Red White Red Card Plus RWR+ for Displaced Persons from Ukraine
- What Is RWR+
The Red White Red Card Plus Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte plus is an Austrian residence and employment permit for third country nationals meaning persons who are not citizens of the EU
EEA or Switzerland.
The card grants free access to the Austrian labour market without being tied to a specific employer. The holder may work as an employee or as a self-employed person.
Since 1 October 2024 persons residing in Austria under temporary protection due to the war in Ukraine may switch to this type of residence permit under a simplified procedure provided that the established criteria are met.
- Main Advantages of RWR+
Obtaining RWR+ provides the following opportunities:
- Unlimited access to the Austrian labour market without being tied to a specific employer
- The right to work as an employee and as a self-employed person
- The possibility of long term residence with prospects for further extension
- The possibility of family reunification
- Time spent in Austria under temporary protection is counted towards the residence period
- Main Conditions for Transition
To submit an application all of the following requirements must be fulfilled.
Step 1. Proof of Employment
The applicant must:
- Have at least 12 months of employment within the last 24 months
- Be in employment subject to full social insurance coverage
- For self-employed persons be insured in accordance with Austrian social insurance legislation for entrepreneurs
Step 2. Sufficient Income
At the time of the decision not at the time of application it must be demonstrated that there is a realistic prospect of income at the level of the minimum social security threshold Ausgleichszulage.
Indicative monthly net amounts:
- Approximately 1,308.93 euros for a single person
- Approximately 2,064.12 euros for married couples or registered partners combined income
- Approximately 201.88 euros additionally for each child
Important:
- Family allowance Familienbeihilfe is not taken into account
- Childcare allowance Kinderbetreuungsgeld is taken into account
Step 3. Proof of German Language Skills
A certificate of at least level A1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages must be provided.
The certificate must be issued by an accredited institution including:
- Austrian Language Diploma German ÖSD
- Austrian Integration Fund ÖIF
- Validity Period of the Permit
- As a rule the card is issued for a period of 1 year
- If the person
- Has been continuously residing in Austria for at least 2 years and
- Has fulfilled the requirements of Module 1 of the Integration Agreement
the card may be issued immediately for a period of 3 years
The period of residence under temporary protection is counted towards the total residence period.
- Family Members
The following family members are also entitled to transition to RWR+:
- Spouses
- Registered partners
- Children including adopted children
- Stepchildren
- Step by Step Procedure
Stage 1. Check Eligibility
Ensure that:
- The requirement of 12 months of employment has been fulfilled
- Sufficient income has been confirmed
- A language certificate has been obtained
Stage 2. Preparation of Documents
Usually required:
- Passport
- Proof of employment
- Income statements
- Confirmation of social insurance
- Language certificate
- Proof of residence
- Documents of family members if applicable
Stage 3. Submission of the Application
The application must be submitted to the competent authority in the federal province of residence district authority Bezirkshauptmannschaft or Magistrat.
Stage 4. Examination and Decision
The following are reviewed:
- Actual income at the time of decision
- Compliance with integration requirements
- Lawful residence status
Stage 5. Issuance of the Card
After a positive decision the applicant receives the RWR+ card.
- Useful Official Sources
- Federal Ministry of the Interior https://www.bmi.gv.at
- Official Austrian Government Portal https://www.oesterreich.gv.at
- Information on RWR+ on the government portal https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/themen/menschen_aus_anderen_staaten/aufenthalt/3/Seite.120260.html
- Austrian Integration Fund ÖIF https://www.integrationsfonds.at
Austrian Language Diploma German ÖSD https://www.osd.at
