Living Abroad: An American's Austrian Dream

Austria is a popular destination for expats, with over 1 million foreign residents. It offers a high quality of life, including excellent education and healthcare, a safe environment, and a good work-life balance. However, it can be challenging for newcomers to make friends with the locals, and the cost of living is high.

For US citizens, gaining a visa in Austria is a similar process to that of any non-EU citizen. A visa is required for stays of over 90 days, and a residence permit is needed for longer-term stays. US citizens must apply for a visa at an Austrian embassy or consulate in their country of residence, and biometric data, including fingerprints, must be submitted as part of the application.

There are different types of visas and residence permits available, depending on the purpose and duration of the stay. For example, there are visas for tourism, business, cultural activities, work, and studies. US citizens seeking to work in Austria can apply for a Red-White-Red Card, which facilitates the immigration of qualified workers and their families.

In addition to obtaining the necessary visas and permits, those relocating to Austria should also be aware of the cultural differences and basic etiquette expected in the country.

Visa requirements for US citizens

US citizens do not need a visa to enter Austria if they intend to stay for less than 90 days within a period of 180 days. However, if they wish to remain in the country for a period exceeding 90 days or seek employment, they must obtain an Austrian visa.

The type of visa required depends on the purpose and duration of the stay. For stays of up to six months, individuals can apply for a Visa C (Tourism) or a Visa D. These applications must be submitted at a VFS Visa Application Center, and not at an Austrian Consulate General.

For longer stays, individuals need to apply for a residence permit by scheduling an appointment with the Austrian Consulate General via email. This involves a separate appointment for each applicant (including children) and submitting a complete application with all the required documents. Incomplete applications will not be accepted and will cause delays in the visa process.

The application process for US citizens varies based on their state of residence. For example, citizens residing in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and U.S. Pacific Islands need to apply for visas at the VFS Visa Application Center in Los Angeles and San Francisco. On the other hand, citizens from Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, and so on, need to apply at the VFS Visa Application Center of the Austrian Embassy in Houston, Miami, or Washington, D.C.

It is important to note that US citizens cannot apply for an Austrian visa in the United States if they do not reside in the country. They must apply at the Austrian Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence.

Residence permits

Americans intending to stay in Austria for more than 90 days or who wish to work there must obtain a residence permit. This can be done by applying at an Austrian Embassy or Consulate before travelling to Austria, or by applying in Austria before their 90-day stay has expired.

There are different types of residence permits, and they are always issued for a specific purpose. For example, they may be marked "except for gainful employment". Foreigners can only change the purpose associated with their residence permit if they meet the requirements for the new permit, and if there are enough residence permits available under any quota in force.

• Red-White-Red Card: This is for qualified workers and citizens of a third country (a country outside the EU) seeking to live and work in Austria. It is issued for a period of 24 months and entitles the holder to fixed-term settlement and employment by the employer specified in the application.
• Red-White-Red Card Plus: This is for family members of Red-White-Red Card holders.
• Settlement Permit: This is for extended family members of EEA nationals or Swiss nationals.
• Settlement Permit – Relative: This is for family members of Austrian residents.
• Settlement Permit Except Gainful Employment: This is for people who are financially independent and wish to move to Austria for retirement.
• Settlement Permit – Artist: This is for artists.
• Residence Permit – Researcher: This is for researchers.
• Researcher's Residence Permit – Mobility: This is for researchers normally resident in another EU member state. It is issued for the duration of the holder's research activities on Austrian territory, up to the expiry date of their residence permit in the other EU member state.
• EU Blue Card: This is for highly skilled non-EU nationals. It also allows the holder to bring their family members to Austria.

Work permits

Americans intending to work in Austria need to obtain a work permit and a residence permit. The type of work permit required is a Red-White-Red Card, which is issued to highly skilled non-EU nationals. This type of work permit is issued for a period of up to 2 years, and there is a set of requirements that must be met to be eligible.

Before applying for a work permit in Austria, you must first secure a job offer. The application for the Red-White-Red Card can then be completed by either the individual or their employer. The application must be submitted to the competent Austrian representation in your home country or country of residence, or to the competent residence authority in Austria.

To be eligible for a Red-White-Red Card, you must reach a minimum of 70 points according to the following criteria:

• Special qualifications and skills
• Graduation from an institution of higher education, with a minimum duration of a four-year programme in the subjects of mathematics, informatics, natural sciences, or technology (MINT subjects)
• Post-doctoral qualification or PhD
• Gross salary of the previous year earned in a senior management position
• Research and innovation activities (patent applications, publications)
• Awards (recognised prizes)
• Work experience
• German or English language skills for the elementary use of the language on a basic level (A1 level)
• Age (up to 35 points can be awarded for being up to 45 years of age)

In addition to the above criteria, you must submit the following documents when applying for a work permit:

• Valid travel document (e.g. passport)
• Photo (dimensions: 45x35mm), not older than six months
• Proof of locally customary accommodation (e.g. lease contracts, preliminary agreement on tenancy rights or ownership evidence)
• Proof of health insurance covering all risks (compulsory health insurance or equivalent insurance policy)
• Proof of adequate means of subsistence (payslips, pay certificates, employment contracts, insurance benefit certificates, evidence of retirement or other pension or insurance benefits, investment capital or sufficient own assets)

It is important to note that the work permit must be applied for by the future employer before entering the country. The Austrian Embassy does not have the legal authority to arrange job positions, so individuals should contact the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) for this purpose.

For stays shorter than 6 months, a working permit and a visa must be obtained.

