Moving To Austria: A Guide For Us Citizens

Austria is a highly developed and industrialized country that offers a high standard of living to its residents. The process of moving to Austria is much easier if you are an EU or EEA citizen, as you do not need a visa, residence permit, or work permit to live there. However, US citizens who want to make Austria their new home can still move there, but the process is more complex. This is because, in addition to a visa, US citizens will also need a residence permit and a work permit.

Visa and residence permit requirements

If you are a US citizen wanting to move to Austria, you will need to apply for a visa and a residence permit. The type of visa and residence permit you will need depends on your reason for relocating to Austria.

If you are planning to stay in Austria for less than six months, you will need to apply for a visa but not a residence permit. For stays of up to 90 days within 180 days, some third-country nationals do not require a visa, depending on their citizenship.

If you are moving to Austria to work, you will need to apply for a work permit and a work visa (a long-stay visa, or Type D visa). Austria issues work permits, known as Red-White-Red Cards, to highly skilled non-EU nationals. This type of permit is issued for a period of up to two years, and there are set requirements that must be met to be eligible. Before applying for a work permit, you must secure a job, as you will not be allowed to apply for a Red-White-Red Card without a job offer. The application for this type of visa can be completed by you or your employer.

Highly skilled workers can also apply for an EU Blue Card if they have a job offer from an Austrian employer and have the necessary qualifications and experience for the position. The EU Blue Card also allows you to bring your family members to Austria.

If you are moving to Austria to study, you will need to obtain a student visa. Austria issues two types of student visas: Visa C and Visa D. You must enrol in an Austrian university before starting the application process for a student visa. Once you have received an acceptance letter, you can apply for a student visa at the local embassy or consulate in your home country. With a student visa, you can move to Austria and register at the registration office, and immediately apply for a student residence permit.

If you are moving to Austria for family reunification, you can apply for a family reunification visa at the Austrian embassy or consulate. This type of visa allows the following family members to join you in Austria: minor children (under 18), partners in long-term relationships, and other relatives under specific circumstances. You cannot get a family visa if your family member in Austria is not an Austrian citizen or does not have a residence permit. The family reunification visa is valid for one year and can be renewed depending on the residency type. It also allows you to work in Austria.

If you are moving to Austria for retirement, Austria does not offer retirement visas. However, if you are financially independent, you can obtain a residence permit, known as a "settlement permit except for gainful employment". This type of permit is issued for 12 months and does not allow you to work. Austria issues a limited number of settlement permits per year, so you must be quick to find a quota place.

If you want to become an Austrian resident and have the necessary financial means, you can obtain residency through investment. This can be done through an investment program by investing directly in the country. However, the number of people granted this visa is limited, as the investment program is regulated by an annual quota of 300.

Shipping household goods

Choosing a Shipping Method

Firstly, you need to decide between sea freight and air freight. Sea freight is significantly cheaper and has a better safety record and environmental impact. However, air freight is much faster.

Choosing a Container

If you choose sea freight, you will need to select a container. A consolidated container, where space is shared with other customers, is more cost-effective if you don't have many goods. However, a personal container gives you more control over the timeline.

Ports and Transportation

As Austria is landlocked, your shipment will first arrive at a port in a neighbouring country, such as Italy, Belgium, or Germany. You will then need to arrange transportation from the port to your final destination in Austria.

Paperwork

There is significant paperwork involved in shipping household goods to Austria. You will need to provide the following documents:

• A customs declaration form
• A new residence permit and certificate of residence change
• Proof of ownership of your goods
• Proof that you lived abroad for more than 12 months
• Three identical inventory lists

Restricted Items

Be aware that certain items are restricted or banned from being brought into Austria. These include certain types of food, plants, vehicles, and electronics that are incompatible with Austrian voltage.

Timeline

The shipping duration will depend on the port of origin and destination. As a general guide, shipping from the US East Coast takes 6-12 weeks, while shipping from the US West Coast takes 8-14 weeks.

Cost

The cost of shipping will depend on various factors, such as the shipping method, container choice, origin and destination ports, and whether you use a door-to-door service. Be sure to get quotes from multiple shipping companies to find the best option for your needs.

Relocating with pets

If you are relocating to Austria with pets, there are a number of steps you need to take to ensure you are complying with Austrian law. The process is relatively straightforward, but there are a few important things to keep in mind.

Firstly, it is important to note that all pets must be microchipped and vaccinated before entering Austria. The microchip should comply with ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785, and it must be implanted before the rabies vaccine is administered. All pets must also have an original Rabies Certificate signed by a veterinarian. During the final health exam, the rabies vaccine must be at least 21 days old. Other recommended vaccines for dogs include Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus (DHLPP) and Bordetella. For cats, recommended vaccines include Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia (FVRCP). These vaccines should be administered no less than two weeks before the export date for maximum effectiveness.

