Ukrainians can apply for a permit in Austria: why 12 months of work is still important

Ukrainians with temporary protection can apply for the Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte plus without leaving Austria. This procedure is different from obtaining Austrian citizenship and requires meeting the requirements regarding work, income, and language. This is reported by the official portal of the city of Vienna.

Permit for Ukrainians in Austria: what requirements remain in force

The special opportunity to switch to the Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte plus for displaced persons from Ukraine has been in effect since October 1, 2024. Official clarifications do not confirm the cancellation of the requirement for prior employment from October 16, 2026, which can be inferred from the material Visit Ukraine.

For the special procedure, it is necessary, among other things:

• to have an Austrian displaced person's permit;
• to have worked for at least 12 months with full social insurance or meet the conditions for insured self-employment during the last 24 months;
• to confirm German language skills at level A1, unless an exemption applies;
• to provide the necessary level of income, health insurance, and housing.

The Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte plus allows for employment and self-employment. It does not tie the holder to a single employer.

At the same time, this is a temporary permit that needs to be renewed. Obtaining it does not automatically grant permanent residency.

The application is submitted to the competent authority at the place of residence. In Vienna, these issues are handled by MA35. Among the required documents are a passport, photo, proof of insurance, income, and housing rights, including rented accommodation in Vienna.

Other permits in Austria: how the EU Blue Card differs

A separate path for qualified workers is provided by the EU Blue Card. For it, education or acceptable professional experience, a job offer, and compliance with the salary threshold are checked.

According to migration.gv.at, in 2026 the salary threshold is set at 55,678 euros gross per year with additional payments. A points system is not applied for this category, but the AMS service checks employment conditions.

An application can also be submitted in Austria after legal entry and during legal stay. However, permission is granted only after checking compliance with all requirements. The EU Blue Card allows work with a specific employer.

Before choosing the procedure, it is important to check its conditions: the requirements for the special Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte plus for Ukrainians and the EU Blue Card differ. Likewise, separate rules apply for further permanent residency and naturalization, including citizenship through integration.