11/23/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/23/2021 05:26
This guide is for British citizens travelling for business or other work purposes. It explains what employers, employees, or the self-employed need to do if they need a visa or permit.
Entry requirements
If you're going to Austria to work (or any other EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) you must make sure you meet passport and other travel requirements.
On the day you travel, you'll need your passport to both:
If you're travelling for business for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, you may be able to do some work-related things without needing a visa or work permit, such as attend business meetings. These are usually covered by the Schengen visa waiver.
If you're going for other types of work you may need a visa, work permit or residence permit.
Austria's authorities are responsible for setting and enforcing entry rules. They decide which activities need a visa or permit, or which may be exempt.
You must always check with Austria's government before you travel, to make sure you meet their legal requirements.
If you're working in more than one country you'll need to check the entry rules of each country.
If you need a passport, visa or permit, you should apply well in advance of travel.
Visa and permit documents
This guide explains the general application process for some of the visa or permit types available in Austria. It includes a checklist of documents that you'll usually need to include when applying.
It may not cover all scenarios so you must always check the exact application process and document requirements with Austria's embassy or immigration authorities.
You must also check what format the documents should be presented in, including if they must be:
Countries often use the terms visa, work permit and residence permit differently. For example, some may refer to a work permit as a visa.
This guide uses the same terms used in Austria, so you know which ones to use when speaking to Austria's authorities.
Check if you need a visa or permit
You don't need a visa or permit if you're travelling to Austria for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for:
Attending business meetings
You should only attend business meetings if there isn't a colleague in Austria who can do this on your behalf. If you have to attend you:
These activities are covered by the Schengen visa waiver.
Border checks
At the border, you may be asked to show:
Check Austria's exemptions
Certain types of work-related activities don't require a visa or permit because they're exempt.
All countries have their own exemptions. What may be exempt in one country may not be in another. You should always check with the country's authorities.
You do not require a visa or permit if you're a musician, performer or broadcaster and in Austria for up to 4 weeks. This includes those involved in film, TV or radio, including the technical production team.
The organiser needs to notify the local public employment service no later than the first day of work in Austria.
EU intra-company transfer permits (EU ICT) from other countries
You don't need a visa or permit if you have an EU intra-company transfer (EU ICT) from another country and you're going to work for the Austrian branch for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
Your employer has to notify the Zentrale Koordinationsstelle (ZKO) of the Federal Ministry of Finance before you travel.
Exemptions are covered by the visa waiver.
Show proof of exemption
You need to be able to show proof that you're exempt to the authorities on request. This could be:
If you're going for other work purposes for up to 4 months, you may need a short-term work permit.
If you're going for longer than 4 months days you may need a long-term permit.
Further checks
If you're not sure if you need a visa or permit to travel you can get advice from Austria's embassy or immigration authorities.
Applying for a visa or permit
This guide outlines the steps required for each visa or permit to help you prepare, but you'll need to check the exact rules and processes with Austria's embassy or immigration authorities.
Taking your family
For the short-term visa and permits listed in this guide your family won't be able to get dependant visas. They may be able to join you for up to 90 days under the visa waiver.
There may be different rules for taking families if you have a long-term permit.
Short and long-term visa and permits
You need a short-term visa or posting permit (Entsendebewilligung) if you're providing short-term services to a client in Austria.
You need to apply for one of these permit types:
You need to apply for a long-term residence and work permit if you're working in Austria because you're:
They are valid for up to 3 years depending on which one you need.
Short-term posting permit
You need a posting permit if your UK employer has a contract or work order with an Austrian company for up to 6 months.
To qualify for a posting permit you must:
It takes 4 to 10 weeks to get. It's valid for up to 4 months and you can extend it.
How it works
You need to check with Austria's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
The Austrian client applies for your posting permit at the Public Employment Service (AMS).
You apply for a C or D visa at the Austrian embassy. You apply for a C visa: Erwerb (Schengen visa) if you're working for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. You apply for a D visa: Erwerb if you're working for up to 4 months.
You register your address with your local city hall in Austria within 3 business days of arriving.
Application documents
Austria's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Short-term highly skilled key worker permit
If your UK employer provides a contractual service to an Austrian end user you may be able to get a highly skilled key worker permit.
To qualify you must:
You must not get paid in Austria.
It's valid for up to 6 months in a 12-month period or for the duration of the contract, whichever is shorter.
How it works
You need to check with Austria's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
The Austrian client applies for your posting permit or work permit at the Public Employment Service (AMS).
You apply for a C or D visa at the Austrian embassy. You apply for a C visa: Erwerb (Schengen visa) if you're working for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. You apply for a D visa: Erwerb if you're working for up to 6 months.
You register your address with your local city hall in Austria within 3 business days of arriving.
It's not yet clear how long it takes to get as it's a new permit type and the exact details are still being confirmed by the Austrian authorities.
Make sure you apply well in advance of travel.
Short-term freelancer visa
If you're a UK-based freelancer and want to work in Austria you can apply for a short-term freelancer visa.
To qualify you must:
It's valid for up to 6 months in a 12-month period or for the duration of the contract, whichever is shorter.
How it works
You need to check with Austria's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You apply for a C or D visa at the Austrian embassy. You apply for a C visa: Erwerb (Schengen visa) if you're working for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. You apply for a D visa: Erwerb if you're working for up to 6 months.
You register your address with your local city hall in Austria within 3 business days of arriving.
It's not yet clear how long it takes to get as it's a new permit type and the exact details are still being confirmed by the Austrian authorities.
