Permanent residence Austria: Daueraufenthalt EU rules, the five years and your health insurance (2026)
In 2026, Austria has one permanent residence title, Daueraufenthalt – EU. You can get it after five years of uninterrupted settlement, with German at B1 (Module 2), secured income, accommodation and all-risk health insurance (§ 45 NAG). Student-permit years immediately before settlement count half toward the five years (§ 45 (2) NAG). The fee is €275; the card is renewed every five years. Care Austria ends with this or another unlimited permit (AVB § 6).
This page is information only and sells nothing. Insurance for the years before permanent residence is explained on health insurance for a residence permit.
As of October 2026 (checked 30 October 2026):
- The fee for Daueraufenthalt – EU is €275 (oesterreich.gv.at, 2026).
- Daueraufenthalt – EU needs five years of uninterrupted settlement and Module 2 of the Integration Agreement, German at B1 level (§ 45 NAG, version in force since 7 August 2026).
- The Daueraufenthalt – EU card is issued for five years and then renewed; the right of residence itself is unlimited (§ 20 (3) NAG, oesterreich.gv.at, 2026).
- Care Austria and Care Austria Education end automatically when Daueraufenthalt EU is granted (City of Vienna, wien.gv.at, checked 30 October 2026); under the policy terms (AVB § 6) also when another unlimited permit is granted.
Where are you on the way to Austria permanent residency?
The way to Austria permanent residency (in German Daueraufenthalt – EU, in English “Long-term Resident – EU”) depends on the permit you hold today, so find yours in the lines below.
I am on a settlement permit
On a Red-White-Red Card, RWR Card plus, Blue Card or a settlement permit, your years count fully. Count your five years and check absences.
The rules are under the five years.
I am a student (or au pair)
Your temporary stay permit counts half, and only once you switch to a settlement permit.
Read the section for students and the Red-White-Red Card page.
I am about to apply
You need Module 2 (German B1), documents, the fee and a new health insurance. Care Austria ends automatically when Daueraufenthalt – EU is granted (wien.gv.at), so arrange the other insurance before you file.
Check the requirements and the insurance section.
I have not moved yet
Permanent residence comes after five years. First you need a temporary permit.
Start with Austrian residence permits.
Daueraufenthalt EU in 10 official facts
| Fact | What the source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | § 45 NAG (Settlement and Residence Act), version in force since 7 August 2026 | ris.bka.gv.at |
| Waiting time | 5 years of continuous, actual settlement | § 45 (1) NAG |
| Grant | “may be granted” (kann … erteilt werden) — not automatic | § 45 (1) NAG |
| Student / temporary stay permit years | Count half, if immediately before settlement | § 45 (2) NAG |
| German | Module 2 of the Integration Agreement = B1, met when you file | migration.gv.at |
| Other conditions | Secured livelihood, all-risk health insurance, legal claim to local-standard accommodation | oesterreich.gv.at |
| Rights | Unlimited settlement with unrestricted access to the labour market | oesterreich.gv.at |
| Fee | €275 | oesterreich.gv.at |
| Card | Issued for 5 years, then renewed; the right itself is unlimited | oesterreich.gv.at |
| Care Austria | Ends automatically when the title is granted; another insurance is needed for the application | wien.gv.at |
What are the Austria permanent residence permit requirements (Daueraufenthalt EU Voraussetzungen)?
The Austria permanent residence permit requirements are five years of uninterrupted settlement plus Module 2 of the Integration Agreement plus the general conditions every residence title needs (§ 45 (1) NAG). In German these are the Daueraufenthalt EU Voraussetzungen. oesterreich.gv.at lists them as proofs you bring to the authority.
The income amount for your household is set by the general rules for residence titles; the overview page Austrian residence permits explains them, and the visa documents checklist covers translations and copies. The authority checks each condition; meeting them does not create a right to the title, because § 45 NAG says it “may” be granted.
How to meet Module 2. migration.gv.at names several ways to meet it besides the B1 exam, for example a completed post-secondary degree, two years of German-taught study with at least 32 ECTS credits, or an Austrian apprenticeship or skilled-worker exam (migration.gv.at). Children not yet of compulsory-school age are exempt, and so are people whose physical or mental health is permanently poor, with an official medical opinion.
