The National Contact Points of the European Migration Network (EMN) prepare several studies on migration and asylum-related issues each year based on common study template. EMN studies are elaborated in accordance with uniform specifications in order to achieve comparable results EU-wide. With the help of an external service provider, the European Commission publishes a Synthesis Report summarizing the main findings from the studies prepared by the National Contact Points.
Family reunification of third-country nationals in Austria under the Asylum Act and the Settlement and Residence Act
Family reunification is essential for ensuring family unity as well as the right to family life and plays a significant role in the integration of migrants. It has been one of the main routes of regular migration to the European Union in the past decades.
The study addresses key questions such as how the right to family reunification can be exercised in Austria or what challenges do migrants and authorities face in the context of family reunification and how can these be overcome. The study furthermore provides a comprehensive overview of the two family reunification systems in Austria (depending on whether reunification takes place under the Settlement and Residence Act or in the context of international protection), discusses relevant legal and policy changes in the study period (2017 until March 2025), analyses the available data and identifies gender-specific aspects of family reunification.
Labour migration in times of labour shortages in Austria
Austria is one of the countries in the EU with the highest rate of job vacancies. There is a shortage of labour in various sectors such as IT, transport, tourism, health and care. What role does labour migration play in these times of labour shortages? This study addresses this question for the period 2021–2024.
The study sheds light on immigration routes for workers and identifies legal regulations, political strategies and initiatives in the field of labour migration to counter labour shortages. The study also highlights key challenges for the recruitment of labour from abroad, such as the differences between the education and vocational training systems in the countries of origin and in Austria. Finally, the study also discusses the findings of experts on the successful recruitment of international talent, such as the relevance of a whole-of-government approach.
The international dimension of Austrian measures to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings and protect the victims
Human trafficking is a global phenomenon that is considered a modern form of slavery and a serious violation of fundamental human rights and human dignity. In order to effectively counter this phenomenon, Austria is implementing measures that are already effective in the victim’s countries of origin and are intended to prevent trafficking in human beings. This study provides an overview of the international dimension of Austrian measures to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings and protect the victims in the 2021–2023 study period. It therefore presents the geographical priorities set by Austria, the structured and institutionalized cooperation with third countries and international organizations as well as some projects implemented in Austria and abroad to prevent trafficking in human beings to Austria. The study also highlights the existing challenges and best practices in Austria
EMN Report “Children in Migration 2021-2022: an Overview”
This report outlines the progress made by EMN Member and Observer Countries in implementing the EU Communication on the protection of migrant children (2017) in the period 2021-2022. The report focuses on areas that are of particular importance with regard to the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child (2021) and showcases developments regarding identification and registration, accommodation, care alternatives, guardianship, education, procedural safeguards, detention for the purpose of return and the transition to adulthood.
EMN-Study “Displaced Persons from Ukraine – Summarizing Overview of Austrian Measures in the Period February 2022 to June 2023”
The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, which began in February 2022, triggered the fastest and largest displacement in Europe since the Second World War. More than six million people left Ukraine as a result of the war to seek protection and safety in neighbouring countries as well as other countries. The study looks at the measures taken in Austria to provide protection and care for displaced persons from Ukraine. Based on the EMN Austria Annual Report on Migration and Asylum 2022 and the Austrian contribution to the EMN study "The Application of the Temporary Protection Directive – Challenges and Good Practices in 2023"the publication provides a compact overview of these measures.
- Country Report Austria (EN)
- Country Report Austria (DE)
- EMN Study (EN)
- Summary (EN )
- Summary (DE)
- Contribution to the EMN Study “The Application of the Temporary Protection Directive – Challenges and Good Practices in 2023” (EN)
- Contribution to the EMN Study “The Application of the Temporary Protection Directive – Challenges and Good Practices in 2023” (DE)
- EMN Austria Annual Report on Migration and Asylum 2022 (EN)
- EMN Austria Annual Report on Migration and Asylum 2022 (DE)
EMN Study: Unlawful Employment of Third-Country Nationals in Austria
This study examines the unlawful employment of third-country nationals in Austria in the period from 2017 to 2023. It provides an overview of risk areas and current trends, and analyses of measures to prevent and identify unlawful employment. The study also discusses possible consequences for employers and third-country nationals. Based on statistics, expert interviews, and analyses of policies, laws and practices, key challenges and good practices are highlighted.
EMN Study “Access to the Labour Market and Labour Market Integration of Asylum-seekers in Austria”
The study deals with access to the labour market and labour market integration of asylum-seekers in Austria. First, it addresses the timing and requirements for access to employment and self-employment. Second, it deals with laws, policies and measures to ensure that access to the labour market, if granted, can actually take place. Based on statistics, expert interviews, and analyses, key challenges and possible solutions are highlighted.
EMN Study “Integration of Migrant Women in Austria: Policies and Measures”
Based on data and statistics, this study identifies key challenges and opportunities for the integration of migrant women in Austria. The study furthermore analyses whether and to what extent the particular situation of migrant women is taken into consideration in national integration policies and measures. One focus is on the impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic.
EMN Study “Trafficked Third-Country Nationals: Detection, Identification and Protection in Austria”
This study deals with the phenomenon of human trafficking of third-country nationals in Austria. In Austria, the fight against human trafficking is a domestic as well as foreign policy priority of the federal government. The report therefore examines Austrian measures to help detect trafficking situations and protect trafficked persons. In addition, the report provides a statistical overview and also addresses challenges and best practices.
EMN-Report: Children in Migration
This EMN-report highlights Member States' progress in implementing the EU Communication on the Protection Children in Migration. The 2017 Communication sets out measures to strengthen the protection of children at all stages of migration at national and EU level. The report focuses on progress in 2020 in areas such as identification, accommodation and procedural safeguards.