Aaa Membership Benefits In Austria: What Americans Need To Know

AAA members can enjoy a range of benefits and services when travelling to Austria, including roadside assistance, discounts, and tourist information. However, it is important to note that there may be variations in the level of service provided by AAA and foreign motor clubs due to operating differences.

One important consideration for Americans driving in Austria is the requirement for an International Driving Permit (IDP). While AAA recommends obtaining an IDP before travelling overseas, there are conflicting reports on whether it is mandatory in Austria. The U.S. Embassy in Austria's website states that an IDP is required, and not having one could lead to issues with authorities in case of an accident. However, some travellers have reported being told by Austrian authorities that an IDP is not necessary for stays of up to 12 months.

To clarify, an IDP serves as an official translation of a U.S. driver's license and is recognized in more than 150 countries. It is intended to supplement a valid U.S. state license and is not valid in an individual's country of residence.

Visa requirements for Americans in Austria

US citizens do not need a visa for stays in Austria under 90 days. However, if you plan to stay longer than 90 days or intend to work in Austria, you must obtain an Austrian visa.

The visa application process can be started at an Austrian Embassy or Consulate General in the US or in Austria before your 90-day stay has expired. The application process can take up to six months, so it is important to apply well in advance.

The application requirements include:

• A valid US passport
• Proof of health insurance
• A police record certificate
• An "APOSTILLE" authentication on documents presented with the visa application

Additionally, you will need to provide a recent photograph that meets the following requirements:

• Taken against a plain light background
• Clear quality with the face in focus
• Full face: non-smiling, no sunglasses, no hat/cap or any head covering, unless for religious or ethnic reasons
• Printed on normal photographic paper
• Attached to the Visa Application Form

Please note that the US Embassy in Vienna, Austria, cannot provide legal advice on Austrian law and regulations. It is recommended that you consult the Austrian Embassy website or an Austrian official/attorney for detailed information on visa requirements and the application process.

Driving in Austria as an American

If you're an American planning to drive in Austria, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Firstly, make sure you have a valid International Driving Permit (IDP). While some countries do recognize U.S. driver's licenses, most countries, including Austria, require an IDP. This document serves as an official translation of your U.S. driver's license into 10 foreign languages and is accepted in over 150 countries. You can obtain an IDP by filling out an application form from AAA.

When driving in Austria, be sure to follow the local driving laws and regulations. Keep in mind that driving laws can vary from country to country, so it's important to familiarize yourself with the specific rules of the road in Austria. Some things to keep in mind include speed limits, which are typically posted in kilometers per hour, and traffic laws, which may differ from those in the U.S. It is also important to carry the necessary documentation with you while driving, such as your IDP, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.

In terms of road conditions and driving culture, Austria may present some unique challenges. For example, many roads in Austria are well-maintained, but there may be narrow passages or winding routes in rural areas. It is important to adjust your speed and driving style to match the conditions. Additionally, be aware of the priority to the right rule, which means that when two vehicles arrive at an intersection at the same time, the vehicle to the right has the right of way.

If you're planning to rent a car in Austria, you can do so with a valid U.S. driver's license and IDP. Rental car companies will typically provide you with the necessary documentation and insurance for driving in Austria. However, it is always a good idea to review the rental agreement carefully and understand the terms and conditions before signing.

Finally, it's important to be prepared for any emergencies that may arise while driving in Austria. Make sure to have a basic emergency kit in your vehicle, including items such as a first aid kit, flashlight, and basic repair tools. Additionally, consider enrolling in a roadside assistance program, such as those offered by AAA, which can provide assistance in the event of a breakdown or accident. Keep in mind that the services and benefits offered by AAA may vary depending on the country, so it's always best to check with your local AAA branch for specific details.

Work permits for Americans in Austria

If you are an American citizen and intend to work in Austria, you must obtain a visa. U.S. citizens can stay in Austria for up to 90 days without a visa, but any period beyond this requires one. The type of visa you will need depends on your purpose for being in Austria and how long you plan to stay.

Short-Stay Visas

If you are visiting Austria for less than six months and do not intend to work, you can enter without a visa, as long as you have a valid U.S. passport. This is known as visa-free travel, and it is limited to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Work Visas

If you plan to work in Austria, you will need to apply for a residence permit, which allows you to stay in the country for more than 90 days. You can apply for this before travelling to Austria at an Austrian Embassy or Consulate General, or after you arrive, before your 90-day stay has expired.

The application process for a residence permit can take up to six months, and work is not authorised until the appropriate visa has been obtained.

