Foreign nationals who plan to retire, study art or simply live off private means in Austria in 2026 have just eight days to secure a consular slot. The Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA) issued a notice on 26 November setting out the next steps for applicants who already obtained a pre-registration code earlier this month. Only holders of that code can book an interview between 1 and 8 December 2025 at the Austrian embassy or consulate covering their place of residence.
Each family member requires a separate appointment, and the ministry warns that reservations made in the wrong category—such as student or employment permits—will be automatically cancelled. After 15 December any unclaimed slots will be released to the general public, but the interview dates on offer will fall well into 2026, meaning a much longer wait before applicants can relocate.
![Austrian Embassies Open One-Week Appointment Window for 2026 Quota-Based Non-Work Residence Permits]()
The “Residence Permit – Without Gainful Employment” (Niederlassungsbewilligung ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit) is subject to Austria’s annual immigration quota. For 2025 all 5,470 places were snapped up in a matter of hours, and demand for 2026 is expected to be even higher as the country continues to attract wealthy retirees from Germany and Russia as well as globally mobile freelancers who do not need local work authorisation.
Because the permit does not allow the holder to work in Austria, applicants must prove stable monthly income equal to twice the standard social-benefit threshold (currently €2,178 for singles) or show bank deposits of roughly €30,000 per adult. They must also carry comprehensive medical insurance valid in Austria and provide evidence of suitable housing.
For global-mobility teams the tight booking window means prompt action: HR specialists should remind assignees’ spouses and dependent parents—typical beneficiaries of this status—to check their e-mails for the reservation code and act before the calendar closes. Missing the deadline could push moves back by six to nine months, with knock-on effects for school enrolments and tax planning.
Each family member requires a separate appointment, and the ministry warns that reservations made in the wrong category—such as student or employment permits—will be automatically cancelled. After 15 December any unclaimed slots will be released to the general public, but the interview dates on offer will fall well into 2026, meaning a much longer wait before applicants can relocate.
The “Residence Permit – Without Gainful Employment” (Niederlassungsbewilligung ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit) is subject to Austria’s annual immigration quota. For 2025 all 5,470 places were snapped up in a matter of hours, and demand for 2026 is expected to be even higher as the country continues to attract wealthy retirees from Germany and Russia as well as globally mobile freelancers who do not need local work authorisation.
Because the permit does not allow the holder to work in Austria, applicants must prove stable monthly income equal to twice the standard social-benefit threshold (currently €2,178 for singles) or show bank deposits of roughly €30,000 per adult. They must also carry comprehensive medical insurance valid in Austria and provide evidence of suitable housing.
For global-mobility teams the tight booking window means prompt action: HR specialists should remind assignees’ spouses and dependent parents—typical beneficiaries of this status—to check their e-mails for the reservation code and act before the calendar closes. Missing the deadline could push moves back by six to nine months, with knock-on effects for school enrolments and tax planning.