How are the five years counted, and what breaks them?
The five years are counted as continuous, actual settlement in Austria, and they break if you are abroad for more than 10 months in total or more than 6 months in a row. The count then restarts from your last lawful entry (§ 45 (4) NAG). Not every absence counts against you, and not every earlier stay counts for you. The table shows what the law says, paragraph by paragraph.
| Situation | Effect on the five years | Paragraph |
|---|---|---|
| Settlement permit (RWR Card, RWR Card plus, Blue Card, settlement permits, family titles) | Counts in full | § 45 (1) |
| Temporary stay permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung, e.g. Student, au pair) immediately before settlement | Counts half | § 45 (2); list in § 8 (1) 12 NAG |
| Absences of more than 10 months in total, or more than 6 months in a row | Period breaks; restarts from the last lawful entry | § 45 (4) |
| EU Blue Card holders abroad | Breaks only after more than 18 months in total or 12 months in a row outside the EEA | § 45 (5) |
| Serious reasons (serious illness, social obligation, service comparable to military service) | Up to 24 months abroad without a break, if you told the authority with proof | § 45 (6) |
| Work abroad, e.g. cross-border services | No break | § 45 (7) |
| A special case under § 41a (6) NAG | Period shortened to 30 months | § 45 (9) |
| Certain periods in other EU states (e.g. as Blue Card holder) | Can count; ask the authority for your case | § 45 (3) |
Keep your own record of every trip abroad (dates out and in, boarding passes). The authority checks the absences, and a single long stay at home (for example caring for a parent for seven months without notifying the authority) can restart the count.
Can international students get permanent residency in Austria?
Yes, international students can get permanent residency in Austria. Student years count half towards the five years, but only when you move from the student permit to a settlement permit and the student time came immediately before (§ 45 (2) NAG). The student permit is an Aufenthaltsbewilligung, a temporary stay permit for a specific purpose (§ 8 (1) 12 NAG). On its own it does not lead to permanent residence.
| Years on the student permit | Credited (half) | Settlement years still needed | Earliest total time in Austria |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 years | 1 year | 4 years | 6 years |
| 3 years | 1.5 years | 3.5 years | 6.5 years |
| 4 years | 2 years | 3 years | 7 years |
| 6 years | 3 years | 2 years | 8 years |
Our arithmetic, assuming no break in between and no absence that breaks the period; the authority decides. For example, Priya studies four years in Graz, then gets a Red-White-Red Card for graduates. Her four student years count as two, so she can apply for Daueraufenthalt – EU after three more years, which is seven years after she arrived.
One next step for graduates is the Red-White-Red Card for graduates of Austrian universities (Red-White-Red Card types and rules). The student side is explained on study in Austria, Austria student visa and the student residence permit.
What is the path from a Red-White-Red Card to permanent resident?
The path from a Red-White-Red Card to permanent resident starts with the Red-White-Red Card (generally issued for 24 months, says migration.gv.at; the employed types are tied to one employer). Next comes the RWR Card plus (for employed holders, after at least 21 months of qualifying employment within the last 24 months). Once five years of settlement are complete and Module 2 is met, Daueraufenthalt – EU is the last step. The RWR Card plus is still a fixed-term title. Only Daueraufenthalt – EU is unlimited (see Red-White-Red Card and Austria work visa).
| Title | Duration | Labour market | Counts towards 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red-White-Red Card | Generally 24 months (migration.gv.at) | Specific employer (employed types; self-employed and start-up types follow business rules) | In full |
| EU Blue Card | Up to 24 months | Specific employer | In full (longer absences allowed) |
| RWR Card plus | Fixed term | Unlimited | In full |
| Student permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung) | Generally 12 months (2 years in mobility programmes) | See student permit | Half, if immediately before settlement |
| Daueraufenthalt – EU | Unlimited right; card renewed every 5 years | Unlimited | — |
Retirees and parents on a settlement permit (Niederlassungsbewilligung) follow the same five-year rule; their permit is explained on Austria retirement visa and can I bring my parents to Austria?.
