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Austria is a beautiful country nestled in the Alps, offering a high quality of life to its residents. It consistently ranks highly in terms of press freedom, women's rights, and human rights, and boasts an excellent education system and healthcare services. The country also provides easy access to cultural activities and world-class museums, opera houses, and theatres. However, there are some challenges to consider when moving to Austria, such as the high cost of living and the potential difficulty of settling in, especially without a good grasp of German. So, do expats enjoy living in Austria?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Quality of life | High |
| Safety | Very safe, rare crime |
| Culture | Rich cultural activities |
| Education | High-quality and well-developed |
| Healthcare | High-quality and accessible |
| Transport | Excellent and punctual |
| Cost of living | High |
| Employment opportunities | Limited for non-German speakers |
| Language | German |
| Weather | Cold winters |
What You'll Learn
High quality of life
Austria has been ranked highly in international quality of life rankings. The country has a lot to offer in terms of a clean environment, clear lakes and rivers, and outstanding air quality. This is complemented by a high degree of personal safety, a world-class healthcare system, excellent infrastructure, high-quality housing, and an excellent education system.
The quality of life in Austria is very high, with a 2019 global study placing the country in second place for quality of life. Vienna has also been named the most liveable city in the world for ten consecutive years. Austria's healthcare system is first-rate, with universal and accessible services. The country also boasts efficient public transport, with extensive bus, tram, and metro networks within cities, and high-speed rail connections between them.
The education system in Austria is well-developed, with free universal pre-school, primary, and secondary education. Students can choose between vocational and academic schools, and Austrian and EU students can access public universities for free. Even for non-EU students, public university costs are incredibly low.
Austria is also an incredibly safe country, with low crime rates and a low homicide rate. The country offers easy access to world-class museums, opera houses, theatres, and concerts, as well as stunning architecture, churches, and coffee shops. The country's location in the Alps provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain climbing, and skiing.
The country's central location in Europe makes it a convenient gateway to other European destinations, with many nearby countries easily accessible by train or plane. Austria's high quality of life, combined with favourable living costs, makes it an attractive option for expatriates.
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Excellent public transport
Austria has an excellent public transport system. It is well-developed, safe, extensive, reliable, and fairly cheap, meaning you don't need to spend a lot of money to get around. In fact, it's so good that there is almost no need to drive in Austria.
The country's public transport is punctual, clean, and comfortable. The capital, Vienna, has the best transport system in the country, including buses, trams, trains, and a metro. Wiener Linien is the main transport company in Vienna and in 2019, it carried over 4.59 billion passengers.
Austria is well-connected with trains and buses. Two companies operate the trains – ÖBB and Westbahn. Postbus operates bus services to smaller towns and regional areas. The ÖBB has a reputation for great service, boasting a punctuality rate of 97%. Because of this, over 1.3 million passengers use ÖBB services every day.
There are two apps that are highly recommended for using public transport in Austria: ÖBB Scotty and ÖBB Tickets. The ÖBB Scotty app is mainly for planning trips and checking arrival times, while the ÖBB Tickets app allows you to plan trips and buy tickets.
Public transport in Austria is also quite eco-friendly. For example, Wiener Linien claims to commit to conserving resources, reducing energy use, and cutting CO2 emissions. Additionally, most Austrian cities have eco-friendly transport options, such as electric trams and buses.
Overall, Austria's public transport system is very impressive and makes it easy to get around the country without a car.
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High-quality education system
Austria has a free and public school system, with nine years of mandatory education. The Federal Ministry of Education is responsible for funding and supervising primary, secondary, and tertiary education. The School Act of 1962 provides the legal basis for primary and secondary education in the country.
Austria's higher education system is highly accessible and diverse, with 23 independently-run public universities, 21 universities of applied sciences, 17 private universities, and 14 higher education institutions focused on teacher training. The University of Vienna is ranked 119th in the Times Higher Education world rankings, and the country has nine institutions in the top 1,000.
The Austrian education system offers a range of disciplines, including the humanities, science, languages, business, economics, and technical subjects. The system provides multiple pathways for students, including vocational-technical and university preparatory tracks.
The quality of state schools in Austria is very high compared to other education systems in Europe. The country's higher education institutions are committed to excellence and innovation, with a strong emphasis on research and development.
For those looking to study in Austria, it is important to note that most classes are taught in German. Additionally, tuition fees vary depending on the type of university and the student's nationality. While EU and non-EU students can attend public universities for free, private universities have different fee structures.
Overall, Austria's education system is highly regarded and offers a wide range of opportunities for students, making it a desirable destination for those seeking a world-class education.
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Universal healthcare
Austria has a universal healthcare system, which is considered to be of very high quality. The system is a blend of public access and private options, with the public sector offering almost universal medical coverage. The Austrian healthcare system is called Österreichische Gesundheitswesen (ÖGW) and is made up of the public health service and a large network of private healthcare providers.
