Can Nurses Bring Family to Austria? 2026 Guide
Written by
Azra Mehanic
Founder, Move to Austria
Reviewed by
Azra Mehanic
Editorial and source review · August 12, 2026
Understand eligible family, Red-White-Red Card Plus, income, housing, insurance, A1 German and filing order.
Family route depends on the nurse’s residence status
A third-country nurse who receives a Red-White-Red Card can generally have qualifying family members apply for a Red-White-Red Card Plus. That title provides time-limited settlement and unrestricted access to Austria’s labour market. EU, EEA and Swiss nurses and their relatives follow different free-movement rules, so identify the sponsor’s nationality and exact residence title before building the family file.
Who counts as a family member
For this route, family members are spouses, registered partners and unmarried minor children, including adopted and stepchildren, up to age 18. Spouses and registered partners must be at least 21 when applying. Parents, adult children and unmarried partners do not automatically fit this definition; another route may apply and should be checked with the competent residence authority.
Income, insurance and housing must work for the household
General requirements include regular means of subsistence, comprehensive health insurance and adequate accommodation with a legal title. The official 2026 reference amounts are €1,308.39 for a single person, €2,064.12 for a married couple and €201.88 more for each child, but the authority assesses the actual calculation and allowable costs. Do not sign housing solely around headline amounts.
A1 German and filing rules need early attention
A family member’s first Red-White-Red Card Plus application generally requires A1 German from a recognised provider, with a diploma no more than one year old at submission, unless an official exemption applies. First applications are generally filed personally at the competent Austrian representation abroad, with certain lawful-entry exceptions. Family applications may sometimes be filed alongside the nurse’s application through the employer.
Sequence the nursing and family files together
The nurse’s recognition, binding job offer and residence route determine what can support the family application. Prepare passports, civil-status records, translations, housing, insurance and income evidence without assuming the family can work before receiving the residence card. Our nursing assessment can flag family timing and document dependencies, but the settlement authority alone decides eligibility and sufficiency.
Helpful resources
Official sources
Requirements and fees can change. Verify your individual case with the responsible authority before applying.
