Living In Austria: A Guide For Americans

Austria is a desirable destination for expats, with over 1 million calling the country home. It offers a high standard of living, a strong social security network, and a high-quality education system. However, its complex bureaucracy can make the process of relocating there challenging. Here's a guide to help Americans navigate the path to living in Austria.

Visa requirements for US citizens

US citizens do not need a visa to visit Austria for less than 90 days. However, if they intend to stay longer than 90 days or seek gainful employment in Austria, they must obtain an Austrian visa.

Austrian visas can be applied for at the nearest Austrian embassy or consulate. Alternatively, US citizens can apply for a visa in Austria before their 90-day stay has expired. It is important to note that the visa application does not automatically extend the right to stay beyond 90 days if the processing of the residence permit takes longer.

The application process for an Austrian visa requires biometric data, such as fingerprints, to be submitted. Certain states in the US also allow applications to be submitted at a VFS Visa Application Centre.

For US citizens seeking to work in Austria, the Red-White-Red Card is an option to obtain permanent residence. This card is designed to facilitate the immigration of qualified workers and their families, offering the prospect of permanent settlement. To be eligible, individuals must score over 70 points on the Austrian authority's scale, which considers factors such as professional qualifications, work experience, and German language proficiency.

For shorter stays, US citizens can apply for a travel visa (Visa C) for up to 90 days within six months or a residence visa (Visa D) for stays between 91 days and six months. In exceptional cases, a D visa may be issued for up to 12 months.

Additionally, US citizens should be aware that Austria requires an "APOSTILLE" authentication on documents presented with their visa application. Proof of health insurance is also mandatory when applying for a visa.

Residence permits

US citizens can stay in Austria for up to 90 days without a visa. However, if they intend to remain in the country for longer than 90 days, or if they wish to work there, they must obtain a visa.

To obtain a visa, US citizens must:

• Complete a standard form provided by the Austrian authorities, containing complete details about the applicant.
• Hold a passport that is valid for at least three months before relocation to Austria.
• Hold Schengen Travel Insurance with a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000.
• Provide a marriage certificate to prove marital status.
• Provide birth certificates for any children also applying.
• Prove accommodation in Austria.
• Provide information on financial means to cover the entire stay in Austria.
• Present an employment contract, if applicable.

There are two types of residence permits in Austria that Americans can apply for:

• Red-White-Red Card: This acts as a work and residence permit and is valid for two years. It is issued to highly skilled workers from the USA.
• Red-White-Red Card Plus: This is an upgraded version of the Red-White-Red Card, allowing foreigners to accept different jobs in Austria. This residence permit is also valid for two years.

Families wishing to immigrate to Austria must apply for a residence permit that is valid for one year. This permit allows access to jobs on the Austrian market.

Other Types of Visas

Work Permit

The Red-White-Red Card is the work permit issued to highly skilled non-EU nationals wishing to move to Austria for work. It is valid for up to two years, and applicants must meet a set of requirements to be eligible.

Before applying for this type of visa, applicants must secure a job. The application can then be completed by the applicant or their employer.

Student Visa

Non-EU citizens wishing to move to Austria for study purposes need to obtain a student visa. Austria issues two types of student visas: Visa C and Visa D.

Visa D is a long-term visa that can be switched to a student residence permit. Applicants must be enrolled in an Austrian university before starting the application process for this visa.

Family Reunification Visa

Third-country nationals residing legally in Austria can bring their family members to join them by applying for a family reunification visa at the Austrian embassy or consulate.

The following family members can come to Austria on a family visa:

• Minor children (under the age of 18).
• Partners in long-term relationships.
• Other relatives under specific circumstances.

The family reunification visa is valid for one year and can be renewed depending on the residency type. It also allows the visa holder to work in Austria.

Settlement Permit Except Gainful Employment

US citizens who want to move to Austria for retirement and who are financially independent can obtain a residence permit known as a "settlement permit except gainful employment".

Austria issues a limited number of these permits per year, so applicants must be quick to find a quota place. There are also other requirements that must be met to be eligible for this type of residence permit.

This permit is issued for a period of 12 months and does not allow the holder to work.

Work permits

Americans wishing to work in Austria will need to obtain a work permit and a visa. The type of work permit and visa will depend on the individual's circumstances, including their qualifications, the length of their stay, and the type of work they intend to undertake.

Who Needs a Work Visa and Work Permit?

Citizens of non-EU countries need a visa and work permit to work in Austria, even for a short period. EU citizens, on the other hand, do not need any permits to work in Austria for the first three months. If staying longer than 90 days, they will need to apply for a certificate of registration.

Work Permit Types

There are several types of work permits available in Austria, each with different eligibility requirements:

• Restricted work permit (Beschäftigungsbewilligung): This permit is valid for one year.
• Standard work permit (Arbeitserlaubnis): This permit is valid for two years.
• Unrestricted work permit (Befreiungsschein): This permit is valid for five years.
• Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte): This is a work and residence permit for highly skilled employees, valid for up to two years.

