Permanent Residence in Austria: Rights, Proof and Fees in 2026

If you have lived in Austria for several years as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you may acquire the right of permanent residence (Recht auf Daueraufenthalt). This right comes from the length of your lawful residence and is not dependent on a residence permit, although you can request official proof of it.

Who acquires the right of permanent residence?

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens—including citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway—acquire the right of permanent residence after five years of lawful and uninterrupted residence in Austria.

The first step is generally obtaining an Anmeldebescheinigung. This must be requested within four months of entering Austria.

What rights does permanent residence provide?

• You acquire the right automatically; the certificate only documents it.
• You may then remain in the country for as long as you wish.
• You generally have the same rights in the host country as its citizens, including in employment, education and social matters.

What counts as an interruption during the five years?

Residence can still be considered continuous if:

• you were absent for less than six months in any year;
• you were absent for a longer period because of compulsory military service;
• you were absent on one occasion for no more than twelve consecutive months for an important reason, such as pregnancy and childbirth, serious illness, employment, vocational training or a foreign posting.

After acquiring the right, you may lose it if you live outside Austria for more than two consecutive years.

Can permanent residence be acquired before five years?

Previously employed workers and self-employed people may acquire the right earlier in certain situations:

• Retirement: at least one year of work in Austria and three years of uninterrupted residence there.
• Incapacity for work: two years of uninterrupted residence there.
• Incapacity caused by an occupational illness or workplace accident: no specific period is stated.

Where and how can you request the certificate?

The certificate must be requested in person from the authority responsible for your main residence:

• Usually: Bezirkshauptmannschaft
• In a Statutarstadt: Magistrat
• In Vienna: MA 35, “EWR” section
• In Graz: Amt der Steiermärkischen Landesregierung

The authorities may differ in whether appointments can be booked online, by telephone or by email, and whether an appointment is mandatory. You can obtain the form from the authority. It is also available for download from the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) in German and English.

Your main residence is demonstrated by your Meldezettel. You will generally need a valid identity card or passport. The application can usually be processed quickly if all required documents are available. Foreign-language documents generally require a certified translation prepared by a court-certified sworn translator, while documents in English generally do not need to be translated. For a child under 14, the legal representative submits the application.

How much does it cost in 2026?

• Bescheinigung des Daueraufenthalts for EU citizens: 44 euros
• “Daueraufenthalt-EU” permit for third-country nationals: 275 euros

The 44 euros must be paid when the application is submitted. If the certificate is ultimately not issued, the fee can be reclaimed from the Finanzamt.

Permanent residence versus “Daueraufenthalt-EU”

“Daueraufenthalt-EU” is a separate residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) for non-EU citizens. It requires five years of uninterrupted settlement and completion of Module 2 of the integration agreement. It provides an unlimited right of settlement and unrestricted access to the labour market, but the card must be renewed every five years.

This may be relevant when a non-EU family member lives with you. Such family members may first receive an Aufenthaltskarte and, after five years, a Daueraufenthaltskarte.

Frequently asked questions

Is it mandatory to request the certificate?

No. The right arises automatically after five years, while the certificate is issued on request.

Can I lose the right?

Yes. You may lose it after spending more than two consecutive years abroad.

Where do I apply in Vienna?

You apply in person at the MA 35 “EWR” section.

Is permanent residence the same as citizenship?

No. Permanent residence and Austrian citizenship are separate legal statuses.

Practical steps

1. Check whether you have completed five years of lawful and uninterrupted residence in Austria, or whether an early-acquisition rule applies.
2. Collect your valid identity card or passport and documents proving your residence history where necessary.
3. Identify the responsible authority based on your main residence: Bezirkshauptmannschaft, Magistrat, MA 35 or Amt der Steiermärkischen Landesregierung.
4. Check whether an appointment is required and whether it can be booked online, by telephone or by email.
5. Complete the application form from the authority or the BMI website and submit it in person.
6. Pay the 44-euro fee when submitting the application.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at