In 2022, Austria received 93 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status and free mobility), 22% more than in 2021. This figure comprises 63% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 4% labour migrants, 16% family members (including accompanying family) and 18% humanitarian migrants. Around 4 000 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 15 000 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 305 000 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2022, a 38% increase compared to 2021. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
Ukraine, Germany and Romania were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2022. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Ukraine registered the strongest increase (76 000) in flows to Austria compared to the previous year.
In 2023, the number of first asylum applicants decreased by ‑49%, to reach around 56 000. The majority of applicants came from Syria (21 000), Afghanistan (7 700) and Türkiye (7 700). The largest increase since 2022 concerned nationals of Türkiye (2 400) and the largest decrease nationals of India (‑19 000). Of the 37 000 decisions taken in 2023, 62% were positive.
Emigration of Austrian citizens to OECD countries decreased by ‑7% in 2022, to 15 000. Approximately 39% of this group migrated to Germany, 20% to Switzerland and 11% to Türkiye.
From January 2023 the federal shortage occupations list for Red-White‑Red (RWR) cards was extended to 98 occupations. For 2024, another 12 occupations were added to the federal list, including professional drivers of public transport vehicles, due to an amendment of the Foreign Labour Act in 2023. In addition, a variety of regional shortage occupations were listed for several provinces due to local socio‑economic and demographic situations. Non-EU nationals who legally reside and hold formal qualifications in health or social care professions acquired in Austria were exempted from work permit requirement for those professions via a special regulation issued by the Minister of Labour and Economy in January 2024. The annual quota for seasonal work was also raised in 2024. In March 2024 the Strategic Committee for recruiting international skilled labour (composed of all relevant stakeholders) was established at the Ministry of Labour and Economy based on a decision of the Austrian Federal Government.
Austria signed Memoranda of Understanding with the Philippines in 2023 and with Indonesia in 2024 to promote skills development and skills-based mobility to combat skilled labour shortages. Both MoU also provide for establishing joint committees composed of skills mobility experts.
In 2023, Austria’s increased intra-governmental approach helped achieve milestones on migration and return co‑operation with partner countries. Following a sharp increase in asylum claims from Moroccans, Austria set up a Joint High-Level Working Group on Migration with Morocco. The two countries signed a non-binding “Meeting Record” on return, also establishing key procedures to identify and return persons irregularly residing in Austria and facilitating co‑operation in the fight against illegal migration and migrant smugglers, while also enhancing the dialogue on legal migration.
In view of the large number of illegal border crossings from Serbia, Austria is negotiating with Serbia about its visa regulations; by July 2024, Serbia had re‑introduced visas for Tunisia, Burundi and India. Austria and Iraq signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on migration in July 2023, ensuring co‑operation in all relevant fields of return and readmission.
In 2023, the Federal Government signed a Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership with India, designed to better inform skilled workers, students and researchers, as well as their family members and school pupils, of existing opportunities for regular migration, and to enhance co‑operation on legal migration as well as return. The procedures established in the agreement have contributed to a significant decrease of irregular migratory flows from India.
A decision by the Austrian Constitutional Court of December 2023 concluded that the independence of legal advice to asylum-seekers was not guaranteed by the Federal Agency for Reception and Support Services and requested an amendment of the law by 1 July 2025. However, it confirmed that the organisational structure of the Agency is fully in line with the constitution.
In anticipation of EU and Austrian Federal Parliament elections and for some provinces, a political debate opened on introduction of a “refugee card” for asylum seekers, which would prevent transfer of basic income support to source countries.
For further information: www.migration.gv.at | www.bmaw.gv.at | www.bmi.gv.at
