One of the most common questions we hear from people preparing their RWR+ Card application is about family.
Many applicants ask:
Can I include my child if they are already 18?
Can I bring my parents to Austria once I receive my residence permit?
What happens if my family members are already living here?
These are important questions — and the answers are not always straightforward.
Austria’s Red-White-Red Card Plus (RWR+ Card) is primarily a work-based residence permit, which means the rules for family members are more limited than many people expect.
In this guide, we explain what is possible, what is not, and what options may still exist depending on your individual situation.
How family reunification works in Austria
Austria allows certain family members to join someone who holds a residence permit through family reunification.
However, this typically applies only to immediate family members.
In most cases, the following relatives can be included:
A spouse or registered partner
Minor children under 18 years old
Once children reach adulthood, they are usually expected to qualify for their own residence permit.
This is why many people are surprised to learn that adult children or parents are generally not included under standard family reunification rules.
But that does not always mean there are no options.
Can adult children over 18 move to Austria with you?
In most cases, adult children cannot be included as dependents on an RWR+ Card application.
Once a child turns 18, Austrian immigration law typically treats them as an independent applicant.
This means they usually need to apply for their own residence permit, depending on their situation.
Possible pathways may include:
A student residence permit
A work-based residence permit
Other residence permits depending on education or employment
Because each case is different, it is important to consider factors such as:
the child’s education
their work experience
whether they already live in Austria
their long-term plans
In many cases, a well-planned strategy can help families remain together — even if the residence permits are different.
If you want to understand what may be possible in your situation, you can book a free 15-minute consultation with our team.
You can also create a free mypaperwork account to explore the RWR+ application process and see what documents and steps are involved.
Can parents move to Austria with their children?
Another question we hear frequently is:
“Can my parents move to Austria if I receive an RWR+ Card?”
Under standard Austrian immigration rules, parents are generally not included in family reunification for work-based residence permits.
Family reunification normally applies only to:
spouses
minor children
This means that bringing parents or elderly relatives to Austria can be more complex.
However, every situation is unique.
The possibilities can depend on factors such as:
whether the parents are already living in Austria
their health or financial situation
their current residence status
future policy developments affecting Ukrainians in Austria
Because of these nuances, it is usually best to review these cases individually rather than relying on general assumptions.
If you would like to discuss your family’s situation, you can book a free consultation with our team to talk through your options.
What if your family situation is more complex?
Many families assume that if the standard rules do not apply, there is no possible pathway.
In reality, immigration situations can often be more flexible than they first appear.
Sometimes the solution involves:
different residence permits for different family members
planning education or employment pathways
preparing documentation carefully
understanding how the application process works in practice
This is where structured support can make a significant difference.
How mypaperwork helps you through the RWR+ Card process
Applying for a residence permit in Austria involves many steps — from gathering documents to communicating with authorities and preparing for your appointment.
At mypaperwork, we support you throughout the entire process so you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Our platform and team help with:
Understanding your eligibility and next steps
We guide you through the RWR+ Card requirements and help you understand how they apply to your situation.
Preparing your documents correctly
We help you gather and structure the required documents so your application is complete and organized.
Completing application forms
Our guided system helps ensure forms are filled out correctly before submission.
Communication with authorities
If the immigration authorities request additional information, we help you understand how to respond and what is required.
Preparing for your appointment
For applicants in Vienna, our Book a Buddy service means you don’t have to attend your MA35 appointment alone.
A migration expert buddy can:
- meet you at the entrance
- help you navigate the ticketing system
- assist with basic translation and communication
- stay with you until the appointment is finished
You can learn more about this service here: Never Go Alone Again: Introducing Book a Buddy for Your MA35 Appointment in Vienna
From the first step of gathering documents until your new residence permit is in hand, we guide you through each stage of the process.
Start your RWR+ Card journey today
If you are considering applying for the RWR+ Card, the best first step is simply to understand your situation and begin preparing early.
You can start in two easy ways:
👉 Create your free mypaperwork account
Explore the RWR+ Card process and begin preparing your documents step by step.
or
👉 Book a free 15-minute consultation
Talk with our team about your situation and possible next steps.
Sometimes a short conversation can make the entire path forward much clearer.
How mypaperwork.ai supports you through the full application
What we see again and again is this:
Ukrainian students are doing everything right — but they’re unsure when to apply, what counts, and how to prove it correctly.
This is where mypaperwork.ai supports you from start to finish:
We review your employment and insurance history
We calculate which months qualify — and which don’t
We flag gaps that could cause delays or rejection
We tell you when you’re eligible — and when it’s better to wait
We guide you step by step through the entire RWR+ application
So your everyday effort doesn’t get lost in paperwork — and your application reflects your real situation clearly and correctly.
FAQs: Family Members and the RWR+ Card
In most cases, no. Adult children are usually expected to qualify for their own residence permit, such as a student or work-based permit.
Generally, Austrian family reunification rules do not include parents or extended relatives. However, depending on the circumstances, other options may sometimes exist.
If a child becomes an adult during the process, they may need to apply independently for a residence permit. The exact outcome depends on the timing and individual situation.
If your situation involves adult children, elderly parents, or multiple residence statuses, it is usually best to review the case individually.
You can book a free consultation with our team to discuss your situation and understand possible pathways.
No. With mypaperwork, you receive structured guidance through every stage of the application — from preparing documents to your appointment with the authorities.
If you have children in Austria: don’t forget Familienbeihilfe
If you are living and working in Austria with children, you may also be entitled to Familienbeihilfe, Austria’s monthly family allowance.
Many international families are eligible — but the benefit is not always triggered automatically, especially when children were born outside Austria.
In some cases, payments can even be claimed retroactively for up to five years.
If you’re unsure whether you qualify, we can help you review your situation and guide you through the application.
Ready to apply?
Immigration decisions often affect entire families, not just individuals.
While the RWR+ Card has specific rules about who can be included in an application, understanding the system properly can open up additional possibilities.
The most important step is getting clear information early and preparing correctly.
If you are planning your next steps in Austria, we are here to help you move forward with confidence.
Take the first step now, mypaperwork.ai will support you along the way!
Your success is our success. If your application isn’t approved, your fee is fully refunded.
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mypaperwork.ai is an Austrian startup focused on making migration and bureaucracy understandable, transparent, and easy.