Immigration attorney in Austria for Americans
Moving to Austria from the United States? Law & Beyond is a Vienna law firm that guides Americans through Austrian residence permits, Red-White-Red Cards, family reunification and citizenship. Our founding attorney is admitted in both Austria and New York, and our team works in English and German. We explain our fees before you engage us.
What Americans should know before moving to Austria
Many Americans arrive with a plane ticket and a plan, and only later discover how Austrian immigration rules work. A little preparation before you move saves months later.
The 90-day window
As a U.S. citizen you can generally stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Days in other Schengen countries count toward the same limit. This window is for visits, not for settling. Living, working or studying here for longer usually requires a residence permit.
Your purpose decides the permit
Austrian residence permits are purpose-based. Working, studying, joining family or living on independent means each follow a different route with different requirements.
Plan your paperwork early
Documents from the U.S., such as birth and marriage certificates or an FBI background check, can require an apostille and a certified German translation. Those steps are carried out by U.S. authorities and sworn translators. We guide you through them and help you sequence them so they do not hold up your filing.
Citizenship and your U.S. passport
Austria generally does not allow dual citizenship through ordinary naturalization, with limited exceptions. If citizenship is your long-term goal, it pays to understand the consequences early.
Ways Americans settle in Austria
The right route depends on why you are coming and what you can document. These are the paths we handle most often.
Red-White-Red Card
For qualified professionals, graduates and key personnel with a job offer from an Austrian employer. We advise on the right category, the employer's documents and the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) process.
Living in Austria without working
For people with sufficient independent means who do not plan to work in Austria, such as retirees. Places are quota-limited, so timing and documentation matter.
Joining family in Austria
Joining a spouse, partner or other family member who lives in Austria. We handle the income proof, documents and authority appointments.
Studying in Austria
For students enrolling at an Austrian university. We advise on the permit requirements and help prepare the financial and document package.
Austrian citizenship
Naturalization after long-term residence, or the special route for descendants of victims of Nazi persecution under § 58c of the Citizenship Act.
Permanent residence
The step from a temporary permit to Daueraufenthalt — EU. We help you plan the route and understand the requirements for later eligibility.
How we work with you
Send us a short inquiry
Use our contact page to tell us briefly what you have in mind. We first check whether we can act for you. Please do not send passports, medical records or other sensitive documents with your first message.
Receive fee and booking details
After the conflict check, we email you an introduction, the consultation fee and a link to book an initial consultation with Patrick. The consultation can be held by phone or video, which makes it practical to arrange from the U.S.
Talk through your route
In the consultation we look at your goals, timeline and documents and identify the permit route that fits. If you want us to act for you, we send a written proposal with scope and fees.
Our team builds your file
Under Patrick's supervision, the team opens your file in IURIO, a secure client workspace. We review and organize your documents and prepare the application package, not just the forms but the full case for why you qualify.
Filing and follow-up
Where appropriate and included in our agreed scope, a member of our team can accompany you to the authority appointment. We follow up with the authority within that scope and keep you informed of its decision.
An attorney who knows both sides of the Atlantic
Mag. Patrick Onyemaechi Kainz, LL.M. (NYU/NUS)
Attorney admitted in Austria and the State of New York. Dual LL.M. from New York University and the National University of Singapore. Over a decade of practice in Austrian immigration and employment law, with professional experience spanning Austria, the Netherlands, Singapore, New York and Mexico. He lectures on legal topics and is listed on the U.S. Embassy Vienna's attorney list.
Patrick leads every engagement personally. Your initial consultation is always with him, and the entire process runs under his supervision. The team at Law & Beyond supports every stage, from document preparation through to the authority appointment, so that nothing falls through the cracks and you always know where your case stands.
The firm's partner Dr. Theresa Kamp leads the family law practice. Immigration and employment law cases are led by Patrick and his team.
Austrian immigration law, explained
Watch our videos on Austrian immigration law. The playlist is hosted by YouTube and loads only if you choose to activate it.
Questions Americans ask us
Can I live in Austria as a U.S. citizen without a visa?
Only for short stays. U.S. citizens can generally stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Area without a visa. For anything longer, such as living, working or studying in Austria, you usually need a residence permit. Entry rules for short stays can change, so check the current requirements before you travel.
Can I work remotely for my U.S. employer from Austria?
This needs a careful look before you move. Austria does not currently offer a standalone digital nomad residence permit, and a stay beyond the 90-day window requires a permit whose type determines what work is allowed. We help you check the legal position before you choose a route.
Do I have to give up my U.S. citizenship to become Austrian?
Austria generally requires applicants to give up their previous citizenship on ordinary naturalization, with limited exceptions. The route for descendants of victims of Nazi persecution under § 58c of the Citizenship Act works differently. We assess your situation on the Austrian side. Questions about the consequences under U.S. law need U.S. counsel.
Which U.S. documents will I need?
It depends on the permit, but commonly birth or marriage certificates, proof of income and health insurance, and sometimes an FBI background check. Some of these need an apostille and a certified German translation. Those steps are carried out by U.S. authorities and sworn translators, and we guide you through each one.
Can my spouse or partner join me?
In most cases yes, but the route depends on your own status, your relationship, income, housing, insurance and other factors. Family reunification is part of our core practice.
How much does it cost?
We work on fixed-fee packages for standard immigration matters, so you know your costs before you commit. After a conflict check, we email you the consultation fee and a booking link. The consultation is paid, and this page does not book or sell any service. If you want further representation, we send a written proposal setting out scope and fees before you decide.
How do I get started?
Send a brief email inquiry through our contact page. We carry out a conflict check, then email you an introduction, fee information and a link to book an initial consultation. Sending an inquiry does not create a lawyer-client relationship.
Do I need to be in Vienna?
No, the initial consultation can be held by phone or video. For the authority filing, in-person attendance is usually required, and accompaniment can be agreed where appropriate. If you are filing from abroad through an Austrian embassy, we coordinate remotely.
Ready to plan your move?
Tell us briefly what you need. After a conflict check, we will email you the consultation fee and booking information.
We do not offer assistance in asylum law matters or U.S. immigration law.
Legal information
Information on this website is general information about Austrian immigration law, reviewed October 2026. Rules and administrative practice can change, and the facts of an individual case matter. Visiting this page or sending an inquiry does not establish a lawyer-client relationship. Representation begins after conflict clearance and an agreed engagement. No particular authority decision is guaranteed.
Imprint
Media owner and service provider: Kainz Kamp Rechtsanwält:innen OG (Law & Beyond), Lederergasse 22/3, 1080 Vienna, Austria. Registered seat: Vienna. Company register: FN 582931 b, Commercial Court Vienna. VAT ID: ATU78268802. Business purpose: practice of the legal profession.
Telephone: +43 1 346 08 03. Email: office@lawandbeyond.at.
Professional title: Rechtsanwält:innen (lawyers), granted in Austria. Supervisory professional body: Vienna Bar Association, Rotenturmstraße 13, 1010 Vienna, rakwien.at. Patrick Onyemaechi Kainz is individually registered in New York (registration no. 5534383).
Applicable professional rules include the Rechtsanwaltsordnung (RAO), Disziplinarstatut (DSt), RL-BA, RL-RAA, RAPG, RATG and AHK. The Austrian legal texts are available through RIS and professional rules through ÖRAK. Editorial direction: information about the firm's legal services and Austrian immigration law.
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