Living in Austria on your own income, plainly explained
Austria has no golden visa. People who live on pensions, savings or income from abroad use the settlement permit without gainful employment. Here is how it works: the income thresholds, the quota, German before filing, the family, the steps, what the permit leads to and how it compares with its neighbours. Every rule is linked to official Austrian pages or BRIDGES data.
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Austria Residence Permit for Financially Independent People in 2026: The Complete Guide
How the Austrian settlement permit without gainful employment works in 2026: EUR 2,616.78 a month of passive income, a quota place, German A1 before filing, no work, the family and the path to permanent residence.
How Much Income You Need for the Austrian Privatier Permit in 2026, and What It Costs
The 2026 income thresholds for Austria's settlement permit without employment, per person and per family, what counts as income, the EUR 218 fee and the other costs to plan for.
Applying for the Austrian Settlement Permit: Quota, Steps and Documents in 2026
How to apply for Austria's settlement permit without employment in 2026: filing in person at the embassy, the quota at the start of the year, the documents, German A1, deadlines after approval and extensions.
Austrian Residence for the Family: Spouse and Children on the Privatier Permit
How a spouse and children join Austria's settlement permit without employment in 2026: the higher income threshold, German A1 for adults, quota places, documents, and what is hard for parents.
Austrian Citizenship in 2026: The 10-Year Route, § 10(6) StbG and Taxes for Residents
How residence in Austria leads to long-term status and citizenship: Daueraufenthalt EU after 5 years, naturalisation after 10, the rare § 10(6) route for extraordinary achievements, and Austrian taxes in 2026.
Austria vs Spain, Portugal, Greece and Hungary: Which Residence Route Fits You
Austria's Privatier permit compared with Spain's non-lucrative visa, Portugal's D7, Greece's FIP and Hungary's guest investor permit: income, quota, language, work and the road to citizenship.
The income thresholds at a glance
| ASVG rate 2026 | Required (x2) per month | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | EUR 1,308.39 | EUR 2,616.78 | after running costs |
| Couple | EUR 2,064.12 | EUR 4,128.24 | both adults need German A1 |
| Each child | EUR 201.88 | plus EUR 403.76 | children under 14 exempt from A1 |
Compiled from oesterreich.gv.at, checked October 2026. Application fee EUR 218. Insurance, housing, translations and language exams are extra. See the income and cost guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an Austrian golden visa?
No. There is no residence for property or investment. The route for people with their own income is the settlement permit without gainful employment.
How much income do I need?
EUR 2,616.78 a month for a single person and EUR 4,128.24 for a couple in 2026, plus EUR 403.76 per child, after running costs.
Can I work?
No. Employment and self-employment in Austria are excluded.
How do I get a quota place?
By filing a complete application at the start of the year. Places go in order of filing and Vienna's ran out within minutes, according to the city.
Does it lead to citizenship?
Yes, in the long run: Daueraufenthalt EU after 5 years with B1 German, and naturalisation as a rule after 10 years.