Austrian Citizenship

I gave birth in Austria — what’s my child’s citizenship status?

It’s one of life’s most beautiful moments — welcoming a child into the world.
 But for many migrant parents, the next big question is:

“My baby was born in Austria. Does that mean they’re Austrian?”

The answer is: not necessarily.
 Austria does not automatically grant citizenship to children born on its soil. Whether your child becomes Austrian at birth depends on your nationality and legal status.

Let’s break it down simply and clearly.

Austrian Citizenship Law: Jus Sanguinis, not Jus Soli

Austria follows the principle of jus sanguinis (citizenship by bloodline), not jus soli (citizenship by birthplace).

This means:

Being born in Austria does not automatically make a child Austrian.

Instead, a child becomes Austrian at birth if at least one parent is an Austrian citizen at the time of birth.

🍼 Scenarios and What They Mean

 

✅ 1. One Parent Is Austrian

If the mother or father is an Austrian citizen when the child is born, the child automatically receives Austrian citizenship — regardless of where the birth occurs.

📌 If the parents are not married, paternity must be legally recognized for the child to receive Austrian citizenship through the father.

 

⚪ 2. Both Parents Are Foreign Nationals

If neither parent holds Austrian citizenship, the child does not become Austrian at birth, even if they’re born in an Austrian hospital and receive an Austrian birth certificate.

Instead, the child usually receives the citizenship of the parents — depending on the laws of your home country.

📄 Important: You must contact your consulate to register your child’s birth and nationality.

 

⚠️ 3. Stateless or Undocumented Parents

In rare cases, a child may acquire Austrian citizenship at birth if:

  • The child would otherwise be stateless, and
  • The parents are legally residing in Austria

This is assessed case by case and often involves legal consultation.

 

🛂 Does My Child Still Get Austrian Documents?

Yes — regardless of nationality, children born in Austria receive:

  • Austrian birth certificate
  • Austrian residence registration (Meldezettel)
  • Access to public healthcare and education

💡 But that does not mean the child is Austrian. Citizenship is a separate legal status.

 

👶 What About Residency Rights for the Child?

Even if your child is not Austrian, you can usually apply for a residence permit on their behalf, tied to your own permit.

Types may include:

  • Family reunification (if you hold a valid permit)
  • “Privat- und familiäre Gründe” (Private and family life)
  • If born to EU citizens: rights under EU law

You must apply for your child’s residence permit within several months of birth to avoid complications.

 

💬 Mundo Mentors Tips

🗂️ Register your child’s birth with your home country’s consulate as soon as possible

📆 Apply early for a residence permit — don’t wait until your own renewal is due

💬 Talk to us if:

  • One parent is undocumented or stateless
  • You want to explore the long-term path to Austrian citizenship
  • You’re unsure about how your home country treats dual nationality

🤝 Need Help?

At Mundo Mentors, we support families with:

✔️ Understanding your child’s legal status
 ✔️ Applying for the correct residence permit
 ✔️ Navigating dual citizenship, statelessness, or long-term naturalization options

📩 Email: office@mundomentors.com
 📅 Book a 1:1 session to secure your child’s legal future

💬 “We didn’t know if our baby would be Austrian. Mundo Mentors explained everything and helped us apply for his residence card stress-free.” — Client from Brazil, now living in Vienna

Your child deserves security and clarity — let’s build that future together. 👣

Red White Red card

What’s the difference between the Red-White-Red Card and the RWR Card Plus?

If you’re planning to live and work in Austria — or bring your family — you’ve probably come across these two terms:
 Red-White-Red Card and Red-White-Red Card Plus.

They may sound similar, but they serve different legal purposes. Understanding the difference can help you plan your stay — and your family’s too.

Let’s break it down.

 

🔴 What is the Red-White-Red Card?

The Red-White-Red Card (RWR Card) is a work and residence permit for qualified non-EU nationals who:

  • Have a job offer in Austria, and

  • Meet certain points-based criteria (education, experience, salary, etc.)

It’s valid for up to 2 years and:

  • Ties you to one specific employer

  • Allows residence and employment, but only with that employer

This card is meant to attract skilled workers — like IT specialists, engineers, researchers, and other professionals.

