Moving To Austria: A Simple Guide To Relocating

Austria is a highly developed and industrialised country with a high standard of living. It offers excellent transportation links, affordable childcare and education, and a high quality of life. The process of moving to Austria is much easier for EU/EEA citizens, who do not need a visa or work permit. However, non-EU/EEA citizens will need to apply for a visa and a work permit. There are many job opportunities for foreigners in Austria, particularly in the service industry and in Vienna, which is home to many international organisations.

Visas and permits

If you are an EU or EEA citizen, the process of moving to Austria is much easier as you do not need a visa to live there, nor a residence or work permit. You can move to Austria permanently (without a visa) if you are working, studying, or have an Austrian family member. After three months, you must register your stay with the local Austrian authorities. You will also need to register for a Certificate of Registration. Once you have moved to Austria, you are allowed to work, study, and live there freely.

Citizens of non-EU countries will need to apply for a visa. This can be a restricted work permit, which lasts for just a year; a work permit, which lasts for two years; or an unrestricted work permit, which lasts for five years. Certain Austrian provinces will not let you purchase property in your name, however, you can register it with a legal entity.

If you are moving to Austria to look for work, you can apply for a Jobseeker visa, which gives you up to six months to find employment.

If you want to make the most of your time in Austria, some ability in German, or its variants, will help.

Buying property

If you are a non-EU citizen, certain Austrian provinces will not let you purchase property in your name, but you can register it with a legal entity. If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, you can move to Austria permanently without a visa if you are working, studying or have an Austrian family member. After three months, you must register your stay with the local Austrian authorities. The process of moving to Austria is much easier for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens compared to non-EU citizens.

Austria is a highly developed and industrialised country that offers high standards of living to all its residents. It ranks highly in many aspects and life fields such as education, healthcare, work-life balance, and the economy. This is why the country has become a central point for expats moving to Europe.

There are more than 1 million expats from all over the world living in Austria, and many ways to network, socialise, and make new friends. Vienna, for example, is home to many international organisations like OPEC and the OSCE, so there are many job opportunities for foreigners moving to Austria.

If you want to make the most of your time in Austria, some ability in German, or its variants, will help.

Language

Austria is a highly developed and industrialised country with a high standard of living. The process of moving to Austria is much easier if you are an EU or EEA citizen, as you will not need a visa to live there, nor a residence or work permit. However, if you are from a non-EU/EEA country, you will need to apply for a visa. This can be a restricted work permit, which lasts for a year, a work permit, which lasts for two years, or an unrestricted work permit, which lasts for five years.

German is the official language of Austria, and it is widely spoken throughout the country. While English is also commonly spoken, particularly in tourist areas and international businesses, learning German will greatly improve your experience of living in Austria. It will help you to integrate into Austrian society, make friends, and access a wider range of job opportunities.

There are several ways to learn German before and after moving to Austria. Online courses, language apps, and private tutors can all be useful resources for learning the language. Additionally, many universities and language schools in Austria offer German language courses for foreigners, which can be a great way to improve your language skills while also getting to know other expats.

If you plan to work in Austria, having a good level of German will increase your job prospects. While some international companies may operate in English, most businesses will require at least a basic level of German. Learning German will also be beneficial for navigating daily life, from reading menus and understanding public transport announcements to communicating with healthcare professionals and government officials.

For those moving to Austria with children, learning German can be especially important for their education and social integration. There are German-language schools and international schools that teach in English, but attending a local school can be a great way for children to learn the language and make friends with local students. Overall, learning German will greatly enhance your experience of living in Austria and help you feel more connected to the country and its culture.

Job opportunities

Moving to Austria is much easier if you are an EU or EEA citizen, as you do not need a visa to live there, nor a residence or work permit. However, after three months, you must register your stay with the local Austrian authorities. You will also need to register for a Certificate of Registration.

Citizens from non-EU countries will need to apply for a visa, which can be a restricted work permit (lasting one year), a work permit (lasting two years), or an unrestricted work permit (lasting five years). Certain Austrian provinces will not let non-EU citizens purchase property in their name, but it can be registered with a legal entity.

Austria has a high standard of living, with excellent transportation links, affordable childcare and education, and high levels of wellbeing across the population. It also has a strong economy and ranks highly in terms of work-life balance. More than 1 million expats from all over the world call Austria home, and there are many job opportunities for foreigners.

Vienna is home to many international organisations, such as OPEC and the OSCE, providing job opportunities for foreigners. Additionally, as 70% of the country's inhabitants work in the service industry, there are plenty of seasonal job opportunities in the country's tourist hotspots. The average monthly salary in Austria (after taxes) is €2000.

Standard of living

Austria is a highly developed and industrialised country that offers a high standard of living to its residents. The country ranks highly in many aspects of life, including education, healthcare, work-life balance, and the economy.

The process of moving to Austria is much easier if you are an EU or EEA citizen, as you do not need a visa to live there, nor a residence or work permit. After three months, EU/EEA/Swiss citizens must simply register their stay with the local Austrian authorities. Citizens from non-EU countries will need to apply for a visa, which can be a restricted work permit (lasting one year), a work permit (lasting two years), or an unrestricted work permit (lasting five years).

Austria has excellent transportation links, affordable childcare and education, and a strong economy. The average monthly salary in Austria (after taxes) is €2000, and there are many job opportunities for foreigners, especially in Vienna, which is home to many international organisations. No less than 70% of the inhabitants of Austria work in the service industry, and a large part of that industry consists of tourism, so expats can easily find seasonal work in tourist hotspots around the country.

If you want to make the most of your time in Austria, some ability in German, or its variants, will help. Austria is home to more than 1 million expats from all over the world, so there are many ways to network, socialise, and make new friends.

Frequently asked questions