Eligibility Requirements for a Work Visa

The eligibility requirements for a work visa in Austria depend on the type of visa being applied for. For the Red-White-Red Card, individuals must go through a qualification check by the Austrian Ministry of Labor and Economy, which assesses the employee's prior experience, professional qualifications, language skills, and other criteria.

For the Job Seeker Visa, individuals must achieve a minimum of 70 points according to a list of criteria, including special qualifications, skills, work experience, language skills, and age.

Application Process

To apply for a work visa, individuals will need to submit the following documents:

• Visa application form
• Cover letter stating the purpose of the visit
• Travel insurance covering medical care and other emergencies
• Proof of financial means, such as bank statements and/or a sponsorship letter
• Civil status documents such as a birth certificate or marriage license
• Proof of health insurance
• Biometric data, such as fingerprints

Additionally, individuals applying for the Red-White-Red Card must have a job offer in the country and will need to apply for a work permit before applying for the visa. Once the work permit and visa have been obtained, employees can move to Austria to work.

Digital Nomad Visas

Austria does not currently have a specific visa for digital nomads. However, they can apply for any of the short-term or long-term visas available.

Compliance

Austrian laws around work permits and visas are strict, and penalties will be imposed for employees and employers if these are not obtained or are overstayed. Employers can partner with an Employer of Record (EOR) to handle the legal responsibility of hiring in Austria and ensure compliance with local laws.

Healthcare and insurance

Healthcare in Austria is considered excellent, with the vast majority of citizens covered by some form of health insurance. The Austrian public healthcare system is comprehensive, covering almost all health issues, medication requirements, and protecting all members of society.

The system also benefits spouses and children of those who work in Austria and are covered by the worker's medical insurance. It is mandatory for everyone in Austria to have health insurance. If you are an American citizen, you will need to obtain an Austrian visa if you intend to stay longer than 90 days, and you will need to prove that you have health insurance.

Public Healthcare

Public healthcare in Austria is available to all Austrian citizens and EU/EEA citizens. It is also possible for students from EU/EEA countries to use the European Health Insurance Card to access healthcare in Austria. Self-insured students based in Austria must pay around 50 EUR (60 USD) per month for national health insurance.

Public healthcare covers 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. Therapeutic aids are for the incapacity for work, accidents at work, treatment after accidents at work, and occupational diseases. Illness includes work-related illness, doctor visits, mental illness treatments, and support with serious health problems.

Private Healthcare

Private health insurance in Austria offers optimal expert care, the ability to choose your physician for outpatient treatment, and life-long coverage. Private health insurance is not necessary unless you want the "Special Class" features or if you suffer from a chronic or serious illness. The average cost of private health insurance in Austria is approximately 220 EUR (243 USD) per month, but prices vary depending on age and the features included.

Cost of Public Healthcare

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.

Cost of Private Healthcare

The costs of private supplementary insurance depend on which additional benefits are included, as well as on age and overall health. Expect to pay in the region of €45 to €85 a month for adults and €30 a month for children. If you don't have an income, statutory health insurance in Austria costs €495.58 a month as of 2024, and is known as "self-insurance".

Registration

Registration for the public healthcare system is not optional, but it is also not something you usually need to do yourself. Once you are employed, you will be automatically enrolled, and your employer will take the health insurance tax from your salary and pay it to the state. If you are self-employed, you are not automatically added to the public health system, but you are allowed to register.

Education

Austria has a free and public school system, with nine years of mandatory education. The Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research is responsible for the entire educational system, from early childhood education to higher education entrance examinations.

Primary and Secondary Education

Primary education in Austria is typically four years of elementary school (Volksschule), followed by four years of lower secondary education (Mittelschule) or grammar school (Gymnasium). After this, students can either take up an apprenticeship or continue their education.

Apprenticeships: Students who wish to pursue an apprenticeship and not complete a degree will attend a polytechnic institute (Polytechnische Schule) for a year. They then find an apprentice position and attend vocational school (Berufsschule) for three years. At the end of the three years, they take the final apprenticeship examination (Lehrabschlussprüfung).

Higher education: Students who want to get a degree will complete four to five years at an institution of higher education (Höhere Schule) or a vocational school with a higher education entrance qualification (Berufsbilde Höhere Schule). These schools usually require an entrance exam or high marks on the student's last school certificate. The final exam, known as matriculation (Matura), allows students to apply to universities. Some university subjects may require additional exams.

Tertiary Education

Austria has 22 public universities, 16 private universities, 21 universities of applied sciences, and 14 university colleges of teacher education. The majority of students attend public universities, which only charge students a modest fee each semester.

Language

German is the primary language of instruction in Austrian schools. Children whose native tongue is not German and who are unable to follow lessons in German will initially receive instruction in German remedial classes.

There is a broad range of institutions offering German courses in Austria. The Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) offers certified German courses, free learning materials, and online language courses on its online platform, "Sprachportal".

Frequently asked questions