Austria for Ukrainians 2026: entry rules, where to look for housing and work, and how to get financial assistance

Austria has hosted around a hundred thousand Ukrainian refugees on its territory since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. To this day, the country provides assistance to Ukrainian citizens in accommodation, food and financial aid. Find out what you need to enter Austria, what are the conditions and payments

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Austria, like other European Union countries, has introduced simplified procedures for granting protection to Ukrainians in light of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We have compiled information on the rules for moving to Austria and social support in this article.

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Entry Rules for Austria in 2026

Entry without a biometric passport is permitted exclusively for Ukrainian citizens fleeing the war. This rule does not apply to travel. If your passport has expired or you are arriving with a child who does not have a passport, you should contact the Embassy of Ukraine in Austria (1180 Vienna, Naaffgasse 23).

Ukrainians arriving in Austria may stay in the country without a visa for up to 90 days. For a longer stay and social support, as in other EU countries, you must apply for temporary protection status.

It is possible to apply for refugee status in Austria, but this is subject to a number of restrictions: you must surrender your personal documents, which means you cannot return home or find long-term employment.

We previously reported that Austria has extended free education for Ukrainian students through 2026.

Temporary Protection in Austria for Ukrainians

Austria has extended the temporary protection status for Ukrainian citizens until March 4, 2027, in accordance with the EU Council’s decision. Individuals who are already registered in Austria and hold an “Ausweis für Vertriebene” will automatically receive a new identification document by mail at their registered address. If your contact information changes, you must update your residence registration (Meldezettel).

To obtain temporary protection status, please contact the police registration offices.

Your right of residence will be confirmed by an identity card for displaced persons (“Blue Card” / Ausweis für Vertriebene). It will be sent by mail to your registered address.

With this status, you can travel within the EU for up to 90 days and also make short-term trips to Ukraine without losing your right to reside in Austria. If you plan to return to Ukraine permanently, you must complete the deregistration procedure at the office where you applied for protection.

For the latest rules on the integration of Ukrainian refugees in Austria — read here.

Ukrainians in Austria: how to find housing?

Upon arrival, you will be placed in temporary housing and provided with food and medical care. More detailed information is available here.

Austria provides Ukrainians with free long-term housing located throughout the country. You cannot choose a specific region. Accommodation types vary, but you will not have to share a room with others. If you wish to live with relatives, inform the staff—they will try to arrange shared housing or place you nearby.

Austrians also host Ukrainians in their own homes. To find options, contact the Federal Agency for Care and Support (BBU) or the Diakonie Housing Agency.

Ukrainians can rent housing on their own, while retaining basic benefits for care and meals.

You can also apply for a housing subsidy. The rental subsidy for a family (of two or more people) is up to €300.00 per person per month.

The majority of refugees live in private housing, while state institutions provide approximately 15,000 places. For additional housing assistance, you can contact the EU-supported Safe Homes program, which offers funding to private individuals willing to host refugees.

There are several online platforms for finding an apartment: willhaben.at and immobilienscout24.at.

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Financial assistance for Ukrainians in Austria

Individuals staying in organized housing facilities will have all living expenses covered and will be provided with meals or money for food. As part of this support, you are entitled to clothing assistance—150.00 euros per person per year.

For those living in private housing, in addition to the housing subsidy, you can receive financial support: up to 260 euros for adults and up to 145 euros per person per month for minors.

A child with special needs (disability rating of at least 50%) is eligible for an additional payment of €155.90 per month.

Please note! In 2026, social benefits in Austria were adjusted for inflation by 4.6%. Family allowances, benefits for large families, child care allowances, and the school starter allowance were increased. The income threshold for receiving benefits was raised to 17,212 euros per year.

Recipients of family allowance (Familienbeihilfe) and child care allowance (Kinderbetreuungsgeld) who are between the ages of 18 and 65 and not employed are required to register with the Public Employment Service (AMS) or obtain written confirmation that registration is not possible. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in the temporary suspension of benefits. Exceptions are made for individuals under 18 or over 65, parents with caregiving responsibilities for children with severe disabilities, and individuals with particularly compelling reasons.

Additionally, in some Austrian federal states, a rule applies: Ukrainians who own a car may be denied social benefits and the right to public housing, as car ownership is considered an indication of financial means. The decision is made at the level of each federal state. Notably, Vienna has refused to implement this restriction.

