€100,000+
capital to get a residence permit
Austria Passport
Passport rankings out of 198 countries
Freedom of travel21
Asset protection33
Quality of life19
"Plan B"19
About Austria
A state in Central Europe with one of the most developed economies in the world. It is a member of the European Union. An Austrian passport allows you to live in this country or move to another European state, travel to 188 countries without visas. Citizenship is obtained by naturalization, birthright , through marriage.
Wealthy people can get a residence permit for financially independent persons: you can move to Austria with it, but you can’t work there.
Austria's main sources of income are industry and tourism. Foreigners come to the country to stroll through the historical center of Vienna, enjoy the architecture of Austrian cities, visit the Alps, the Krimml waterfalls and other attractions.
Population
8.9 million
Capital
Vein
Official language
Deutsch
GDP per capita
$47.055
Time zone
UTC+1…+2
Currency
Euro
Austria passport ranking and benefits
1
Travel to 188 countries
The power of the Austria passport allows citizens to travel visa-free to the Schengen states, the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, and other destinations.
The power of the Austria passport allows citizens to travel visa-free to the Schengen states, the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, and other destinations.
2
Living in Austria or moving to another EU country
Austria citizens can live in the country, but it is not obligatory. Austria is a member state of the European Union, so its citizens can move to live in any country of the Union. They go through simplified procedures to relocate and don’t obtain residence permits in advance.
Austria citizens can live in the country, but it is not obligatory. Austria is a member state of the European Union, so its citizens can move to live in any country of the Union. They go through simplified procedures to relocate and don’t obtain residence permits in advance.
3
Business, work and education in Europe
Favourable conditions for studying at European schools and universities are available for Austrian citizens. A child won’t need a student visa to study in another EU country. Moreover, the strong Austria passport allows to open a company in Europe and ease the employment process.
Favourable conditions for studying at European schools and universities are available for Austrian citizens. A child won’t need a student visa to study in another EU country. Moreover, the strong Austria passport allows to open a company in Europe and ease the employment process.
4
Treatment in the best clinics in the world
The strength of the Austria passport allows its holders to obtain health insurance that enables undergoing treatment in the country and other EU states on preferential terms. They don’t need a medical visa to get treatment at European clinics.
The strength of the Austria passport allows its holders to obtain health insurance that enables undergoing treatment in the country and other EU states on preferential terms. They don’t need a medical visa to get treatment at European clinics.
Grounds for obtaining an Austria passport
Birth to citizens of the country
Marriage to a citizen of the country
Work for the country's government
Naturalization
Estimated time: 10 years
Repatriation
Adoption
Parents citizenship
Special conditions
Special services to the state
Obtaining an Austria passport by naturalization: requirements for applicants
Knowledge of state language
Assimilation or cultural knowledge
Stable financial status
Good health
No criminal records
Austria passport after a residence permit for financially independent persons
Wealthy people can get Austria residence permits for financially independent persons and apply for citizenship afterwards. The residence permit doesn’t allow one to work or run a business in the country: the applicant must have a source of income abroad.
3+ months
period of obtaining a residence permit
6+ years
naturalisation period
Who can get an Austria residence permit for financially independent persons
Conditions of obtaining a residence permit
The residence permit for financially independent persons implies that the applicant and their family won’t work or run a business in Austria. Therefore, they must prove that the family has enough money to live in the country.
The minimum income after the rent is paid must be:
€1,934 — for one adult;
€2,944 — for a married couple;
€299 — for each child.
Royal Immigration lawyers recommend showing a more significant sum than the programme requires. It is desired that a family of 4 proves they have €100,000 or more.
Real estate in Austria must be either rented or bought. A property must fit the size of the family: for example, a family of 4 rents a house or an apartment of 80+ m². If children are a boy and a girl, they must have their own bedrooms.
Applicants also buy health insurance with full coverage and pay all duties and a services fee.
After obtaining residence permits, applicants must spend at least 183 days a year in the country.
Expenses for a family of 4
The spouses and their children aged 10 and 14, when renting a property and obtaining Malta passports 3 years after residence permits
Step-by-step procedure for obtaining an Austria residence permit for financially independent persons
1
1 day
Preliminary Due Diligence
A certified Compliance Anti Money Laundering Officer checks the information against international databases. This procedure helps to determine refusal risks and decide what to do: for example, add more documents or choose another programme.
The preliminary Due Diligence takes one working day. It requires only the investor’s passport.
Take a short anonymous test and learn more about the nuances of Due Diligence checks.
2
2—4 weeks
Preparation of documents
Royal Immigration lawyers give an applicant a list of documents needed to apply for a residence permit. When the documents are provided, lawyers translate them and notarise copies.
Preparing the documents takes more time than is required to prepare diplomas and appendixes. Recognition of diplomas allows one not to pass the German language test.
3
2—4 weeks
Selection of a property
We select several properties that satisfy the applicant’s wishes and the programme requirements. The applicant chooses an apartment or a house, and lawyers help to sign a rental contract.
The rental contract is signed for at least 1 year; several months are prepaid.
4
1—2 weeks
Getting health insurance
A health insurance contract is signed for at least 3 years. The insurance cost depends on age and illnesses.
5
1 week
Filling government forms
Royal Immigration lawyers fill in the forms required for the application.
6
Up to 6 weeks
Application for a residence permit
Applicants make an appointment in advance. Documents must be submitted during the first working days of the year; all applicants must be present. The documents are sent to the chosen district for consideration; it takes 4—6 weeks.
7
Up to 8 weeks
Getting into quotas and application consideration
There are 450 quotas for residence permits for financially independent persons. One family member gets one quota. That’s why it is important to file documents as soon as possible.
After the quotas are allocated, the application is considered within 4—8 weeks.
8
1—2 weeks
Obtainment of residency cards
The applicant and their family get a D visa and come to Austria. They open a bank account, register at the address of a rented apartment and obtain their residency cards on the day booked in advance.
9
1, 2 and 5 years later
Extension of a residence permit
The first residence permit is issued for 1 year. In 2 years, applicants can extend it for another 3 years as long as they have an A2 level of proficiency in German. After 5 years of living in the country, they can apply for permanent residence, which requires a B1 level of proficiency in German.
10
In 6—10 years
Applying for citizenship
Documents for citizenship by naturalisation can be filled after 10 years of living in the country. This period can be diminished to 6 years if applicants have a B2 level of proficiency in German and can prove they are integrated into the society.
Applicants must renounce their other citizenship because Austria doesn't acknowledge dual citizenship.
Frequently asked questions
By naturalisation, birth or marriage. It cannot be obtained by investment.
Wealthy foreigners can get an Austria residence permit for financially independent persons. This type of residence permit doesn’t allow you to work or run a business in the country. Applicants can apply for citizenship 6—10 years later.
Foreigners who reside in Austria permanently can apply for citizenship after 10 years of living there. In some cases, this period can be decreased to 6 years: for example, if an applicant has integrated into the society or has a B2 level of proficiency in German.
No, Austria doesn’t recognise dual or second citizenship. One needs to renounce their first citizenship to get a powerful Austria passport.
Exceptions are children who obtained two citizenships by birth and Austrian citizens who were allowed to keep both.
