Blue Card EU
Fast-track residence and work permit for highly qualified professionals with university degrees
The Blue Card EU is Austria’s immigration route for highly qualified third-country nationals holding university degrees. It attracts international professionals, managers, academics, and IT specialists, offering streamlined processing and a clear pathway to permanent residence.
This permit provides:
- Combined work and residence authorization valid 24 months
- Fast-track processing with simplified labour market test
- Mobility across EU after 12 months in Austria
- Upgrade to unrestricted labour market access after 21 months of employment in a period of 24 months
Who Qualifies
- Higher education degree (minimum 3 years of study) matching the position
- Valid job offer in Austria corresponding to your qualifications
- Minimum salary: €55,678 gross/year
- Simplified labour market test (AMS confirms no equally qualified registered jobseeker available)
How We Help
Initial Consultation & Eligibility Check
We verify your education, job offer, and remuneration to confirm you meet Blue Card EU criteria, assessing whether your degree matches the position offered.
Employer Coordination
We assist your Austrian employer in preparing required AMS documentation and ensuring the employment contract complies with Austrian labour law and collective bargaining agreements.
Document Preparation
We compile and review all necessary documents—diplomas, reference letters, language certificates, and translations—ensuring they meet Austrian legalization and recognition requirements.
Application Submission
We prepare and submit your Blue Card EU application at the local immigration authority in Austria on your behalf.
Follow-up & Representation
We liaise with AMS and immigration authorities throughout the review process, responding to inquiries and providing clarifications until the decision is issued.
Post-Arrival Services
We guide you through visa collection, entry to Austria, Meldezettel registration, and residence card pickup. After 21 months, we handle your upgrade to the Red White Red Card Plus.
For Employers
If you’re an Austrian company hiring non-EU professionals, we provide:
- Complete Blue Card EU application management from job offer through arrival
- AMS documentation preparation and simplified labour market test coordination
- Employment contract review ensuring compliance with Austrian labour law
- Representation before immigration authorities throughout the process
We manage the entire Blue Card EU process, ensuring compliance while minimizing administrative burden on your HR team.
Advantages
For Employees
- Fast-track recognition for highly qualified professionals
- EU mobility after 12 months of employment in Austria
- Family reunification with immediate labour market access (no separate work permit required)
- Upgrade to RWR Card Plus after 21 months—unrestricted Austrian labour market access
- Clear pathway to permanent residence and Austrian citizenship
For Employers
- Streamlined process for hiring top global talent
- Faster processing compared to standard work permits
- Access to qualified professionals when local talent is unavailable
- Immigration law compliance managed by specialists
Key Differences: Blue Card vs. RWR Card
Factor |
Blue Card EU |
RWR - Key Employees |
|---|---|---|
| Education | University degree required | University OR vocational (20-30 points) |
| Salary | €55,678 gross/year |
€48,510/year |
| Labour Test |
Simplified (registered jobseekers only) | Full test (any equally qualified EU/EEA worker) |
| EU Mobility facilitations | Yes, after 12 months; Procedural facilitations in case of a move to an employer based in another EU member state
For certain business trips to Austria additional exemptions for work permit requirements apply |
No |
| Family Work Rights |
Immediate | After residence permit issued |
Why Choose Oberhammer Immigration Advocates
Blue Card EU and immigration law experts
We handle complex Austrian and EU immigration cases daily
High approval rate
Proven success record for Blue Card and Red White Red Card applications
Comprehensive support
From individual professionals to large corporate employers
Multilingual legal team
Services in English, German, and other languages
Fixed, transparent fees
No hidden costs
Ready to work in Austria as a highly qualified proffesional?
Whether you're an international professional seeking opportunities in Austria
or an employer hiring top global talent, we manage your Blue Card EU application from start to finish.
Office
Lothringerstrasse 8/5, 1040 Vienna, Austria