--- title: Getting a Residence Permit in Austria? Here is What You Need to Know description: Moving to Austria is a big step. Here are the 5 things you need to know in order to make the transition as smooth as possible. image: https://blog.recom-relocation.at/hubfs/011_Residence%20permit.%20What%20you%20need%20first.jpg --- [![Recom Relocation Blog](https://blog.recom-relocation.at/hs-fs/hubfs/CI/logo_website.png?width=190&height=77&name=logo_website.png "Recom Relocation Blog")](https://recom-relocation.at/) - [Immigration](https://www.recom-relocation.at/immigration.html) - [Relocation](https://www.recom-relocation.at/relocation.html) - [Intercultural Training](https://www.recom-relocation.at/training.html) - [Info Center](https://www.recom-relocation.at/info-center.html) - [club melange](https://www.recom-relocation.at/club.html) - [About Us](https://www.recom-relocation.at/about-us.html) - [Blog](https://blog.recom-relocation.at/en) - [Podcast](https://www.recom-relocation.at/podcast) - [Immigration](https://www.recom-relocation.at/immigration.html) - [Relocation](https://www.recom-relocation.at/relocation.html) - [Intercultural Training](https://www.recom-relocation.at/training.html) - [Info Center](https://www.recom-relocation.at/info-center.html) - [club melange](https://www.recom-relocation.at/club.html) - [About Us](https://www.recom-relocation.at/about-us.html) - [Blog](https://blog.recom-relocation.at/en) - [Podcast](https://www.recom-relocation.at/podcast) - [Contact Us](https://www.recom-relocation.at/contact-us.html) - [Contact Us](https://www.recom-relocation.at/contact-us.html) ![Getting a Residence Permit in Austria? Here is What You Need to Know](https://blog.recom-relocation.at/hubfs/011_Residence%20permit.%20What%20you%20need%20first.jpg) # *13-Apr-2023 |* Getting a Residence Permit in Austria? Here is What You Need to Know Moving to Austria is a big step. Here are the 5 things you need to know in order to make the transition as smooth as possible. *Austria is known for its complex bureaucracy, and you have probably heard of that. As a future expat, you don’t want to miss out on an opportunity. Get prepared, follow these tips, and you will handle it just right in a shorter period of time.* ## 1. Basic requirements One of the main criteria for a successful application is staying informed. If you understand it, the first and trickiest part is over. Make your application process an easy and uncomplicated one. Paperwork is an essential part of obtaining a residence and work permit. To find out more, check the [official resources](https://www.migration.gv.at/en/types-of-immigration/). Do not get influenced by forums or things like “A friend of mine told me that...” There is a 50/50 chance of getting the correct information if you rely on them. And your main challenge is usually getting all the documents upfront and not losing time a couple of months later when the authority requests them, so be precise. ### Tip! Make a to-do list with the documents and tick the boxes only if you are 100% sure. This way, you won’t miss anything and will have a clear overview. ## 2. Legalization If you have never relocated, this will be something brand-new for you. Legalization is a procedure that confirms that your documents are official and will be accepted abroad. Your documents, such as your marriage or birth certificate, must be legalized before you apply for the residence permit. It is necessary to mention that there are differences from country to country. Get in touch with the local authorities to learn how to legalize the documents. ## 3. Austrian authorities/Appointments Whether you need a visa for Austria, insurance confirmation, or any other formal document, the authorities are usually fully booked weeks, if not months, in advance. As soon as you know what you need, check out the earliest available slots and book them quickly. The procedures take a long time, so you do not want to lose more time. If you are applying for a visa from abroad, there is only one Austrian consulate per country where you can do that. So, if you live far away from the capital, count travel time and costs. ## 4. Planning ahead We can summarize all pieces of advice under this point. The earlier you start, the higher the possibility of getting to Austria in time for work or studies. It might sound like a cliché about the German-speaking region, but there is much truth to it: correctness and timing are essential parts of relocation to Austria. ## 5. Experience from other countries is rarely helpful If Austria is not your first country, you will automatically begin to apply previous experience to your new destination. It is not wrong, but be careful with such comparisons. A handful of things are specific here. Mainly, it is the number of documents required. Immigration authorities in Vienna (Magistrat 35) demand more paperwork than the same ones would do in Germany, for instance. Furthermore, if we go a couple of steps further, Austrian citizenship is more difficult to obtain than in other EU countries. If you managed it until here and still want or need to take up the challenge, competent advice would help a lot. No matter how complicated the situation can get, you can rely on Recom Relocation. Book a call with an immigration expert and start your relocation now!   [![TALK TO AN EXPERT (400 × 100px) (800 × 201px) (1200 × 300px)-1](https://blog.recom-relocation.at/hs-fs/hubfs/TALK%20TO%20AN%20EXPERT%20(400%20%C3%97%20100px)%20(800%20%C3%97%20201px)%20(1200%20%C3%97%20300px)-1.png?width=320&height=80&name=TALK%20TO%20AN%20EXPERT%20(400%20%C3%97%20100px)%20(800%20%C3%97%20201px)%20(1200%20%C3%97%20300px)-1.png)](https://blog.recom-relocation.at/talk-to-an-immigration-expert)   ### Author: Anna Volodina ## Related articles ### [![Getting a Residence Permit in Austria? Here is What You Need to Know](https://blog.recom-relocation.at/hubfs/Blog%20post%20illustration%20-%20German%20basics%20-%20sackerl.png) *30-Oct-2024 | German* Basics of German Language When Coming to Austria (Shopping Edition)](https://blog.recom-relocation.at/en/moving-to-austria-german-vocabulary-to-austria-1) ### [![Apartment building in Vienna](https://blog.recom-relocation.at/hubfs/IMG_8761.jpeg) *30-Oct-2025 | relocation* Renting in Vienna Made Clear: Key Rental Terms and How the System Works](https://blog.recom-relocation.at/en/renting-an-apartment-in-austria-made-clear-key-terms-and-what-they-mean-in-practice) ### [![Beach installation on Karlsplatz in Vienna by Margot Pilz, ](https://blog.recom-relocation.at/hubfs/Karlsplatz%20beach.heic) *06-May-2026 | culture* Time to Get Outside: What to Do in Vienna in May](https://blog.recom-relocation.at/en/what-to-do-in-vienna-in-may) [Talk to a relocation expert](https://blog.recom-relocation.at/talk-to-a-relocation-expert) ## Recom Relocation GmbH Alser Straße 28/17a 1090 Wien – Austria Tel: +43 (0)1 409 24 62 office@recom-relocation.at [tel:](tel:)   - [Immigration](https://www.recom-relocation.at/immigration.html) - [Relocation](https://www.recom-relocation.at/relocation.html) - [Intercultural Training](https://www.recom-relocation.at/training.html) - [Info Center](https://www.recom-relocation.at/info-center.html) - [club melange](https://www.recom-relocation.at/club.html) - [About Us](https://www.recom-relocation.at/about-us.html) - [Blog](https://blog.recom-relocation.at/en) - [Podcast](https://www.recom-relocation.at/podcast) - [Contact Us](https://www.recom-relocation.at/contact-us.html) © 2022 Recom Relocation GmbH  |  [Imprint](https://www.recom-relocation.at/imprint.html)  |  [Privacy Policy](https://www.recom-relocation.at/privacy-policy.html) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Anna Volodina", "url" : "https://blog.recom-relocation.at/en/author/anna-volodina" }, "dateModified" : "2023-06-26T13:21:29.044Z", "datePublished" : "2023-04-13T10:25:57.000Z", "headline" : "Getting a Residence Permit in Austria? 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