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Austria offers several work-based residence permits, each with its own renewal rules.?Whether you hold a Red-White-Red Card, Red-White-Red Card Plus, or an EU Blue Card, understanding how many times you can renew your permit is essential for maintaining lawful residence and planning long-term settlement in Austria.
Here’s a simple breakdown of how renewals work and what limits apply.
1. How Many Times Can I Renew a Red-White-Red Card?
The Red-White-Red Card (RWR Card) is typically issued for 24 months and is tied to a specific employer.
Renewal Limit:
You can renew the RWR Card once, but only to transition into a Red-White-Red Card Plus.
After the first 24 months:
• If you meet all requirements
• And have been lawfully employed
You can apply for the RWR Card Plus, which offers full labour market access.
You do not continuously renew the standard RWR Card — you move to the “Plus” version.
2. How Many Times Can I Renew the Red-White-Red Card Plus?
The RWR Card Plus is renewable unlimited times, as long as you continue meeting Austrian settlement requirements.
Typical renewal validity:
• 3 years (most applicants)
• 1 year in certain cases (e.g., shorter initial residence period)
Renewal Limit:
Unlimited renewals — there is no maximum number of times you can renew.
The RWR Card Plus can be renewed indefinitely until you qualify for long-term residence (10-year residence card) after 5 years.
3. How Many Times Can I Renew the EU Blue Card in Austria?
The EU Blue Card is issued for:
• 2 years, or
• The length of the employment contract + 3 months
Renewal Limit:
You may renew the EU Blue Card multiple times as long as you still meet salary and employment conditions.
After working 21 months with B1 German, or 24 months without language proof, you can switch to:
• Red-White-Red Card Plus (renewable unlimited times)
4. What About Other Work Permits?
Temporary Residence Permit – Employment
Issued for 1 year at a time.
Renewal Limit:
You can renew annually, but you must continue to meet:
• Job requirements
• Minimum income rules
• Health insurance
• Housing requirements
After several years, you may shift to a more permanent residence category.
5. When Should You Apply for Renewal?
Apply:
• Up to 3 months before expiry, and
• Before your current card expires
If you apply on time, you can legally remain in Austria until a decision is issued, even if your card expires during processing.
6. What Affects Your Renewal Approval?
Austria checks for:
• Sufficient stable income
• Adequate housing
• Health insurance
• Clean criminal record
• German language progress (for some categories)
• Compliance with Austrian residence rules (no excessive absences)
Missing documents or financial instability are the most common reasons for delays or refusals.
Key Takeaway
• Red-White-Red Card: renew once → then upgrade to RWR Card Plus
• RWR Card Plus: unlimited renewals
• EU Blue Card: multiple renewals possible → then upgrade to RWR Card Plus
• Other work permits: renewable annually
Austria allows long-term continuity for workers who remain employed and meet residency conditions.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice.?Permit rules may change based on updates from the Austrian government.?Always check the latest requirements before applying.
December 6, 2025
