Many people who come to Austria to work with the Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte want to take their family with them once they have established themselves. Is this possible? Yes, family reunification is legally possible. However, this requires certain conditions and documents.
In this article, we explain the family reunification process, legal rights and where to apply for family reunification step by step for the uninitiated.
Family reunification (Familiennachzug) is a legal right under Austrian Immigration Law for a person with a legal residence permit in Austria to take their spouse and children living abroad with them.
Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte holders are allowed to bring their family members to Austria subject to the following conditions: financial situation, housing and full documentation .
A Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte holder can apply for family reunification for the following family members
The following residence card is usually issued for family members:
“Aufenthaltsbewilligung – Familienangehöriger” (Family Member Residence Permit)
This card gives family members the right to live and work in Austria.
The applicant must have a Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte for at least 1 year at the time of application.
For family reunification applications, it is expected that the applicant or his/her family will have a sufficient income to live on. For the year 2025, according to current data, the following minimum income amounts have been set.
These amounts are sufficient to cover the basic needs of the applicant and their family. Income amounts may vary according to family size and living standards. For example, the income requirements of a single applicant may differ from those of an applicant with a spouse and children.
The housing conditions of family members are also an important criterion. The adequacy of housing for family reunification in Austria is assessed as follows.
You must have valid health insurance that covers your entire family.
Children between 14 and 18 years of age and spouses with primary education must present an internationally recognized language certificate at level A1 (ÖSD, Goethe Institut, Telc GmbH)
The following documents should be prepared separately for each family member:
A notarized German translation of all documents must be submitted.
The application for family reunification can be submitted at the same time or later, depending on the Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte applicant’s preference, if the application requirements are met. For simultaneous applications, the application can be submitted from Austria.
Subsequent family reunification applications are made through the authorized Austrian representative offices (consulate or embassy) in the country of residence. Applicants residing in Turkey can make an online appointment at the Consulate General in Istanbul or the Embassy in Ankara, depending on their country of residence.
The time required by the consulate for the finalization of the application varies between 3 and 6 months. This process may vary in some files.
A holder of a Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte can apply for family reunification to bring his/her family with him/her after he/she starts working in Austria . If you have the right income, housing and health insurance, your spouse and children can legally come and live with you in Austria. This process requires some documentation and patience, but with the right steps it can be done successfully.
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