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Austria · Business & self-employment

Austria Red-White-Red Card - Self-employed Key Worker

18 facts quoted from the official source

Self-employment title for a third-country national whose Austrian activity creates macroeconomic benefit beyond the business's own operating benefit.

Route type
Business & self-employment
Can bring
—
Not stated in the official source
Requirements
14
each quoted below
Who qualifies

Who this route is for

Every item below is the government’s own wording, quoted from the official source. Whether you personally qualify depends on your full profile.

14 requirements quoted from the official source.

The conditions that decide it
  • Business Plan RequiredA detailed business plan and market analysis are required.
  • Capital And Jobs Evidence RequiredEvidence of intended capital transfer and job effects must be submitted.
  • Eligibility summaryThe official route requires macroeconomic benefit and lists capital, jobs, know-how, technology and regional significance as alternative indicators.
  • Macroeconomic Benefit RequiredThe activity must create macroeconomic benefit beyond its own operational benefit.
  • Public Order And Security Clearance RequiredThe stay must not threaten public order, security or Austria's foreign relations.
  • Qualification And Authorisations RequiredQualifications and any required trade authorization must be shown.
  • Self Employment OnlyThe title authorizes the self-employed activity described in the application.
  • Third Country National RequiredThe residence-title framework applies to nationals outside the EEA and Switzerland.
  • Job Creation Or Retention ConditionallyCreation or preservation of Austrian jobs is an alternative basis.
  • Knowhow Or New Technology Transfer ConditionallyKnow-how or new-technology transfer is an alternative basis.
  • Regional Significance ConditionallyConsiderable significance for a region is an alternative basis.
  • Sustained Capital Transfer Min Eur ConditionallyA sustained capital transfer of at least EUR 100,000 is one qualifying basis.checked 2026-07-26
What you’ll show with your application

Paperwork you prepare — it does not rule you out.

  • Health insuranceInsurance covering all risks in Austria is required.
  • Passport or travel documentA valid travel document is required.
Also stated by the source
  • Official source basisThe official route requires macroeconomic benefit and lists capital, jobs, know-how, technology and regional significance as alternative indicators.
  • Points Test RequiredThe route has no points test.
  • Report summaryThe official route requires macroeconomic benefit and lists capital, jobs, know-how, technology and regional significance as alternative indicators.
Family

Who you can bring

— Not stated in the official source. The official page for this route does not address dependent-family rights, so we do not publish a claim either way.
Costs & timelines

What the source prices

Validity
1 proven from the official source.
  • Validity MonthsThe initial card is issued for twenty-four months.
How it works

From here to a yes

See if you qualify — freeThe 3-minute check scores your profile against every Austria route at once, this one included. No signup, no card.
Get your full report — €10One personalised report ranks every route you can actually get, with the full requirement set for your profile — so you apply for the right one.
Apply with the official sourceThe application itself always happens with the government — the enacting authority linked below. The report points you straight at it.
FAQ

Straight answers

01Who qualifies for this route to Austria?
The official source states: Self-employment title for a third-country national whose Austrian activity creates macroeconomic benefit beyond the business's own operating benefit.
02Do I need health insurance?
The official source states: Insurance covering all risks in Austria is required.

Every answer is quoted from the official migration.gv.at page for this route, last read 2026-07-26.

We checked 18 points against the official source; 18 are quoted on this page. The other 0 are either not addressed by the source or not yet backed by a quote — we would rather show you the edge of the record than fill it with a plausible guess.

See the 0 open points

Fees and processing time are not published in the official source for this route. We publish a number only when the official text states that number.

Not stated in the official source — the official source names no exclusion for this route.

The source

Where every quote comes from

Official government source migration.gv.atLast read 2026-07-26 Every quote on this page is from this Austria government page.
Compiled from official sources · pending independent re-check · Last checked 2026-07-26 · Our methodology
 · Compiled by António Mira · How we verify · Not legal advice — rules change; confirm with the official source before deciding.
Same category, same country

Other business & self-employment routes to Austria

2 other business & self-employment routes to Austria.

Red-White-Red Card - Start-up FounderResidence Permit - Self-employed Person
Same category, elsewhere

Business & self-employment routes in other countries

163 other countries publish at least one business & self-employment route. Nearest first.

Hungary4 business & self-employment routes Czechia2 business & self-employment routes Poland2 business & self-employment routes Slovakia2 business & self-employment routes Slovenia1 business & self-employment route Canada22 business & self-employment routes

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