In addition to the microchipping and vaccination requirements, there are specific import documentation requirements that must be completed by your veterinarian. This includes the EU Health Certificate, which is valid for up to four months and covers travel throughout the EU. To obtain this certificate, you must visit an accredited veterinarian within 10 days of your arrival in Europe. The cost of the certificate will depend on your home country. Once you arrive in Austria, you can obtain an EU Pet Passport for your dog, cat, or ferret. This will allow you to travel easily throughout Europe without needing a new health certificate each time.

When travelling to Austria with your pets, different rules apply depending on the mode of transport. If travelling by car, you will usually need a transport box for smaller pets or a way to strap larger animals in case of an accident. For train travel, regulations vary by railway but typically involve the use of a pet container for smaller animals and a muzzle and lead for larger ones. If flying, each airline has different rules, but the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has established carriage rules for animals that all European airlines must follow. Fees for flying with pets vary vastly depending on distance, size, and weight.

Once you arrive in Austria, there are a few more things to keep in mind. All dogs, even small ones, must be kept on a lead or muzzled in crowded public places, including public transport, outdoor events, and restaurants. There are also specific registration procedures for dogs, which vary by municipality. If your dog is a breed considered dangerous or difficult to handle, you and your dog must pass the Vienna Dog License exam within three months of your arrival. Additionally, all dogs over three months old must be registered and you must pay an annual dog tax of €72 for the first dog and €105 for each additional dog.

Healthcare and health insurance

Austria has a two-tier healthcare system, with nearly universal coverage, where all residents receive publicly funded care, but can also purchase supplementary private health insurance. This private insurance, sometimes called "comfort class" care, can include more flexible visiting hours, private rooms, and doctors. Some people choose to pay for their care entirely privately.

Healthcare in Austria is universal for Austrian residents, as well as those from other EU countries. Students from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland with national health insurance in their home country can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This card enables holders to access state-provided healthcare at a reduced cost or for free. It covers pre-existing medical conditions and routine maternity care, but not private health treatment. It is important to note that the EHIC is not a substitute for medical insurance. For stays of up to six months in Austria, travel health insurance is likely sufficient, but for longer stays, proof of health insurance that covers "all risks" is advisable.

Enrollment in the public healthcare system is generally automatic and linked to employment. However, insurance is also guaranteed for co-insured persons (spouses and dependents), pensioners, students, the disabled, and those receiving unemployment benefits. Enrollment is compulsory, and employers are responsible for registering their employees with the correct institution and deducting the health insurance tax from their salaries. The self-employed are not automatically enrolled but are eligible to enroll. The cost of public insurance is based on income, not individual medical history or risk factors.

All insured persons are issued an e-Card, which must be presented when visiting a doctor. The e-Card allows for the digitization of health claims and can be used for electronic signatures and identification.

Austria's health system is complex, with the federal government responsible for the legislative framework, including the regulation of social health insurance (SHI). SHI funds have operational responsibility for ambulatory and rehabilitative care outside hospitals and outpatient medicines, and they negotiate contracts with providers. The states (Länder) regulate hospital care in their jurisdictions and are responsible for organizing and financing inpatient and outpatient care in hospitals. Financing is mixed and fragmented, with SHI funds, the federal government, the Länder, and municipalities all contributing to the health budget.

Provision of health services in Austria is characterized by relatively unrestricted access to all levels of care, including general practitioners, specialists, and hospitals. There is no formal gatekeeping system in place, and patients can choose between independently practicing physicians, group practices, hospital outpatient departments, and outpatient clinics.

Citizenship requirements

Austrian citizenship law does not permit dual citizenship. Therefore, if you want to become an Austrian citizen, you must give up your previous citizenship. The only exception to this rule is for people who acquired Austrian citizenship by descent.

There are other ways to obtain Austrian citizenship, such as by descent, if one of your parents is an Austrian citizen. You can also obtain citizenship through investment, although this is limited to 300 people per year.

If you are an EU or EEA citizen, the process of moving to Austria is much easier as you do not need a visa or residence permit to live there. However, after three months, you must register your stay with the local Austrian authorities.

As a non-EU citizen, you will need to apply for a long-stay visa (type D visa) and then a residence permit. The Red-White-Red Card is a type of residence permit that allows you to live and work in Austria for a specified employer and is valid for 24 months. To be eligible for this card, you must fall into one of the following groups: very highly qualified workers, skilled workers in shortage occupations, graduates of Austrian universities and colleges, regular workers in tourism, agriculture, and forestry, or self-employed key workers.

To obtain a residence permit, you must meet general requirements, including having adequate means of subsistence, health insurance coverage, and adequate accommodation. Your stay must also not be contrary to public order, security, or Austria's relations with other countries.

Frequently asked questions