🇦🇹 Austria · Entrepreneur
Red-White-Red Card for Start-up Founders — requirements, costs & how to apply
Who is eligible
| Minimum annual salary | EUR 30,000 |
| Proof of savings | €100,000 |
| Minimum investment | €30,000 |
| Work experience | 2+ years |
| Language level | C1 |
| Health insurance | Required (valid in-country) |
| Criminal record | Clean record / police clearance |
| Age range | 18–35 |
Costs
| Application / consular fee | €218 |
Duration & renewal
Initial stay: 24 months. Does not lead directly to permanent residence.
Documents
- Valid travel document (e.g. passport)
- Photo (dimensions: 45x35mm) not older than six months
- Evidence of health insurance covering all risks (compulsory health insurance or equivalent insurance policy)
- Relevant certificate or diploma as evidence of completed vocational education/training
- Testimonial or training report and work certificate as evidence of special know-how or skills
- Document furnishing proof of successful completion of a programme of a minimum duration of three years at an institution of tertiary education
- Document reflecting the status of the university or other institution of tertiary education
- Document furnishing proof of successful completion of diploma programme or Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctor’s degree in Austria or apprenticeship certificate
- Testimonial and work certificate as evidence of work experience
- Internationally recognised language diploma or language course certificate furnishing proof of language skills in German or English (not older than five years)
- Evidence of investment capital including available equity
- Contract with business incubator or funding by a start-up funding agency in Austria, if available
- Business plan and documents as evidence of the innovational character of products, services, processing methods and technologies
- Articles of association of the company (except for one-person companies) as evidence of controlling influence
- Craft authorisations (Gewerbeberechtigungen), where necessary (if already available)
- Originals and copies of the above documents; translations into German or English if not available in these languages
Who can apply
Open to all nationalities.
How to apply
- Confirm you meet the eligibility above.
- Gather documents and apply via the official portal: https://www.migration.gv.at/en/types-of-immigration/permanent-immigration/start-up-founders.
- Typical processing: ~21 days.
Frequently asked
Does this visa lead to permanent residence?
No — it does not lead directly to permanent residence.
Do I need health insurance?
Yes — valid health insurance in the country is required.
Sources & verification
Every figure on this page is taken from an official government source and dated. Nothing is inferred.
“prove capital for the company to be founded amounting to € 30.000 minimum with an equity share of at least 50 %”
“"Evidence of health insurance covering all risks"”
“"Many authorities require, for example, that a current criminal record extract"”
“As a third-country national you can apply for a Red-White-Red Card for start-up founders if you... prove capital for the company to be founded amounting to € 30.000 minimum (page describes the Red-White-Red Card; no statement that it leads to permanent residence/settlement)”
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Informational only, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change — always confirm on the official government source linked above before applying. Last verified 2026-06-10.