Research in Austria

The combination of science and business and the high degree of networking between manufacturing, supplying and service-providing companies as well as the central location in the heart of Europecentral location in the heart of Europe () make Austria a unique research locationresearch location (). There are numerous opportunities for researchers to settle or reside in Austria and pursue research activities. Those who come to Austria from abroad to conduct research can also benefit from tax benefits.  

Do you want to settle in Austria? The ABA will guide you through the immigration process - step by step:  

Main requirements

Researchers within the meaning of the so-called ‘Researchers and Students Directive’ (Directive (EU) 2016/801) are third-country nationals who hold a doctoral degree or a suitable university degree that gives them access to doctoral programmes (e.g. Master's graduates). Based on this, the Austrian legislator created an exception for researchers in the Act Governing the Employment of Foreign Nationals (Ausländerbeschäftigungsgesetz, AuslBG). This means that researchers are persons who carry out research work (which is exempt from the AuslBG) for a research institution.  

A further requirement for the granting of a Settlement Permit – Researcher is that a certified research institution (or a public institution that does not require certification) has concluded a Hosting Agreement with the researcher (a sample hosting agreement can be found herehere ()).  

Research institutions are in any case all Austrian state universities, such as the University of Graz, Johannes Kepler University Linz and the University of Vienna. 

Private universities or private research institutions must be certified in order to conclude a hosting agreement. 

Research institutions that are operated by a state institution are exempt from this regulation and do not require their own certification in order to be able to conclude Hosting Agreements as a research institution. 

The list of the Federal Ministry of the Interiorlist of the Federal Ministry of the Interior () shows certified research institutions as well as research institutions that do not require certification.   

Application

Researchers who have concluded a Hosting Agreement can apply for a D visa for work purposes at the Austrian representation authority responsible for their place of residence abroad (embassy/consulate). As soon as they have entered Austria with a D visa for work purposes, they can immediately start working as a researcher. After entering the country, they can apply for a settlement permit - researcher in Austria.  

The following documents are required to apply for a settlement permit - researcher: 

• Application formApplication form () 

• Passport 

• Passport photo fulfilling EU criteria (not older than six months) 

• Police Clearance Certificate (Strafregisterbescheinigung), no more than 3 months old 

• Work-related documents: 

  • Hosting AgreementHosting Agreement () 

  • Proof of successfully concluded studies (doctorate/PhD or university diploma providing access to the doctoral programs) 

Immigration with family members

Family members of holders of a Settlement Permit - Researcher can apply for a Red-White-Red – Card PlusRed-White-Red – Card Plus (), which gives them free access to the Austrian labour market. Family members can therefore choose whether they want to work in Austria as an employee or self-employed.  

Proof of German language skills prior to immigration is not required for family members of holders (or former holders) of a Settlement Permit - Researcher, but not the obligation to fulfil Module 1 of the Integration AgreementModule 1 of the Integration Agreement (). 

Extension 

The period of validity of the Settlement Permit – Researcher is oriented to the particular Hosting Agreement (agreed duration plus 3 additional months). However, it is valid for a maximum period of 2 years. 

After these 2 years, researchers can obtain a Red-White-Red – Card PlusRed-White-Red – Card Plus (). Make sure to submit the application within three months before your current residence permit expires. Please note: The 21-month rule - as for skilled workers with a Red-White-Red Card or EU Blue Card - does not apply here!  

With the Red-White-Red – Card Plus, researchers gain free access to the Austrian labour market. This means that they can work both employed and self-employed and are no longer tied to one employer. 

Settlement Permit – Special Cases of Gainful Employment 

Third-country nationals whose purpose of residence is not merely temporary and who are excluded from the scope of the AuslBG due to their research activities can alternatively be granted a Settlement Permit – Special Cases of Gainful Employment. 

Therefore, e.g. Bachelor graduates working in the field of research, can generally not obtain a Settlement Permit – Rese

Red-White-Red – Card / EU Blue Card

If the Settlement Permit – Researcher is not an option, e.g. because researchers are not working at a recognised research institution, then one of the available categories of the Red-White-Red – CardRed-White-Red – Card () or a EU Blue CardEU Blue Card () may be an alternative, depending on the qualifications and the planned professional activity. 

Short-term stay in Austria as a researcher 

If third-country nationals wish to work as researchers in Austria for less than 6 months, they can apply for a visa C for work purposes (for stays of up to 90 days) or a visa D for work purposes (for stays of 91 days to a maximum of 180 days) at the Austrian representation authority (embassy/consulate) in their country of residence. This allows them to carry out their research activities immediately after entering the country. 

If you pursue a research activity in Austria, you can obtain a confirmation from the Public Employment Service Austriaconfirmation from the Public Employment Service Austria () that the activity is excluded from the scope of the AuslBG. However, this confirmation is voluntary.  

In any case, you need a visa for work purposes if you want to work as a researcher in Austria, even if you would otherwise be allowed to enter Austria without a visa. It is therefore possible that the embassy/consulate where you apply for the visa will want to see the confirmation. It may therefore make sense to apply. If you have concluded a hosting agreement with a (certified) research institution, this document can also be submitted.  

Residence Permit – „Researcher-Mobility“ 

The Residence Permit – “Researcher -Mobility” is intended for third-country nationals who already hold a valid residence title for researchers in another EU Member State and who will work in a research institution in Austria. It is limited to the duration of the research activity carried out in Austria, but no longer than the period of validity of the residence title for researchers of the other Member State. It can be extended up to a total duration of stay of two years in Austria. 

The immigration of researchers to Austria is in the public interest. For this reason, there are favours/benefits for researchers in the Austrian Income Tax Act (Einkommenssteuergesetz; EStG): 

• Elimination of the additional tax burden 

• Tax allowance (Zuzugsfreibetrag) 

In connection with the elimination of the additional tax burden, the tax authority can determine the tax base or the tax due with a lump sum with regard to foreign income that becomes taxable due to the establishment of an Austrian residence in order to avoid an additional tax burden. In simplified terms, this lump sum is calculated taking into account the previous taxation of the income abroad and the future taxation in Austria. However, the exact calculation is often relatively complex. If an average tax rate is applied, this must be at least 15%. 

The tax authority can set an allowance of 30% of the income from scientific activities taxed at the standard rate. The tax allowance thus reduces the tax base. The calculation is much simpler than that for the elimination of the additional tax burden, which is why the relocation allowance is utilised more frequently. The immigration allowance is available for a maximum of 5 years. 

In principle, there is a public interest in the immigration of a person if the immigration serves to promote science, research, art or sport. The specific requirements for the individual favoured areas can be found in the Ordinance of the Federal Minister of Finance on Immigration Benefits. However, the personal scope of application is more limited in the case of the immigration allowance, as this is aimed at top-level employees from the fields of science and research (not therefore art or sport). 

Further information can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of Finance herehere ().  

Further Information 

Feel free to use our Immigration GuideImmigration Guide () to get an assessment of the best immigration option! Our Immigration Guide and our websitewebsite () also provide information on researchers.