Make sure you apply well in advance of travel.
Transferring long term from a UK-based company to a branch in Austria
You need an EU ICT residence permit if your UK-based employer moves you to a branch in Austria to work for:
To qualify you must:
It takes 8 to 12 weeks to get. It can't be extended beyond 3 years, or 1 year if you're a trainee.
If you have a family, they can join you as dependants with this permit type.
How it works
You need to check with Austria's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You submit an ICT residence permit application (04) and the necessary documents to the Austrian embassy.
You register your address with your local city hall in Austria within 3 business days of arriving.
You collect your ICT permit from the local immigration office.
Application documents
Austria's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Working for an Austrian company on a long-term Austrian contract
If you have an offer of employment with a company in Austria, you need to apply for one of these permit types:
Red-White-Red Card
The Red-White-Red Card (RWR) has a points-based system which takes into account factors such as your:
Each factor is given points. You need a certain number of points depending on the type of work you're doing.
Points required for:
If you're highly qualified, a skilled worker in a shortage occupation, or a key worker you must:
If you're a key worker check how much you need to be earning to qualify.
Your salary must be paid in 14 monthly instalments a year (Austria makes 2 payments in 2 of the months).
Your Austrian employer will need to complete a labour market test.
Self-employed workers and start-up founders can also apply for this permit.
It takes 8 to 12 weeks to get a Red-White-Red Card. It's valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it. This permit type could lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
If you have a family they can join you as dependants with this permit type.
How it works
You need to check with Austria's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You submit a Red-White-Red Card application (11) to the Austrian embassy.
You register your address with your local city hall in Austria within 3 business days of arriving.
You collect your RWR Card.
Application documents
Austria's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
EU Blue Card
To qualify for an EU Blue Card residence permit you must:
Your employer must complete a labour market test to make sure you're not taking work that could be carried out by a jobseeker in Austria who is equally qualified for the role.
It takes 8 to 12 weeks to get. It's valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it. It could lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
If you have a family they can join you as dependants with this permit type.
How it works
You need to check with Austria's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
Submit a EU Blue Card application (15) to the Austrian embassy.
Register your address with your local city hall in Austria within 3 business days of arriving.
Collect your EU Blue Card from the local immigration office.
Application documents
Austria's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Providing long term services to a client in Austria
You can apply for a work permit to provide services (Beschäftigungsbewilligung) if your UK employer has a service agreement with an Austrian company.
To qualify you must:
It takes 8 to 12 weeks to get. It allows you to work for more than 4 months up to 1 year and you can extend it.
You won't be able to get dependant visas for any family members if you have a work permit to provide services. They may be able to join you for up to 90 days under the visa waiver rules.
How it works
You need to check with Austria's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
The Austrian client submits your work permit application to the Public Employment Service (AMS).
You apply for a D visa: Erwerb if you're staying for up to 6 months. If you're working for more than 6 months you'll need to apply for a residence permit at the Austrian embassy. This is in addition to the permit your employer applies for.
You register your address with your local city hall in Austria within 3 business days of arriving.
You collect your residence permit card if you're staying for more than 6 months.
Application documents
Austria's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Self-employed work
You can apply for a Red-White-Red (RWR) Card as a self-employed key worker if your self-employed occupation is economically beneficial to Austria.
There are no point requirements.
To qualify you must:
It takes 8 to 12 weeks to get. It's valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it. This permit could lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
If you have a family they can join you as dependants with this permit type.
How it works
You need to check with Austria's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You submit a Red-White-Red Card application (11) to the Austrian embassy.
Your application will be forwarded to the Public Employment Service (AMS) who will evaluate whether your work is economically beneficial to Austria.
You register your address with your local city hall in Austria within 3 business days of arriving.
You collect your Red-White-Red Card from the local immigration office.
Application documents
Austria's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process.
Usually, they need to see documents that relate to the economic benefits of your work, such as:
They will also need to see:
Start-up founders
Founders of a start-up in Austria can apply for a Red-White-Red Card.
To qualify you must:
It takes 8 to 12 weeks to get. It's valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it. It could lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
To extend it you must go through another examination process with the Public Employment Service (AMS).
If you have a family they can join you as dependants with this permit type.
How it works
You need to check with Austria's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You submit a Red-White-Red Card application (11) to the Austrian embassy.
Your application will be forwarded to the Public Employment Service (AMS) who will evaluate whether your work is economically beneficial to Austria.
You register your address with your local city hall in Austria within 3 business days of arriving.
You collect your RWR Card.
Application documents
Austria's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Research work
You can apply for a settlement permit for research if you work for a recognised research institution.
It takes 8 to 12 weeks to get. It's valid for 2 years and you can renew it. This permit could lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
If you have a family they can join you as dependants.
How it works
You need to check with Austria's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
Submit a settlement permit for research application (21) to the Austrian embassy.
Register your address with your local city hall in Austria within 3 business days of arriving.
Collect your permit from the local immigration office.
Application documents
Austria's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Working as an artist
If you want to work in Austria as an employed or self-employed artist you can apply for a settlement permit for artists.
You need to provide one of the following:
It takes 8 to 12 weeks to get. It's valid for 1 year and can be renewed. This permit could lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
If you have a family they can join you as dependants.
How it works
You need to check with Austria's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You:
Application documents
Austria's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
Austrian government guidance
Read official Austrian government information on visas, work permits, and residence permits.
Check for business travel changes
European governments may update or change their rules without notice.
You should always check Foreign Office updates on issues, such as safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings before travelling, or planning to travel.