Austria implements strict quotas for refugee family reunification

Austria family reunification asylum policy Gerhard Karner migration quotas

The Austrian government has introduced a new draft regulation for settlement, establishing strict quotas for the family reunification of asylum seekers and those with subsidiary protection. For the years 2026 and 2027, the quota for this group is set at 314 people per year, a significant reduction from the more than 6,000 people who arrived via family reunification in 2024.

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner stated that these low quotas are intended to protect essential social systems, such as education and health, from being overloaded, while also addressing rising juvenile crime. The measure follows a temporary suspension of the process that began in March 2025.

While the total number of residence permits for various groups is capped at 5,860, the vast majority are allocated to relatives of foreign workers. Distribution of the refugee family reunification slots varies by region: Vienna is allocated the most with over 70 places, while provinces where the FPÖ participates in government, such as Salzburg and Vorarlberg, have significantly lower quotas.

In addition to the quotas, the government is implementing stricter security checks and financial requirements for other categories of migration, including minimum income thresholds and mandatory German language exams for certain highly qualified workers.

Entities

Alexander Van der Bellen · Austria · Austrian Ministry of the Interior · FPÖ · Gerhard Karner · Johanna Mikl-Leitner

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The Austrian Ministry of the Interior proposed 314 residence permits for refugee family reunification for this year and next year. kurier.at · www.tt.com
[● 3 SOURCES] More than 6,000 people arrived in Austria through family reunification in 2024. kurier.at · www.tt.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The Austrian government suspended family reunification in March 2015. kurier.at · www.tt.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Federal states have four weeks to comment on the draft settlement ordinance. kurier.at · www.tt.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The total quota for the settlement ordinance is capped at 5,860 residence permits for this year and next year. kurier.at · www.tt.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Approximately 4,800 spots are available for relatives of foreign workers this year. kurier.at · www.tt.com