 

🔴🔴 What is the Red-White-Red Card Plus?

The Red-White-Red Card Plus (RWR Plus) is a more flexible residence permit. It allows:

  • Free access to the Austrian labor market (you can work for any employer)

  • Residence without employment (e.g., for family members or freelancers)

  • Valid for up to 3 years, renewable

You can receive the RWR Card Plus if:

  • You held a regular RWR Card and worked continuously for 21 of the last 24 months

  • You’re a family member of someone who already holds a RWR Card or Blue Card

✅ Unlike the standard RWR Card, the RWR Plus is not tied to one employer — it gives you real flexibility to change jobs or work part-time.

 

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Why do family members get the RWR Card Plus?

Austria encourages family reunification, and the law recognizes that spouses, registered partners, and minor children need stability — especially when they move with a skilled worker.

That’s why family members of RWR or Blue Card holders are typically granted the Red-White-Red Card Plus, which:

  • Does not tie them to a specific job

  • Allows them to work freely or not work at all

  • Is valid for up to 12 months (initially), then renewable for 3 years

📌 They still need to prove income, housing, and health insurance — usually through the main applicant’s documents.

 

📝 Quick Comparison Table

Feature

RWR Card

RWR Card Plus

Purpose

Work + residence

Residence with open work rights

Job tied to one employer?

Yes

No (free labor market access)

Validity

Up to 2 years

Up to 3 years

Who gets it?

Skilled workers

Long-term workers or family members

Work permit for family members?

Not included

Yes (RWR Plus = full access)

 

💬 Mundo Mentors Tips

📅 Plan ahead: Family members need to apply separately, but often at the same time as the main applicant.

🛡️ Use the RWR Plus smartly: It’s a great stepping stone to long-term residency or even Austrian citizenship after 6–10 years.

🔍 Check salary thresholds and points carefully — the RWR Card is granted only if both employer and employee meet strict criteria.

 

🤝 Need Support?

We’ve helped dozens of international professionals and families apply for the right type of permit — and avoid delays or denials.

At Mundo Mentors, we assist with:
 ✔️ RWR and RWR Plus eligibility checks
 ✔️ Step-by-step document preparation
 ✔️ Family reunification applications
 ✔️ Renewal strategies and paths to permanent residence

📩 Email us: office@mundomentors.com
 📅 Or book a one-on-one session to plan your move with clarity

💬 “Mundo Mentors helped us move to Austria as a couple. My wife got her RWR Plus with full work rights — now we both work here and feel settled.” – Former client, Upper Austria

✨ Final Thought:

The Red-White-Red Card opens the door. The RWR Plus gives you the freedom to build a life in Austria — with your partner, family, and career in sync.

Ready to make your move smooth? We’re here to help every step of the way.

EU or EEA

Do EU or EEA citizens need a residence permit to live in Austria?

If you’re a citizen of an EU or EEA country (or Switzerland) and planning to move to Austria, you’re in luck:
 You can live, work, and study here without a traditional residence permit.

But be careful — that doesn’t mean you’re entirely off the hook. There are still important legal obligations to fulfill, and confusing terms to get right.

Let’s walk you through exactly what you do (and don’t) need.

📝 No “Residence Permit,” but You Still Need to Register

Thanks to EU and EEA freedom of movement laws, citizens of:

  • the EU (e.g. Germany, Italy, France),
  • the EEA (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein),
  • and Switzerland (via a bilateral agreement),

can enter Austria without a visa or residence permit and stay for up to 90 days without any special paperwork.

BUT — if you plan to stay longer than 3 months, Austrian law requires you to apply for:

✅ Anmeldebescheinigung

(Certificate of Registration for EU/EEA citizens)

This is not a residence permit, but it is a legal requirement that confirms you’re exercising your right to live in Austria under EU/EEA rules.

⚠️ Don’t Confuse It with the Meldezettel

This is one of the most common mistakes!

