Austria Passport

Passport rankings out of 198 countries

Freedom of travel21

Asset protection33

Quality of life19

"Plan B"19

Afghanistan

Visa is required

Albania

Visa-free for 90 days

Algeria

Visa is required

Andorra

Visa-free

Angola

Visa-free for 30 days

Antigua & Barbuda

Visa-free for 180 days

Argentina

Visa-free for 90 days

Armenia

Visa-free for 180 days

Australia

eTA

Austria

—

Azerbaijan

eTA

Bahamas

Visa-free for 90 days

Bahrain

Visa upon arrival

Bangladesh

Visa upon arrival

Barbados

Visa-free for 90 days

Belarus

Visa-free for 30 days

Belgium

Visa-free

Belize

Visa-free

Benin

eTA

Bhutan

eTA

Bolivia

Visa-free for 90 days

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Visa-free for 90 days

Botswana

Visa-free for 90 days

Brazil

Visa-free for 90 days

Brunei

Visa-free for 90 days

Bulgaria

Visa-free

Burkina Faso

Visa upon arrival

Burundi

Visa upon arrival

Cambodia

Visa upon arrival

Cameroon

eTA

Canada

eTA

Cape Verde

Visa-free for 30 days

Central African Republic

Visa is required

Chad

Visa is required

Chile

Visa-free for 90 days

China

Visa-free for 30 days

Colombia

Visa-free for 90 days

Comoros

Visa upon arrival

Congo - Brazzaville

Visa is required

Congo - Kinshasa

eTA

Costa Rica

Visa-free for 180 days

Croatia

Visa-free for 90 days

Cuba

eTA

Cyprus

Visa-free

Czechia

Visa-free

Côte d’Ivoire

eTA

Denmark

Visa-free

Djibouti

Visa upon arrival

Dominica

Visa-free for 180 days

Dominican Republic

Visa-free

Ecuador

Visa-free for 90 days

Egypt

Visa upon arrival

El Salvador

Visa-free for 180 days

Equatorial Guinea

eTA

Eritrea

Visa is required

Estonia

Visa-free

Eswatini

Visa-free for 30 days

Ethiopia

Visa upon arrival

Fiji

Visa-free for 120 days

Finland

Visa-free

France

Visa-free

Gabon

eTA

Gambia

Visa-free for 90 days

Georgia

Visa-free for 360 days

Germany

Visa-free

Ghana

Visa upon arrival

Greece

Visa-free

Grenada

Visa-free for 90 days

Guatemala

Visa-free for 90 days

Guinea

eTA

Guinea-Bissau

Visa upon arrival

Guyana

Visa-free for 90 days

Haiti

Visa-free for 90 days

Honduras

Visa-free for 90 days

Hong Kong SAR China

Visa-free for 90 days

Hungary

Visa-free

Iceland

Visa-free

India

eTA

Indonesia

Visa upon arrival

Iran

Visa upon arrival

Iraq

Visa upon arrival

Ireland

Visa-free

Israel

Visa-free for 90 days

Italy

Visa-free

Jamaica

Visa-free for 90 days

Japan

Visa-free for 90 days

Jordan

Visa upon arrival

Kazakhstan

Visa-free for 30 days

Kenya

eTA

Kiribati

Visa-free for 90 days

Kuwait

Visa upon arrival

Kyrgyzstan

Visa-free for 60 days

Laos

Visa-free for 15 days

Latvia

Visa-free

Lebanon

Visa upon arrival

Lesotho

Visa-free

Liberia

Visa is required

Libya

eTA

Liechtenstein

Visa-free

Lithuania

Visa-free

Luxembourg

Visa-free

Macao SAR China

Visa-free for 90 days

Madagascar

Visa upon arrival

Malawi

Visa upon arrival

Malaysia

Visa-free for 90 days

Maldives

Visa upon arrival

Mali

Visa is required

Malta

Visa-free

Marshall Islands

Visa-free for 90 days

Mauritania

Visa upon arrival

Mauritius

Visa-free for 90 days

Mexico

Visa-free for 180 days

Micronesia

Visa-free for 90 days

Moldova

Visa-free for 90 days

Monaco

Visa-free

Mongolia

Visa-free for 30 days

Montenegro

Visa-free for 90 days

Morocco

Visa-free for 90 days

Mozambique

Visa upon arrival

Myanmar (Burma)