Healthcare Services in Austria

Until May 31, 2025, Ukrainians with temporary protection in Austria had automatic mandatory health insurance from the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK). As of June 1, 2025, this insurance ceased to be valid. Now, to access medical services, you must have insurance through another means:

– through formal employment (social insurance is paid by the employer);

– through self-insurance (Selbstversicherung) with the ÖGK; — as part of basic care (Grundversorgung), where health insurance is included in the assistance package.

Detailed information is available on the ÖGK website.

Important! Austrian law requires foreigners entering the country for tourism purposes to have an insurance policy. Depending on the purpose of the trip and the length of stay, different insurance requirements apply.

Education for Ukrainian Children in Austria

Children who have arrived in Austria with their parents are entitled to attend educational institutions.

Information on registering for kindergarten can be obtained from the municipality where you live (for example, MA10 in Vienna). For school placement, contact the education authority’s counseling center.

The school year in Austria begins on September 1. Children start school at age 6 and attend for 9 years.

Which schools in Austria teach Ukrainian — read here.

Where can you find a job in Austria?

After obtaining a displaced person’s certificate (“Blue Card”), you will gain access to the Austrian labor market. Starting in April 2023, employment will be permitted without a separate permit from the employment service.

Registration and job search are handled through the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS). The center will collect your information—education, professional experience, and skills—and suggest job openings. If you are seeking employment on your own, the employer may also contact the AMS.

Please note! Recipients of basic social assistance (Grundversorgung) who live in private housing are entitled to earn up to 110 euros per month (plus 80 euros for each family member). Exceeding this amount may affect the amount of social assistance.

You can search for a job on your own on the following platforms: karriere.at and jooble.

Jobs in Austria for Ukrainians: the RWR+ Card

Starting October 1, 2024, Ukrainians with temporary protection in Austria have been able to apply for the Red-White-Red Card Plus (Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte Plus / RWR+). This is a residence permit and unlimited employment authorization in the country without sectoral or territorial restrictions.

RWR+ cardholders receive: unlimited access to the labor market, the right to reside, the possibility of family reunification, and the prospect of obtaining a permanent residence permit in the EU after 5 years.

Requirements for obtaining the card:

• a minimum of 12 months of official employment in Austria with full social insurance coverage over the past 24 months. The minimum insured income threshold in 2026 is €551.10 per month;
• a valid foreign passport and a “Blue Card”;
• a German language certificate at the A1 level or a higher education diploma;
• proof of housing that meets standards (bathroom, heating, access to a kitchen);

• sufficient income (amounts for 2026): starting at €1,308.39 per month for single persons, starting at €2,064.12 for married couples, plus €201.88 for each child.

Card validity: three years — for individuals who have resided continuously in Austria for more than two years and have met the integration requirements (integration agreement module). One year with the possibility of renewal — for those who have been in Austria for less than two years.

The cost of applying for an RWR+ for adults and children aged 6 and older is €160. For children under 6, it is €145. Additional fees may apply for civil documents.

Please note! Obtaining the RWR+ excludes the possibility of receiving basic social assistance (Grundversorgung). At the same time, the period of stay under the temporary protection program counts toward the period required to obtain permanent residence and citizenship.

Learn more about the Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte Plus for Ukrainians in Austria and how to transition from temporary protection to permanent status — follow the link.

Information for Ukrainian Drivers in Austria

Ukrainians planning to arrive in Austria by car should familiarize themselves with all rules and requirements in advance.

A Green Card is mandatory for legally driving in Austria. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can apply for a Green Card online from a licensed insurer. Packages are available for various durations—from 15 days to 1 year—for passenger and commercial vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers, as well as motorcycles and scooters.

Remember! Planning a move to Austria requires taking into account many legal nuances, from applying for temporary protection to switching to the RWR+ card. The immigration lawyers at the Visit Ukraine portal will help you sort out the paperwork, prepare applications, and avoid mistakes at every stage!

Reminder! Austrian law requires foreigners entering the country to have an insurance policy. At the same time, depending on the purpose of the trip and the length of stay, different insurance requirements apply. In which cases and what type of insurance is required to enter Austria — find out by following the link.

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