Integration in Austria is guided by an action plan focusing on labour market inclusion, as well as on acquiring knowledge of the German language and the completion of values and orientation courses. The action plan has been designed in cooperation with various stakeholders, and is implemented across different governance levels since 2010.
The statistics in the chart above are based on Eurostat's Non-national population by group of citizenship, 1 January 2022. An update from Eurostat is expected in March 2024.
According to Eurostat's Migration and migrant population statistics, as of 1 January 2023, there were about 842 600 third-country nationals (TCNs), representing 9.3% of the population, and another 867 400 EU citizens (9.5%) living in Austria at the time. According to Statistics Austria, a small increase in the percentage of TCNs is observed each year over the last 5 years, with the share of TCNs standing at 7.9% in 2019.
According to Statistics Austria data from 2022, 42.6% of all TCNs living in Austria have valid permanent residence permits, and 23.57% are temporary residents who most often come to the country to unite with family members or study. The rest includes asylum seekers (3.8%), as well as beneficiaries of international protection and seasonal workers (the latter two representing 27.8% of all TCNs). Finally, 16.8% of all TCNs were born in Austria. In 2022, 10 899 TCNs and European citizens living in Austria were naturalised, with the naturalisation rate reaching 0.7%. In terms of origin, Statistics Austria also notes the largest groups among TCNs include Serbian (121 916) and Turkish nationals (119 706). This may be due to the targeted recruitment of workers from the former Yugoslavia and Turkey in the late 1960s and at the beginning of the 1970s.
By the end of March 2024, Austria also counted a total of 73 010 non-EU citizens who had fled the war and were under the temporary protection – see monthly updates in the numbers of temporary protection beneficiaries on Eurostat.
Detailed statistical data is available in the EMN 2022 country factsheet for Austria, with insights about the age and gender of TCNs, the most common types of residence permits issued and international protection statistics.
The OECD/EC Indicators of Immigrant Integration 2023: Settling In report provides further breakdowns of the composition of migrant populations and households in Austria, including in terms of immigration flows by legal category, concentration in densely populated areas, duration of stay and household composition.
Integration in Austria is understood as a two-way process necessitating both the adequate provision of services from the state and the active participation of migrants. Thus, special focus is placed on voluntary engagement, which is meant to help migrants get involved in Austrian society while improving their German language skills, gathering practical experience within the labour market and creating contacts.
Austria set up a National Action Plan for Integration in 2010. The same strategic document continues to guide its integration efforts today. It was designed by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, in cooperation with a steering group comprising other relevant ministries, local authorities, researchers and civil society organisations.
The action plan mentions an array of topics, including language and education, work and employment, the rule of law, cultural values, intercultural dialogue, health and social issues, sports and leisure, as well as housing.
In addition to this overarching plan, other, more targeted integration plans focus on certain topics or population groups. A 50-Points-Plan towards integration of beneficiaries of international protection was published in 2016 in reaction to the increased numbers of beneficiaries of international protection arriving in 2016.
The Integration Act of 2017 regulates the central framework for the integration of those who settle in Austria long term. The active participation of migrants is again seen as a prerequisite to successful integration.
The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF), in addition, is a state-run fund and a partner of various organisations. It is, in practice, responsible for integration. Through its nine integration centres based in the provincial capitals, ÖIF offers integration services and information to beneficiaries of asylum and subsidiary protection, as well as to migrants.
The action plan is implemented above all through a mandatory programme called the Integration Agreement, which includes:
All TCNs need to sign the Integration Agreement which requires in turn the fulfillment of a first module (including a language course and test on an A2 level as well as participation in values and orientation course) within the first two years of residence. When completed, migrants would usually receive a three-year extension of their residence. Upon completion of the second module (requiring language level B1), migrants may apply for permanent residence.
Beneficiaries of international protection are also obliged to sign the Integration Agreement, which requires their participation in the values and orientation courses and demonstration of language competence to the B1 level.
Participation in the courses and exams is mandatory, and non-participation is sanctioned with the reduction or annulment of social benefits.
An adaption of the Integration Act in 2019 further established a framework for national standardised integration tests which evaluate migrants' language skills as well as their knowledge of rights and obligations and Austrian social values. These Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) exams are available at levels A1 to B2.
The Expert Council for Integration appointed by the Ministry of Integration evaluates the National Action Plan for Integration based on a set of indicators. This committee is the core competence centre on issues relating to the integration process. The annual integration reports contain recommendations and a selection of good practices.
In terms of outside evaluation, the International Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) notes that Austria focuses more on initial integration, with TCNs enjoying basic rights and equal opportunities, but may face obstacles settling in the country long-term. All in all, Austria scores 46 on the MIPEX 100-point scale. This is slightly below the EU and OECD averages (49 and 56 respectively).