eTA

Namibia

Visa-free for 90 days

Nauru

Visa is required

Nepal

Visa upon arrival

Netherlands

Visa-free

New Zealand

eTA

Nicaragua

Visa-free for 90 days

Niger

Visa is required

Nigeria

eTA

North Korea

Visa is required

North Macedonia

Visa-free for 90 days

Norway

Visa-free

Oman

Visa upon arrival

Pakistan

eTA

Palau

Visa-free for 90 days

Palestinian Territories

Visa-free

Panama

Visa-free for 90 days

Papua New Guinea

eTA

Paraguay

Visa-free for 90 days

Peru

Visa-free for 90 days

Philippines

Visa-free for 30 days

Poland

Visa-free

Portugal

Visa-free

Qatar

Visa upon arrival

Romania

Visa-free

Russia

eTA

Rwanda

Visa upon arrival

Samoa

Visa-free for 90 days

San Marino

Visa-free

Saudi Arabia

Visa upon arrival

Senegal

Visa-free for 90 days

Serbia

Visa-free for 90 days

Seychelles

Visa-free for 90 days

Sierra Leone

Visa upon arrival

Singapore

Visa-free for 90 days

Slovakia

Visa-free

Slovenia

Visa-free

Solomon Islands

Visa-free for 90 days

Somalia

Visa upon arrival

South Africa

Visa-free for 90 days

South Korea

Visa-free for 90 days

South Sudan

eTA

Spain

Visa-free

Sri Lanka

Visa upon arrival

St Kitts & Nevis

Visa-free for 90 days

St Lucia

Visa-free for 90 days

St. Vincent & Grenadines

Visa-free for 90 days

Sudan

Visa is required

Suriname

Visa is required

Sweden

Visa-free

Switzerland

Visa-free

Syria

eTA

São Tomé & Príncipe

Visa-free for 15 days

Taiwan

Visa-free for 90 days

Tajikistan

Visa-free for 30 days

Tanzania

Visa upon arrival

Thailand

Visa-free for 60 days

Timor-Leste

Visa-free for 90 days

Togo

eTA

Tonga

Visa-free for 90 days

Trinidad & Tobago

Visa-free for 90 days

Tunisia

Visa-free for 90 days

Turkey

Visa-free for 90 days

Turkmenistan

Visa is required

Tuvalu

Visa-free for 90 days

UAE

Visa-free for 90 days

Uganda

eTA

Ukraine

Visa-free for 90 days

United Kingdom

Visa-free for 180 days

United States

eTA

Uruguay

Visa-free for 90 days

Uzbekistan

Visa-free for 30 days

Vanuatu

Visa-free for 120 days

Vatican City

Visa-free

Venezuela

Visa-free for 90 days

Vietnam

eTA

Yemen

Visa is required

Zambia

Visa-free for 90 days

Zimbabwe

Visa upon arrival

About Austria

A state in Central Europe with one of the most developed economies in the world. It is a member of the European Union. An Austrian passport allows you to live in this country or move to another European state, travel to 188 countries without visas. Citizenship is obtained by naturalization, birthright , through marriage.

Wealthy people can get a residence permit for financially independent persons: you can move to Austria with it, but you can’t work there.

Austria's main sources of income are industry and tourism. Foreigners come to the country to stroll through the historical center of Vienna, enjoy the architecture of Austrian cities, visit the Alps, the Krimml waterfalls and other attractions.