How do you apply, and what does it cost?
You apply for Daueraufenthalt – EU in person at the settlement authority responsible for your place of residence (in Vienna, MA 35), and the fee in 2026 is €275 (oesterreich.gv.at). File before your current permit expires; the general residence permit renewal rules apply. For Vienna, see MA 35 Vienna in English.
- Count your five years, including half-credited student years and all absences.
- Get your Module 2 proof (B1 certificate or another accepted route).
- Arrange health insurance that will continue after the grant, because your private permit policy will end (next section).
- Collect proofs of income and accommodation, passport and a recent photo.
- Book the appointment and file in person; pay €275.
- After the grant, collect the card; renew the card every five years.
How long the decision takes is not fixed. oesterreich.gv.at says it depends on the individual case and on complete documents. We found no official average, but the law sets a ceiling. The authority must decide “not later than within six months after receipt” (migration.gv.at). Once granted, the title is lost after more than 12 consecutive months outside the EEA, or after more than six years away from Austria (oesterreich.gv.at).
What happens to your health insurance at permanent residence?
Your Care Austria policy ends when permanent residence is granted. The City of Vienna writes that Care Austria and Care Austria Education “end automatically” when Daueraufenthalt EU is granted, and that “If you apply for Daueraufenthalt EU, you must take out another insurance” (wien.gv.at, checked 30 October 2026). The policy terms also end cover when an unlimited residence permit is granted (AVB § 6). This page therefore carries no insurance offer.
| Your situation | What the official pages say | More |
|---|---|---|
| Employed in Austria (job subject to compulsory insurance) | You are statutorily insured through your work; MA 35 needs no private insurance. A marginal job at or below €551.10 a month (2026) gives accident insurance only | e-card |
| Co-insured with a statutorily insured spouse or parent | No private insurance needed (MA 35 page) | ÖGK co-insurance |
| No job, living here on a permit (e.g. retiree) | ÖGK self-insurance is open to permit holders: €565.25 a month in 2026, benefits after a 6-month waiting period unless waived; MA 35: a waiting period must be bridged with private insurance | ÖGK self-insurance |
| Private policy only (Care Austria) | Ends automatically at the grant; Vienna requires another insurance for the application | wien.gv.at |
Our reading, not an official instruction: if you have no job cover, you can join ÖGK self-insurance as a permit holder before you apply (oegk.at), while the private policy still runs and covers the ÖGK waiting period. The City of Vienna page does not state which “other insurance” MA 35 accepts for the application (only statutory cover, or also another private policy). Ask MA 35 and the ÖGK before you file. If you still have questions about the Care Austria contract itself, ask Care Concept AG.
For the years before permanent residence (first permit, renewals, bridging a waiting period), see health insurance for a residence permit, the overview health insurance in Austria for foreigners and how health care in Austria works.
Is an Austria long-term residence permit the same as citizenship?
No, the Austria long-term residence permit (long-term resident EU Austria) is not citizenship. It gives an unlimited right to live and work in Austria, but you keep your nationality, and the card must be renewed every five years (oesterreich.gv.at). Citizenship is a separate procedure with its own rules, explained on Austrian citizenship by naturalisation.
The permit can also be lost after more than 12 consecutive months outside the EEA, or after more than six years away from Austria. Plan long stays abroad with that rule in mind, for example a year back home to look after family.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for permanent residence?
Non-EU citizens who have been continuously and actually settled in Austria for the last five years, who meet the general conditions (secured income, all-risk health insurance, a legal claim to accommodation, no danger to public order) and who have completed Module 2 of the Integration Agreement, i.e. German at B1 level (§ 45 NAG; oesterreich.gv.at). The law says the title “may” be granted — it is not automatic after five years. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens use a different system and do not need this title.
How to get permanent residency in Austria?