The federal government, specifically the Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection, regulates most healthcare in Austria. The states (Länder) manage hospitals and emergency care in their area. Outside hospitals, medical providers are predominantly private and negotiate collective contracts with social health insurance (SHI) funds for the provision of outpatient care.
Healthcare in Austria is funded by a mix of general tax revenues and compulsory SHI contributions. Income-related SHI contributions make up about 60% of publicly financed health expenditures, while the remaining 40% comes from general taxation. Employees pay 3.87% of their net income towards their healthcare. While medical insurance is only mandatory for selected population groups in Austria, others can sign up for public or private insurance voluntarily.
Austria's healthcare system covers all essential treatments that are necessary and purposeful. Almost all medical treatments are free of charge, including doctor visits, mandatory vaccinations, hospital and emergency care, and dental check-ups. However, some health services, such as prescription medications and hospitalisation, require small co-payments.
Austria's healthcare system is known for its accessibility. In 2023, the country's healthcare system covered 99.9% of the population, with only 0.1% being underserved. The system provides comprehensive financial protection for vulnerable groups through numerous exemptions from cost-sharing requirements. Even asylum seekers, refugees, and those without legal residence are guaranteed access to essential medical help.
The quality of healthcare in Austria is impressive, with the country ranking 22nd in the world in the 2023 Legatum Prosperity Index. Austria also has a high density of doctors, with 5.4 doctors per 1,000 residents, and 10.6 nurses per 1,000 inhabitants, both above the EU average.
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Safe country
Austria: A Safe Country
Austria is widely regarded as a safe country, consistently ranking among the top safest countries in the world. In 2024, it was listed as the fifth-safest country globally by Global Finance Magazine, preceded only by Iceland, Switzerland, Finland, and Portugal. This ranking takes into account three critical factors: war and peace, personal security, and the risk of natural disasters.
Peace and Conflict
Austria boasts extremely low rates of domestic and international conflict. It has a stable political climate, with very low risks of violent demonstrations or civil unrest. This stability is further enhanced by its strong relationships with its neighbouring countries.
Personal Security
Austria is known for its low crime rates, particularly regarding violent crimes. The number of homicides in the country is remarkably low, with fewer than 100 murders per year across the entire nation. While petty crimes like pickpocketing can occur, especially in crowded areas and tourist hotspots, these are relatively rare.
Natural Disasters
Natural disasters are another factor that contributes to Austria's safety profile. Unlike some countries, Austria is not particularly prone to earthquakes, hurricanes, or other severe natural events that can pose significant risks to its population.
Other Factors
In addition to these key considerations, Austria also excels in other areas that contribute to its overall safety and security.
Healthcare
Austria's universal healthcare system is accessible and affordable, with mandatory contributions of only 7.6% of an individual's salary. The quality of healthcare is high, with modern hospitals and skilled healthcare professionals. This contributes to the overall safety of the country by ensuring that residents have easy access to medical care when needed.
Education
Austria's education system is well-developed and accessible, with free universal preschool, public primary, and secondary education. The country also has top-ranking universities, attracting thousands of international students each year.
Economy
Austria has a strong economy, with a high quality of life for its residents. It offers well-paid jobs, with average monthly salaries ranging from €1,700 to €2,200, and a good work-life balance, including generous vacation days and parental leave policies.
Social Welfare
The country has a robust social welfare system, providing residents with benefits like free healthcare, education, and social security. This contributes to the overall stability and safety of the nation by ensuring that its citizens have access to essential services and support.
Location
Austria's central location in Europe makes it an ideal base for those who enjoy travelling. It shares borders with several other countries, making it easy to explore diverse cultures and destinations.
Expat Community
Austria has an active expat community, with groups dedicated to socialising, business, travel, and more. This community can provide a valuable support network for those relocating to the country, making it easier to settle in and feel safe and welcomed.
In summary, Austria is consistently recognised as one of the safest countries in the world, offering its residents and visitors a secure and stable environment.
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Frequently asked questions
Ja, das Leben in Österreich gefällt mir sehr gut. (Yes, I like living in Austria a lot.)
Die Lebensqualität in Österreich ist sehr hoch. Das Land bietet saubere Alpenluft, einen effizienten öffentlichen Nahverkehr und ein hochwertiges Gesundheits- und Bildungssystem. (The quality of life in Austria is very high. The country offers clean alpine air, efficient public transportation, and high-quality healthcare and education.)
Obwohl Österreich viele Vorteile bietet, gibt es auch einige Herausforderungen, wie zum Beispiel die hohen Lebenshaltungskosten, vor allem in Großstädten wie Wien. Außerdem kann es schwierig sein, sich einzuleben und Freunde zu finden, da die Österreicher im Allgemeinen als weniger freundlich gegenüber Fremden gelten. (Even though Austria offers many benefits, there are also some challenges, such as the high cost of living, especially in big cities like Vienna. Additionally, it can be difficult to settle in and make friends, as Austrians are generally considered less friendly towards strangers.)
