Anmeldebescheinigung – Residence Permit in Austria?

Attention! The Anmeldebescheinigung is not the same as a residence permit in Austria, but this term has entered common usage, which is why we use it in the title as well. You can find more information about this in the article.

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens who are eligible to stay in Austria for more than three months under EU law will receive an Anmeldebescheinigung, or “registration certificate,” from the Austrian authorities. This certificate is not granted automatically; it must be applied for. The application must be submitted within four months of entering Austria. After five years of lawful and continuous residence, one can obtain the right to “Daueraufenthalt,” or “permanent residence permit.”

Who Can Obtain an Anmeldebescheinigung?

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens who wish to stay in Austria for more than three months, and

• are employed or self-employed in Austria.
• have sufficient means of subsistence and comprehensive health insurance for themselves and their family members.
• are staying primarily for the purpose of studying or undergoing vocational training at a public or recognized private school or educational institution, and have sufficient means of subsistence and comprehensive health insurance for themselves and their family members.
• fulfill the above conditions to assure the Austrian state that they will not require social assistance during their stay.

The certificate must be applied for both primary and secondary residence!

Deadline and Procedure

The residence must be registered with the relevant BH (Bezirkshauptmannschaft), or immigration authority, within four months of entering Austria. If all conditions are met, the authority will issue the “Registration Certificate.” We had to collect it in person, and the BH notified us by letter about the appointment.

The application and accompanying documents must be submitted to the relevant BH. In our case, this involved traveling to Hartberg and dropping the envelope containing the documents into the official mailbox in front of the BH. The application form can also be downloaded online. For children under 14, the application must be submitted by their legal representative.

If you need assistance with the process or are looking for more information, contact us!

What Documents Are Needed?

• One completed form per person
• Valid ID or passport
• Rental agreement (property owners must provide an ownership certificate or occupancy agreement)
• Translated and certified birth certificate
• Residence registration form (Meldezettel)
• Proof of comprehensive health insurance in Austria
• Proof of sufficient means of subsistence (e.g., employment contract, business license, or bank statement; for companies, income verification from an Austrian accountant)
• Last 3 payslips
• Marriage certificate or registered partnership certificate, with translation
• Proof of enrollment at a school or educational institution, comprehensive health insurance, and a statement or other proof of sufficient means of subsistence (e.g., for students: school enrollment certificate).
• Some individuals may be asked to provide a certificate of good conduct, also translated into German, so this should be anticipated.

The fee for issuing the Anmeldebescheinigung is 15 EUR.

The translations must be certified! Failing to register may result in an administrative fine! Ignorance of the rules is not an excuse to avoid penalties!