Migrants are eligible for long-term residence permits after five years living in Austria, even if they leave the country for up to two years on certain humanitarian grounds. They cannot count their time as a student or as an asylum seeker awaiting a positive decision. Among the administrative conditions that have worsened since 2004 (see box), all-risk health insurance is required of all applicants (see box for access to nationality). They have a security halfway to best practice, involving numerous legal guarantees and avenues for appeal in the case of negative decisions. However, they can be expelled if they pose a serious threat to public order or security, based on a non-exhaustive list. Even children and people who have lived in Austria for over 20 years can be expelled. Austria would reach best practice on rights if long-term residents could freely travel, live and hold long-term residence permits in other EU Member States.
