The protection of the family unit is an important human right. If you were separated from your family members before or during your flight, they may join you in Austria under particular conditions.
If your family members (core family: spouse and underage children) are still outside the EU, they may be able to join you if you have been granted protection, for instance, if you have been officially recognised as a refugee. Whether your family can join you ultimately depends on your residence status (see categories below). If members of your core family (spouse and underage children) are already staying within the European Union or in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland, a reunification with them is therefore already possible during the asylum-seeking process. If your family members are not in one of these countries, family reunification is not possible while you are still an asylum-seeker.
Update: Changes to Family Reunification from 12 June 2026
New rules on family reunification for persons who have been granted international protection in Austria will apply from 12 June 2026.
Paragraph 35 of the Asylum Act (AsylG), which previously regulated family reunification for refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, will cease to apply. It will be replaced by the new Paragraph 46a of the Settlement and Residence Act (NAG).
In the future, family reunification will no longer take place through an entry procedure under the Asylum Act. Instead, family members will need to apply for a residence permit under the Settlement and Residence Act. A residence permit will only be granted if a place within the available quota is available. In addition, new eligibility requirements will apply.
Family members who meet the legal requirements may be granted a “Red-White-Red Card Plus” residence permit under this procedure.
However, in certain cases, family reunification may still be granted outside the quota system where there are special personal or family circumstances.
Important:
These reasons must be clearly explained in the application. The responsible authority will then assess whether an exception is possible.
For detailed information on the family reunification procedure, please have a look at the Red Cross information website (select “beneficiaries” or “minors”).