Moving To Austria: A Comprehensive Guide For Expats

If you're thinking of moving to Austria, there are a few things you'll need to consider. First of all, you'll need to decide whether you're moving for work or study purposes, as this will impact the type of visa or residence permit you'll need. If you're an EU citizen, you can freely move to Austria, but if you're staying for more than three months, you'll need to apply for a registration certificate. For non-EU citizens, you'll need to have a job or university acceptance letter to apply for a visa and residence permit. You'll also need to get your finances in order and consider how you'll transport your belongings to Austria.

Visas and permits

If you are an EU citizen, you can move to Austria without a visa. However, if you plan to stay for more than three months, you will need to apply for a registration certificate within four months of your arrival. You must also be employed or enrolled at an educational institute, and/or have sufficient finances and healthcare coverage.

If you are a non-EU citizen, you will need a visa and a residence permit to move to Austria. To be eligible for a visa, you will need a signed work contract or a university acceptance letter. Other common documents you’ll need include a passport, proof of accommodation, health insurance, and proof of financial means. You will also need translated and legalised documents for your visa application and to register your address, which is a legal requirement. Translations often take time, so make sure you translate the necessary documents well in advance.

If you are moving to Austria for work, you will need a binding job offer from an Austrian employer before you can apply for a residence permit. The type of residence permit you need will depend on several factors, such as your qualifications and job details.

Shipping your belongings

If you're moving to Austria, you'll need to start preparing months in advance. The way you ship your belongings will depend on how many items you have and whether you're moving from within the EU or not. If you only have a few bags of clothes and personal items, you could send your belongings by air freight. If you have a lot of belongings, especially furniture, sea freight is the way to go. If you are moving within the EU, it might be easier to send your things by road or transport them with you by train.

If you're a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national and you want to work in Austria for more than six months, you'll need a residence permit. You'll need a binding job offer from an Austrian employer to get this. You'll also need a signed work contract or a university acceptance letter to be eligible for a student visa or work visa. Other documents you'll need include a passport, proof of accommodation, health insurance, and proof of financial means. Translations of these documents are required for your visa application, so make sure you translate them well in advance.

If you're an EU citizen, you can freely move to Austria. But to stay for more than three months, you'll need to apply for a registration certificate within four months of your arrival. You must also be employed or enrolled at an educational institute, and/or have sufficient finances and healthcare coverage.

Finding accommodation

If you need a visa to move to Austria, you must be able to prove you've found suitable accommodation. Booking temporary hotel stays is not useful as you also need to register your address within three days of your arrival. To book a rental apartment or a room in Austria, you can look online. If you're moving for employment purposes, you can look for jobs online, such as on the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS). You can also check the requirements for working abroad and gain an understanding of the average salary in Austria. This step is especially important for non-EU citizens who need to have a job or university acceptance letter to apply for a visa and residence permit.

Registering your address

The process involves some paperwork, but it is quite simple. You must first choose an office and select a date and time for your appointment. You can then fill out the residence registration form (Meldezettel) and bring it along to your appointment. The form is only available in German and must be completed in German as well. Registering in Austria is free, but you must pay around €15 for any additional copy.

If you are an EU citizen, you can freely move to Austria. But to stay for more than 3 months, you’ll need to apply for a registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung) within 4 months of your arrival.

Getting your finances in order

If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national, you will need a residence permit to work in Austria for more than six months. The type of permit you need depends on several factors, such as your qualifications and job details. To get a residence permit, you must first have a binding job offer from an Austrian employer.

If you are moving to Austria as a student, you will need a signed work contract or a university acceptance letter to be eligible for an Austrian student visa. You should also check if you are eligible for a scholarship and find out how many hours you are allowed to work alongside your studies.

Regardless of your reason for moving to Austria, you will need to provide proof of financial means when applying for a visa. This may include bank statements, payslips, or other documents that demonstrate your financial stability. You should also consider the cost of living in Austria and ensure that you have enough savings to cover your expenses until you find employment or start receiving an income.

Frequently asked questions