Asylum in Austria

You ask for asylum in person on Austrian territory; applications cannot be made from abroad. Your data is registered, and you then formally lodge the application. Since 12 June 2026 the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum applies, implemented in Austria by an amending law; the BFA's information site explains the new rules in several languages.

Depending on how you arrived and whether you applied before, your case may go into the border procedure, a responsibility (Dublin) determination, an admissibility check, an accelerated procedure or a subsequent-application procedure; the document you receive after registration states which procedure applies.

Austria grants either refugee status or subsidiary protection. Recognised refugees receive a three-year right of residence, extended first by three and then by five years, with full labour-market access and the option of a Convention travel document. Subsidiary protection is first granted for one year, then extended by three and later by five years, also with full labour-market access. The first card is free; renewals are subject to fees and are handled by the regional BFA directorates.

The BFA invites you to a personal interview, an officer examines your case and you are notified of the decision. The regular procedure takes up to six months from lodging and should not take more than 21 months. Information you give is kept confidential.

You must stay in Austria while your application is examined and not travel to another EU+ state without permission, attend every appointment on time, give fingerprints and a photograph, present identity documents as early as possible, and report any change of address, phone or e-mail immediately. Destroying or withholding documents or submitting false ones is not allowed. Breaches can lead to reduced support or other measures.

If you do not speak German, a free interpreter assists at registration, when you lodge the application and at the interview. Interpreters are neutral and bound by confidentiality; you can ask for a male or female interpreter and interviewer, which is granted depending on your reasons and availability. You may contact UNHCR or its partner organisations at any stage, and a legal adviser may attend your interview.

During the BFA procedure you can request free legal information on the procedure and your rights and duties; it does not give individual advice on your own case. The Federal Agency for Reception and Support Services (BBU) provides reception and support services. Special support exists for children, families and vulnerable people.

If the decision is negative you can ask a court, the Federal Administrative Court, to review it; the deadline and form are stated in the decision.

Child and youth welfare services take custody of unaccompanied minors from the first day; in federal care centres, BBU legal advisers represent them. After a negative decision you can request a free BBU legal adviser to help with the appeal and a court hearing; BBU and "Return from Austria" also offer counselling on voluntary return and possible financial support.