Work Permits

Work permits for non-EU citizens in Austria come in several forms, depending on your situation. The main types of work permits are the restricted work permit (valid for one year), the standard work permit (valid for two years), and the unrestricted work permit (valid for five years).

If you are a U.S. citizen, you can apply for a Red-White-Red Card, which allows you to live and work in Austria for 24 months. The application fee is approximately 150 EUR/166 USD, and you can only work for the employer specified in your application during this time.

To be eligible for a Red-White-Red Card, you must score a minimum of 70 points according to Austria's eligibility criteria. Points are awarded for special qualifications and skills, work experience, language skills, age, and studies in Austria.

If you do not yet have a job offer, you can apply for a six-month Job-Seeker Visa to look for work in Austria. This visa costs 150 EUR and allows you to enter the country and find a suitable job.

Self-Employment Visas

If you want to work for yourself in Austria, you can apply for a self-employment visa. To qualify, you must meet the requirements to be a Self-Employed Key Worker or a Start-Up Founder.

To qualify as a Self-Employed Key Worker, you must submit the following documents:

• A valid U.S. passport
• Birth certificate
• A photograph taken within the last six months
• Proof of accommodation in Austria
• Proof of health insurance covering all risks in Austria
• Evidence of financial means to support yourself

To qualify as a Start-Up Founder, you must submit the following:

• Birth certificate
• Photograph taken within the last six months
• Proof of accommodation in Austria
• Proof of health insurance covering all risks in Austria
• Evidence of financial means to support yourself
• Proof of completed vocational education or training
• Testimonial or training report and work certificate
• Document to show completion of a higher education programme of at least three years
• Proof of work experience
• Evidence of language skills in German or English
• Proof of investment capital
• Business plan and documents to prove the innovative character of your business idea

Healthcare for Americans in Austria

Austria has a world-class healthcare system, with most doctors speaking English. However, it is important to note that U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide coverage outside of the United States. Most private U.S. health insurance policies provide limited or no coverage outside of the country, so it is important to verify your coverage before travelling.

Austrian hospitals and medical providers generally do not accept U.S. insurance policies, so patients must pay upfront and file claims later with their U.S. insurance provider. It is recommended that you consider purchasing medical evacuation insurance, as a chartered air ambulance from Europe to the United States can cost up to $100,000 and is rarely covered by insurance.

Public Healthcare in Austria

Austria's public healthcare system is comprehensive, covering almost all health care needs, no matter your age or background. The system also benefits spouses and children of those who work in Austria and are covered by the worker's medical insurance.

The public healthcare system is funded through taxes on employed people's salaries. Everyone who is covered by public health insurance gets an e-card, which can also be used for electronic signatures. It is then possible to receive medical services without advanced payment by presenting this e-card to medical professionals.

People are covered through four pathways: precautionary, maternity, therapeutic aids, and illness. Precautionary includes things like vaccinations, remedies and treatment, lifestyle advice, health checks, health at work, and recovery. Maternity encompasses childbirth and things like parental leave benefits, child allowance, and maternity allowance. Illness includes work-related illness, doctor visits, mental illness treatments, and support with serious health problems. Therapeutic aids are for incapacity for work, accidents at work, treatment after accidents at work, and occupational diseases.

Private Healthcare in Austria

Private health insurance in Austria offers optimal expert care, the ability to choose your physician for outpatient treatment, and life-long coverage. In Austria, a contract with a private health insurance provider is seen as a life-long contractual relationship, which means they cannot come with restrictions and the providers cannot terminate them.

"Special Class" or "Comfort Class" private healthcare offers benefits such as shorter waiting times, access to exclusive physicians, private hospital rooms, and even a private bathroom or television in your room.

Private health insurance packages include inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and medication. With private health insurance, you will also experience shorter waiting times for the physician of your choice.

Finding a Doctor or Dentist in Austria

As long as you are part of the public healthcare system, you can generally see a doctor for free. Plus, dental care is heavily subsidised if you are employed, self-employed, a civil servant, or a farmer. Remember to take your health insurance card (known as a Krankenschein) with you when you see a doctor, dentist, or specialist. This will help you avoid paying fees for the meeting. As long as you are insured, you will only have to pay about 4 EUR (5 USD) to see someone.

There is a handy search tool to find a doctor in your area. You can even set parameters like "expertise", "gender", and "foreign language". You should make an appointment (known as a Termin in Austria) before going to see a doctor in the public system to avoid a long wait.

The Austrian Dentistry Chamber website allows you to search for a dentist in your area no matter where you live in the country.

