Residence Permit Austria: Business Immigration Through Company Ownership

A residence permit Austria business route lets a non-EU national live in Austria on the basis of running a genuine company or self-employed activity. The main title is the Red-White-Red Card, granted to qualified entrepreneurs, investors, and start-up founders who bring real economic value to the country. Müller Konsult guides international founders through both sides of the move: setting up or acquiring the Austrian company that acts as your vehicle, and preparing the residence application that sits on top of it.

One thing to be clear about from the start: owning a company in Austria does not, by itself, grant you the right to live there, and Austria has no fast cash-for-passport “golden visa”. The permit is granted for the business activity; the company is the structure through which you carry it out. This guide explains the routes, the figures, and how the two fit together.

What is an Austrian business residence permit?

An Austrian business residence permit is a residence title (Aufenthaltstitel) that allows a third-country national, someone who is not an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen, to settle in Austria and pursue a self-employed economic activity. The flagship is the Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte), a combined residence and work permit designed to attract qualified workers, founders, and investors from outside the EU.

Unlike a tourist or short-stay visa, this permit is tied to your work. It is issued for the specific self-employed activity described in your application, and it carries conditions you must keep meeting to renew it. Because it sits within Austrian settlement and residence law, the application is assessed against defined criteria rather than granted on request, which is why getting the business and the paperwork right matters.

Who qualifies for business immigration to Austria?

Austrian business immigration is built for third-country nationals who can add measurable value to the economy. In practice, the people we help most often are:

Entrepreneurs who want to start or register a company in Austria.
Investors putting genuine capital into an Austrian business.
Established business owners expanding into Austria or the wider EU market.
Start-up founders with an innovative, well-documented venture.

The route works particularly well for founders from outside the EU, including entrepreneurs from India and the UAE, who want EU market access and a stable base in central Europe. There is no requirement to already hold EU residence; the whole point of these routes is to bring third-country talent and capital into Austria.

The business immigration routes compared

There is no single “investor visa Austria”. Instead, there are a few residence titles, and the right one depends on whether you are self-employed, founding a start-up, or taking a salaried role in your own company. The table below sets out the main business-related options.

Route	Basis	Headline requirement	Validity
Red-White-Red Card — self-employed key worker	Genuine self-employed business	€100,000 investment capital, or jobs created/secured, or know-how transfer, or regional significance	24 months
Red-White-Red Card — start-up founder	Innovative new company	€30,000 capital with at least 50% equity, plus 50 of 85 points	24 months
EU Blue Card	Salaried qualified employment	A qualifying salary in a role matching your degree (can be a managing-director post in your own company)	Tied to the contract

Self-employed key worker

This is the classic business-owner route. According to Austria’s official migration portal, you qualify as a self-employed key worker if your business delivers a macroeconomic benefit, shown by at least one of: a sustained transfer of investment capital of €100,000 or more, the creation of new jobs or the securing of existing ones, the transfer of know-how or new technologies, or significance for an entire region. There is no points system on this route; it is assessed on that economic-benefit test, with the labour-market service (AMS) involved in the review.

Start-up founder

The start-up founder route is aimed at innovative ventures. It requires proof of capital of at least €30,000 for the company you will found, with an equity share of at least 50%, and a score of 50 out of a maximum 85 points. Points come from qualifications (up to 30), work experience (up to 10), language skills (up to 15), and bonus factors such as an extra €50,000 investment, admission to a business incubator, or being under 35. The card is issued for up to 24 months.

EU Blue Card as an alternative

If you take a genuine salaried managing-director role in your Austrian company, the EU Blue Card can be an alternative. It is built for qualified employment rather than self-employment, so it suits owner-managers who pay themselves a qualifying salary. We assess which fits your situation rather than pushing a single product.

How buying a company works

1. Consultation — We propose the right company and structure for your goals.
2. Due diligence — We confirm the company is clean, debt-free and compliant.
3. Notarial transfer — Ownership passes to you — remotely if needed (GmbHG §15).
4. Setup — Banking, tax, registered address and director are put in place.

Does buying a company in Austria get you residency?

This is the most common misunderstanding we correct, and the honest answer is no, not on its own. Buying or owning an Austrian company, whether a fresh GmbH or one formed from scratch, does not automatically grant you a residence permit. The permit is issued for a genuine self-employed activity that meets the economic criteria above. The company is the legal vehicle through which you run that activity; it is necessary, but it is not sufficient.

In practice, the strength of your application rests on the substance behind the company: a credible business plan, real capital, and a plausible economic contribution. A clean, properly registered Austrian company makes that case easier to present, which is why the company and the permit are best handled together rather than as two unrelated tasks.

Is there an Austrian “golden visa”?

People often arrive asking about an Austrian golden visa, expecting to exchange a fixed sum for residency with no further conditions. Austria does not offer that. There is no fast cash-for-residence program of the kind some other countries advertise. Every business route requires a real business with a real economic benefit, assessed by the authorities, and the capital figures (such as the €100,000 for self-employed key workers) are tied to genuine investment, not a passive fee.

