What is Family Reunification?
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 .
Who is entitled to family reunification?
A Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte holder can apply for family reunification for the following family members
- Spouse over 21 years of age
- Children under 18 years of age
Which Residence Permit for 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.
What are the Necessary Conditions?
Possession of a valid Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte
The applicant must have a Rot-Weiss-Rot-Karte for at least 1 year at the time of application.
Sufficient Income
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.
- Total for married couples: 2009,85 eurosper month
- In addition for each child: 196,57 Europer month
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.
Affordable Housing
The housing conditions of family members are also an important criterion. The adequacy of housing for family reunification in Austria is assessed as follows.
- Per Capita Area: An average of 11 square meters of living space should be provided for each family member.
- Number of Rooms: The dwelling should have a number of rooms appropriate to the number of family members. For example, an apartment with at least two bedrooms and a living room would be suitable to accommodate two adults and one child.
- Housing Documents: The lease agreement, title deed or other official documents showing that you reside in the property must be submitted.
Health Insurance
You must have valid health insurance that covers your entire family.
German Language Proficiency
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)
What are the Required Documents?
The following documents should be prepared separately for each family member:
- Passport photocopy
- Birth certificate (for children)
- Marriage certificate (for spouse)
- Criminal record (must be obtained from abroad)
- Biometric photo
- Application form
- Proof of income (payslip, employment contract)
- Residential lease agreement
- Proof of health insurance
A notarized German translation of all documents must be submitted.
Where to Apply?
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.
How Long Does the Process Take?
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.
Conclusion
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.