  • The Meldezettel is your address registration. Everyone in Austria — citizens, expats, students — must do this within 3 days of moving into any apartment or home.
  • The Anmeldebescheinigung is a legal residency registration for EU/EEA citizens. It confirms that your stay is lawful beyond 90 days and must be obtained within 4 months of your arrival.

✅ You need both. One is for where you live. The other is for your legal right to be here long-term.

👥 Who Needs an Anmeldebescheinigung?

All citizens of:

  • EU countries
  • EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein)
  • Switzerland

…who plan to stay in Austria longer than 90 days.

🧾 When Are You Eligible?

You must fall under one of the following categories:

  1. ✅ Employed or self-employed in Austria
  2. ✅ Student with valid health insurance and sufficient income
  3. ✅ Self-sufficient person with:
    • Enough financial means to live without Sozialhilfe, and
    • Valid health insurance

🛑 What Happens If You Don’t Register?

Failing to obtain the Anmeldebescheinigung can lead to:

  • A fine of up to €250
  • Possible complications when applying for:
    • Permanent residence
    • Social benefits
    • Family reunification for non-EU family members

⚠️ Skipping this step can seriously affect your future legal status in Austria — even if you’re an EU citizen.

👪 What About Non-EU/EEA Family Members?

If your partner, spouse, or child is not from the EU/EEA/Switzerland, they’ll need to apply for an:

🪪 Aufenthaltskarte

(Residence card for family members of EU/EEA citizens)

But — and this is crucial — they can only apply after you have received your Anmeldebescheinigung.
 So your correct registration affects their status too.

🗂️ What Documents Do I Need?

When you apply for the Anmeldebescheinigung, bring:

  • Valid passport or national ID
  • Proof of employment, enrollment, or financial means
  • Health insurance documentation
  • Your Meldezettel (residential address registration)

📍 Where to apply:

  • In Vienna: MA35
  • In other provinces: Bezirkshauptmannschaft or local Magistrat

💡 Mundo Mentors Tips

🕒 Apply early — don’t wait until month 4. Some offices have backlogs and delays.

📑 Keep copies of all documents submitted.

📬 If you move, update your Meldezettel right away — it affects your legal records.

🫶 Not sure if you qualify under “self-sufficient”? We’ll help you assess.

🤝 Need Support?

At Mundo Mentors, we help EU/EEA citizens — and their partners — navigate Austrian bureaucracy without the headaches.

✔️ Personalized consultations
 ✔️ Document checklists
 ✔️ Guidance for non-EU family reunification
 ✔️ Translations and form assistance

📩 Contact us at office@mundomentors.com
 📅 Book your consultation now to make your start in Austria stress-free

💬 “I thought being Italian meant I didn’t have to register — Mundo Mentors helped me avoid a fine and get everything sorted in one day.” – Client from Naples, living in Graz

✅ Final Word

Austria welcomes EU and EEA citizens — but you still have to follow the rules.
 No, you don’t need a “residence permit” — but yes, you absolutely need to register your legal stay properly with the Anmeldebescheinigung.

Let’s make your move smooth, legal, and long-term.

Austrian Citizenship

Do I really need to live in Austria for 10 years to get citizenship?

It’s one of the most common questions we get — and the short answer is: usually yes, but there are important exceptions. Let’s walk you through what the law says and what it might mean in your case.

🧭 The general rule: 10 years

To qualify for Austrian citizenship through naturalization, you typically need:

  • 10 years of continuous legal residence in Austria
  • Of which at least 5 years must be on a residence permit (not just visas or asylum pending)
  • Proof of stable income and no dependency on social benefits
  • German skills at minimum B1 level
  • Passing the Staatsbürgerschaftstest (citizenship test)
  • A clean criminal record

⚠️ Important: Time spent on certain residence permits (like short-term student permits or humanitarian statuses) might not count or may count partially. Also, significant time abroad can break the continuity.

🎯 When can you apply earlier than 10 years?

In some cases, the required residence period is reduced to 6 years, but there are specific conditions:

✔️ Integration-based reduction (6 years)

You may apply after 6 years if you can show:

  • German proficiency at B2 level or higher
  • Sustained integration, such as volunteer work, long-term employment, or education in Austria

This reduction is discretionary — not guaranteed — and the authorities will assess your overall integration.

