What Austria's Federal Ministry and immigration authorities actually charge in 2026 — residence permits, Schengen visas, and the salary thresholds that gate each route.
Overview
Austrian visa and residence-permit fees are governed by the Niederlassungs- und Aufenthaltsgesetz (NAG) and the Federal Administrative Fees Act (BVwAbgV). The Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) administers residence titles through the settlement authorities (Niederlassungsbehörden) in each Bundesland, while Schengen and national long-stay visas are processed by Austrian embassies and consulates under the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA). The Red-White-Red Card — Austria's points-based work and residence permit — costs €212 for applicants aged 6 and over (€192 under 6) per card issued. The EU Blue Card requires a gross annual salary of at least €55,678 (2026). A Schengen visa (Type C, short-stay) costs €90 for adults; a national long-stay visa (Type D) costs €195. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals have free movement and face no permit fees. All fees verified against migration.gv.at and bmeia.gv.at as of June 2026.
Austrian Visa and Permit Fee Schedule 2026
| Permit / Visa | Applicant | Fee | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen Visa (Type C) | Adults (12+) | €90 | Up to 90 days/180 |
| Schengen Visa (Type C) | Children 6–11 | €45 | Up to 90 days/180 |
| Schengen Visa (Type C) | Children under 6 | Free | Up to 90 days/180 |
| National Long-Stay Visa (Type D) | Adults (6+) | €195 | Up to 6 months |
| National Long-Stay Visa (Type D) | Under 6 | €97 | Up to 6 months |
| Red-White-Red Card | Adults (6+) | €212 | 2 years |
| Red-White-Red Card | Under 6 | €192 | 2 years |
| Red-White-Red Card Plus | Adults (6+) | €212 | 3 years |
| EU Blue Card | Adults (6+) | €212 | 2 years |
| Niederlassungsbewilligung | Adults (6+) | €212 | 1–2 years |
| EU Settlement Permit (Daueraufenthalt-EU) | Adults | €212 | Permanent |
Red-White-Red Card — Salary and Points Thresholds
- Very Highly Qualified Workers: Minimum 70 points from the RWR criteria list (education, work experience, language skills, age). No minimum salary set by points alone — employer offer required before card issues.
- Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations: Minimum 55 points; gross monthly salary at least the applicable collective agreement rate. Occupation must appear on the AMS Mangelberufsliste (shortage list), which is updated annually by the Federal Employment Service (AMS).
- Other Key Workers: Minimum 55 points; gross monthly salary at least €3,465 (2026 threshold). Labour market test by AMS required.
- Self-Employed Key Workers: Application assessed by AMS for economic benefit to Austria; no points minimum but business plan and financial evidence required.
- EU Blue Card salary threshold 2026: Gross annual income (including 13th and 14th month salary payments) of at least €55,678 — equal to the average gross annual earnings of full-time employees in Austria.
Additional Costs and Exemptions
- Translation and authentication fees: Documents not in German must be translated by a certified court-sworn interpreter (gerichtlich zertifizierter Dolmetscher); translations typically cost €30–€80 per page — set by the market, not by government.
- AMS labour market test: No fee to the applicant; AMS charges the employer administration time only for Other Key Workers and EU Blue Card routes.
- EU/EEA/Swiss nationals: Registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung) costs €15; no work permit required. Permanent residence certificate (Daueraufenthaltsbescheinigung) also €15.
- Annual e-card service fee: The statutory health insurance e-card service fee is €25.00 per year (2026); certain groups including pensioners are exempt.
- Federal administrative stamp duty: Additional stamp duty of €14.30 per document page may apply on original supporting documents submitted to authorities under the BVwAbgV.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Red-White-Red Card cost in 2026 and what does the fee cover?
The Red-White-Red Card costs €212 for applicants aged 6 and over (€192 for under 6) per card issued. This is the government issuance fee payable to the settlement authority (Niederlassungsbehörde) in the relevant Bundesland or to the Austrian embassy abroad for applicants applying from outside Austria. It does not cover translation costs, authentication fees, or the German language test required under the Integration Agreement — those are separate out-of-pocket expenses. The Red-White-Red Card Plus carries the same fee and is valid for three years with unrestricted labour market access.
What is the EU Blue Card salary threshold in Austria for 2026?
The EU Blue Card in Austria requires a binding job offer for at least six months with a gross annual salary of at least €55,678 in 2026 — the average gross annual earnings of full-time employees including the 13th and 14th month special payments. The employment must correspond to the applicant's qualifications (at least a three-year higher education degree). An AMS labour market test confirming no equally qualified registered jobseeker is available must also be satisfied. The threshold is adjusted annually by the Federal Ministry of the Interior based on Statistics Austria earnings data.
What does a Schengen short-stay visa cost at an Austrian embassy?
A Schengen visa (Type C, authorising stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period) costs €90 for adults and children aged 12 and over, €45 for children aged 6–11, and is free for children under 6. Citizens of countries that have concluded visa facilitation agreements with the EU pay a reduced fee of €35. Biometric data collection is required. Visa fees are set by EU Visa Code Regulation No 810/2009 and collected by Austrian embassies and consulates under BMEIA authority.
Are there any fees when EU citizens register their residence in Austria?
EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals exercising free movement rights are not required to obtain a residence permit, but they must register their address (Meldezettel) within three days of taking up residence — the address registration itself is free. EU nationals staying more than three months may voluntarily obtain a registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung) from the settlement authority at a fee of €15. After five years of continuous lawful residence, a permanent residence certificate (Daueraufenthaltsbescheinigung) costs €15.
Do I pay the residence permit fee in Austria or abroad, and what payment methods are accepted?
First-time applicants outside Austria typically pay the national long-stay visa fee (Type D, €195) at the Austrian embassy in their country of residence, then apply for the residence title (RWR Card, EU Blue Card, etc.) after arrival at the competent settlement authority in their Bundesland — where the €212 permit fee is paid again. Applicants already in Austria legally apply directly at the settlement authority and pay only the permit fee. Payment methods vary by office but typically include bank transfer or in-person payment; credit card acceptance is authority-specific.
What is the Niederlassungsbewilligung and how does its fee compare to the Red-White-Red Card?
The Niederlassungsbewilligung (Settlement Permit) is the general residence-without-work-permit title for third-country nationals who do not qualify for an employment-linked route — for example, financially self-sufficient persons, artists, or researchers under specific programmes. The issuance fee is the same €212 as the Red-White-Red Card, but it does not automatically include the right to work. Applicants must demonstrate sufficient own income and health insurance. Extensions cost the same fee and are processed by the same Niederlassungsbehörde.