Other relatives of EU citizens* and Swiss nationals who are third‑country nationals – Application for a settlement permit

A 'settlement permit' (under section 56 (1) of the NAG entitles family members from third countries (States which are not members of the EEA, with the exception of Switzerland) to reside for a limited period of time and to pursue an economic activity as a self-employed person.

Family members from third countries may apply for this "settlement permit“ if the person reuniting the family:

• is an Austrian or EEA citizen who has the right to reside in Austria under EU law or, as a Swiss national, has exercised the right to reside in Austria for more than three months under the EC-Switzerland agreement on the free movement of persons and
• is permanently resident in Austria.

In this context, family members are:

• life partners who can provide evidence of a long-term relationship or
• other family members
  • who in the country of origin were already dependants of the person reuniting the family or
  • who in their country of origin have already lived in the same household as the person reuniting the family or
  • whose serious health condition makes personal care absolutely necessary.

The general conditions for the issue of residence permits (with the exception of the legal right to adequate accommodation) and the specific conditions for issue (see section 'requirements' must be met. In addition, the person reuniting the family must also submit a declaration of liability.

Furthermore, when submitting a first application for 'settlement permit', third-country nationals must prove knowledge of German.

The application process is not subject to any deadlines.

For the application:

The application can be submitted abroad and in Austria.

Abroad the relevant Austrian representative authority abroad (BMEIA) (embassy or specific consulates) on the applicant’s place of residence is responsible.

An application in Austria for a  'settlement permit for other family members of EU citizens and Swiss nationals' may be made following lawful entry and whilst lawfully residing in the country. However, applying for the first residence permit does not entitle the applicant to remain in the country whilst awaiting the outcome of the procedure; in other words, if the visa-free period or the visa has expired and the residence permit has not yet been issued, the applicant must leave the country.

For issuing the residence permit:

The local settlement authority for the foreign national’s intended place of residence:

• The District Authority
• In Chartered Cities: the Municipal Administration
  • In Vienna: the Municipal District Office 35 (City of Vienna)
  • In Graz: the Office of the Styrian Provincial Government

The foreign national must, in principle, submit his/her application for "settlement permit" in person either abroad before entering Austria to the Austrian representative authority (embassy or consulate), or after lawfully entering and residing in the country to the relevant local settlement authority.

Some residence authorities offer the option of booking an appointment (online, by telephone or by email). In any case, booking an appointment is required at some residence authorities. You can find further information directly on the relevant authority’s website.

In the case of an application from abroad, the representative authority checks that the application is complete and correct and forwards it to the competent settlement authority in Austria. The latter verifies whether the conditions for issuing the residence permit are met.

If the conditions are met and the settlement authority approves the application from abroad, it then notifies the Austrian representative authority and, where appropriate, instructs it to issue a visa at the same time. The representative authority informs the applicant accordingly. The third-country national may then enter Austria with the valid visa or, where there is no visa requirement, without a visa and collect the settlement permit in person from the competent settlement authority. The entry visa must be applied for within three months of notification by the representation authority of the intended positive settlement and the residence permit must be collected from the domestic authority within a further three months (= 6 months).

Decisions on the issue of "settlement permit" under section 56 of the NAG must be given by the competent settlement authority without delay and within 90 days at the latest.

For information on the duration of an individual procedure, please contact the competent Austrian settlement authority. The duration of the procedure depends in particular on whether the required documents have been submitted in full.

• Valid travel document (e.g. passport)
• Photograph no older than half a year (size: 45 x 35 mm)
• Marriage certificate, certificate of partnership, adoption certificate, proof or certificate of family relationship
• Proof of health insurance covering all risks
• Proof of a secure livelihood (in particular pay slips; pay certificates; employment contracts; confirmation of pension, retirement or other insurance benefits; proof of sufficient investment capital or own assets).
• Proof of knowledge of German

Not accepted: proof of social benefits to which entitlement would arise only in the event that the residence permit is granted, in particular welfare benefits or the equalisation supplement.

• Declaration of liability of the person reuniting the family
• In addition, if required:
  • Evidence of a long-term relationship with the person reuniting the family
  • Documentary evidence from a competent authority in the State of origin of maintenance payments made by the EEA citizen or of having lived together in a single household
  • Proof of the severe health condition for which personal care administered by the EU citizen is urgently required
  • Additional documentation may be required in individual cases.

• Application fee: 218 Euro

Holders of ‘"settlement permit"’ may receive a ‘Rred-white-red – card plus’ if:

• they fulfil the general conditions for the issue of a residence permit
• a quota place is available and
• written notification has been received from the regional office of the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) in accordance with section 20e (1)(1) of the AuslBG (Law on the employment of foreign nationals).

Further Links

• Information brochure on the calculation of maintenance in the NAG (BMI)^{German text}
• Certification (BMEIA)^{German text}
• List of expert witnesses and court interpreters (BMJ)^{German text}

• Section 56 of the Niederlassungs- und Aufenthaltsgesetz (NAG)
• Niederlassungs- und Aufenthaltsgesetz (NAG)
• Niederlassungs- und Aufenthaltsgesetz-Durchführungsverordnung (NAG-DV)
• Ausländerbeschäftigungsgesetz (AuslBG)

Forms, explanations and the liability declaration can be found on the BMI website. (German oder English).