The Settlement and Residence Act of 2005 is currently in force. The legislation defines different categories of residence permits, as well as the requirements and procedures to obtain them. It has been amended over 40 times. The latest notable changes include the October 2017 implementation of EU Directive 2014/66/EU on the so-called intra-corporate transfers, and the August 2018 implementation of the EU Directive 2016/801/EU on TCNs in research, studies and educational exchange.
In 2020, amendments were made to specifically promote qualified immigration and to further facilitate the so-called voluntary departure of migrants without the right to stay.
The Federal Act Concerning the Granting of Asylum of 2005 is currently in force in Austria. It has undergone 30 amendments since 2005.
In July 2017, an amendment introduced the possibility to limit the right to asylum if a threat to national security was declared by the federal government and approved by the Executive Committee of the National Council. It also limited the duration of recognised refugee status to an initial temporary residence of 3 years, after which period authorities would review the situation in the country of origin. Based on the review, the authorities may revoke the status or grant permanent residence.
The maximum length of the asylum procedure itself has also been extended, from six to 15 months.
Thanks to a major reform in May 2019, the provision of support and legal advice to asylum seekers has been reorganised: a newly founded federal agency took over these tasks from private companies and independent non-governmental organisations. The change came into effect as of 2021. Asylum seekers have access to the so-called ‘basic care’ including accommodation and sustenance, legal advice and interpretation, while recognised beneficiaries of international protection can benefit from further services.
Ukrainian residents - both nationals and recognised beneficiaries of international protection from third countries - who fled Ukraine are eligible for temporary residence in Austria until 4 March 2024. The legal basis for this right is the 2022 ordinance of the federal government on the temporary right of residence for people displaced from Ukraine.
A special Integration Act was introduced in 2017. The law provides a legal basis for the mandatory integration programme for newcomers, the Integration Agreement (see the section above), which was previously regulated by the Residence and Settlement Act.
The Integration Act also contributes in the area of German language courses and examinations by defining the framework for the nationwide standardised integration tests mentioned in the section above. The Integration Act also aims to increase transparency and improved data exchange, and has thus introduced integration monitoring and a research coordination office.
The integration law also established a similar integration programme for refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection.
Austria’s current Citizenship Act dates back to 1985. The law has been amended over 40 times since then.
A 2017 amendment allowed the stripping of citizenship of those Austrian citizens with dual or multiple nationalities who were fighting voluntarily in armed conflicts abroad. Another amendment in 2021 further extended the legal possibility for the deprivation of citizenship of those convicted of terrorist offences.
In 2020, a new provision was introduced making it possible for descendants of Nazi victims to (re-)apply for Austrian citizenship under facilitated conditions.
The 2004 Law on Equal Treatment was last amended in 2020. Amendments relevant to integration provided for legal protection against discrimination on grounds of gender, ethnicity, religion, ideology, age and sexual orientation in the job market and at the workplace, as well as against discrimination on grounds of gender and ethnicity in access to goods and services, including housing.
The Recognition and Assessment Act came into effect in 2016 to regulate the recognition of qualifications obtained abroad. The goal is to promote labour market integration through a simplified recognition procedure, including for people without qualification documents. An online portal was created to provide information, and counselling centres were opened throughout Austria to assist individuals. Public funding covers some of the costs associated with the recognition process.
In recent years, the responsibility for integration issues has been moved several times between the different federal ministries. It was first held by the Federal Ministry of the Interior; from 2013 onwards the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs; and since 2020 the Federal Chancellery. The Federal Chancellery is also Austria's representative at the European Integration Network (EIN).
At the local level, municipalities organise or support integration activities such as intercultural events and language classes.
Austria has one consultative body on integration: the Advisory Committee on Integration, which was set up in October 2010 as a follow-up to the steering group for the National Action Plan for Integration. It is a platform for cross-competence networking, coordination, and the transfer of knowledge between all stakeholders involved in the implementation of the strategic document. Federal ministries, the governments of the federal provinces, the associations of Local Authorities, cities and towns, UNHCR, social partners and NGOs are all represented on the board. There are five non-governmental organisations among the committee’s 35 members (Caritas Austria, Diakonie Austria, Hilfswerk Austria, the Austrian Red Cross and Volkshilfe Austria). The Advisory Committee meets twice a year at the Federal Chancellery.
By 15 March each year, the committee submits the previous year’s data to the Research Coordination Office of the Federal Chancellery for integration monitoring. The data relates to the fields of asylum, residence, school education and adult education, social benefits, the labour market, German language courses, values and orientation courses, as well as academic research.
Non-profit organisations and local authorities can apply for financing for migrant integration through several EU funds. In addition, national funds are available for service providers and other stakeholders to carry out projects aiming for a better integration of the migrant population. In recent years, special calls, such as for the integration and support of migrant women or in the area of voluntary work, have been added to the national funding strategy.
The Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) in Austria
The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) in Austria
ERASMUS+, the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the EU by correcting regional imbalances
Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD), offering material assistance to the most vulnerable or in need
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), supporting the development of rural economies and communities