Family Members

At a Glance

If family members will be accompanying you to Vienna, they may also need to apply for a residence permit or residence card. What they need depends on two things: their nationality and your own permit status.

A: Family Members of EU/EEA and Swiss Nationals who are Third-Country Nationals

Family members who do not hold EU, EEA or Swiss nationality must apply for a Residence Card (Aufenthaltskarte), which is valid for five years. After five years of continuous residence, they may apply for a permanent residence card.

The following persons qualify as family members:

Spouses, registered partners or life partners;
Direct descendants (children, grandchildren) up to the age of 21, or older if still financially dependent;
Parents and grandparents, if financially dependent on you.

Where and when to apply:

In Vienna at MA 35.
When to apply: within four months of entering Austria
Official government website: Relatives of EU citizens* and Swiss nationals who are third country nationals.

To top

B: Family Members of Settlement Permit – Researcher Holders

Family members of researchers holding a Settlement Permit – Researcher may apply for a Red-White-Red Card Plus (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte Plus).

Find more information on this official government website: Settlement permit – researcher (OeAD).

To top

C: Family Members of Residence Permit – Researcher Mobility Holders

Family members of persons holding a Residence Permit: Researcher Mobility may apply for a Residence Permit: Family Community (Aufenthaltsbewilligung – Familiengemeinschaft).

Find more information on this official government website: Residence Permit for Family Community (Website in German).

To top

D: Family Members of Non-Academic Staff

Family members of non-academic staff (Red-White-Red Card holders or EU Blue Card holders) may apply for a Red-White-Red Card Plus (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte Plus).

Find more information on this official government website: Family reunification.

To top