Population

8.9 million

Capital

Vein

Official language

Deutsch

GDP per capita

$47.055

Time zone

UTC+1…+2

Currency

Euro

Austria passport ranking and benefits

1
Travel to 188 countries
The power of the Austria passport allows citizens to travel visa-free to the Schengen states, the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, and other destinations.
The power of the Austria passport allows citizens to travel visa-free to the Schengen states, the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, and other destinations.
2
Living in Austria or moving to another EU country
Austria citizens can live in the country, but it is not obligatory. Austria is a member state of the European Union, so its citizens can move to live in any country of the Union. They go through simplified procedures to relocate and don’t obtain residence permits in advance.
Austria citizens can live in the country, but it is not obligatory. Austria is a member state of the European Union, so its citizens can move to live in any country of the Union. They go through simplified procedures to relocate and don’t obtain residence permits in advance.
3
Business, work and education in Europe
Favourable conditions for studying at European schools and universities are available for Austrian citizens. A child won’t need a student visa to study in another EU country. Moreover, the strong Austria passport allows to open a company in Europe and ease the employment process.
Favourable conditions for studying at European schools and universities are available for Austrian citizens. A child won’t need a student visa to study in another EU country. Moreover, the strong Austria passport allows to open a company in Europe and ease the employment process.
4
Treatment in the best clinics in the world
The strength of the Austria passport allows its holders to obtain health insurance that enables undergoing treatment in the country and other EU states on preferential terms. They don’t need a medical visa to get treatment at European clinics.
The strength of the Austria passport allows its holders to obtain health insurance that enables undergoing treatment in the country and other EU states on preferential terms. They don’t need a medical visa to get treatment at European clinics.

Who can get an Austria residence permit for financially independent persons

Investor
over 18 years old
with no criminal records
with health insurance
have an A1 level of proficiency in German
ready to move to Austria after getting a residence permit
have a source of income in another country
Spouse
over 18 years old
with no criminal records
with health insurance
have an A1 level of proficiency in German
ready to move to Austria after getting a residence permit
Children under 14
with health insurance
ready to move to Austria after getting a residence permit
Children of 14—18
with no criminal records
with health insurance
have an A1 level of proficiency in German
ready to move to Austria after getting a residence permit

Conditions of obtaining a residence permit

The residence permit for financially independent persons implies that the applicant and their family won’t work or run a business in Austria. Therefore, they must prove that the family has enough money to live in the country.

The minimum income after the rent is paid must be:

€1,934 — for one adult;
€2,944 — for a married couple;
€299 — for each child.

Immigrant Invest lawyers recommend showing a more significant sum than the programme requires. It is desired that a family of 4 proves they have €100,000 or more.

Real estate in Austria must be either rented or bought. A property must fit the size of the family: for example, a family of 4 rents a house or an apartment of 80+ m². If children are a boy and a girl, they must have their own bedrooms.

Applicants also buy health insurance with full coverage and pay all duties and a services fee.

After obtaining residence permits, applicants must spend at least 183 days a year in the country.

Expenses for a family of 4

The spouses and their children aged 10 and 14, when renting a property and obtaining Malta passports 3 years after residence permits

Expenses

Amount

Income without spending on the rent required for a residence permit obtaining

€42,504+

Rent an apartment with 3 bedrooms

≈ €28,900

Utility bills

≈ €4,000

Health insurance with full coverage

€14,400

Duties, fees, apostilles and translations

€1,360+

Total

€91,164+

Step-by-step procedure for obtaining an Austria residence permit for financially independent persons

1 day

Preliminary Due Diligence

1 day

Preliminary Due Diligence

A certified Compliance Anti Money Laundering Officer checks the information against international databases. This procedure helps to determine refusal risks and decide what to do: for example, add more documents or choose another programme.

The preliminary Due Diligence takes one working day. It requires only the investor’s passport.

Take a short anonymous test and learn more about the nuances of Due Diligence checks.

Evaluate chances

The preliminary Due Diligence takes one working day. It requires only the investor’s passport.

Take a short anonymous test and learn more about the nuances of Due Diligence checks.

