TechVisa

Austria Red-White-Red Card

Processing Time: 6-8 weeks
Validity: 2 years initially

Requirements

  • Points-based qualification
  • Job offer or job search visa
  • German language skills (A1-B1)
  • Valid passport
  • Health insurance

Austria’s Red-White-Red Card uses a points-based system to attract skilled workers, including tech professionals, to its growing digital economy.

Points Categories

  • Qualifications (max 35 points)
  • Professional experience (max 20 points)
  • Language skills (max 15 points)
  • Age (max 20 points)
  • Job offer (max 10 points)

Tech Hubs

  • Vienna (main tech center)
  • Salzburg (emerging tech)
  • Graz (research and development)
  • Linz (industrial tech)
  • Innsbruck (alpine tech)

Benefits

  • EU market access
  • High living standards
  • Cultural heritage
  • Central location
  • Strong social system

Pros

  • Points-based system
  • Central European location
  • High quality of life
  • Strong economy
  • Cultural richness

Cons

  • German language requirement
  • Complex points system
  • Limited tech scene size
  • Bureaucratic processes