Austria

Am I eligible to apply for an EU Blue Card?

To apply for an EU Blue Card, the applicant must:

• have completed a course of study at a university or other recognised tertiary educational institution with a minimum duration of at least three years or being a manager, academic or comparable specialist in information and communications technology, have at least three years of relevant professional experience of a level comparable to a university degree with a minimum duration of three years of study, which was acquired within the seven years preceding the application for an ‘EU Blue Card’;
• have a valid work contract or binding job offer for highly qualified employment with a duration of at least six months;
• meet the minimum salary threshold in the Member State concerned (see below);
• undergo a labour market test by the Public Employment Service Austria (AMS);
• for regulated professions: present documents proving that the national legal requirements are met;
• for unregulated professions: present documents proving that the relevant higher professional qualifications are met (for more information about higher professional qualifications, see the FAQ section);
• present a valid travel document, an application for a visa or a visa (if necessary), and a valid residence permit or a national long-term visa (if appropriate);
• present a proof of sickness insurance (or a proof of having applied for it).

In addition, the applicant must not pose a threat to public policy in the view of the Member State. S/he may also be required to provide his/her address in that Member State.

How much do I have to earn to qualify for an EU Blue Card?

The gross annual salary resulting from the monthly or annual salary specified in the work contract or binding job offer must be equal to or higher than the relevant salary threshold defined by the Member State (at least 1 time the average gross annual salary of full-time employees in Austria).

In 2023, Austria set the minimum salary threshold at € 45,595, which is about € 3,256 gross monthly income plus special payments.

Are there exceptions to the minimum salary requirement?

N/A.

Will EU citizens' applications be prioritised over mine?

Some Member States apply a Labour Market Test (LMT). This is a mechanism that aims to ensure that migrant workers are only admitted after employers have unsuccessfully searched for national workers, EU citizens (in EU Member States, this also means EEA workers) or legally residing third-country nationals with access to the labour market according to national legislation (for more information see the FAQ section).

Austria applies a labour market test.

How long will my EU Blue Card be valid?

The standard period of validity in Austria is: two years.
Specific rules: in Austria, the EU Blue Card is issued for a period of two years. If the employment contract is of shorter duration, the EU Blue Card shall be issued for the duration of the contract plus three months.

How much will it cost?

Initial EU Blue Card fee (for persons older than 6 years): 160 EUR.

Renewal: 160 EUR. Replacement: 160 EUR.

Fee for express issuance: N/A.

How long will it take to get my EU Blue Card?

National law foresees that the maximum processing time for issuing an EU Blue Card in Austria is eight weeks.

HELP-Service for Foreign Citizens

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