Investor visa, residency by investment and citizenship-by-investment programmes across Europe.
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Use the Lawyer Wizard → Suggest a FirmLeading Austrian law firm with strong international practice. Large team, corporate and commercial focus.
Major international law firm with Vienna headquarters. Extensive corporate and commercial expertise.
Global magic circle firm with strong Vienna office. Full-service corporate practice.
Global law firm with Vienna office. International corporate and commercial focus.
Global firm with Vienna presence. Covers major practice areas for corporate clients.
Large European law firm with Vienna office. Strong in corporate and commercial matters.
Thresholds vary by country — typically €250,000–€500,000 for real estate, or lower amounts via investment funds. Requirements change regularly; always verify with a lawyer.
In most countries, Golden Visa holders can apply for citizenship after 5–10 years of residence. Requirements include language tests and clean criminal records.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across Austria's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsAustria does not operate a traditional golden visa programme. There is no statutory route granting residence solely in exchange for a real estate or fund investment. Austria's residence permits for non-EEA nationals require an economic activity (employment, self-employment, business establishment) or family reunification.
| Route | Legal Basis | Key Requirements | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Niederlassungsbewilligung - Selbstaendige (self-employed) | NAG 24 | Substantial economic benefit to Austria; business plan; proof of financial self-sufficiency; no criminal record | Austrian embassy; 10-16 weeks; quota applies |
| Start-Up Founder (AWS-Gruendungsvisum) | NAG 24a + BGBl. I Nr. 56/2022 | Innovative scalable business plan; AWS (Austria Wirtschaftsservice) endorsement; EUR 50,000 minimum funding evidence; management capacity | 12-16 weeks; no quota |
| EU Blue Card | NAG 41a | University degree; job offer; salary min EUR 4,950/month (2025) | 8 weeks; no quota |
| Permanent Residence (Daueraufenthalt-EG) | NAG 45-45a | 5 years lawful continuous residence; integration (German B1); financial self-sufficiency; no criminal history | 4-8 weeks |
Austria does not offer a flat-tax lump sum regime comparable to Italy's EUR 100,000 regime. However: (1) Zuzugsbeguenstigung (EStG 103 Abs 1a) - researchers and artists relocating to Austria may receive a 30% tax exemption for up to 5 years; (2) Austria's Gruppenbesteuerung (KStG 9) and Schachtelprivileg (KStG 10) make it highly competitive for holding company structures - dividends and capital gains from qualifying participations are 100% exempt. Austria imposes no wealth tax and no inheritance tax (abolished in 2008) - key attractions for HNWIs.
| Country | Golden Visa? | Flat Tax Option? | Inheritance Tax? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | No | No (Zuzugsbeguenstigung for researchers only) | No (abolished 2008) |
| Germany | No | No | Yes (up to 50%) |
| Italy | Yes (suspended new issuance 2024) | Yes - EUR 100,000/yr flat (IRPEF Art. 24-bis) | Yes (4-8%) |
| Switzerland | Lump-sum taxation (Pauschalbesteuerung) | Yes - expenditure-based lump sum | Cantonal (0-50%) |
Ravi, a Singapore tech entrepreneur with EUR 800,000 in liquid assets, sought EU residency to expand his SaaS company into Europe. Austria's Start-Up Founder route was chosen over Italy's Investor Visa (suspended) and Portugal's D8 Digital Nomad visa. Ravi engaged an Austrian Rechtsanwalt to prepare the AWS endorsement application: 40-page business plan, market analysis, employment projections (3 Austrian hires within 18 months). AWS endorsement granted in 6 weeks. Austrian embassy issued the NAG 24a permit in 11 weeks total. Ravi registered the GmbH in Vienna, minimising KoeSt liability through Gruppenbesteuerung with his Singapore parent. Key advantage: no Austrian inheritance tax on EU assets, and no wealth tax on retained company value.
