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The RWR Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte) is the Austrian residence and work permit for third-country skilled workers. It runs on a points system with six categories — from very highly qualified to graduates of Austrian universities. Legal basis: NAG and AuslBG.
The RWR Card is a criteria-based residence permit introduced in 2011. Applicants collect points based on qualifications, work experience, language, age and other factors — and must pass a category-specific minimum. The card is valid 24 months and tied to a specific employer.
After 21 months of work for the same employer (within 24 months), holders transition to the RWR Card plus — granting unrestricted labour-market access. After 5 years of continuous residence and completion of Module 2 of the Integrationsvereinbarung, they qualify for Daueraufenthalt-EU (long-term EU residence).
Six categories cover different applicant profiles. Each has its own minimum points, salary threshold and special requirements:
For top-tier specialists — PhD, MINT degree, managers earning EUR 60,000+. May enter Austria without a job offer for a 6-month Jobsuchervisum to find work.
Workers in occupations on the annual Fachkräfteverordnung. 2026: 64 nationwide + 66 regional shortage occupations. Salary per applicable collective agreement — no labour-market test required.
For specialists outside the shortage list, with an AMS labour-market test. Minimum gross monthly salary EUR 3,465 (2026), plus 13th and 14th salaries.
For entrepreneurs and investors whose activity benefits the Austrian economy — capital transfer (at least EUR 100,000) or technology transfer, job creation. Assessed by WKO and AMS.
For graduates of Austrian universities (BSc, MSc, PhD) with a concrete job offer in their field. No points test, no labour-market test. Salary must match what an Austrian junior would earn.
For workers with a prior work permit and 12 months of employment with the same Austrian employer. Allows extending stay in the same job.
Highly Qualified are scored on a scale up to 100 points (threshold 70). Schlüsselkräfte (shortage and other key) on a scale up to 90 points (threshold 55). Main categories:
| Criterion | Highly Qualified (max) | Schlüsselkräfte (max) |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification / education | 40 (PhD/Habilitation) | 30 (vocational + language) |
| Work experience (per ½ yr) | 20 | 20 |
| Languages (de / en / other) | 10 | 25 |
| Age | 20 (under 35) | 15 (under 30) |
| Studies in Austria | 10 | — |
| Maximum | 100 | 90 |
| Minimum to pass | 70 | 55 |
Try the official Quick-Check
No — Austria has no equivalent to the German Westbalkanregelung. A permit without qualifications (such as Germany offers Serbian workers) does not exist in Austrian law. All applicants from Serbia must use the RWR Card categories (typically Mangelberufe or Sonstige Schlüsselkräfte) or the seasonal worker system.
There is a Westbalkan-Sonderkontingent for seasonal workers in tourism (gastronomy, hotels) — introduced late 2025, with 2,500 places for 6 countries (Serbia, BiH, MNE, Albania, Kosovo, N. Macedonia). This is a temporary seasonal visa (up to 9 months), not a classic RWR Card.
Important difference vs Germany
Check category and points on migration.gv.at. Prepare: passport, diplomas (apostilled and translated), CV, work-experience evidence, language certificates, employer offer.
For most categories (except Studienabsolventen and parts of HQ) a binding job offer is required. The employer notifies the AMS (Arbeitsmarktservice) — no separate test for shortage occupations, but a labour-market test for Sonstige Schlüsselkräfte.
File with the Austrian embassy in Belgrade (before arrival) or — if legally in Austria — directly with the competent authority: MA 35 (Vienna), Bezirkshauptmannschaft (BH) or Magistrat (other cities). Consular fee: ca. EUR 120-160.
Statutory processing time: 8 weeks (NAG § 8). In practice 2-6 months, especially at MA 35 due to backlog. During processing you may not work if you are not yet in Austria.
After approval you receive a D-visa (if outside Austria). You enter Austria, register your address (Meldezettel within 3 working days) and pick up the RWR Card at the competent authority. The card is valid for 24 months.
The RWR Card is a temporary permit, the first step. Two more stable status levels follow, plus the citizenship question (where Austria has a unique barrier):
Austria forbids dual citizenship
Next steps in Austria
Last updated: April 2026. Salary thresholds and quotas apply for 2026 — verify current amounts on migration.gv.at.