Austria is rightly considered one of the safest, most comfortable and attractive countries in Europe. This is due to several factors, including economic stability, well-developed infrastructure, high living standards, good ecology, etc.
People from non-EU countries need special permits to stay in Austria. If the period of stay in Austria is less than 6 months, they need a visa; otherwise, a temporary residence permit is required. In other words, third-country nationals who plan to emigrate to Austria or want to become Austrian citizens in the future must first obtain a temporary residence permit. For citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals, the procedure for acquiring the right to reside in Austria is slightly different: they apply for a registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung).
Generally, the temporary residence permit is initially issued for a period of 1 year with the possibility of further extension for another 1 year and later for 3 years. If the conditions of stay in Austria are properly met, after 5 years, it is possible to obtain permanent residence, and after 7-10 years – Austrian citizenship.
To extend the residence permit, you need to stay in Austria for at least 183 days a year. At the same time, a residence permit holder can visit Schengen countries without a visa.
Article 8 of the Settlement and Residence Act (Niederlassungs- und Aufenthaltsgesetz) provides for 13 main types of residence permits. Each of them has its own peculiarities, and the question of which one is right for you depends on the purpose of your move – study, work, family reunification or just living in Austria.