You apply in person at the settlement authority of your place of residence — in Vienna MA 35 — before your current permit expires. Bring a valid passport, a photo not older than six months, proof of income, all-risk health insurance, accommodation and your Module 2 certificate; the authority can ask for more. The fee in 2026 is €275 (oesterreich.gv.at). Vienna lists the title as “Long-term Resident – EU” under permanent residence (wien.gv.at).
How long does it take to become a permanent resident in Austria?
The waiting time is five years of uninterrupted settlement (§ 45 (1) NAG); earlier years on a temporary stay permit such as a student permit count only half, if they came immediately before the settlement permit. In one special case named in § 45 (9) NAG the period is 30 months. How long the authority then takes to decide is not fixed: oesterreich.gv.at says it depends on the case and on complete documents. We found no official average, but the law sets a ceiling: the authority must decide “not later than within six months after receipt” (migration.gv.at).
Can international students get permanent residency in Austria?
Yes, international students can get permanent residency in Austria, but not directly from the student permit. Students hold an Aufenthaltsbewilligung (temporary stay permit). Once they move to a settlement permit — for example the Red-White-Red Card for graduates of Austrian universities — the student years that came immediately before count half towards the five years (§ 45 (2) NAG). Example (our arithmetic): four years of study count as two, so three more years on a settlement permit are needed. Module 2 can also be met by certain study achievements (migration.gv.at).
How long can I stay outside Austria without losing the five years?
The five-year period breaks if you spend more than 10 months abroad in total, or more than 6 months in a row; it then restarts from your last lawful entry (§ 45 (4) NAG). EU Blue Card holders may spend up to 18 months in total or 12 months in a row outside the EEA. Up to 24 months abroad do not break it for serious reasons such as a serious illness, if you told the authority with proof; work trips abroad, for example cross-border services, do not break it either. After you have the title, it is lost after more than 12 consecutive months outside the EEA or more than six years away from Austria (oesterreich.gv.at).
Do I need German at B1 for Daueraufenthalt EU?
Yes, as a rule Daueraufenthalt – EU needs Module 2 of the Integration Agreement, which means German at B1 level; one proof is the ÖIF integration exam certificate (B1), and migration.gv.at says Daueraufenthalt – EU can be obtained “nur bei Erfüllung von Modul 2” (only when Module 2 is met), at the time you file (migration.gv.at). Other ways include, for example, a completed post-secondary degree or two years of German-taught study with at least 32 ECTS credits. People with permanently poor physical or mental health can be exempt with an official medical opinion.
What happens to my Care Austria insurance when I get Daueraufenthalt EU?
Your Care Austria insurance ends when Daueraufenthalt EU is granted. The City of Vienna writes that Care Austria and Care Austria Education end automatically, and that for the Daueraufenthalt EU application “you must take out another insurance” (wien.gv.at); the policy terms also end cover when an unlimited residence permit is granted (AVB § 6). Which other insurance MA 35 accepts for that application is not stated; ask MA 35 before you apply. If your job is subject to compulsory insurance, that statutory cover counts (a marginal job at or below €551.10 a month in 2026 gives accident insurance only); if you are co-insured with a statutorily insured family member, no private cover is needed (wien.gv.at).
Official sources
- § 45 NAG (RIS) on Daueraufenthalt – EU, the five years, half credit and absences (version in force since 7 August 2026)
- § 8 NAG (RIS) with the list of residence titles, incl. Aufenthaltsbewilligung
- oesterreich.gv.at: Aufenthaltstitel “Daueraufenthalt – EU” for requirements, fee, documents and loss (last updated 7 August 2026)
- oesterreich.gv.at: validity of residence permits (long-term EU card for five years)
- migration.gv.at: Integration Agreement on Module 2, B1, ways to meet it and exemptions
- City of Vienna: residence permits for third-country nationals (Long-term Resident – EU)
- City of Vienna (MA 35): health insurance for residence permits (Care Austria ends at Daueraufenthalt EU; checked 30 October 2026)
How we work is set out in our editorial standards; you can also read about this site or contact us. This page is general information, not legal advice; the settlement authority decides on your application. We earn nothing from this page; other pages contain referral links to Care Concept AG (affiliate disclosure).