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Austria Residence Permit for Financially Independent People
A residence permit for people who live on passive income or savings and want to move to Austria. It does not allow you to work in the country and is issued under an annual quota.
Austria has a separate residence permit for financially independent people who do not need to work: people living on investment income, retirees and owners of capital. You need regular passive income or savings that comfortably cover life in Austria, plus housing, health insurance and a clean criminal record. This status does not allow you to take a job or run a business in the country.
The main feature is the quota. Every year the government sets a limited number of these permits, and applications are processed in the order they arrive. That is why it matters to file a complete, accurate application at the right time. The first application is usually filed from abroad, at an Austrian embassy or consulate. We prepare your file, check your proof of income, housing and insurance, and support you until you receive your residence card.
Who it is for
- People living on investment income and owners of capital with regular passive income
- Retirees with a sufficient pension and savings
- Families who want to live in Austria without having to work
- People who care about quality of life, healthcare and a European education for their children
Requirements
- Regular income or savings that comfortably cover living costs in Austria
- Proof that your funds come from a legal source
- Housing in Austria, rented or owned, that meets local standards
- Health insurance with full coverage in Austria
- German at level A1 already at the first application, with a certificate no older than one year
- A clean criminal record
- A free place in the annual quota; you cannot work in the country
What we do
- Assess your income, savings and chances, taking the quota into account
- Help you build clear proof of your income and where it comes from
- Find housing and insurance that the immigration authorities will accept
- Put together your file and arrange translations and apostilles
- Prepare and file your application through an Austrian embassy or consulate
- Support you with collecting the card, address registration and renewals
Key documents
- Passport
- Proof of income: bank statements, rental agreements, dividends, pension
- Proof of source of funds
- Lease or ownership documents for housing in Austria
- Health insurance policy
- Criminal record certificate with an apostille and translation
- Marriage and birth certificates if your family is moving with you
How it works
- Assessmentincome, savings, family members and the quota for the current year
- Fileproof of income, housing, insurance and translations
- Filingthrough the Austrian embassy or consulate in your country of residence
- Reviewtiming depends on the quota and the authority, usually several months
- Card and renewalcollecting the card in Austria, registering your address, then renewing
Timeline
Review usually takes several months and depends on the annual quota and the authority; the first card is usually issued for one year.
Timelines are approximate: government agencies, consulates and banks set them.
What to watch out for
- Quotas are limited: once they are used up, your application may wait until next year
- Income just above the minimum carries a high risk of refusal, so you need a margin
- Unclear source of funds leads to additional checks
- You cannot work in Austria on this status, not even remotely for local clients
- Housing and insurance requirements are strict, and an unsuitable contract sends the file back
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is from $44,000. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
How much income do I need for an Austria residence permit for financially independent people?
You need regular income of at least twice the Austrian minimum standards: in 2026 that is €2,616.78 a month for one person, €4,128.24 for a married couple and another €403.76 for each child. Regular income and savings both count, and housing costs are taken into account. We will calculate the exact amount for your family: in practice, aiming for the bare minimum is risky.
What is the quota and how does it affect my application?
Every year Austria sets a limited number of permits of this type. Applications are processed in the order they arrive, and if the quota runs out, your case may wait until the following year. That is why we prepare a complete file in advance and file it without gaps.
Can I work with this residence permit?
No. The status is meant for people who live on passive income. Employment and running a business in Austria are not allowed. If your plans change, you will need a different permit, which is a separate procedure.
Can my family move with me?
Yes, your spouse and minor children can get permits together with you, but your income and housing must cover everyone. Each family member needs their own documents, insurance and certificates.
Do I need to speak German?
Yes. Already at the first application you need an A1 German certificate (ÖSD, Goethe-Institut, telc or ÖIF) issued no more than a year earlier; children under 14 are exempt. The first card is usually issued for one year. To renew for 3 years and move toward long-term status, you will need the integration agreement modules, which means German above beginner level.
Where do I file the application?
As a rule, the first application is filed from abroad, at the Austrian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. After approval you enter Austria and collect your card. We will help you plan the timing around the quota and the review period.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