This matters because vendors sometimes blur the line, presenting Austria as if it had a buy-in scheme. The realistic, lawful path is a Red-White-Red Card built on an actual business, and treating it that way from the outset avoids wasted time and refused applications.

Which company should you use: GmbH, FlexCo or a shelf company?

The company you build your application around is usually an Austrian limited company. Your main options are:

GmbH — the standard Austrian limited liability company. Since 1 January 2024 the minimum share capital is €10,000, of which at least €5,000 must be paid in cash.
FlexCo (Flexible Kapitalgesellschaft) — a newer, more flexible corporate form introduced alongside the lower capital threshold, also with €10,000 minimum capital.
A ready-made shelf company — an already-registered Austrian company you take over, which removes the formation wait so the entity is ready while your residence file is being prepared.

For founders on a deadline, a ready-made GmbH in Austria can shorten the company-side timeline considerably, because the registration is already done. If you prefer to build from scratch, see our guide to company formation in Austria. Either way, we make sure the entity meets the capital and registered-address requirements your residence application depends on.

The application process step by step

A business immigration case runs on two tracks at once, the company and the permit, and we coordinate both so they line up:

Eligibility check. We assess your profile against the routes and choose the best fit: self-employed key worker, start-up founder, or a Blue Card via a salaried role.
Business plan and capital. We help prepare a compliant business plan and assemble the required capital and proof of its lawful source.
Company vehicle. We form or acquire your Austrian GmbH, FlexCo, or shelf company, with the right capital and a registered address.
Documents. We collect and prepare every required document, translated and attested where needed.
Submission. The application is lodged at the competent residence authority in Austria or at an Austrian representation (embassy or consulate) abroad.
Review and decision. The authority, with the labour-market service where relevant, assesses the economic benefit or the points.
Permit and relocation. On approval you receive your Red-White-Red Card and can relocate; family can follow, and the permit can later be upgraded.

Each case is different, so our role is to anticipate the authority’s questions and keep both tracks moving together.

Documents you need

A business residence application is document-heavy, and incomplete files are a leading cause of delay. You should expect to provide:

A completed, signed application form and a valid passport or travel document.
A detailed business plan.
Proof of your investment capital and evidence of its lawful source.
Proof of company registration or of the acquisition contract.
All-risk health insurance valid in Austria.
Confirmed accommodation in Austria that meets local standards.
A recent police clearance certificate from your country of origin, plus civil and family documents where relevant.

We prepare, translate, and authenticate these so the file meets the residence authority’s requirements before it is submitted.

Costs, fees and capital

It helps to separate three different kinds of money, because they are easy to confuse. Capital is what goes into your business: €100,000 of investment for the self-employed key-worker route, or €30,000 for the start-up route, or the €10,000 minimum share capital of an Austrian GmbH. That capital belongs to you and your company, not to the authorities. Official fees are smaller and fixed: the migration portal lists a Job Seeker Visa fee of €195 and an application fee of €218. Professional and incidental costs, such as translations, notarisation, and advisory work, vary by case.

We do not publish a single headline price, because an honest figure depends on the route, the company you choose, and how much of the work you want handled. We will give you a transparent, itemised quote for your situation. For the company-side tax picture, see our guide to corporate tax in Austria.

Have questions about your specific situation? Request a free callback with our lawyers, with no commitment. Talk to our team.

Bringing your family (Red-White-Red Card plus)

Business immigration to Austria is not just for the applicant. Eligible family members, typically a spouse or registered partner and dependent children, can join you through the Red-White-Red Card plus, which grants residence and, in many cases, unrestricted labour-market access. Family applications are best coordinated alongside the main application so the timing works and the household moves together. We handle the family file as part of the case rather than as an afterthought.

Validity, renewal and the path to permanent residence

The Red-White-Red Card is issued for 24 months and is tied to the self-employed activity in your application. As long as you keep meeting the conditions, you can move toward a settlement permit (Niederlassungsbewilligung), generally valid for three years, after the initial period. With continued lawful residence and integration over the longer term, the path leads to long-term resident EU status. Citizenship is a separate, much longer process with its own strict requirements, and it is not part of any business route. Planning for renewal from day one, by keeping the company active and compliant, is what protects your residence over time.

Headline corporate tax rates in Europe

~30% — Germany (effective)
23% — Austria
12–21% — Switzerland (canton-dep.)
12.5% — Ireland
9% — Hungary

Indicative headline/effective rates; actual liability depends on canton, municipality and structure. A 15% global minimum (Pillar Two) applies to large groups.

Tax and ongoing compliance after you arrive

A residence permit built on a company comes with ongoing obligations on both sides. The company must keep proper accounts, file with the commercial register (Firmenbuch), and meet its tax duties; Austria’s corporate income tax is a flat 23%, with a minimum corporate tax for limited companies. On the residence side, you must keep satisfying the activity, income, insurance, and accommodation conditions, because these are reviewed at renewal. We manage the company filings, accounting, and correspondence so your entity stays in good standing, and so your permit does too. Banking is part of this picture, and we can help you open a business bank account in Austria.

