Asylum in Austria
international protection · Official name: Antrag auf internationalen Schutz (Asylgesetz 2005, as amended by the AMPAG)
People seeking protection can apply for international protection only inside Austria and in person: to the police, border guards, and since 12 June 2026 also the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum (BFA) or the residence (NAG) authorities. Since 12 June 2026 the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum applies: a screening (identity, health, vulnerability, biometrics, security check) replaces the old admission procedure, and a border procedure runs at Vienna-Schwechat airport. The BFA normally decides within six months; accelerated cases within three months; border procedures normally within twelve weeks.
Life in Austria
Finance
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
85
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
20–55%
Income tax (national)
VAT 20%
0% up to EUR 13,539; 50% from EUR 104,859; 55% on income above EUR 1 million (temporary through 2029).
Living
1
Happiness
#18 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Who it’s for
People in Austria who fear persecution or serious harm in their home country. People displaced from Ukraine have a separate temporary right of residence (see AT.TEMPORARY_PROTECTION_UKRAINE).
Eligibility
Apply inside Austria, in person
Apply inside Austria, in person, to the police, border guards, the BFA or NAG authorities; embassy applications are not possible.
From 12 June 2026- No applications at Austrian embassies abroad
Official wording
An application can only be made within Austria and in person, to the police, border guards, or (since 12 June 2026) the BFA or the authorities responsible under the Settlement and Residence Act (NAG). Applications cannot be made at Austrian embassies abroad.
Screening
Third-country nationals seeking protection go through screening unless another EU state already did it at the external border: identity check, preliminary health check, preliminary vulnerability assessment, biometric data and a security check. A questionnaire on identity and travel route informs the BFA's preliminary choice of procedure.
Formal submission within 21 days
Formally submit your application within 21 days, or it is treated as tacitly withdrawn.
21 days
Time limit to submit
- Staying in a federal reception centre generally counts as submission
- In private accommodation, submit in person at the BFA
- Submission usually brings a temporary right to remain
Official wording
The application must be formally submitted within 21 days, or it is treated as tacitly withdrawn. Accommodation in a federal reception centre generally counts as submission; people in private accommodation must submit in person at the BFA. Submission usually brings a temporary right to remain.
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- 2 more requirements
- 1 document
- 1 fee
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Official sources
Other routes to Austria
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyResidence permit 'Student'
- Skilled migrationEU Blue Card
- 3 more routes with Premium
Asylum & protection in other countries
- AustraliaCommunity Support Program (CSP) - over capacity, new expressions of interest paused; and CRISP community settlement
- BelgiumInternational protection in Belgium
- BulgariaInternational protection
- BrazilHumanitarian reception visa and residence (acolhida humanitária) - currently Afghans and stateless people via partner organisations
- BotswanaApplication for refugee status
- CanadaIn-Canada asylum (refugee protection) claim
