Bringing the family together

How do I bring my family to Austria?

If you want to bring your family to Austria, this is called "family reunification". Family reunification can take place in many different situations. If you want to bring your family to Austria, you are a reunifier. Reunification is possible for the following family members of reunifying persons:

• Spouses
• Registered partner
• unmarried, underage children
• unmarried, underage adopted children
• unmarried, underage stepchildren

As the sponsor, you must live permanently in Austria from the date on which your family members receive a residence permit at the latest. The applications for you and your family members can be submitted simultaneously or in quick succession.

Whether you can bring your family with you to Austria or have them join you depends on

• what nationality you and your family members have and
• which residence title you have as the sponsor in Austria.

You and your family members will only receive a residence title if:

• You and your family members fulfil all requirements and
• You, as the sponsor, receive a residence title yourself.

How do I submit an application?

Use the following form for your application:

What requirements must my family and I fulfil?

The requirements depend on which residence title you have applied for. Please therefore contact the Service Unit Residence matters Here is a brief overview:

As the sponsor, you are an Austrian citizen:

Your family member is an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen

A registration certificate for family members can be issued for the family member(s).

Please contact the Service Unit Registration and residents, passport matters and make an appointment online:

The family member is a third-country national

A "family member residence permit" or a "family member settlement permit" can be issued for the family member.

As the sponsor, you are an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen and have exercised the right to freedom of movement:

Your family member is an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen

A registration certificate for family members can be issued for the family member(s).

Please contact the Service Unit Registration and residents, passport matters and make an appointment online:

Your family member is a third-country national

A residence card or a settlement permit for relatives of persons with EEA or Swiss citizenship or of Austrians entitled to freedom of movement can be issued for the family member(s).

As the sponsor, you are a third-country national:

Your family member is also a third-country national

If you have a residence permit as a posted worker, student, self-employed person, social service worker, au pair or volunteer, family reunification is not possible.

Please contact Service Unit Residence matters with your request

As a sponsor, you are a displaced person from Ukraine and hold a "Red-White-Red Card Plus" residence permit:

If both you as the sponsor and your family members fulfil the requirements, the family members will also receive the "Red-White-Red Card Plus".