Digital Nomad & Residency - Austria

Austria does not offer a purpose-built digital-nomad or remote-work visa; remote workers must qualify under one of the standard residence titles in the NAG framework.

The 'Settlement permit – gainful employment excepted' suits pensioners and the financially independent; it is quota-limited (first-come-first-served annually), requires A1 German, and stable income (2026: €1,308.39/month single, €2,064.12 couple, +€201.88 per child). Usually issued for 12 months.

Third-country nationals establishing a business of macroeconomic benefit can obtain this card (valid 24 months); criteria include an investment transfer of at least €100,000 and/or job creation, with an AMS assessment of economic benefit.

The Red-White-Red Card for Start-Up Founders allows entrepreneurs to live and work in Austria for up to two years, extendable, providing an entrepreneurship-based pathway rather than a remote-work one.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens may live and work remotely in Austria without restriction; for stays beyond three months they must register (Anmeldebescheinigung) with the local authority.

Austria has no statutory residence-by-investment or golden-visa program; investor relocation runs through the same NAG titles (e.g. self-employed key-worker card or financially-independent permit), while exceptional citizenship for extraordinary economic contribution is discretionary under §10(6) of the Citizenship Act.