firm in Austria and find out more about the existing investment programs. We assist clients in getting an Austrian startup visa and provide support for immigration to Austria.