Eligibility Quiz
Are you currently physically present on Austrian territory or at an Austrian border?
Application Process
You must apply for asylum while physically present on Austrian territory. It is not possible to apply at an Austrian embassy or consulate abroad. The process is managed by the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum (BFA) and follows a strict sequence of security checks and interviews.
Step 1: Initial Application
You can make your application for international protection at any police station, with a security authority, or directly at an Initial Reception Centre (EAST - Erstaufnahmestelle). You must state clearly that you are seeking asylum. At this stage, officials will take your fingerprints and photographs.
Step 2: First Interrogation (Erstbefragung)
Police officers will conduct a preliminary interview to establish your identity, your travel route to Austria, and the basic reasons why you fled your home country. It is vital to be honest about your route, as Austria will check if another EU country is responsible for your claim under the Dublin Regulation.
Step 3: Admission Procedure (Zulassungsverfahren)
You will be moved to a federal reception center while the BFA determines if Austria is responsible for your case.
- Dublin Check: If you applied for asylum or were fingerprinted in another EU country first, Austria may attempt to transfer you back to that country.
- Safe Country Check: If you are from a "Safe Country of Origin," your case may be moved to an Accelerated Procedure.
Step 4: The Prognosis Decision
If the BFA decides your claim has merit and Austria is responsible for you, they will issue a "prognosis." You will then be "admitted" to the regular procedure and usually moved from a federal center to a regional care facility in one of the Austrian provinces.
Step 5: Substantive Interview
This is the most important part of your application. You will have a detailed, private interview with a BFA caseworker. You must explain in detail your fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, social group, or political opinion. An interpreter will be provided. You should bring all Evidence of Persecution, such as court summons, medical reports, or photos, to this meeting.
Step 6: The Decision
The BFA will issue a written decision in German. There are three possible positive outcomes:
- Refugee Status: A 3-year residence permit.
- Subsidiary Protection: A 1-year renewable permit for those at risk of serious harm (but who don't meet the strict "refugee" definition).
- Humanitarian Right to Remain: A discretionary stay based on your private/family ties in Austria.
If your application is rejected, you have 4 weeks to file an appeal with the Federal Administrative Court (BVwG).
Fees
The Austrian government does not charge fees for the asylum application or the processing of your case.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | €0.00 |
| Legal Counseling (via BBU GmbH) | Free |
| Interpreter Services (for interviews) | Free |
| DNA Testing (for Family Reunification) | Varies (Applicant pays upfront) |
Total Estimate: €0.00 for the standard procedure. Does not include: Costs for private legal representation, professional translation of personal documents not provided by the court, or DNA testing fees (which are only reimbursed if the family relationship is proven and you are low-income).
Processing Time
The duration of your case depends heavily on the complexity of your flight story and the current backlog of the authorities.
- Regular Procedure: On average, a first-instance decision takes approximately 7.8 months.
- Accelerated Procedure: For cases deemed "clearly unfounded" or involving applicants from safe countries, decisions can be issued in as little as 72 hours or up to 3 months.
- Appeals Stage: If you appeal a negative decision, the court process can add 6 to 18 months to the total timeline.
- Document Validity: If granted Refugee Status, your initial residence card is valid for 3 years. Subsidiary Protection cards are valid for 1 year and must be renewed annually.
- Labor Market Access: You are generally prohibited from working for the first 3 months after filing your application. After this, you may only access specific seasonal work until a final decision is reached.