Red-White-Red Card for Start-up Founders

The Red-White-Red Card for Start-up Founders (Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte für Start-up-GründerInnen) is an Austrian residence permit allowing third-country nationals to settle temporarily in Austria and establish innovative companies. It targets entrepreneurs developing and marketing novel products, services, processes, or technologies. The program is administered jointly by provincial settlement and residence authorities and the regional offices of the Arbeitsmarktservice (AMS), which issues a binding expert assessment on each application. Applicants must score at least 50 of 85 possible points under a criteria-based system covering qualifications, work experience, language skills, and bonus factors such as additional capital or incubator admission.

The card is issued for a maximum of 24 months, after which holders who meet operational milestones can transition to the Red-White-Red Card plus, granting unrestricted labour market access. After five continuous years of lawful settlement, holders may apply for a Long-Term Resident EU permit.

• Third-country national (non-EU/EEA/Swiss)
• Score at least 50 of 85 points under the Anlage D assessment criteria
• Submit a coherent business plan demonstrating innovation
• Minimum founding capital of €30,000 with at least 50% equity
• Personally exercise controlling influence over company management
• Intend to develop and market innovative products, services, processes, or technologies within a newly established company
• Valid health insurance covering all risks in Austria
• Clean criminal record

The points system covers four categories:

• Qualifications (max 30 pts): vocational training/specialised skills (20 pts), tertiary education programme of 3+ years (20 pts), or diploma/Bachelor's/Master's/Doctorate from an Austrian institution (30 pts)
• Work experience (max 10 pts): 1 point per half-year of relevant professional experience
• Language skills (max 15 pts): German A2 (5 pts), B1–B2 (10 pts), C1–C2 (15 pts); English B2 (10 pts) or French/Spanish/Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian B1 (5 pts)
• Bonus points (max 30 pts): additional €50,000+ investment capital (10 pts), recognised incubator or startup agency funding (10 pts), age up to 35 years (10 pts)

The standard NAG prerequisites for sufficient means of subsistence and a legally binding right to standard housing are explicitly waived for startup founders.

• Valid passport and biometric photograph (45×35 mm, no older than 6 months)
• Proof of health insurance covering all risks in Austria (or travel health insurance with minimum €30,000 including rescue/repatriation until statutory coverage begins)
• Educational credentials (diplomas, certificates) and work experience documentation
• Language proficiency certificates from internationally recognised institutions (no older than 5 years)
• Evidence of founding capital (bank statements, letters of credit; minimum €30,000 with at least 50% equity)
• Coherent business plan demonstrating innovation
• Company articles of association
• Criminal record certificate from country of origin and any country of 6+ months residence (recommended no older than 3 months)
• Trade authorisation (Gewerbeberechtigung) if applicable
• Evidence supporting claimed bonus points (incubator admission, additional capital)

The initial card is valid for up to 24 months and is not renewed in the same category. After 24 months, holders transition to the Red-White-Red Card plus if they meet the operational milestones under §24 Abs. 4 AuslBG: employing at least 2 full-time workers, personal business management, either €200,000 annual revenue or €100,000 additional financing secured, and demonstrating active innovation. The extension application must be filed before the current card expires — earliest 3 months before expiration. If filed on time, holders may continue residing and working in Austria pending the decision.

Spouses or registered partners (minimum age 21 for first application) and unmarried minor children (under 18) may apply for the Red-White-Red Card plus simultaneously with or after the main applicant. First-time family applicants must demonstrate A1 German proficiency. Family members receive unrestricted labour market access. Standard requirements for sufficient means of subsistence, health insurance, and accommodation apply to family members.

Austrian tax residency is established by domicile or habitual abode (presence exceeding 183 days in a calendar year). Residents are subject to worldwide income taxation at progressive rates from 0% to 55%. Austria has an extensive network of double taxation agreements. Self-employed persons must register for social security through SVS (Sozialversicherungsanstalt der Selbständigen).

1. Gather all required documents including business plan, capital proof, qualifications evidence, and language certificates
2. Submit the application in person — at the competent Austrian embassy or consulate abroad for first-time applicants, or at the provincial settlement authority if legally present in Austria — with fingerprinting
3. The settlement authority forwards the application to the AMS regional office responsible for the intended place of business
4. AMS consults its Landesdirektorium and issues a written expert assessment (Gutachten) within 3 weeks on whether startup founder criteria are met under §24 Abs. 2 AuslBG
5. Upon a positive AMS assessment and verification of all other requirements, the settlement authority issues the card within the 8-week statutory deadline
6. Collect the card by appointment at the competent authority — business activity may begin only after physical receipt of the permit

The application fee is €218 (as of 1 January 2026). The AMS assessment is determinative: a negative assessment results in automatic rejection under §41 Abs. 4 NAG with no possibility of override by the settlement authority.

Innovation is defined broadly: products, services, procedures, or technologies that are new to Austria with expected demand, involve novel or creative approaches, combine different fields or sectors, or create social or ecological value. Points in the qualification category are not cumulative — only the highest applicable qualification level counts. Holders must register their residence (Meldezettel) at the local registration office within 3 days of taking up residence and fulfil Module 1 of the Integration Agreement (German A2) within 2 years of receiving the permit.