RWR Card

What happens if I quit my job before my RWR Card or Blue Card expires? When can I apply for the RWR Plus?

Short answer: Quitting your job early can affect your eligibility for the RWR Plus. To qualify, you must have worked for 21 months within 24 months of legal residence under the RWR or Blue Card scheme. Here’s what you need to know:

🚨 Immediate Impact of Quitting Your Job

  • Grace period: You have 3 months to find a new job that complies with the conditions of your current permit (e.g., minimum salary for Blue Card holders).

     

  • Permit validity: Your RWR/Blue Card is tied to your employment. If you don’t secure a suitable job within the 3-month period, your permit may be revoked.

     

  • RWR Plus eligibility: You must accumulate 21 months of qualifying employment within a 24-month period of legal residence under your current permit. Any unemployment exceeding the 3-month grace period does not count toward the 21 months.

     

📅 Key Requirements for the RWR Plus

To be eligible, you must fulfill both conditions:

  1. 24 months of uninterrupted legal residence under an RWR Card or Blue Card.

     

  2. 21 months of employment during those 24 months, where the employment:

     

    • Meets the conditions of your permit (e.g., salary, field of work).
    • Is full-time and not interrupted by non-qualifying gaps.
    • Does not involve reliance on social welfare during the employment period.

       

⚠️ Note:
 The 3-month grace period counts toward the 24 months of residence, but not toward the 21 months of employment.

Example:
 If you’re unemployed for 4 months, only 3 months are “protected.” The additional 1-month gap reduces your qualifying employment time. You’d then need to accumulate 21 months of work within 23 months of residence.

🛠️ How to Safeguard Your RWR Plus Eligibility

  • Act quickly: Secure a new qualifying job within 3 months of leaving your previous position.
  • Request a grace period extension: In special circumstances (e.g., illness, parental leave), the authorities may extend the grace period. Always submit documentation.
  • Stay on the right permit: Avoid switching to a different permit (e.g., student visa), as this may reset or pause your 24/21-month timeline.

     

🔍 Exceptions & Clarifications

  • Changing employers is allowed, but the new job must comply with your permit’s criteria.
  • Part-time work does not count toward the 21 months—only full-time employment qualifies.
  • Self-employment is not covered under the standard RWR or Blue Card. You would need to switch to an “Entrepreneur” RWR Card, which restarts the 24/21-month requirement.
Bureaucracy & Legal Processes

Navigating Austria’s Bureaucratic Maze: Practical Tips for Expats

Moving to Austria means quickly adapting to a host of administrative requirements that can feel overwhelming at first. Whether you’re an EU citizen or a non-EU newcomer, tasks like obtaining your Meldezettel (registration certificate) within three days of arrival and securing an Aufenthaltsbewilligung (residence permit) demand precision and thorough preparation. The process is stringent, and even a small error can lead to delays or additional appointments.

A significant challenge for expats is assembling and organizing the required documentation. Typically, you must provide your passport, proof of accommodation, employment contracts, and previous address details. Missing or incomplete documentation can trigger repeated visits to government offices. To mitigate this, start early: create a comprehensive checklist and verify each document’s validity. Many municipalities now offer online booking systems to schedule registration appointments. For the latest procedures and updates, visit the Austrian Government Portal or the Migration Portal.

It’s also a good idea to keep detailed records of all appointments and communications with local authorities. This record will be invaluable if any questions or issues arise later on. In addition, connecting with local expat groups can provide firsthand advice and insights into overcoming these bureaucratic challenges. These communities often share tips on regional differences and practical shortcuts.

If you continue to face challenges or feel overwhelmed by the process, professional support can make all the difference. At Mundo Mentors, our team is experienced in guiding expats through every administrative hurdle, ensuring your transition is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Practical Tips:

  • Prepare Early: Gather and verify all necessary documents.
  • Book Appointments Online: Use municipal websites to streamline scheduling.
  • Keep Records: Document all interactions and appointment dates.
  • Stay Informed: Regularly consult official websites for updates.