Evaluate chances

2—4 weeks

Preparation of documents

2—4 weeks

Preparation of documents

Immigrant Invest lawyers give an applicant a list of documents needed to apply for a residence permit. When the documents are provided, lawyers translate them and notarise copies.

Preparing the documents takes more time than is required to prepare diplomas and appendixes. Recognition of diplomas allows one not to pass the German language test.

Immigrant Invest lawyers give an applicant a list of documents needed to apply for a residence permit. When the documents are provided, lawyers translate them and notarise copies.

Preparing the documents takes more time than is required to prepare diplomas and appendixes. Recognition of diplomas allows one not to pass the German language test.

2—4 weeks

Selection of a property

2—4 weeks

Selection of a property

We select several properties that satisfy the applicant’s wishes and the programme requirements. The applicant chooses an apartment or a house, and lawyers help to sign a rental contract.

The rental contract is signed for at least 1 year; several months are prepaid.

We select several properties that satisfy the applicant’s wishes and the programme requirements. The applicant chooses an apartment or a house, and lawyers help to sign a rental contract.

The rental contract is signed for at least 1 year; several months are prepaid.

1—2 weeks

Getting health insurance

1—2 weeks

Getting health insurance

A health insurance contract is signed for at least 3 years. The insurance cost depends on age and illnesses.

1 week

Filling government forms

1 week

Filling government forms

Immigrant Invest lawyers fill in the forms required for the application.

Up to 6 weeks

Application for a residence permit

Up to 6 weeks

Application for a residence permit

Applicants make an appointment in advance. Documents must be submitted during the first working days of the year; all applicants must be present. The documents are sent to the chosen district for consideration; it takes 4—6 weeks.

Up to 8 weeks

Getting into quotas and application consideration

Up to 8 weeks

Getting into quotas and application consideration

There are 450 quotas for residence permits for financially independent persons. One family member gets one quota. That’s why it is important to file documents as soon as possible.

After the quotas are allocated, the application is considered within 4—8 weeks.

There are 450 quotas for residence permits for financially independent persons. One family member gets one quota. That’s why it is important to file documents as soon as possible.

After the quotas are allocated, the application is considered within 4—8 weeks.

1—2 weeks

Obtainment of residency cards

1—2 weeks

Obtainment of residency cards

The applicant and their family get a D visa and come to Austria. They open a bank account, register at the address of a rented apartment and obtain their residency cards on the day booked in advance.

1, 2 and 5 years later

Extension of a residence permit

1, 2 and 5 years later

Extension of a residence permit

The first residence permit is issued for 1 year. In 2 years, applicants can extend it for another 3 years as long as they have an A2 level of proficiency in German. After 5 years of living in the country, they can apply for permanent residence, which requires a B1 level of proficiency in German.

In 6—10 years

Applying for citizenship

In 6—10 years

Applying for citizenship

Documents for citizenship by naturalisation can be filled after 10 years of living in the country. This period can be diminished to 6 years if applicants have a B2 level of proficiency in German and can prove they are integrated into the society.

Applicants must renounce their other citizenship because Austria doesn't acknowledge dual citizenship.

Frequently asked questions

How to obtain an Austria passport?
By naturalisation, birth or marriage. It cannot be obtained by investment.

Wealthy foreigners can get an Austria residence permit for financially independent persons. This type of residence permit doesn’t allow you to work or run a business in the country. Applicants can apply for citizenship 6—10 years later.
How long do I need to live in Austria to get a passport by naturalisation?
Foreigners who reside in Austria permanently can apply for citizenship after 10 years of living there. In some cases, this period can be decreased to 6 years: for example, if an applicant has integrated into the society or has a B2 level of proficiency in German.
Does Austria recognise dual or second citizenship?
No, Austria doesn't recognise dual or second citizenship. One needs to renounce their first citizenship to get a powerful Austria passport.

Exceptions are children who obtained two citizenships by birth and Austrian citizens who were allowed to keep both.