Lower points bar
Shortage occupations need only 55 of 90 points, versus 70 for Other Key Workers.
In-demand occupations · 2026
🇦🇹 Austria in-demand & shortage occupation list
updated for 2026.
17 shortage occupations across 4 sectors, with indicative salaries, official codes and the visa route each one unlocks.
Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy (BMAW) · 2026 Mangelberufsliste
Overview
Shortage Occupation List (Mangelberufsliste) & Red-White-Red Card
Austria publishes a formal Mangelberufsliste each year — a nationwide shortage list plus regional lists for each Bundesland. If your occupation is listed, the Red-White-Red Card for Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations applies with a lower points bar (55 of 90) and no labour market test.
How the Austria shortage list works
- 1Check whether your occupation is on the federal or the relevant regional Mangelberufsliste for 2026.
- 2Score 55 of 90 points across qualification, experience, language, age and study in Austria.
- 3You need a binding job offer that meets the collective agreement minimum wage for the role.
- 4After two years the card converts to a Red-White-Red Card plus with free labour-market access.
Sector-wise demand
Austria shortage occupations by sector
Engineering & technical
| Occupation | Code | Indicative salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical, plant and process engineer | — | €50,000 – 75,000 | |
| Electrical engineering technician | — | €48,000 – 70,000 | |
| Civil engineering and structural technician | — | €46,000 – 68,000 | |
| Mechatronics and automation engineer | — | €50,000 – 72,000 |
IT & data
| Occupation | Code | Indicative salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software developer and application programmer | — | €52,000 – 82,000 | |
| IT systems and network administrator | — | €48,000 – 70,000 | |
| Data analyst and database specialist | — | €52,000 – 78,000 | |
| IT security specialist | — | €58,000 – 88,000 |
Health & care
| Occupation | Code | Indicative salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse (Diplomierte Gesundheits- und Krankenpflege) | — | €38,000 – 52,000 | Nostrification + German B2 |
| Elderly care specialist | — | €34,000 – 46,000 | |
| Physiotherapist and radiology technologist | — | €38,000 – 52,000 | |
| Medical doctor | — | €72,000 – 130,000 |
Trades & hospitality
| Occupation | Code | Indicative salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roofer, carpenter and construction technician | — | €34,000 – 48,000 | |
| Plumbing, heating and ventilation installer | — | €35,000 – 50,000 | |
| Welder and metal fabricator | — | €35,000 – 48,000 | |
| Chef and restaurant specialist | — | €32,000 – 44,000 | Strong regional shortage in Tyrol and Salzburg |
| Heavy goods vehicle driver | — | €34,000 – 45,000 |
Salaries are indicative gross annual figures for 2026 hiring and vary by employer, city, experience and negotiation. Shortage lists are revised by the issuing authority — we re-verify your occupation before any filing.
Why it matters
What a shortage occupation gets you in Austria
No labour market test
Listed occupations skip the priority-worker examination entirely.
Central European base
Vienna consistently ranks among the world's most liveable cities, with strong public services.
Matching visa routes
File under the right Austria category
Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte)
Austria's points-based skilled-worker route
Austria EU Blue Card
EU-wide route for degree-holders
Austria Job Seeker Visa
6-month job search for Very Highly Qualified applicants
Austria Student Visa (Aufenthaltsbewilligung)
Study at Vienna, TU Wien, Graz, Innsbruck, Salzburg
Documents Required for Austria
Austrian consular documentation checklist
Austria in-demand occupations — FAQs
Where do I check the 2026 shortage list?
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The BMAW publishes the federal list plus nine regional lists annually. Our Austria desk maps your occupation and qualification against both before you file.
How much German do I need?
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German earns points and is essential for healthcare, care and trades. IT and engineering roles in Vienna and Linz frequently operate in English.
Does my Indian degree count?
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It must be assessed as equivalent — for regulated professions this means nostrification, for others a comparability statement. We manage the ENIC-NARIC process.
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