🇦🇹 Austria Family Reunification
Austria family reunification is a long-term (national/D type) visa type that allows individuals to live legally in Austria with their spouse, children, or close family members who are already residing there. Unlike short-term Schengen visas, this visa grants the right to reside in Austria for extended periods and enables family members to live together on a long-term basis. While Schengen visas allow a maximum stay of 90 days within 180 days, the family reunification visa provides the opportunity for much longer residence. Therefore, the family reunification process involves a comprehensive legal and administrative procedure.
The right to family reunification in Austria is not granted only to those married to Austrian citizens. Even if your spouse is not an Austrian citizen, you can still settle in the country through family reunification if they have been legally residing in Austria for many years (at least 8 years) and hold a permanent residence permit. In addition, if one of the parents resides legally in Austria, applications for family reunification can be made on behalf of minor children. Furthermore, family reunification is also possible with a spouse who holds Austria’s "Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte" (Red-White-Red Card). This card indicates that the holder has adapted to Austria’s professional, economic, and social standards and grants both residence and work rights. Therefore, those who reunite with a spouse holding this card can obtain not only the right to settle in Austria but also the right to work.
📌 Conditions for Austria Family Reunification
The first requirement for Austria family reunification applications is that the applicant must be at least 18 years old. Marriages under the age of 18 are not allowed in Austria, and the potential for integration into the country is also considered during the application process. The spouse or family member in Austria must have a valid residence permit, and ideally, this permit should have been converted into a permanent residence permit when applicable.
Financial adequacy is one of the most important factors for approval. Your spouse or family member inviting you must not have received social assistance from the Austrian state in the last three years. In addition, they must own or rent a residence large enough for the family to live comfortably. Income levels are carefully reviewed when granting a family reunification permit.
Language proficiency is also an important part of the process. Since the official language of Austria is German, the applicant must have at least A2 level German proficiency. This can be proven through an official language test, diploma, certificate, or similar documentation. During the integration assessment, Austria considers not only language skills but also general knowledge of Austrian history, culture, and the country’s political and social structure.
📝 Austria Family Reunification Application Process
The family reunification process begins by applying to the nearest Austrian Consulate or Embassy to your place of residence in Türkiye. All required documents must be submitted in full. Once your application is approved, you must register your residence at the local post office in the area where you will live within the first week after arriving in Austria. Otherwise, you cannot obtain the legal right to reside with only the family reunification permit.
Applications are evaluated under the long-term residence visa (national/D type) category. This visa can be applied for not only for family reunification but also for purposes such as education or employment. However, one of the strongest reasons for family reunification is marriage to an Austrian citizen or a spouse with a permanent residence permit, as well as parent-child relationships.
🕒 Required Documents for Austria Family Reunification
It is crucial that the documents for Austria family reunification applications are complete, accurate, and up to date. Documents are generally required to be original, apostilled, and translated into German. Below are the main documents explained in detail:
Application Form: Must be completed in full and must not contain any information that contradicts other documents. Parental consent is required for applicants under 18.
Passport: Must not be older than 10 years, valid for at least six more months, and have at least two blank pages. Copies of used pages must also be included.
Biometric Photos: Two photos measuring 35x45 mm, with a white background, up-to-date, and unused.
Criminal Record: Must not be older than four weeks, translated into German, and apostilled. Not required for children under 13.
Proof of Financial Means: Documents proving financial resources such as payslips, bank statements, and pension documents.
International Birth Certificate: Must be submitted in both original and photocopy form.
Rental Agreement or Property Deed: Documents proving your spouse’s or inviting family member’s residence in Austria.
Payslips and Insurance Card: Documents showing the income and insurance status of the spouse/family in Austria.
Language Proficiency Documents: Certificate, diploma, or equivalent proof showing at least A2 level German proficiency.
ID Copy: Original and copies of the Austrian spouse’s or family member’s ID card.