Changing Employers in Austria on a Work Permit
Changing employers in Austria (Republik Österreich — Republic of Austria) on a work permit depends on which permit you hold. The Red-White-Red Card is tied to one employer, but under reforms to the Settlement and Residence Act (NAG) and the Employment of Foreign Nationals Act (AuslBG) applying from August 2026, holders can notify the residence authority of a new job and generally start after 45 days if no decision has been issued. EU Blue Card holders can switch after a 30-day waiting period in their first 12 months and immediately after that, while Red-White-Red Card plus holders can change jobs freely. This EU Helpers guide explains each route, the paperwork and the risks — international candidates can explore Austrian opportunities through EU Helpers. Austria has been an EU member since 1995, applies the Schengen rules (in full since December 1997), uses the euro, is a militarily neutral country outside NATO, and has been a Council of Europe member since 1956.
Essential Context: How Austrian Work Permits Are Tied to Employers
Your freedom to change jobs depends on your permit.
| Permit | Changing Employer |
| Red-White-Red Card | Tied to the employer; notify the residence authority — new job generally possible after 45 days if no decision |
| EU Blue Card (first 12 months) | Apply for a new card; provisional start after a 30-day waiting period |
| EU Blue Card (after 12 months) | New job can start immediately, without waiting period or labour market test |
| Red-White-Red Card plus | Free labour market access — no permission needed |
| Long-term resident EU | Free labour market access |
| ICT permits | Excluded from the relaxed 2026 rules |
When You Can Change Employers in Austria
- Voluntary move — you have a better offer. Check your permit rules and the new job's salary before resigning.
- Dismissal or redundancy — notify the residence authority immediately. Under the 2026 reform, employer-specific permits cannot be withdrawn for six months after your last day of work, giving you time to find a new job.
- After 21 of 24 months — Red-White-Red Card and Blue Card holders can switch to the Red-White-Red Card plus, after which changing jobs is free.
The Step-by-Step Process
Red-White-Red Card Holders
- Get a written offer that meets the requirements of your Red-White-Red Card category (salary, qualification, role).
- Notify the residence authority of the change — the notification is treated as an application to change the purpose of your residence.
- The AMS assesses whether the new job meets the permit conditions.
- You can generally start the new job 45 days after the notification if no decision has been issued and the work fits your permit.
- Collect your new card when the authority approves it — usually valid for 24 months.
EU Blue Card Holders
- Check that the new job meets the Blue Card salary threshold (€55,678 a year in 2026) and matches your qualification.
- In the first 12 months, apply for a new Blue Card; you can start provisionally after a 30-day waiting period once your documents are complete.
- After 12 months of Blue Card employment in Austria, you can start immediately, without a waiting period or labour market test.
- Keep the residence authority informed so your records and next renewal stay in order.
Documentation You Will Need
| Document | Purpose |
| Valid passport and current residence card | Identity and current status |
| New employment contract or binding offer | Confirms new employer, role and salary |
| Employer's declaration (Arbeitgebererklärung) | For Red-White-Red Card and Blue Card changes |
| Resignation or termination letter | Shows how the previous job ended |
| Degree or qualification documents | If the new role is assessed again |
| Recent payslips | Shows income and employment history |
| Registration form (Meldezettel) | Current address |
| Health insurance confirmation | Usually your social insurance record |
Timing: How Long the Switch Takes
| Phase | Typical Time |
| Offer negotiation and signing | 1–3 weeks |
| Notice period at current employer | Usually one month, often to the end of a month |
| Red-White-Red Card notification | New job generally possible after 45 days without a decision |
| Blue Card change in first 12 months | 30-day waiting period once documents are complete |
| Blue Card change after 12 months | Immediate |
| New card issued | After the authority decides |
Plan your resignation date around the 45-day or 30-day waiting period so you are not left without income.
Rules on Notice, Probation and Severance
- Notice — employees typically give one month's notice, often to the end of a calendar month, unless the contract or collective agreement (Kollektivvertrag) says otherwise.
- Probation — Austrian contracts can include a trial month (Probemonat) during which either side can end the job immediately.
- Severance — under the current severance system (Abfertigung Neu), your employer pays into a severance fund; if you resign, the balance usually stays in the fund and moves with you to the next employer.
