Passive income — Europe

🇦🇹Austria

Settlement Permit — Except Gainful Employment (Private Means)

Last verified · 19 July 2026

Quota-defined private-means settlement permit — the January quota race is the program's defining feature.

Duration

1 year, renewable; PR at 5 years

Threshold

≈ €2,617/mo single, €4,128/mo couple, +€404/child (2× Austrian reference rates) + accommodation, comprehensive health insurance and German A1 before arrival

Application fee

≈ €218; processing 3–6 months

Path to PR

Permanent residency after 5 years; citizenship typically at 10 (with C1 German and integration test).

Tax treatment

Worldwide income taxed at progressive 20–55% if >183 days; no employment permitted on this permit.

Family

Family members each consume a quota place.

Required documents

·Proof of regular income (pensions, business profits abroad, asset income, savings)
·Accommodation contract
·Comprehensive Austrian-licensed health insurance
·German A1 certificate obtained before arrival

Things to know

·≈ 450 places/year nationwide under NAG Article 44; the quota is typically exhausted within the first two days of January.
·Quota applies to first applications only, not renewals; 183+ days/year presence required.
·Base (undoubled) reference rates apply to other permit categories — the private-means permit requires double.

Apostille & legalization

Apostille route

Apostille only — both United States and Austria are parties to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention.

Apostille / legalisation

None of the listed documents are civil-status, criminal-record, medical or academic records, so an apostille is generally not required for this visa. Bank statements, employment contracts and application forms are accepted as-is (translated when needed).

Bank statements, employment contracts, photos, passport copies and the application form itself do not need an apostille.

Obtain originals or certified copies of each civil/criminal record (birth certificate, marriage certificate, police clearance, diploma, etc.).
Have each document apostilled by the competent authority in United States (U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications).
Translate the apostilled document into the official language of Austria — the apostille itself is also translated.
Submit the apostilled + translated bundle directly to the Austria immigration authority or consulate; no further consular stamp is required.

Translation: Austria only accepts translations from a court-sworn / officially recognised translator — agency translations are routinely rejected.

Issuing authority in United States: U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications

Documents older than 3–6 months are often rejected. Plan to obtain fresh originals shortly before your visa application.

Official immigration portal

Last verified 19 July 2026 — reconfirm on the official portal before applying.