Registering for Healthcare in Austria

As soon as you start a job in Austria, your employer is obligated to register you with Social Insurance within seven days of your start date. It is up to employers to register their employees with public health insurance. They then take the health insurance tax from the employee’s salary and pay it to the state.

Self-employed workers are not automatically added to the public health system, but they are allowed to register. The amount paid towards public health insurance is based on a worker’s salary, not their health conditions.

Costs of Healthcare in Austria

Public spending on healthcare in Austria was about 22 billion EUR (30.3 billion USD) in 2011, which is about 7% of GDP and 25% of social expenditure. Some 81% of this sum paid for outpatient and inpatient care, and a significant 15% went towards income support for employers, due to people missing work because of illness.

For most health services, employed people and farmers are likely to benefit for free from the moment they begin receiving care. For outpatient visits, you may have to pay between 10 and 20% of the overall cost for contracted physicians.

Prescriptions cost a little less than 6 EUR (7 USD) per item for medicine on the "positive list". Employees pay an annual fee of about 11 EUR (12 USD) for their e-card, which allows them outpatient visits at no extra charge.

Self-employed people pay between 10 and 20% of the tariff for outpatient visits. It is only 10% if they reach five personal health goals relating to issues such as blood pressure, weight, exercise, tobacco, and alcohol.

Pros and Cons of the Austrian Healthcare System

• Almost everyone is covered by the public healthcare system.
• Healthcare is of a generally excellent standard.
• Prescription costs are relatively low for medicine on the "positive list".
• Family members and spouses of employed people are covered.
• Patient co-payments for hospital stays were abolished in 2017.
• No EU country offers more mandatory maternity leave before the birth at 100% payment than Austria.
• Some of the best physicians are only available if you have private medical insurance.
• There are longer waiting times with public health insurance.
• Hospital rooms can be shared by up to eight or nine patients.
• New mothers who are employed only receive their full salary for the eight weeks before and eight weeks after the birth of their child.

Austria's healthcare system is comprehensive and covers almost all health issues and medication requirements. While the public healthcare system covers the vast majority of citizens, it is also possible to purchase additional private health insurance for more benefits and faster access to treatment.

Austrian culture and customs

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe with nine federated states. It is bordered by the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland. The culture of Austria has been influenced by the cultures of its neighbouring countries, as well as its historical position within the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Language

Austrian German is the official language, spoken by 98% of the population as their mother tongue. Slovene is an official language in the southern province of Carinthia. Other minority languages include Croatian and Hungarian. Austrian German differs in vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar specifics from German as spoken in Germany.

Religion and Beliefs

Austria is historically a strongly Catholic country, with 74% of the population identifying as Roman Catholic. However, about 12% of the population does not belong to any church or religious community.

Social Etiquette and Customs

The family is the basis of Austrian social structure. Families are generally small and closely-knit within a certain town or village. Weekends and holidays are devoted to shared meals, outdoor activities, and participation in local cultural events. Punctuality is highly valued, and Austrians are known for being precise in their commitments and schedules.

Austrians are generally conservative, prudent, and moderate in their behaviour. They are also known for their sense of "regimentation" and "compartmentalization", planning social events in advance and extending invitations early. Presentation and dressing well are important, and Austrians tend to dress elegantly and conservatively, even when dressed informally.

Business Culture and Etiquette

Austrians prefer third-party introductions but do not need a personal relationship to do business. They will be interested in advanced university degrees and the amount of time your company has been in business. They show deference to people in authority and expect you to understand your level relative to theirs.

Austrians are meticulous about details and will be prepared to defend every aspect of their presentations and proposals. Meetings adhere to strict agendas and punctuality is taken extremely seriously.

Food and Drink

Austrian cuisine includes hearty dishes and lots of meat, such as Wiener Schnitzel and Tafelspitz. There are also many dumplings, sausages, and potatoes, served with rich gravies and sauces. Austrian cuisine also includes pastries and desserts, such as the iconic Sachertorte, a dense chocolate cake with apricot jam.

Bread, sausages, and beer are important components of Austrian cuisine, with a variety of locally baked breads, uniquely flavoured sausages, and regional beers.

Arts and Music

Austria is known for its classical music, folk music, and baroque architecture. Vienna became a cultural centre during the time of the Habsburg monarchy, celebrated for its contributions to music, art, and philosophy. Composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Johann Strauss Jr. were associated with the city.

Sports

Austria is a prime location for skiing and other winter sports, with its many Alpine regions. Football (soccer) and ice hockey are also common sports.

Frequently asked questions