Self-Employed Key Workers

As a national of a third country, you can apply for a Red-White-Red Card for self-employed key workers if your planned self-employed activity in Austria provides an overall economic benefit that goes beyond a merely operational advantage.

No points system is provided for self-employed key workers.

Overall economic benefit

Such an overall economic benefit exists in particular if:

  • Your activity is associated with a sustainable transfer of investment capital of at least EUR 100,000 to Austria
  • Your self-employed activity creates new jobs or secures existing jobs
  • Your establishment is associated with a transfer of know-how or the introduction of new technologies, or your company is of substantial economic importance for an entire region

Where the application must be submitted

The Red-White-Red Card must generally be applied for personally at the competent Austrian representative authority in your home country or in the country in which you are settled.

After lawful entry and during a lawful stay, you may also submit the application to the competent residence authority in Austria.

Required documents

General documents

  • Valid travel document, for example passport
  • Photo, not older than six months
  • Proof of health insurance covering all risks

Documents for assessing the overall economic benefit

  • Business plan with market, competition and location analysis as well as description and objective of the entrepreneurial activity
  • Proof of the transfer of investment capital or of the planned creation or securing of jobs
  • Proof of the required professional qualifications
  • If applicable, articles of association
  • If applicable, existing trade licences

Upon request by the authority, further documents may be required, in particular a current criminal record certificate from your country of origin or from a country in which you have previously stayed for more than six months. A certificate not older than three months is recommended.

Documents must be submitted in original and copy. Documents that are not written in German or English must be translated accordingly. The authority may require authentication.

When the Red-White-Red Card is issued

The residence authority forwards your application to the Public Employment Service, the AMS. Within three weeks, the AMS issues an expert opinion on the overall economic benefit of your planned activity, particularly with regard to investment capital and employment effects.

If the expert opinion is positive and the general requirements are also met, the Red-White-Red Card is issued.

The Red-White-Red Card is issued for 24 months and entitles you to temporary settlement and to the exercise of your self-employed activity.

Fees for a Red-White-Red Card

Application fee: EUR 218.00

Important notes

Initially, you receive the Red-White-Red Card. Once the legal requirements are met, a settlement permit can subsequently be issued. After a total of two years of settlement, this settlement permit is issued for three years. It continues to entitle you to self-employed activity.

Additional fees may apply if further documents are required or if a Visa D is needed.

The Red-White-Red Card for self-employed key workers gives you the opportunity to establish your company in Austria, make investments and pursue long-term economic activity, provided that a demonstrable overall economic added value exists.