Settlement Permit - Relative (Niederlassungsbewilligung Angehöriger)

Austria•Europe

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Settlement Permit - Relative (Niederlassungsbewilligung Angehöriger)

Residency Pathway PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

At a Glance

Processing Time

3–6 months

Estimated Cost

€218 EUR

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

1 year

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Overview

Settlement permit for extended family members of Austrian/EU citizens, issued for 12 months and renewable with pathway to indefinite Long-term Resident status after 5 years.

The Settlement Permit – Relative enables extended family members of Austrian or EU citizens to reside in Austria for caregiving or dependency. It requires an Austrian or EU citizen sponsor, A1 German proficiency, and proof of secure livelihood without need for social assistance.

Issued for 12 months initially and renewable, the permit allows applicants to transition to Long-term Resident – EU status (unlimited) after 5 years of continuous lawful settlement. The EUR 218 application fee covers processing within 3–6 months. Work authorization is restricted and requires approval; dependents may reside with limited spouse work rights.

This visa is ideal for extended family members seeking to reunify with EU citizens for caregiving while establishing a pathway to permanent settlement.

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

1 year

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Extended family member of Austrian/EU citizen

Proof of secure livelihood

Health insurance

A1 German language proficiency

KEY CRITERIA

Min. Income

24,769 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Proof of dependency/care needs

Sponsorship declaration

A1 German certificate

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Initial 12-month permit is renewable, enabling ongoing family reunification without annual reapplication
Pathway to Long-term Resident – EU status after 5 years of continuous lawful settlement
Dual intent permitted; family members can maintain home country ties while residing in Austria
Secure livelihood requirement (EUR 24,769 annually) is modest compared to skilled work permits
Depends only on family relationship and sponsorship, not employment or skills requirements
Health insurance and accommodation requirements ensure family members receive full social coverage
Settlement permit tier provides stability for extended family (elderly parents, adult siblings, etc.)
Family reunification recognized as core right under EU directive framework

Worth Knowing

Requires documented proof of relationship and dependency on Austrian/EU citizen sponsor
A1 German language proficiency is mandatory before application; no exemptions available
Renewable status requires annual verification of sponsor's secure livelihood and housing stability
Processing takes 3-6 months; plan applications well in advance of desired arrival date
Sponsor must lack other legal options or established PR; lacks clear definition of qualifying 'extended' relationships
Work authorization is restricted/requires separate approval; cannot work freely without additional permit
No dependent visas available; further family members of the permit holder cannot sponsor relatives

Application Process

Submit application with sponsor

Prove dependency

Submit language certificate

Application Forms

Oesterreich.gv.at Portal

Fill online

Verified Claims (2)

Last verified Jun 27, 2026

Max Stay

12 months initially, renewable; Long-term Resident – EU possible after 5 years of continuous lawful …

migration.gv.at

Max Stay Estimate

type: years, initialDays: 365, notes: Issued initially for 12 months, renewable; after 5 years of co…