Long term residence permit (Daueraufenhalt – EU)

What

It’s a residence permit issued for third-country citizens, who have lived in Austria continuously for the last five years. This permit grants unlimited access to the labour market. This residence permit is valid for 5 years. When it expires you have to re-apply.

Who

A third-country citizen who can prove an intermediate level of German (B1) and has held:

  • Red White Red Card
  • Red-White-Red – Card plus
  • Residence permit with intention of settlement
  • Residence permit with intention of settlement without access to labour market
  • Residence permit with intention of settlement without access to labour market for family members
  • Blue Card – EU
  • Family member card (Familienangehöriger)

How

You have to fulfil the general requirements:

  • Regular income that provides enough to live on (minimum income that is determined by the Austrian authorities and it changes every year)
  • Health insurance
  • Proof of accommodation
  • No threat to public order or safety

You also have to fulfil the specific requirements:

  • Evidence of German language at the intermediate level (B1)
  • Proof of settlement in Austria for the last 5 years

More information on this card (in Bosnian, Croatian, English, German, Serbian and Turkish): www.Vienna.gv.at/english/e-government/documents/residence/indefinite-leave/long-term-resident-ec.html.

Application form for “long term residence permit” (in German), see number 22: www.bmi.gv.at/cms/bmi_niederlassung/formulare/antragsformulare.aspx.

When

Application needs to be submitted at least 3 months before your current residence permit expires.

Goo to know

 It’s considered that the 5 years have been interrupted if you have lived outside Austria for more than 10 months altogether or 6 months in a row during this period.

Where

 You can apply to the Office of the Federal State Government (Amt der Landesregierung) or to the District Administration Office (Bezirkshauptmannschaft or Magistrat) (in German): www.help.gv.at/Portal.Node/hlpd/public/behoerden.