Austria is set to introduce a new work authorization category aimed at cross-border commuters, as part of efforts to address labour shortages and create a more structured framework for foreign workers who live outside the country but travel in regularly for employment.
Beginning December 1, 2025, the government will launch the “Frontier Worker Permit,” a document designed specifically for individuals who reside in neighbouring countries—such as Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic—but work in Austria on a daily or weekly basis.
The initiative, announced by Austrian labour authorities, seeks to streamline the legal status of so-called frontier or cross-border workers who maintain their primary residence abroad while holding jobs within Austria’s borders.
According to officials, the permit will offer a clear, formal pathway for this category of employees, many of whom are currently operating under fragmented or varying administrative arrangements depending on their employer and region.
The model is straightforward: frontier workers will continue living in their home country, commute across the border for work, and return after completing their shifts—without taking up long-term residence in Austria.
Government representatives say the scheme is intended to balance Austria’s growing labour needs with responsible migration management, ensuring that essential sectors in border regions can access qualified staff while maintaining regulatory oversight.
The new permit is expected to benefit industries such as healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, and logistics, which rely heavily on cross-border labour and have reported persistent staffing shortages in recent years.
