Temporary protection: Austria
🛰️ Varta monitors 5 official sources for this country — checked daily.
Legal basis: EU Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55/EC + national implementation • status valid until 04/03/2027 • already extended until 04/03/2028
Steps
- 1
Cross the border
Visa-free entry.
📍 Border crossing💳 Free - 2
Register and apply for protection
Designated police registration points (Erfassungsstellen) record your details. BFA receives them and sends the Ausweis für Vertriebene. Register your address separately with the Gemeinde/Magistrat; for private accommodation, within three days of moving in.
▸ More details›
Source: https://www.bmi.gv.at/ukraine/erfassung_und_aufenthalt.html📍 Police registration point; BFA issues the card⏰ As soon as possible💳 Free - 3
Grundversorgung and healthcare
Protection status alone no longer provides health insurance: the general automatic coverage ended on 31 May 2025. Cover may come through work, co-insurance, self-insurance or needs-based Grundversorgung. Check your basis with ÖGK.
▸ More details›
Source: https://www.bmi.gv.at/ukraine/sonstige_fragen.html📍 State basic care service💳 Free
Documents
Foreign passport
requiredChild’s birth certificate
requiredProof of residence before 24.02.2022
if availablePhoto
requiredUkrainian Embassies and Consulates
Map
Document samples and how to fill them
Surname and first name in LATIN letters as in the passport.
Format DD.MM.YYYY.
Foreign passport number.
Address in Austria: street, number, postcode, city.
❌ Name in Cyrillic ❌ Missing signature
As in the passport.
ukrainisch.
Income; if none — "kein Einkommen".
❌ Hidden income ❌ No protection registration (protection first)
Benefits
Grundversorgung (basic care)
Protection holders without income/housing.
How to apply: State basic care service
Labour market access
Protection holders.
How to apply: No separate AMS permit is required; AMS helps with job search. https://www.ams.at/unternehmen/service-zur-personalsuche/gefluechtete-personen-aus-der-ukraine-einstellen
Wise — transfers without hidden fees
A multi-currency account and transfers between Ukraine and Europe at the real exchange rate. Handy for receiving salary and sending money to family.
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Where to apply
Police Erfassungsstelle
What happens after protection ends
After protection: residence permit on other grounds (RWR card for work, study, family), permanent residence after 5 years.
What happens when protection ends
These are options for the future — you will need to choose ONE, and not now.
These routes are available outside temporary protection — work, study, family, business, etc.
The description below is a general scheme, similar across countries. Check exact requirements, fees and timelines via the official link in each card — they differ by country and change over time.
💼 Red-White-Red Card / residence permit
Those with a valid employment contract in this country.
Passport; employment contract; proof of residence. Authority: State Ausländerbehörde.
- Foreign passport
- Employment contract
- Proof of residence
- Health insurance (optional)
State Ausländerbehörde
The employer or the applicant files; the immigration authority decides.
Before the current status or permit expires.
- Collect the card/decision
- Register address and social number
Renewable together with the contract.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🎓 Study — Austria
Enrolment at an accredited institution.
Acceptance letter; proof of funds; housing; insurance.
- Foreign passport
- Acceptance letter
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance (optional)
State Ausländerbehörde
Apply via the institution or the immigration authority.
Before the semester starts.
- Register at the institution and locally
Yearly with continued studies.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
👨👩👧👦 Family reunification — Austria
Spouse, children or relatives of a resident or citizen.
Marriage/birth certificates; housing; sponsor income.
- Foreign passport
- Marriage/birth certificate
- Sponsor income proof
- Proof of residence
State Ausländerbehörde
The sponsor or family files; documents need apostille and translation.
Before the current status expires.
- Collect the family member card
Renewable; a path to permanent residence.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🏢 Self-employment/business — Austria
Company or self-employment registration; business plan or contracts.
Registration documents; tax number; funds; housing.
- Foreign passport
- Company/self-employment registration
- Business plan or contracts (optional)
- Proof of residence
State Ausländerbehörde
Register the business, then apply for residence as an entrepreneur.
Before the current status expires.
- Tax registration and bank account
Tied to the company activity.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🏠 Permanent residence — Austria
Usually after 5 years of continuous legal residence.
Stable income; housing; integration/language per national rules.
- Foreign passport
- Income proof
- Proof of residence
- Language/integration certificate (optional)
State Ausländerbehörde
Apply once the required residence period is met.
After the required residence period is met.
- Obtain permanent resident status
Permanent status; card replaced periodically.
Temporary protection time often counts towards the period (per national rules).
Opportunities: housing, jobs, grants
6 verified programmes: housing support, job portals, business grants, free courses — with direct official links and verification dates. Available with Varta.
Forms & samples (PDF)
FAQ
Do I need to do anything to keep my protection after the current period?
No action is required: the residence right extends automatically to 4 March 2028, and the BFA will send every registered displaced person a new "Ausweis für Vertriebene" with the extended validity date by registered post, without any application. The only duty is to keep your address registration (Meldeamt / ZMR) up to date so the card can be delivered. Where: Bundesamt für Fremdenwesen und Asyl (BFA) — acts on its own, no application needed. The new card is sent by registered letter to the address registered in the Zentrales Melderegister (ZMR). There is no application portal and no in-person visit is required. Important: The status will NOT lapse even if the new card has not arrived by 04.03.2027 — the BFA states explicitly that the right of residence applies regardless of the date on the card, including after 4 March 2027; you can even re-enter Austria with the old expired card. The risk lies not in the status but in the delivery of the document: if your ZMR address is out of date, the letter will not reach you; if you do not collect the registered letter from the post office within the period stated on the notice, it goes back to the BFA and you will have to collect the card in person by appointment. In practice, not having the card in hand can cause difficulties with employers, banks and the AMS. Source: https://www.bfa.gv.at/401/files/ukraine/2026_08/infoblatt-verlaengerung_de_bf_20260805.pdf (checked 03.09.2026).
What is Grundversorgung?
Basic care: free housing, food, pocket money and healthcare for protection holders without own funds.
Can I work?
Yes, protection status gives free labour market access. AMS helps with employment.
Where do I register protection?
Initial registration takes place at designated police points. BFA issues the Ausweis für Vertriebene. Locations and appointment requirements: https://www.bmi.gv.at/ukraine/erfassung_und_aufenthalt.html
Can I travel to Ukraine without losing my protection?
There is no number in the law, and that itself is a risk. The right of residence lapses if the person leaves the territory "not only for a short time" (§4(3) Vertriebenenverordnung) — the provision does not say how many days; the authority decides. Grundversorgung is not paid at all while you are abroad. In Tyrol, being away for more than three days without notice means losing your accommodation place and the payment; Grundversorgung is a matter for each Land, so the number may differ elsewhere. Notify your Grundversorgung caseworker in writing before you travel.
This information is for reference only and is not legal advice.