Immigration Law lawyers in Austria

Austria in focus

How Immigration Law works in Austria

Austria’s civil-law system and regulated legal profession shape how immigration cases are handled. Decisions by administrative authorities can be challenged before specialised administrative courts, and a lawyer’s qualifications and fees are strictly regulated. The key statutory deadlines, court structure and cost rules below provide a reliable starting point.

Administrative review of immigration decisions

Immigration decisions are typically taken by administrative authorities. If a decision is contested, review lies with the specialised administrative courts – the Landesverwaltungsgerichte and the Bundesverwaltungsgericht – with further appeals to the Verwaltungsgerichtshof and the Verfassungsgerichtshof. A lawyer can prepare written submissions and represent you at hearings.

Regulated legal profession with a protected title

In Austria the title ‘Rechtsanwalt’ is protected by law. Every lawyer must be entered in the list of lawyers of one of the nine regional Bar associations (Rechtsanwaltskammern) and hold professional liability insurance. To qualify, a lawyer completes a four-year Austrian law degree, five years of practical training and passes the bar examination.

Where lawyer representation is mandatory

In civil litigation, representation by a lawyer is compulsory before the regional courts and all higher courts, and before district courts where the value in dispute exceeds €5,000. For administrative proceedings, such as immigration appeals, a lawyer is not always required but is entitled to appear before all courts and authorities.

Costs and legal aid

Lawyers’ fees for representation before courts and authorities are governed by the Lawyers’ Tariff Act and the General Fee Criteria. You and your lawyer may agree hourly or flat fees. Legal aid (Verfahrenshilfe) is available to those who cannot meet costs without impairing their necessary maintenance and may cover court fees and a lawyer.

Civil-law features that matter when relocating

Austria applies separation of property as the default matrimonial regime, so each spouse keeps assets they own. Forced heirship protects descendants and spouses with a compulsory portion. Since 2008 there is no federal inheritance or gift tax, but real property transfers trigger a transfer tax and land register entry.

Language and official sources

German is the language of the courts and authorities. Official legal information is published in German; your lawyer can explain the procedure and draft submissions in the required language. We rely on official Austrian and European sources to keep this page accurate.

The data on this page comes from official Austrian government and court sources and the European e-Justice portal (as of March 2025).

• National justice systems – Austria (e-Justice)
• Rechtsanwaltsordnung (RAO) – Austrian Bar rules
• Verfahrenshilfe – legal aid information
• Court organisation – Austrian government portal
• Österreichischer Rechtsanwaltskammertag – structure and data
• Zivilprozessordnung § 27 – Anwaltspflicht
• Matrimonial property regime – Austrian government
• Pflichtteilsrecht – Federal Ministry of Justice
• Erbschafts- und Schenkungssteuer abgeschafft – BMF