Austria is a highly sought-after location for many people from outside the EU searching for new opportunities and a different way of life.
For skilled workers considering the move, several residence permits are available, including different versions of the Red-White-Red (RWR) Card and the EU Blue Card. Many people later transition to permanent residence if they meet the relevant criteria.
Recent figures from the end of 2025, compiled by the Austria Press Agency (APA), offer a snapshot of how many people hold residence permits – and which nationalities are most represented.
Chinese nationals rise to the top of RWR Card holders
Despite often mixed political signals on immigration, Austria has been trying to attract more skilled workers from abroad as the baby boomer generation retires, leaving vacancies in the job market.
The RWR Card, introduced in 2011, is based on a points system designed to draw qualified workers to Austria. Applicants are assessed on factors such as German and English language skills, educational qualifications and professional experience.
At present, only around 12,600 people hold an RWR residence permit – a relatively small share of the roughly 600,000 residence permits currently used across Austria.
Even so, the growth over the past decade has been substantial. In 2020, just 4,514 immigrants held a Red-White-Red Card. In 2015, the number was 1,640.
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One striking development is the rise of Chinese nationals, who are now the largest group among RWR Card holders. At the end of 2025, around 2,400 Chinese citizens held the permit, placing them at the top of the ranking.
As recently as 2020, Chinese nationals were in ninth place, behind Americans. Two years ago this group was still in 10th position. By 2024, they had climbed to second place with 1,710 cards before moving into first place in 2025.
Significant numbers of RWR Card holders also come from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, India and Turkey.
Overall, the Red-White-Red Card remains less common than other residence titles for citizens from outside the EU and EEA – including the Red-White-Red Card Plus. The 'Plus' card is mainly issued to family members of RWR Card holders and grants temporary residence with unrestricted access to the labour market.
By contrast, the standard Red-White-Red Card ties the holder to a specific employer. After two years, many holders end up switching to the 'Plus' version to access more favourable conditions.
What about other residence permits?
The Red-White-Red Card Plus is used far more widely, with around 142,000 people currently holding one. Turkish, Serbian and Bosnian nationals make particularly extensive use of this permit.
Meanwhile, only around 1,000 EU Blue Cards are issued in Austria each year.
By far the largest category for non-EU nationals is Daueraufenthalt EU or 'Permanent Residence EU', with more than 350,000 people holding this status.
It can be obtained after five years of continuous residence in Austria, provided the applicant has completed module two of the integration agreement (which usually includes proving B1 level of German).
Serbian nationals lead this group, followed by Turkish and Bosnian citizens. Russians rank fifth, behind North Macedonians.
Taken together, all residence and settlement permits, including the EU Blue Card, amount to 600,507. A slight majority of around 301,000 are held by women.
Meanwhile, just under 150,000 permit holders are either under 14 or over the age of 65.
Nearly 20 percent of all permit holders are Turkish nationals, followed by Serbs (almost 19 percent) and Bosnians (just under 17 percent).
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The remaining top 10 nationalities include people from Russia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, China, Ukraine, India and Iran.
In total, dozens of nationalities are represented. Even the Vatican appears on the list – alongside Andorra and San Marino – each with a single permit holder in Austria.
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