Austria implemented fresh immigration regulations on August 7, 2026, giving foreign employees and businesses more flexibility by permitting quicker application processing, easier job switches, and work permit retention during periods of joblessness.
Single permit holders can now switch jobs with official permission under the updated guidelines. If authorities fail to respond within 45 days after application submission, the employee can start working for the new company. These updates exclude intracompany transfer permit holders, and regulations for EU Blue Card holders stay the same.
Foreign workers who become unemployed now receive a six-month grace period to keep their work permits while searching for another job. This privilege previously belonged solely to EU Blue Card holders. Jobseekers must notify officials when their employment terminates. Certain situations allow for extensions of this six-month window, though posted workers, intracompany transferees, and specific other permit holders do not qualify.
Authorities also reduced standard immigration application processing times to 90 days following the delivery of a complete application, subject to specific exceptions. Current shorter deadlines for Red-White-Red Cards and EU Blue Cards stay identical, though applications for self-employed individuals and posted workers can require more time.
These adjustments should assist foreign employees in securing new jobs without departing from Austria right away. Businesses might also retain skilled staff more effectively, although simpler job transitions could raise competition for foreign personnel.
