From getting an appointment and understanding the forms to having the correct documents, foreigners face many hurdles when applying for a residence permit in Austria.
But despite the difficulties, it's very possible to get your hands on one: in 2024, a total of 65,668 first residence permits were issued to non-EU citizens in Austria, according to EU figures.
We asked readers to share their experience of securing a residence permit in Austria as well as their insider tips.
'Learn German'
Mayara Fujii, 34, who's from Brazil, is celebrating getting Austrian citizenship but first received the Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte (Red-White-Red card), Austria’s permit for skilled workers from outside the EU, in 2018.
Mayara then went onto get the RWR Plus permit, which has benefits like unlimited labour market access, in 2020 and she then received permanent residency status in 2023.
"From RWR until permanent residency, it was quite 'easy'," she said. "Just the costs are high because I needed to translate all the original documents from Brazil to German."
Mayara recommends that foreigners learn fluent German because this will help when applying for permits and for citizenship in future if required.
"Just knowing how to read in German is not enough," she said.
Mark, 65, shared this advice. "Go in person and speak German," he said.
READ ALSO: How long can I stay out of Austria and keep my residency rights?
'Good preparation'
Igor Dragićević, who's from Montenegro and lives in Graz, has the RWR Plus card. He said he's found the process of applying and renewing, both for himself and family members, as "very straightforward" and fast.
"But the main reason was good preparation," the 47-year-old said. Igor recommends finding out which paperwork is needed from government websites and other resources.
"Collect all the documents required before your appointment," he said. "If it says a document/picture should not be older than six months, why would you think that is not important to follow?"
'Take every document they have ever asked for'
Most respondents shared that preparation is key.
Tammy 52, who's from the USA and lives in Vienna, found the first few years of applying for and renewing her residence permit tricky because there were "always some extra documents required".
"After finally being granted a permanent residence card (albeit with the continual 5-year renewal stipulation), the renewal process has been a breeze in comparison to the initial application," she says.
Tammy added that the improved registration system for Vienna's MA 35 offices, such as being able to apply for an appointment online, has made things more straight forward.
As for advice, Tammy recommends taking every document on the required list, plus two copies.
"Ask at least three other people what additional documents they had to submit and take those too," she added.
"I still take along a backpack filled with every document they have ever asked me for, because I know other permanent residents whose renewal process didn't go as smoothly, and I do believe it still depends on which immigration official happens to be manning the desk that day (and his particular mood)."
US-born Andrew W., based in Vienna, added: "Don't give the Magistrat any reason to ask questions or refuse for 'lack of data.'"
'Talk to someone in your situation'
Some readers talked about the hurdles they had to overcome to get a permit.
Most of our readers said individual situations can be hard to navigate.
"Since I was on a student residence permit first I had to get a work permit from the AMS (employment agency), which was a nightmare and so stressful," said Shayan Nouraei, from Iran.
After that, the company Shayan works for applied for a RWR card "which was not that complicated".
"If you are applying for a work permit, make sure you have all the required documents and ask the company do it for you," said the 30-year-old.
Another reader said: "Find a person 'in your situation' (country, age, family status, etc.) who has done it before, and find out what they did!"
'Avoid Vienna'
Wien's municipal department MA 35, which handles residence and citizenship applications, is known for its complex and often troubled system, attracting thousands of complaints each year.
Perhaps that's why a respondent to our survey recommended going elsewhere if possible.
Jarad Carleton, 56, who's from California and lives in Burgenland, said: "If possible, apply outside of the city of Vienna. I got my first residence permit in Zell am See and it was fast and efficient. My last renewal was in Mattersburg and it was better than Zell am See."
READ ALSO: Vienna's immigration office sees new wave of complaints despite reform
Andrew W. in Vienna, who has permanent residence, said MA 35's management "was inconsistent, with mistakes and oversights".
But he added: "In the end, everything was approved as it should have been."
'Move to another EU country first'
Things did not go smoothly for some respondents, particularly when it comes to family reunification matters.
A reader known as K, who's 43 and originally from the UK, said they were "told to return to the UK to make an application when I did not need to".
"Be prepared to waste a lot of time and money for bits of paper," they added.
Meanwhile, Paul Frank Covello, who previously lived in Vienna, has been struggling to bring his family.
"I want my wife from the US to move with me to Austria (I am an Austrian Citizen). She cannot apply due to needing a language test, even though other EU citizens can bring their spouses without one."
He advised others to "move to another EU country first that allows a spouse with no language test, then move to Austria."
Thank you so much to everyone who completed our survey. Although we weren't able to use all the responses, we read them all and they helped inform our article.
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