Healthcare and insurance

Austria has a two-tier healthcare system, with universal coverage for residents and those from other EU countries. Nearly 99% of residents are covered by health insurance, and the World Health Organization ranks its healthcare system as the ninth-best in the world.

Austria's healthcare system is organised by region, with regional authorities known as Gebietskrankenkassen (GKK). The country has 28 social insurance institutions, which are statutory bodies under public law.

Social insurance in Austria is made up of health, pension, and accident insurance. As soon as you start employment in Austria, you are automatically covered by insurance, which also extends to school and university students. If you are unemployed and claiming benefits, you are also covered. Anyone can seek voluntary cover for health insurance.

If you are staying in Austria for longer than six months, you are considered a resident and will have to pay contributions to one of the local insurance institutions (Sozialversicherungsträger). You will then receive an e-card, which gives you access to free healthcare.

If you are an American citizen, you do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in Austria within a 180-day period. However, if you are staying for longer than six months, it is advisable to get proof of having health insurance that covers "all risks".

For US citizens, travel insurance is not mandatory when visiting Austria, but it is highly recommended. The regular US health insurance, including Medicare, provides little to no health insurance coverage outside US borders. International travel insurance from the US usually covers:

• Medical expenses, including emergency medical and dental treatment, hospital stays, and medical evacuation.
• Trip cancellation or interruption.
• Baggage loss or delay.
• Travel delays.
• Emergency assistance.

The cost of travel insurance for a US citizen visiting Austria can vary depending on factors such as the duration of the trip, age, the level of coverage, and any additional benefits. On average, it can range from $50 to $200 for a week-long trip, which is between 5% to 8% of the trip cost.

If you are moving to Austria as an expat, it is important to note that healthcare is mandatory and that you will have to pay contributions to one of the local insurance institutions. You can expect to pay around €24.42 a month for statutory health insurance as a student with access to the regional healthcare system. The cost of private health insurance can be considerably higher.

Supplementary Insurance

In addition to the statutory health insurance, you can take out supplementary insurance policies on a private basis. These include:

• Insurance for the doctor of your choice, which includes free choice of doctor, better coverage, and shorter waiting times.
• Hospital insurance for additional benefits during hospital stays.
• Additional packages, such as for travel or children.

Cost of living

The cost of living in Austria varies from city to city, but overall, accommodation can be expensive, especially if you want to buy property. Rent in Austria is, on average, 44.9% lower than in the United States, but you will likely pay more for a smaller space. Housing options in Austria are more than 10% cheaper than in neighboring Germany and nearly 30% cheaper than in France.

The average monthly costs for a family of four in Austria are 3,836.00 USD without rent, while for a single person, the average monthly costs are 1,127.10 USD without rent.

Food and Groceries

A recent report ranked Austria as the 18th most expensive country to live in the world. Here are some average food and grocery prices in Austria:

• Loaf of bread: 1.80 EUR (2 USD)
• Chicken (per kg): 10.50 EUR (11.60 USD)
• Apples (per kg): 2.20 EUR (2.40 USD)
• Bananas (per kg): 1.70 EUR (1.90 USD)
• Potatoes (per kg): 1.30 EUR (1.40 USD)
• Water (1.5-liter bottle): 0.60 EUR (0.70 USD)
• Wine (1.5 liters): 7 EUR (7.70 USD)
• Beer (0.5-liter bottle): 1.10 EUR (1.20 USD)
• Cigarettes (pack of 20): 5.50 EUR (6.10 USD)

Eating Out and Entertainment

Eating out in Austria normally costs around 12 to 50 EUR (13 to 55 USD) depending on the restaurant. A monthly gym pass is 32 EUR (35 USD), while a cinema ticket costs approximately 10 EUR (11 USD). Domestic beer (1 pint) costs 3.50 USD, and a cappuccino in a mid-range area costs 3.30 USD.

Utilities

Utilities bills in Austria are calculated based on the size of the home rather than the resources consumed. For example, Austrian households pay an average of 20 EUR (21 USD) per month for electricity. For the internet, prices range from around 9 to 83 EUR (10 to 91 USD) depending on the supplier and speed. Generally, the faster the internet, the more expensive it is.

Natural gas in Austria costs most households an average of 19 EUR (20 USD) per GJ. Households in Austria tend to use between 20 and 200 GJ of natural gas per year. Water is typically paid for together with waste removal, land tax, and sewage charges. This bill typically includes charges for maintenance, repairs, and building insurance. Residents can expect to pay between 1.80 to 3.50 EUR (2 to 3.90 USD) per month for this.

Transportation

A single trip on public transportation in Austria costs between 1.80 and 2.20 EUR (2 to 2.45 USD). Journeys on buses and trains in rural areas cost an average of 2 EUR (2.25 USD) every five kilometers (3.1 miles).

If you drive, you will have to pay a toll to use the motorways, and you will need a motorway sticker (Autobahnvignette). You can buy these at post offices, Trafik shops, border posts, and service stations.

Childcare and Education

Private secondary schools in Austria can cost as much as 55,000 EUR (60,600 USD) for boarding students and around 35,000 EUR (38,550 USD) for day students. A year at an international primary school can cost 13,000 EUR (14,500 USD) but there are schools that charge as little as 5,000 EUR (5,505 USD). Boarding at an international school can cost 64,000 EUR (71,400 USD) for a year.

Cities

The cost of living in Austria varies significantly between different provinces and cities. Vienna and Innsbruck are consistently ranked as the most expensive cities in Austria, while Graz and Klagenfurt are among the most affordable.

Frequently asked questions