Last updated: October 2026 · Official sources linked
The short answer in 30 seconds
- Indian citizens need a visa to enter, even for short stays (BMI – visa list).
- In principle, you apply for your first residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) in person at the Austrian embassy before entry (oesterreich.gv.at).
- Very Highly Qualified Workers (Besonders Hochqualifizierte) with at least 70 points can come for six months on a job-seeker visa (migration.gv.at).
- Austria and India have an agreement on a comprehensive migration and mobility partnership (RIS).
- There is a social security agreement and a double taxation agreement (Ministry of Social Affairs, BMF).
Whether as a skilled professional, a student or an entrepreneur: Austria offers people from India several legal routes. The way to Vienna is clearly regulated, but it needs good preparation: you need a visa, and you usually submit your application while still in India. If you put your documents in order early, you save a great deal of time. The authority decides on every application.
Your status as an Indian citizen
You are a third-country national and subject to the EU visa requirement (BMI – countries requiring a visa). For visits, business trips and trade fairs, you need a Schengen visa. If you want to settle or work on more than a temporary basis, you need a residence permit (BMI – entry).
Migration and mobility partnership: Austria and India have concluded an agreement on a comprehensive partnership for migration and mobility (RIS). According to the Council of Ministers report (Ministerratsvortrag), it covers information on legal routes for skilled workers, students and researchers, cooperation against irregular migration, and readmission. The agreement does not create new or easier access to the labour market beyond the current legal situation (Federal Chancellery).
Entry and where to apply
| Purpose | Where |
|---|---|
| Residence permit (first application) | Austrian Embassy in New Delhi, in person and before entry |
| Schengen visa | VFS visa service centres in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Jalandhar (ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA – India network) |
As a rule, you cannot apply from within Austria, because you are not allowed to enter visa-free (oesterreich.gv.at). So book your appointments at the embassy early.
Working in Austria
The most important route is the Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte). For “Other Key Workers” (Sonstige Schlüsselkräfte), the 2026 requirements are a minimum salary of €3,465 gross per month plus special payments and at least 55 points. For graduates, for example in IT, the EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU) is also of interest.
No job offer yet? As a Very Highly Qualified Worker with at least 70 points, you can apply for a job-seeker visa for six months (migration.gv.at). The points calculator shows whether you reach the points.
Working Holiday: According to the 2023 Council of Ministers report, a Working Holiday Programme is planned (Federal Chancellery). India is not yet on the list of partner countries on oesterreich.gv.at (as of 01/01/2026) (oesterreich.gv.at).
Studying in Austria
To study, you need the “Residence Permit – Student” (Aufenthaltsbewilligung – Student). You submit the application at the embassy. In 2026, you must prove funds of €1,308.39 per month if you are over 24, otherwise €722.58. Alongside your studies, you may work up to 20 hours per week with an employment permit from the AMS (migration.gv.at). More: Studying in Austria and Staying after your studies.
Starting a company and investing
How company formation works is explained in Founding a GmbH or FlexCo. Indian companies can also open a branch office (Zweigniederlassung). If you move to Austria yourself, you need a residence permit:
- Self-employed Key Worker (Selbständige Schlüsselkraft), for example with an investment of €100,000.
- Start-up Founder Card (Start-up-Gründer-Karte) with at least €30,000 in capital and 50 points.
For a life without gainful employment, there is the quota-bound “Settlement Permit – except gainful employment” (Niederlassungsbewilligung – ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit). In 2026, you need a regular income of at least €2,616.78 per month as a single person and €4,128.24 as a married couple (migration.gv.at). Only want to invest? See Investing without relocating.
Real estate
When acquiring property, you count as a foreigner. As a rule, you need approval under the land transfer law (Grundverkehrsrecht) of the federal province; in Vienna, under the Vienna Act on Property Acquisition by Foreigners (Wiener Ausländergrunderwerbsgesetz). More: Buying property as a foreigner.
Taxes and social security
- Social security: Austria and India have a social security agreement (Ministry of Social Affairs).
- Taxes: There is a double taxation agreement, which the BMF applies in practice (BMF – list of DTAs, BMF – EAS 2024).
Our partner tax advisers will work out with you what this means for your income.
Qualifications and driving licence
For regulated professions, your qualification must be recognised in Austria. Have your certificates checked early, ideally before you apply for a residence permit.
You may drive with your Indian licence for six months after taking up residence. Within this period, you must have it exchanged. India is not on the list of countries exempt from the practical test, so you will have to take a practical driving test (oesterreich.gv.at).
Business links between India and Austria
The Austrian Economic Chamber (Wirtschaftskammer) is represented by its foreign trade centre (AußenwirtschaftsCenter) in New Delhi and offices in Mumbai and Bangalore (ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA – India network). The WKO economic report on India records an Austrian export record of €1.48 billion for 2025 (+13.6%) (WKO – economic situation). More on the WKO country page for India.
Frequently asked questions
Can I enter on a Schengen visa and then apply for the Red-White-Red Card in Vienna? As a rule, no. As a visa national, you submit your first application at the embassy before entry (oesterreich.gv.at).
Does the migration agreement make access to the labour market easier? No. The normal rules apply, for example for the Red-White-Red Card (Federal Chancellery).
Can I come to Austria without a job offer? Only as a Very Highly Qualified Worker with a job-seeker visa and at least 70 points.
Do I have to take a driving test in Austria? Yes. To exchange your licence, you need to pass a practical driving test.
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