Austria
AUTAustria is an EU and Schengen member at the heart of Central Europe — Vienna consistently tops the Mercer Quality of Living index. Long-stay residency for non-EU foreigners is via the Red-White-Red Card system (skilled-worker), employer-sponsored Long-Stay D Visa, family reunification, or self-sufficiency-based Settlement Permit. Naturalisation requires 10 years of continuous residence and renunciation of prior citizenship — Austria does not generally permit dual citizenship for naturalising adults. Austria operates a Citizenship by Investment route at extreme thresholds (around €3M+ in qualifying investment) under §10(6) of the Citizenship Act, granted only by Federal Government decision.
Passport Rank
#6
Visa-Free
191
destinations
Country Details
- Capital
- Vienna
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- German
- Population
- 9,120,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
- Naturalisation
- 10 years
- Schengen / EU
- Schengen / EU
- Climate
- Temperate continental / Alpine
- English Proficiency Rank
- #8
Indices
Cost of Living
67
Safety
80
Healthcare
80
Quality of Life
195
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 10 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
Cost of Living by City
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| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vienna | — | — | — | — | $55 |
| Graz | — | — | — | — | $50 |
| Salzburg | — | — | — | — | $52 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Climate
Vienna
Rainfall range: 40–75 mm/month · Daylight 8.4h (winter) to 16.1h (summer)
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Schengen C
- Visa D
- Red-White-Red Card
- Settlement Permit
- EU Blue Card
- Student
- Family
- RWR Card Plus
- Authority
- Federal Ministry of the Interior
- Official Portal
- bmi.gv.at
- Phone
- +43 1 53126 0
- [email protected]
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 10
- Language Test
- Yes (German B1)
- Civic Test
- Yes
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- No
- Fee
- $1,500
- Processing
- ~24 months
Safety
GPI Rank
#3
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Common Risks
- ⚠Petition/clipboard scam in tourist areas
- ⚠Overcharging taxis from Vienna airport
LGBTQ+ Legal Status
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Legal
- Civil Partnerships
- Recognised
- Anti-Discrimination Law
- Yes
- ILGA Rank
- #22
Religious Life
- Halal Food
- Widely available
- Kosher Food
- Widely available
- Prayer Facilities
- Limited
Related Guides
Fastest paths to an EU passport in 2025
A sourced comparison of the shortest EU naturalisation timelines, from 2-year descent fast-tracks to 5-year residency routes — plus the hidden requirements that extend them in practice.
Exit tax: countries that charge you to leave
Country-by-country reference of departure taxes, deemed-disposition rules, and wealth-locking regimes that trigger when tax residency ends.
Visa Programs
Citizenship by Descent
Sources & last verified
- Last verified 2026-05-05