- Unused holiday — outstanding holiday entitlement is normally paid out at the end of employment.
Salary and Benefits When Switching
Your new salary must still meet the requirements of your permit — for example, €55,678 a year for the EU Blue Card in 2026 — and at least the collective agreement minimum for the role. Austrian salaries are usually paid 14 times a year, so compare annual gross amounts. If you sponsor family members, make sure your income still meets the family reunification standard rates after rent.
Risks and Common Mistakes
- Starting too early — do not start a new job on a Red-White-Red Card before the 45 days have passed or a decision is issued.
- Not notifying the authority — the change must be reported for employer-specific permits.
- Salary below the threshold — a lower-paid job may not fit your permit.
- Losing a job without telling the authority — report unemployment immediately to keep the six-month protection.
- Ignoring the 21-of-24-months milestone — switching to the Red-White-Red Card plus first can make job changes free.
- Forgetting family members — income changes can affect their renewals.
Special Cases
- ICT permit holders — intra-corporate transferees are excluded from the relaxed rules and are tied to their group employer.
- Seasonal workers — seasonal permits are tied to the seasonal job and follow separate rules.
- Moving to self-employment — you need a permit that allows it, such as the Red-White-Red Card plus.
- Moving to another EU country — EU Blue Card holders can use intra-EU mobility after 12 months in Austria.
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens — no permit is needed; they can change jobs freely.
Final Guidance
Changing employers in Austria on a work permit is easier than it used to be. Red-White-Red Card holders notify the residence authority and can generally start after 45 days if no decision has been issued; EU Blue Card holders wait 30 days in their first 12 months and can switch immediately after that; and Red-White-Red Card plus holders can change jobs freely. Check that the new salary still fits your permit, give the right notice, report any job loss immediately to keep six months of protection, and aim for the Red-White-Red Card plus after 21 of 24 months. Always confirm the current rules with your residence authority before resigning. International candidates can explore Austrian opportunities through EU Helpers. EU Helpers supports foreign workers with offer and salary checks, notification timing, documents, Red-White-Red Card plus applications and family renewals.
FAQs
Yes. Under the reforms applying from August 2026, you notify the residence authority of the new job, and the notification is treated as an application to change the purpose of your residence. You can generally start the new job 45 days after notifying if no decision has been issued and the work fits your permit.
Yes. In your first 12 months, you apply for a new Blue Card and can start provisionally after a 30-day waiting period once your documents are complete. After at least 12 months of Blue Card employment in Austria, you can start a new job immediately without a waiting period or labour market test.
No. The Red-White-Red Card plus gives unrestricted access to the Austrian labour market, so you can change employers or become self-employed without a new permit or AMS approval. The same applies to Long-term resident EU permit holders.
Notify the residence authority immediately. Under the 2026 reform, employer-specific permits cannot be withdrawn for six months after your last day of employment, giving you time to find a new job that fits your permit. EU Blue Card holders also have unemployment protection under the Blue Card rules.
Yes. Your new job must meet the requirements of your permit — for example, at least €55,678 gross a year in 2026 for the EU Blue Card — and the collective agreement minimum for the role. Compare annual gross pay, as Austrian salaries are usually paid 14 times a year.
Employees typically give one month's notice, often to the end of a calendar month, unless your contract or collective agreement says otherwise. During a trial month (Probemonat) either side can end the job immediately. Check your contract before resigning.
Under the current severance system (Abfertigung Neu), your employer pays contributions into a severance fund. If you resign, the balance usually stays in the fund and continues with your next employer, so you do not lose it.
Red-White-Red Card and EU Blue Card holders who have worked under their permit conditions for at least 21 of the previous 24 months can apply for the Red-White-Red Card plus. After that, you can change employers freely.
No. Intra-corporate transferees (ICT and mobile ICT permit holders) are excluded from the relaxed employer-change rules and remain tied to their group employer. Seasonal workers also follow separate rules.
EU Helpers checks whether your new offer fits your permit and salary threshold, plans your resignation around the 45-day or 30-day waiting periods, prepares notifications and documents, and helps you move to the Red-White-Red Card plus when eligible. We also keep you updated on the latest Austrian rules.
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