Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte Plus for Ukrainians in Austria: Documents and Translations

218 euros for the application, 12 months of full employment in the last 2 years, and German at A1 level - these three numbers determine whether you’ll get the Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte Plus in Austria. Since October 1, 2024, Ukrainians with temporary protection who already work in Austria can apply for this card and get unrestricted access to the labor market - no employer restrictions. Let’s break down what you need and which documents require translation.

What is the Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte Plus and how it differs from the regular RWR¶

The Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte Plus (RWR+) is an Austrian residence permit that gives you unrestricted access to the labor market. You can work for any employer or start your own business. The regular Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte ties you to a specific employer, while the Plus version doesn’t.

For Ukrainians with temporary protection (Ausweis für Vertriebene - the “blue card”), the RWR+ opens a path to long-term residence. Time spent under temporary protection counts toward the future Daueraufenthalt EU (permanent residence permit) after 5 years of continuous stay.

Another benefit - family reunification. If your relatives don’t have displaced person status, the RWR+ lets you apply for their reunification. That’s something temporary protection alone doesn’t offer.

Who can apply: requirements for Ukrainians¶

To get the RWR+, you need to meet all these criteria at once:

Displaced person status. You must hold the Ausweis für Vertriebene (blue card) at the time of application. The status needs to be valid when you apply, but not necessarily throughout the entire processing period.

12 months of full employment in the last 24 months. You must have worked with full social insurance (vollversichert) - meaning health, pension, and accident insurance. The minimum earnings threshold is 551.10 euros per month (2025-2026 figures). These 12 months don’t need to be continuous - your employment periods add up.

One catch: if you worked before April 21, 2023, those periods only count if you had a valid work permit (Beschäftigungsbewilligung) at the time.

German at A1 level. You need a certificate from an accredited organization (ÖIF, ÖSD, Goethe-Institut). Or you can complete Module 1 of the Integration Agreement - that’s A2 level plus an integration exam.

Sufficient income. As of 2026: 1,308.39 euros per month for a single person, 2,064.12 euros for a couple, plus 201.88 euros per child.

Housing. You need to prove your right to accommodation - a rental contract or property ownership document. A temporary gratuitous agreement (Prekariumvertrag) won’t be accepted.

Health insurance. If you’re working with full social insurance - that’s enough. If not, you need separate insurance covering all risks.

Full document checklist¶

Here’s what you need to collect:

For self-employed applicants, you’ll also need: trade license, financial statements, tax advisor confirmation, and tax returns.

Who can translate documents for Austria¶

In Austria, certified translations (beglaubigte Übersetzung) can only be done by allgemein beeidete und gerichtlich zertifizierte Dolmetscher - sworn court interpreters who took an oath at a regional court (Landesgericht) and hold an official seal. This is different from Germany, where translators are sworn in by the state court.

You can find a certified translator through: - Austrian Court Interpreter Registry - the official database - ÖVGD (Austrian Association of Court Interpreters and Sworn Translators) - the professional association

Translations done in Ukraine by a Ukrainian notary are typically not accepted in Austria. You need an Austrian sworn translator specifically.

How much does it all cost¶

Translation prices vary depending on document length and the translator. The minimum rate for a certified translation in Austria starts at 50 euros. Short certificates are usually translated for a flat fee of 50-100 euros, while multi-page documents are priced per line starting at 1 euro per line.

If you need documents translated from Ukrainian to German, ChatsControl can help with a first draft that a sworn translator can then certify.

Step-by-step: how to apply¶

Step 1: Check your eligibility¶

Make sure you have 12 months of full employment in the last 24 months. Order a social insurance extract (Sozialversicherungsdatenauszug) through FinanzOnline or request one from your health insurance fund (Krankenkasse). This document shows all your employment periods.

Step 2: Pass the A1 exam (if you haven’t already)¶

Sign up for an exam at ÖIF (Österreichischer Integrationsfonds) or ÖSD (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom). The exam costs 130-150 euros, and you’ll get results within a few weeks. If you already have A2 or higher - even better, because that lets you get the card for 3 years instead of one.

Step 3: Collect and translate your documents¶

Order your criminal record certificate from Ukraine (it’s valid for 3 months, so don’t order too early). Get all Ukrainian documents translated by a sworn translator in Austria. Keep in mind: translations done in Ukraine are typically not accepted.

Step 4: Submit your application¶

You apply in person at the competent authority where you live: - In Vienna: MA 35 (Magistratsabteilung 35) - In other states: Bezirkshauptmannschaft (district authority) or Magistrat

Processing time is usually 4-8 weeks, but it can be longer.

Step 5: Receive your card¶

The RWR+ is issued for 1 year (or until your passport expires, whichever comes first). After 2 years of residence in Austria plus completing Module 1 of the Integration Agreement (A2 plus integration exam), you can renew for 3 years.

Common mistakes when applying¶

Translation done in Ukraine. Austria requires translations by Austrian sworn translators. Even translations from Germany might not be accepted, though in practice translations by German vereidigter Übersetzer are usually fine.

Expired criminal record certificate. It’s only valid for 3 months. If document collection takes too long, you’ll need to order a new one.

Not enough months of employment. Check your insurance extract carefully - only months with full social insurance count. Mini-jobs (geringfügige Beschäftigung) don’t qualify.

Prekariumvertrag as proof of housing. A temporary gratuitous accommodation agreement won’t be accepted. You need a proper rental contract or property ownership.

Income below the threshold. Make sure your income exceeds the minimum (1,308.39 euros for a single person). If it’s not enough, your application will be rejected.

What happens after you get the RWR+¶

Once you have the RWR+, you’re no longer dependent on temporary protection status. Even if temporary protection for Ukrainians isn’t extended, your residence permit works independently.

After 5 years of continuous residence in Austria, you can apply for Daueraufenthalt EU - permanent residence. Time under temporary protection counts toward those 5 years. So if you’ve been in Austria since 2022 and get the RWR+ in 2026, you’re just one year away from Daueraufenthalt.

With the RWR+, you can also apply for family reunification - even for relatives who don’t have displaced person status. That’s a major advantage that temporary protection alone doesn’t provide.

FAQ¶

How much does the Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte Plus application cost in 2026?¶

The official application fee is 218 euros (from January 1, 2026). Plus document translation costs (150-400 euros depending on how many documents you need), the A1 certificate (130-150 euros), and a credit report (30 euros). In total, you’ll need at least 530-850 euros.

Can I apply if I didn’t work continuously for 12 months?¶

Yes. The 12 months don’t need to be continuous. Your employment periods are added together - what matters is that they total at least 12 months of full employment within the last 24 months.

Are translations done in Ukraine or Germany accepted?¶

Austria requires translations by allgemein beeidete und gerichtlich zertifizierte Dolmetscher - sworn translators registered in Austria. Translations from Ukraine are typically not accepted. Translations by German sworn translators are often accepted in practice, but it’s better to confirm this with MA 35 or the Bezirkshauptmannschaft before submitting.

What happens to temporary protection status after getting the RWR+?¶

Temporary protection remains valid alongside the RWR+. If for some reason your RWR+ isn’t renewed, you’re still under protection (as long as it’s active). But the RWR+ doesn’t depend on temporary protection - it’s an independent residence permit.

How long does the application review take?¶

Usually 4-8 weeks, but in some states (especially Vienna) it can be longer due to the high volume of applications. Since the program launched in October 2024, more than 2,000 applications have been submitted.