Austria's Red-White-Red Card lets people from outside the EU work there. For most routes you need enough points from a table of criteria. This page counts points for two of them:
- Other key workers — 55 of 90 points, a job offer paying at least €3,465 gross a month (2026), and a labour market test: no equally qualified jobseeker registered with the Public Employment Service (AMS) can take the job.[2]
- Very highly qualified workers — 70 of 100 points. A concrete job offer is the main requirement; without one, you can apply for a Job Seeker Visa to look for work in Austria for 6 months.[1]
Skilled workers in shortage occupations are a third route, with its own table and its own list of occupations. It is not counted here — see the official page.[3]
Count your points
Other key workers: the table
| What counts | Points |
|---|---|
| Vocational training · university entrance · a 3-year degree | 20 · 25 · 30 max 30 |
| Work experience, per half-year · in Austria, per half-year | 1 · 2 max 20 |
| German A1 · A2 · B1 | 5 · 10 · 15 |
| English A2 · B1 | 5 · 10 |
| French, Spanish, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian at B1, each | 5 languages max 25 |
| Age under 30 · under 40 | 15 · 10 |
| Extra: English is the company's main language | 5 |
| Extra: professional athletes and coaches | 20 |
The four parts add up to 90; the two extras come on top. The pass mark is 55.[2]
Very highly qualified workers: the table
| What counts | Points |
|---|---|
| A degree of 4+ years · in a MINT subject (maths, computing, natural sciences, technology) · a PhD or habilitation | 20 · 30 · 40 |
| Senior management pay last year: €50–60k · €60–70k · over €70k | 20 · 25 · 30 |
| Research and innovation (patents, publications) | 20 |
| Recognised prizes | 20 qualifications max 40 |
| Work experience, per half-year · six months in Austria | 1 · 10 max 20 |
| German or English A1 · A2 | 5 · 10 |
| French, Spanish, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian at B1, each | 5 languages max 10 |
| Age up to 35 · up to 40 · up to 45 | 20 · 15 · 10 |
| Studies in Austria: half · completed | 5 · 10 |
The maximum is 100 and the pass mark 70.[1]
What this check does not do
- It is not a decision. The Austrian authorities decide, on your documents. For key workers the AMS also runs the labour market test.[2]
- It is not legal advice. For a real case, ask the authority or an immigration lawyer.
Pay, tax and contracts in Austria are in working in Austria. For Germany, see the Blue Card salary check and the Opportunity Card points check. Every tool is on one page.
Sources
-
migration.gv.at: Very Highly Qualified Workers. Checked 28 September 2026.
-
migration.gv.at: Other Key Workers. Checked 28 September 2026.
-
migration.gv.at: Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations. Checked 28 September 2026.