Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) vs Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)
Austria freelancer route: $130 fee, 24 months. Germany other route: $86 fee, 12 months.
Built for: Freelancers.
- Fee
- $130
- Duration
- 24 months
- Processing
- 3-3 weeks
- Income
- $1,223/mo
- Fee
- $86
- Duration
- 12 months
Next steps
Austria Self-Employed Residence
Germany Opportunity Card
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Side by side
Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route)
Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)
Visa type
Status
Initial duration, months
Renewable
Built for
Nationality restrictions
Processing time, minimum (weeks)
Processing time, maximum (weeks)
Interview required
Medical exam required
Minimum income, per month
Minimum savings, one time
Minimum investment, one time
Investment types
Application fee, one time
Income sources accepted
Employment types accepted
Social Security counts as income
Pension income recognized
Local work permitted
Health insurance required
Local bank account required
Apostille required
US FBI background check required
Certificate of coverage required
Leads to permanent residency
Years to permanent residency
US tax treaty
| Field | Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) | Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) |
|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Freelancer | Other |
| Status | Active | Active |
| Initial duration, months | 24 (Longest initial stay) | 12 |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Built for | Freelancers, FIRE | Digital nomads, Remote employees, Freelancers |
| Nationality restrictions | Non-EU nationals only | Non-EU nationals only |
| Field | Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) | Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income, per month | Not specified | $1,223 |
| Minimum savings, one time | Not specified | $1,223 |
| Minimum investment, one time | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Investment types | Business creation, Capital transfer | Not applicable |
| Application fee, one time | $130 | $86 (Lowest known fee) |
| Field | Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) | Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) |
|---|---|---|
| Income sources accepted | Business income | Not specified |
| Employment types accepted | Self-employed | Not specified |
| Social Security counts as income | No | No |
| Pension income recognized | No | No |
| Local work permitted | No | No |
| Field | Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) | Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) |
|---|---|---|
| Processing time, minimum (weeks) | 3 weeks | Not specified |
| Processing time, maximum (weeks) | 3 weeks | Not specified |
| Interview required | No | No |
| Medical exam required | No | No |
| Field | Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) | Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) |
|---|---|---|
| Leads to permanent residency | Yes | Yes |
| Years to permanent residency | 2 years | Not specified |
| Field | Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) | Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) |
|---|---|---|
| US tax treaty | Not specified | Not specified |
| Field | Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) | Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance required | Yes | Yes |
| Local bank account required | No | No |
| Apostille required | No | No |
| US FBI background check required | No | No |
| Certificate of coverage required | No | No |