To obtain a residence title, you must meet the specific conditions of the title and prove that you meet the general conditions for residence titles in Austria, namely:
- full medical insurance;
- adequate means of subsistence.
If you want to come to Austria as a researcher, you will need a temporary settlement permit – researcher (Niederlassungsbewilligung – Forscher) or a settlement permit – special cases of dependent gainful occupation (Niederlassungsbewilligung – Sonderfälle unselbständiger Erwerbstätigkeit).
If you apply for a settlement permit – researcher you must have a hosting agreement with a certified research organisation.
If you apply for a settlement permit – special cases of dependent gainful occupation, a hosting agreement is not required.
Where and how to apply | Researchers may apply for a settlement permit – researcher (Niederlassungsbewilligung – Forscher) or a settlement permit – special cases of dependent gainful occupation (Niederlassungsbewilligung – Sonderfälle unselbständiger Erwerbstätigkeit) in their home country at the competent representation authority before entering Austria or in Austria after legal entry and during their legal stay. |
Documents required | Your documents must prove that you meet the specific and general conditions for the residence title. Your necessary professional qualifications must also be recognised by the competent Austrian authority. |
Duration of validity of permits | A settlement permit for researchers is issued for a maximum period of two years. A settlement permit – special cases of dependent gainful occupation is issued for a maximum of one year. |
Further requirements | N/A |
Appeals | Applications submitted from outside Austria can be refused by the competent Austrian representation authority abroad for formal reasons. You can appeal against decisions of the representation authority at the Federal Administrative Court. Decisions of the regional Public Employment Service can be appealed before the Federal Administrative Court. |
Further information |
Family reunification | As a researcher, your spouse or registered partner and children may be able to obtain a specific residence permit to live with you in Austria. Spouses and children of researchers are exempted from the scope of application of the Act Governing the Employment of Foreign Nationals and are allowed to work. |
Long-term residence | To obtain a long-term residence title, you must prove settlement in Austria for the past five years and must fulfil Module 2 of the Integration Agreement. |
Mobility
Are you a non-EU citizen wishing to carry out research in Austria? You can find information below on the conditions to fulfil and procedures to follow, as well as the rights you can enjoy during your stay.
If you have a permit/visa for research in an EU country, you may conduct research and teach in Austria if you fulfil certain requirements. If the duration of your stay in Austria is shorter than 180 days in a 360-day period, you are subject to short-term mobility rules. If the duration of your stay in Austria is longer than 180 days, you are subject to the rules governing long-term mobility.
Short-term mobility Researchers who hold a valid residence permit issued by another Member State are allowed to stay in Austria in order to carry out part of their research in any research organisation for a period of up to 180 days in any 360-day period, subject to the conditions laid down in Directive (EU) 2016/801.
Long-term mobility If you are already a holder of a residence permit ‘researcher’ of another EU Member State, and your activity in Austria is to exceed 180 days, you will receive a residence permit ‘researcher mobility’, if you perform an activity for a research institution which is exempt from the scope of application of the Act Governing the Employment of Foreign Nationals, you show a hosting agreement entered into with such a research institution and the maximum permissible period has not expired yet (maximum permissible period is two years within the validity of the residence title “researcher” of the other EU member state).
Procedures
Where and how to apply
You may apply for a residence permit – researcher mobile (Aufenthaltsbewilligung ‘Forscher – Mobilität’) in your home country at the competent representation authority before entering Austria or in Austria after legal entry and during the legal stay. | |
Documents required Your documents must prove that you meet the specific and general conditions for the residence title. | |
Duration of validity of permits A temporary residence permit for researchers is basically issued for the duration of the research activity in Austria (maximum period: two years). | |
Further requirements N/A | |
Appeals Applications submitted from outside Austria can be refused by the competent Austrian representation authority abroad for formal reasons. You can appeal against decisions of the representation authority at the Federal Administrative Court. Appeals against decisions of the regional administrative authority or magistrate can be filed at the Provincial Administrative Court. Further appeals can be filed at the Administrative High Court, or the Constitutional Court if the decision was based on unlawful grounds or violated constitutional rights. | |
Further information |