Austria
Red-White-Red Card for Start-up Founders
The Red-White-Red Card for Start-up Founders is a residence permit allowing third-country nationals to settle in Austria and establish innovative companies. It targets entrepreneurs developing novel products, services, processes, or technologies. Applicants must score at least 50 of 85 points under a criteria-based system covering qualifications, work experience, language skills, and bonus factors such as additional capital or incubator admission.
- 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 the company
- Valid health insurance covering all risks in Austria
- Clean criminal record
The points system covers: Qualifications (up to 30 pts) — vocational training, tertiary education, or Austrian degree. Work experience (up to 10 pts) — 1 point per half-year of relevant experience. Language skills (up to 15 pts) — German or English proficiency at various levels. Bonus points (up to 30 pts) — additional €50,000+ investment capital (10 pts), recognized incubator or startup agency funding (10 pts), age up to 35 years (10 pts).
- Valid passport and biometric photograph (45x35 mm)
- Proof of health insurance covering all risks
- Educational credentials and work experience documentation
- Language proficiency certificates (no older than 5 years)
- Evidence of founding capital (bank statements, letters of credit)
- Business plan demonstrating innovation
- Company articles of association
- Criminal record certificate (no older than 3 months)
- Trade authorization if applicable
- Evidence for claimed bonus points
The card is issued for a maximum of 24 months. It is not renewed in the same category — instead, holders transition to the Red-White-Red Card plus after meeting operational milestones: employing at least 2 full-time workers, personal business management, either €200,000 annual revenue or €100,000 additional financing, and demonstrating active innovation. After 5 continuous years of lawful settlement, holders may apply for the Long-Term Resident EU permit, conditional on German B1 proficiency.
Spouses or registered partners (minimum age 21) and unmarried children under 18 may apply for the Red-White-Red Card plus simultaneously or after the main applicant. Family members must demonstrate A1 German proficiency for first-time applications and receive unrestricted labour market access. Standard requirements for means of subsistence, health insurance, and accommodation apply to family members.
Residents who establish domicile or habitual residence in Austria (presence exceeding 183 days per year) 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).
First-time applicants apply in person at the Austrian embassy or consulate in their country of residence, or at the settlement authority if legally present in Austria. The application is forwarded to the AMS (Austrian Labour Market Service) regional office, which issues an expert assessment within 3 weeks on whether the startup criteria are met. The total statutory processing time is 8 weeks. Upon approval, applicants collect the card from the competent authority and may begin business activity only after receiving the physical permit. An application fee of €218 applies.
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Other Digital Nomad Visas in Europe
Country↑ | Program↕ | Income↕ | Investment↕ | Funds Required↕ | Capital Required↕ | Duration↕ | Dependants↕ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🇦🇱 Albania | Residence Permit for Pensioners | — | — | — | ||||
🇦🇱 Albania | Residence Permit for Real Estate Owners | — | — | — | ||||
🇦🇱 Albania | Unique Permit for Digital Mobile Workers | — | — | — | ||||
🇦🇱 Albania | Unique Permit for Investors | — | — | — | ||||
🇦🇩 Andorra | Digital Nomad Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇦🇩 Andorra | Entrepreneur Residence Permit | — | — | — | — | |||
🇦🇩 Andorra | Residence for Scientific, Cultural and Sporting Interest | — | — | — | ||||
🇦🇩 Andorra | Residence Without Lucrative Activity | — | — | — | ||||
🇦🇹 Austria | Job Seeker Visa (Red-White-Red Card) | — | — | — | ||||
🇦🇹 Austria | Red-White-Red Card for Start-up Founders | — | — | — | ||||
🇦🇹 Austria | Settlement Permit — Artist | — | — | — | ||||
🇦🇹 Austria | Settlement Permit Excluding Gainful Employment | — | — | — | ||||
🇧🇾 Belarus | Hi-Tech Park Resident | — | — | — | ||||
