Factsheet for measure
AT-2022-40/3827
– measures in Austria
Red-White-Red-Card
Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte
Background information
Qualified workers who are third-country nationals (i.e. persons who are neither EEA citizens nor Swiss nationals) and want to live and work in Austria can apply for the so-called "Red-White-Red-Card" (RWR Card). The RWR Card was first introduced in 2011 and is a criteria-based immigration programme, providing a residence permit for skilled labour migration. It is generally issued for two years, but can be extended to a "RWR-Card Plus" which provides free labour market access if at least 21 out of the 24 months the person has been gainfully employed. The RWR-Card Plus is also available to family members.
Content of measure
The RWR-Card is issued for 24 months and provides entitlement to temporary residence and employment with a specific employer.
Members of the following seven groups can receive the RWR-Card:
- especially highly qualified persons
- skilled workers in (by legislation defined) shortage occupations
- other key workers
- graduates of an Austrian university
- previous registered seasonal workers
- self-employed key workers
- start-up founders
In order to receive the RWR-Card, a minimum number of points is to be reached on a legally defined points system (differs for the above mentioned groups). Points can be reached based on qualification, professional experience, language skills and age - 55 out of 90 points need to be reached in order to qualify. For specific groups, a (in some cases very high) minimum salary would have to be earned in order to qualify.
As of 1 October 2022, this qualified labour migration programme was reformed amid large skilled labour needs in the country and the fact that the criteria were considered too restrictive. The main objective of the reform was to improve the recruitment of skilled workers and key workers in a wide range of economic sectors - essentially facilitating the receipt of the card by revising the points system.
The intention of the reform was to better take professional experience into account and to enable a more accurate assessment of English language skills (e.g. options for proving language skills were expanded, course certificates can now be up to five years old). Furthermore, criteria on a minimum wage for specific applicants were eased or abolished all together: the pre-existing age-dependent determination of a minimum wage for "other key workers" was abolished (no further distinction between applicants under and over 30 years), as was a minimum wage for university graduates
Use of measure
According to the (former) labour minister Mr Kocher, the number of RWR-Cards issued since the reform of 2022 had increased significantly: "By the end of June 2023, 3,795 Red-White-Red Cards had been issued since the beginning of the year – compared to the same period in 2022, this represents an increase of 47 percent." In 2024, 9,741 RWR cards were issued – an increase of 21 percent over the previous year.
By 2027, it is expected that up to 15,000 RWR-Cards will be issued annually.
Target groups
Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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National government
Public employment service
Social insurance
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No special funding required
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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Informed
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Informed
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Form
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Not applicable
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Not applicable
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
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No involvement
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Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level
Involvement
The social partners were not directly involved in the design, implementation and monitoring of the measure.
Views and reactions
The unions (representing the domestic workforce) are generally very reserved towards labour immigration and fear wage dumping. They would prefer to invest more in active labour market policies instead. Organised business, on the other hand, is generally in favour of the RWR-Card.
Sources
