Build a Permanent Future in Austria
Austria offers the residence title Long-Term Residence – EU to eligible third-country nationals who have established a long-term lawful residence in Austria.
This status provides an unlimited right of settlement in Austria together with unrestricted access to the Austrian labour market, subject to the applicable legal requirements.
CETO Global Immigration Consulting & Partners assists eligible residents in assessing their long-term residence options and coordinates the application process together with qualified legal and immigration professionals.
Long-Term Residence – EU is one of Austria's most important permanent residence statuses for third-country nationals. It provides:
Although the physical residence card is issued with a validity period of five years, the underlying residence right itself is unlimited as long as it is not lost under the applicable legal rules.
Applicants generally need to meet three central requirements.
5 Years
Applicants must generally have been entitled to reside in Austria for the previous five years without interruption. The exact way individual residence periods are counted depends on the type of residence title previously held.
German at approximately B1 Level
Module 2 generally corresponds to German language skills at approximately B1 level together with the applicable knowledge requirements regarding Austria's legal and social system. Certain exceptions can apply.
The status is therefore considerably more flexible than employer-specific residence titles.
Unlimited
The underlying settlement right is generally unlimited.
5 Years
The physical card must be renewed periodically even though the underlying residence status is permanent.
Whether a previous Austrian residence period counts fully toward the five-year requirement depends on the residence title held. Residence based on settlement titles can generally be particularly relevant:
Periods spent under temporary residence permits can be subject to different counting rules. Individual residence history should therefore be reviewed before applying.
Periods spent in Austria under a temporary student residence permit are treated differently from periods of permanent settlement.
Under the applicable rules, certain temporary residence periods can potentially be credited only partially toward the qualifying period. Applicants who previously studied in Austria should therefore have their residence history assessed individually.
Continuous residence is an important requirement. Long periods outside Austria or the European Economic Area can affect eligibility for Long-Term Residence – EU and the continued validity of the status after it has been granted.
Although Long-Term Residence – EU provides an unlimited right of settlement, that status can expire under certain circumstances, particularly following prolonged absence. The five-year validity printed on the residence card should not be confused with the legal duration of the residence right itself.
A holder who wishes to move to another EU Member State generally must still apply for the appropriate residence authorization in that country.
The Austrian Long-Term Residence – EU status can nevertheless provide access to specific mobility pathways under EU and national law.
No Automatic Right to Live and Work Anywhere in the EU
Family members of a Long-Term Residence – EU holder may have access to Austrian family reunification pathways.
Depending on the circumstances, eligible family members may qualify for residence titles such as the Red-White-Red Card Plus. Quota rules can apply in certain cases.
We review your Austrian residence titles and qualifying residence periods.
We assess whether the five-year residence requirement and other conditions appear to be satisfied.
Completion of Module 2 of the Integration Agreement is reviewed.
The required residence, financial, insurance and integration documentation is coordinated.
The application must generally be submitted personally to the competent Austrian residence authority.
The authority reviews the residence period, general requirements and integration requirements.
If all requirements are satisfied, the residence title can be issued.
Applications are submitted to the competent Austrian settlement authority. For applicants living in Vienna, the competent authority is generally MA 35. The precise competent authority depends on the applicant's place of residence.
It provides permanent settlement rights and labour-market access but does not automatically provide:
Not Austrian Citizenship
Citizenship is governed by separate Austrian nationality laws and has its own eligibility requirements.
Applicants generally need five years of uninterrupted qualifying lawful residence immediately before the application.
Applicants generally need to complete Module 2 of the Integration Agreement, subject to applicable exceptions.
Yes. Long-Term Residence – EU provides unrestricted access to the Austrian labour market.
Yes. The underlying right of settlement is generally unlimited, although the residence card itself is issued for five years.
Yes. The physical residence card is issued with a five-year validity period and must be renewed.
Yes. The status can expire following certain prolonged periods of absence.
No. The status can provide mobility advantages, but residence in another EU Member State remains subject to that country's applicable immigration procedure.
Eligible family members may have access to Austrian family reunification pathways, although quota requirements can apply in certain cases.
Take the Next Step Toward Long-Term Security
If you have lived lawfully in Austria for several years and want greater residence and employment security, Long-Term Residence – EU may be an important next step.
CETO can help review your residence history and coordinate the application process together with qualified professionals.