🇧🇾 Belarus | Investor Permanent Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇧🇪 Belgium | Professional Card for Entrepreneur | — | — | — | ||||
🇧🇪 Belgium | Rentier Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇧🇬 Bulgaria | Continuous Residence Permit for Pensioners | — | — | — | ||||
🇧🇬 Bulgaria | Digital Nomad Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇧🇬 Bulgaria | Investor Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇧🇬 Bulgaria | Startup Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇭🇷 Croatia | Temporary Stay for Other Purposes (Property Ownership) | — | — | — | ||||
🇭🇷 Croatia | Temporary Stay of Digital Nomads | — | — | — | ||||
🇨🇾 Cyprus | Category D Immigration Permit | — | — | — | — | |||
🇨🇾 Cyprus | Category F Immigration Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇨🇾 Cyprus | Digital Nomad Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇨🇾 Cyprus | Permanent Residence Permit for Investors | — | — | — | ||||
🇨🇾 Cyprus | Startup Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇨🇿 Czech Republic | Digital Nomad Program | — | — | — | ||||
🇨🇿 Czech Republic | Long-Term Residence Permit for the Purpose of Investment | — | — | — | ||||
🇪🇪 Estonia | Digital Nomad Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇪🇪 Estonia | Residence Permit for Major Investor | — | — | — | ||||
🇪🇪 Estonia | Startup Visa | — | — | — | — | |||
🇫🇮 Finland | Residence Permit for Work in Culture or Arts | — | — | — | ||||
🇫🇮 Finland | Startup Residence Permit | — | — | — | — | |||
🇫🇷 France | Carte de Sejour Temporaire Visiteur | — | — | — | ||||
🇫🇷 France | Talent Porteur de Projet — Business Creation | — | — | — | ||||
🇫🇷 France | Talent Porteur de Projet — Direct Economic Investment | — | — | — | ||||
🇫🇷 France | Talent Porteur de Projet — Innovative Economic Project (French Tech Visa) | — | — | — | ||||
🇫🇷 France | Talent — Artistic and Cultural Profession | — | — | — | ||||
🇫🇷 France | Talent — International Reputation | — | — | — | — | |||
🇩🇪 Germany | Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) | — | — | — | ||||
🇩🇪 Germany | Freelance Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇩🇪 Germany | Residence Permit for Financially Independent Persons | — | — | — | ||||
🇩🇪 Germany | Self-Employment Residence Permit for Business Founders | — | — | — | ||||
🇩🇪 Germany | Settlement Permit for Highly Qualified Professionals | — | — | — | — | |||
🇬🇷 Greece | Digital Nomad Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇬🇷 Greece | Golden Visa (Permanent Residence Permit for Investor) | — | — | — | ||||
🇬🇷 Greece | Residence Permit for Financially Independent Persons | — | — | — | ||||
🇬🇷 Greece | Talent Visa | — | — | — | — | |||
🇬🇬 Guernsey | Guernsey Entrepreneur Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇬🇬 Guernsey | Guernsey Investor Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇭🇺 Hungary | Guest Investor Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇭🇺 Hungary | Guest Self-Employment Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇭🇺 Hungary | White Card | — | — | — | ||||
🇮🇸 Iceland | Long-Term Visa for Remote Work | — | — | — | ||||
🇮🇪 Ireland | Stamp 0 (Person of Independent Means) | — | — | — | ||||
🇮🇪 Ireland | Start-Up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) | — | — | — | ||||
🇮🇲 Isle of Man | Innovator Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇮🇲 Isle of Man | Start-Up Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇮🇹 Italy | Digital Nomad Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇮🇹 Italy | Elective Residence Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇮🇹 Italy | Investor Visa for Italy | — | — | — | ||||
🇮🇹 Italy | Italia Startup Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇯🇪 Jersey | High Value Residency Programme | — | — | — | ||||
🇽🇰 Kosovo | Self-Employment Work Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇱🇻 Latvia | Investor Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇱🇻 Latvia | Long-Stay Visa for Remote Work | — | — | — | ||||
🇱🇻 Latvia | Startup Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇱🇻 Latvia | Temporary Residence Permit for Pensioners | — | — | — | ||||
🇱🇮 Liechtenstein | Residence Permit Without Gainful Employment | — | — | — | ||||
