Haftungserklärung: Sponsor Declaration for Austria (2026)

What is a Haftungserklärung?

A Haftungserklärung (literally "liability declaration") is a legally binding document in which a third party, the sponsor, formally commits to covering the costs of another person's stay in Austria. It functions as a guarantee to the Austrian state that the applicant will not become a burden on public funds. The sponsor accepts personal financial liability for the applicant 's subsistence, accommodation, and any costs incurred during the declared period.

The declaration is governed by Austrian immigration law and must follow the format accepted by the relevant authority. It is distinct from a simple letter of support: once notarised and submitted, it creates a legally enforceable obligation that must stay valid for at least 5 years. This means the sponsor can be held liable even after the applicant leaves Austria, if costs were incurred during the covered period.

The form itself is usually obtained from migration.gv.at or the relevant Austrian consulate. For student applicants, OeAD (the Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation) provides additional guidance on accepted formats.

Who can be a sponsor and what must they prove?

For student permit applications, the sponsor must be resident in the EU. This is a firm requirement for most cases handled by Austrian universities and OeAD. For certain visa categories and dependent family applications, the residency requirement may differ. Always confirm with the relevant authority or consulate before relying on a non-EU sponsor.

The sponsor must demonstrate sufficient financial capacity to cover the applicant's costs. The evidence authorities typically scrutinise includes:

• Payslips for the last 3 months, showing regular net income above the required threshold.
• Bank statements for the last 3 months, showing consistent positive balance.
• Tax returns for the previous year, sometimes requested to confirm long-term income stability.
• Employment contract or proof of self-employment, confirming the sponsor's current income source.

The authority assesses whether the sponsor's income, after their own living costs, leaves enough to cover the applicant's minimum subsistence amount in Austria. The current minimum subsistence rates are published by migration.gv.at and updated annually. Officers have discretion to request additional documents if the initial submission leaves capacity in doubt.

Which permits accept a Haftungserklärung?

Source: oesterreich.gv.at, Haftungserklärung, last updated by the BMI on 10 August 2026; § 2 Abs. 1 Z 15 NAG.

The law draws a sharp line between allowed and mandatory. For pupils, students, volunteers and artists, a sponsor can stand in for your own money. For a Niederlassungsbewilligung Angehöriger, the relative already in Austria has to sign one regardless. Everywhere else, including the Red-White-Red Card, the authority expects your own income.

The liability is wider than most sponsors expect. Beyond accommodation and subsistence, the sponsor covers what the federal state, a province or a municipality spends on return decisions, detention pending deportation, social assistance or basic care. Schengen and Visa D applications sit outside this NAG rule, so ask the consulate which sponsor form it uses there.

How do you complete and submit one step by step?

The process below applies to the standard case of a student permit or short-stay visa. Specific details may differ by permit type and consulate.

1. Obtain the official form. Download the current Haftungserklärung form from migration.gv.at or from the Austrian consulate responsible for your country. For student permits, OeAD may specify the accepted format.
2. Sponsor completes the declaration. The sponsor enters their full name, date of birth, address, and a clear statement of liability. The applicant's details and the intended permit duration are also entered.
3. Have the signature certified in Austria. The sponsor signs in front of an Austrian notary or has it certified by an Austrian court. A foreign notary is not accepted. The notary fee is not fixed by law, so ask the notary for a quote first.
4. Attach financial supporting documents. The sponsor compiles the required evidence: payslips, bank statements, and any other documents specified by the authority (see the checklist below).
5. Submit with the visa or permit application. Include the notarised declaration and all sponsor attachments in the complete application package and submit to the Austrian consulate or authority.

Subject: Request for Haftungserklärung, Austrian [student permit / visa]

Dear [Sponsor name],

Thank you for agreeing to support my Austrian [student permit / visa]
application. To proceed, I need you to sign a Haftungserklärung
(Austrian sponsor declaration).

What this involves:
- Filling in the attached official form with your name, address, and a
  declaration that you will cover my living costs during my stay.
- Having your signature certified by an Austrian notary or Austrian court.
- Attaching your most recent 3 months of payslips and bank statements.

The declaration must stay valid for at least 5 years. Please read the
form carefully before signing.

I need the completed, notarised documents by [date]. Please let me know
if you have any questions.

Thank you,
[Your name]

What documents must the sponsor attach?

The checklist below covers the standard requirements. The authority or consulate may request additional documents depending on the sponsor's employment situation.

• ✓Completed, notarised Haftungserklärung formOriginal with notary seal; copies are not accepted.
• ✓Last 3 months of payslipsMust show employer name, gross and net income, and the pay period.
• ✓Last 3 months of bank statementsFrom the account that receives the salary. Must show account holder name.
• ✓Employment contract or employer confirmation letterConfirming current employment and monthly salary.
• ✓Most recent tax return (if self-employed)To demonstrate income stability over the previous 12 months.
• ✓Copy of sponsor's ID or passportCertified copy may be required; confirm with the consulate.
• ✓Proof of EU residency (if required)Utility bill, registration document, or residence permit in the EU country.

Frequently Asked Questions