Austria retirement visa (settlement permit without work)

Only a limited number of these permits is granted each year. You also need health insurance covering all risks in Austria, a legal title to adequate accommodation and, at first application, A1 German unless exempt.

At first application you need an A1 German certificate not older than one year, unless you are exempt for health reasons. Bring a birth certificate, civil status documents such as marriage or divorce certificates, a criminal record extract (often requested, ideally not older than three months), proof of income and a lease or ownership document. The authority wants originals and copies and may ask for German or English translations or certified copies.

Regular monthly income from pensions, foreign business profits, assets, savings or company shares of at least EUR 2,616.78 for a single person and EUR 4,128.24 for married couples or registered partners, plus EUR 403.76 per child. These amounts are double the standard ASVG rates.

First applications are generally filed at the Austrian representation abroad; the competent authority in Austria is the district administration or the municipal authority of the statutory city (in Vienna MA 35).

Social welfare benefits that would only become payable after the permit is granted do not count towards the income. Book the appointment with the Austrian embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence.

Register your address at the registration office (Meldezettel) within three days of moving in and collect the residence card from the competent residence authority. Holders of most residence titles must fulfil the integration agreement (Module 1, A2 German) within two years.

The permit is generally issued for one year and for three years once you have completed Module 1 of the integration agreement and lived lawfully in Austria for two uninterrupted years. Renew in person at the residence authority for your place of residence in Austria, no earlier than three months before the card expires and no later than its expiry date; the fee is EUR 218. A timely application keeps your right of residence and your current labour-market access until the decision, and a confirmation valid for up to three months can be placed in your passport so that you can travel back to Austria. A late application only counts as a renewal if an unforeseeable event stopped you and you apply within two weeks after it ends; otherwise it is treated as a first application. After five years and Module 2 (B1) you can apply for long-term resident EU status.