🇱🇹 Lithuania | Startup Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇱🇺 Luxembourg | Investor Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇱🇺 Luxembourg | Job Seeker Authorisation | — | — | — | ||||
🇱🇺 Luxembourg | Residence Permit for Private Reasons | — | — | — | ||||
🇱🇺 Luxembourg | Self-Employed Worker Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇹 Malta | Global Residence Programme | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇹 Malta | Malta Permanent Residence Programme | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇹 Malta | Malta Retirement Programme | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇹 Malta | Nomad Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇹 Malta | Startup Residence Programme | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇹 Malta | The Residence Programme | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇹 Malta | United Nations Pensions Programme | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇩 Moldova | Digital Nomad Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇩 Moldova | Investment Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇨 Monaco | Residence Permit for Persons Without Professional Activity | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇪 Montenegro | Digital Nomad Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇪 Montenegro | Temporary Residence and Work Permit for Entrepreneurs | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇪 Montenegro | Temporary Residence Permit for Property Owners | — | — | — | ||||
🇳🇱 Netherlands | Orientation Year Residence Permit | — | — | — | — | |||
🇳🇱 Netherlands | Startup Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇰 North Macedonia | Personal Work Permit for Self-Employment | — | — | — | ||||
🇳🇴 Norway | Self-Employment Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇵🇹 Portugal | D7 Passive Income Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇵🇹 Portugal | D8 Digital Nomad Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇵🇹 Portugal | Golden Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇵🇹 Portugal | Job Seeker Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇵🇹 Portugal | Residence Permit for Highly Qualified Activity | — | — | — | ||||
🇵🇹 Portugal | StartUP Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇷🇴 Romania | Digital Nomad Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇷🇴 Romania | Long-Stay Visa for Commercial Activities | — | — | — | ||||
🇷🇺 Russia | Impatriation Residence Permit | — | — | — | — | |||
🇷🇺 Russia | Investor Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇸🇲 San Marino | Atypical Residence for Pensioners | — | — | — | ||||
🇸🇲 San Marino | Elective Residence | — | — | — | ||||
🇸🇲 San Marino | High-Tech Startup Residence | — | — | — | ||||
🇷🇸 Serbia | Investor Temporary Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇷🇸 Serbia | Property Ownership Temporary Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇷🇸 Serbia | Startup Temporary Residence Permit | — | — | — | — | |||
🇷🇸 Serbia | Talent Temporary Residence Permit | — | — | — | — | |||
🇸🇰 Slovakia | Temporary Residence for Business Purpose | — | — | — | ||||
🇸🇮 Slovenia | Temporary Residence Permit for Digital Nomads | — | — | — | ||||
🇸🇮 Slovenia | Temporary Residence Permit for Other Justified Reasons | — | — | — | ||||
🇪🇸 Spain | Entrepreneur Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇪🇸 Spain | International Telework Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇪🇸 Spain | Non-Lucrative Residence Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇸🇪 Sweden | Residence Permit for Job Seeking | — | — | — | ||||
🇸🇪 Sweden | Residence Permit for Highly Qualified Persons | — | — | — | — | |||
🇸🇪 Sweden | Self-Employment Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇨🇭 Switzerland | Residence Permit Without Gainful Employment | — | — | — | ||||
🇺🇦 Ukraine | Immigration Permit for Highly Qualified IT Specialists | — | — | — | — | |||
🇺🇦 Ukraine | Immigration Permit for Investors | — | — | — | ||||
🇺🇦 Ukraine | Temporary Residence Permit for Investors | — | — | — | ||||
🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Global Talent Visa | — | — | — | — | |||
🇬🇧 United Kingdom | High Potential Individual Visa | — | — | — | — | |||
🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Innovator Founder Visa | — | — | — |