Why work with a lawyer-led firm

Many websites sell either company registration or “residency” in isolation. A business immigration case needs both to be right at the same time, because a weak company undermines the permit and a permit cannot survive a non-compliant company. With Müller Konsult you get accurate, source-based eligibility advice, the company and the residence application handled as one coordinated case, careful document preparation, and a named, accountable adviser with a real office.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get an Austrian residence permit by starting or buying a business?

Yes, but indirectly. The Red-White-Red Card is granted for a genuine self-employed activity, and a company is the vehicle for it. Owning a company alone is not enough; the application must show a real business and economic benefit.

What is the Red-White-Red Card?

It is a combined residence and work permit for qualified third-country nationals, including self-employed key workers and start-up founders. It is issued for 24 months and is tied to the specific activity described in your application.

How much investment capital do I need?

For the self-employed key-worker route, the benchmark is €100,000 of investment capital, or instead the creation of jobs, transfer of know-how, or regional significance. The start-up founder route requires €30,000 with at least a 50% equity share.

Does Austria have a golden visa?

No. Austria has no fast cash-for-residence program. Every business route requires a genuine business that delivers a measurable economic benefit, assessed by the authorities, rather than a passive payment for status.

Does buying a GmbH automatically give me residency?

No. Buying a GmbH gives you a company, not a permit. The residence permit is granted for the self-employed activity you carry out through that company, supported by a credible plan and real capital.

What is the difference between the self-employed key worker and start-up founder routes?

The key-worker route turns on a macroeconomic-benefit test (such as €100,000 capital) with no points. The start-up founder route requires €30,000 plus 50% equity and a score of 50 out of 85 points, and targets innovative new ventures.

How does the Red-White-Red Card compare with the EU Blue Card?

The Red-White-Red Card business routes are for self-employment, while the EU Blue Card is for qualified salaried employment. If you take a genuine salaried managing-director role in your own company, the Blue Card can be an alternative.

How long is the Red-White-Red Card valid?

It is issued for 24 months. After that, if you keep meeting the conditions, you can apply for a settlement permit, usually valid for three years, and progress toward long-term EU residence.

How long does the process take?

It varies by route, nationality, and case complexity. Preparation and company setup take a few weeks, and the authority’s review typically takes several weeks to a few months. We keep both tracks moving to avoid delays.

What documents are required?

A signed application, valid passport, detailed business plan, proof of capital and its lawful source, proof of company registration or acquisition, all-risk health insurance, confirmed accommodation, and a police clearance certificate, with family documents where relevant.

Can my family come with me?

Yes. Eligible family members can join through the Red-White-Red Card plus, which provides residence and, in many cases, access to the labour market. Family applications are best coordinated with the main application.

Do I need to live in Austria and have accommodation?

Yes. You must show locally customary accommodation, adequate means of subsistence, and all-risk health insurance valid in Austria. These conditions also matter at renewal, so they cannot be treated as one-off formalities.

Do I need to speak German?

The start-up founder route awards points for language skills, so German or English helps your score. The self-employed key-worker route has no points system, but language ability supports integration and later steps such as settlement.

Which company vehicle is fastest?

A ready-made Austrian shelf company is usually the fastest, because the registration is already complete. Forming a new GmbH or FlexCo is also straightforward but adds the registration step before the company is ready.

What are the application fees?

Austria’s migration portal lists a Job Seeker Visa fee of €195 and an application fee of €218. These official fees are separate from your business capital and from any professional or translation costs.

Can non-EU, Indian, or UAE entrepreneurs apply?

Yes. Third-country nationals are precisely the intended audience for these routes. Founders from India, the UAE, and elsewhere outside the EU regularly use them to gain Austrian residence and EU market access.

Can I eventually get permanent residence or citizenship?

A settlement permit is possible after the first 24 months, and long-term resident EU status later, provided you keep meeting the conditions. Citizenship is a separate, much longer process with its own requirements and is not part of any business route.

Why use a lawyer-led firm instead of doing it alone?

Because the company and the permit must be right at the same time. A lawyer-led firm gives you accurate eligibility advice, both tracks handled as one case, careful document compliance, and an accountable adviser, which reduces the risk of avoidable refusals.

This article is general information, not immigration, legal, or tax advice. Immigration rules and figures change, and individual outcomes depend on your circumstances; no residence permit can be guaranteed. Always confirm current requirements with the Austrian authorities or a qualified adviser.

Official sources

Austrian migration portal — Self-employed Key Workers — migration.gv.at
Austrian migration portal — Start-up Founders — migration.gv.at
European Commission — Immigration Portal, Austria — home-affairs.ec.europa.eu

Ready to plan your move to Austria?

Contact Müller Konsult for a coordinated business and residence strategy. We assess your route, set up or supply the right Austrian company, and prepare your application end to end. Müller Konsult · Königsallee 27, 40212 Düsseldorf · +49 211 5403 8800 · info@gmbhforsale.com · Request a callback

Reviewed by Stefan Stelthove, Corporate & Commercial Lawyer, Müller Konsult. Last updated 7 June 2026.