Can I bring my family?

Yes. The Red-White-Red Card provides family reunification. Your spouse and children may apply to Red-White-Red Card Plus where they have immediate right to work in Austria.

What is the time required to process the visa?

As a rule, it should take 6 to 12 weeks to process the visa after the employer has submitted the paperwork to the AMS (Public Employment Service).

Does the family make enough out of the salary?

Standard of living in Austria is pretty good, but the 13 th -14 th month salary (holiday and Christmas bonuses) can give your annual earnings a massive boost, thus it is very comfortable to families.

Austria Nurse Jobs with Visa Sponsorship 2026

Are you a medical worker who wants to take the next step in the promotion of your career in one of the most stable and well-paid countries in Europe? The demand of qualified nurses in Austria is at its peak years as we proceed into the year 2026. As the population of the country ages, and the healthcare industry grows strategically, the Austrian population is currently seeking foreign talent, which can be substantially sponsored by the use of the so-called Red-White-Red Card system.

Why Austria can be the Nurses Best Destination in 2026

Austria is not only a magnificent Alpine scenery and Mozart; an engine of healthcare personnel. As of 2026, nursing is still an officially acknowledged Shortage Occupation (Mangelberuf).

What does this mean for you?

Streamlined Visa Process: Stress-free immigration of skilled talent.
Good Salaries: The average annual salaries for Registered Nurses have now increased to between 55,000 and 80000 euros on average, based on experience.
Work-Life Balance: The new rules of 2026 enable nursing personnel with high-duty roles to be eligible to retire earlier and have fewer hours on a monthly basis.

How to go through the Visa Process Red-White Red Card

A non-EU citizen requires a particular permit to work in Austria. In the case of 2026, the government has simplified the points based system to benefit the healthcare professionals.

Essential Visa & Legal Terms

Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiss-Rot -Karte): The main work permit of non-EU skilled workers. It is normally issued in the course of 24 months and it binds you to a certain employer.
Shortage Occupation (Mangelberuf): Since the occupation of a nurse is highly demanded, you only have to obtain 55 points (out of 90) on the immigration scale.
Red-White-Red Card Plus: You may become eligible to this card after 21 months of work in the span of 24 months, to enjoy the rights of the full membership in the Austrian labor market but without any bonds to one employer.
EU Blue Card: It is an option available to professionals of the highest qualification with a binding employment offer above a certain salary amount (at present, it is about 3465 gross per month in 2026).

The Road to Recognition Scarification

Austria does not allow you to practice as a nurse without the recognition of your foreign degree. This is referred to as Nostrification.

Steps to Success

Recognition: Submit your degree to the Federal Ministry or a University of Applied Sciences (such as FH Campus Wien) to have your degree assessed.
Anpassungslehrgang: In case discrepancies exist between your education and those in Austria, you might have to take a course of adaptation or a Kenntnispruefung (knowledge test).
Health Professions Register : This is where you are recognized and then must be registered to be able to practice.

Language Requirements B2 Barrier

Although B1 German is accepted in some assistant roles, the majority of Registered Nurse (DGKP) roles in 2026 will have B2 proficiency ( ÖSD or Goethe certificates). Hospitals are very serious about the safety of patients as good communication is key to their safety.

Visa Sponsorship Where to Find Jobs in 2026

In your search on LinkedIn, Indeed.at, or StepStone.at, the following high-intent search phrases can be used:

Nurse jobs Austria visa sponsorship 2026

Relocation package to nurses in Austria.
International recruitment nursing Austria.
Scarification support of international nurses.

FAQs

Can I bring my family?

Yes. The Red-White-Red Card provides family reunification. Your spouse and children may apply to Red-White-Red Card Plus where they have immediate right to work in Austria.
What is the time required to process the visa?

As a rule, it should take 6 to 12 weeks to process the visa after the employer has submitted the paperwork to the AMS (Public Employment Service).
Does the family make enough out of the salary?

Standard of living in Austria is pretty good, but the 13 th -14 th month salary (holiday and Christmas bonuses) can give your annual earnings a massive boost, thus it is very comfortable to families.

Final Thoughts

The international nurses have had never had a better opportunity to relocate to Austria. As visa sponsorship is becoming more and more popular and the Shortage Occupation status has softened the entry conditions, 2026 is the time to do it.

Disclosure

This employment data is provided both as an educational and informational resource. Before applying, please confirm that the employer or government is listed on the official employer or government site (like migration.gv.at).