Applying For Nursing In Austria: A Step-By-Step Guide

Austria is facing a high demand for nurses and nursing assistants, with many job openings and career opportunities available. To apply for a nursing position in Austria, you must meet certain requirements, including proficiency in German, recognition of your professional qualifications, and obtaining the necessary visas and permits. The process involves validating your training documents and certificates, completing a nostrification programme, and applying for a residence permit, specifically the Red-White-Red Card, which is the common work permit for foreign nurses. Additionally, you can explore resources like EURES, an online platform highlighting nursing occupations in Austria for foreign workers, and partner universities in your home country to facilitate your transition into the Austrian healthcare system.

Requirements for foreign nurses

Austria has a high demand for nursing professionals, with many job openings and career paths available. To work as a nurse in Austria, foreign nurses must meet several requirements. Firstly, they must have completed their nursing training in their home country, and their professional qualifications must be recognised and registered by the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection in the Health Professions Register ("Gesundheitsberuferegister"). This includes having their training documents and certificates validated in Austria. The recognition process for foreign qualifications has been streamlined, and there is facilitated recognition for foreign nurses.

Secondly, foreign nurses must obtain a residence permit in Austria, called the Red-White-Red Card. This is the common work permit for foreign nurses and can be applied for through the ABA Immigration and Residence Services, which offers free consulting with an official mandate from the Austrian Government. Additionally, foreign nurses must demonstrate proficiency in the German language at levels B1 for nursing assistants and B2 for registered nurses. This is to ensure effective communication with patients and colleagues, as healthcare services in Austria operate primarily in German.

To enter Austria, foreign nurses must apply in person for a visa D at the Austrian embassy in their home country. They will need to obtain a student residence permit before applying for the visa. The nostrification programme, which focuses on developing language and cultural skills, starts in the nurse's home country and continues once they arrive in Austria. The average time to reach German language level B1 is 7 to 9 months, and level B2 must be reached within 24 months.

Overall, Austria offers a wealth of fields of application, areas of activity, further training, and career opportunities for foreign nurses. The structured healthcare system and the country's dedication to work-life balance create a high satisfaction rate among nurses.

Visa application process

To work as a nurse in Austria, you must obtain a residence permit, also known as a Red-White-Red Card. This card is also the common work permit for foreign nurses. The application process for this card typically takes 6 to 12 weeks.

If you have completed your nursing training in a country outside of the EU or EEA, you must first obtain a student residence permit, also known as a Visa D. You can then enter Austria and continue the nostrification programme, which includes a German language course and the acquisition of cultural knowledge. The programme starts at the university in your home country, and you must reach at least a German language level of B1 to work as a nursing assistant in Austria. Once you have reached this level, you can work as a nursing assistant and continue German courses to reach level B2.

If you have completed your training abroad and it corresponds to Austrian higher training for nursing care, you can submit a special application to the Office of the Provincial Government in the particular federal province in which you intend to work. If approved, you will be allowed to work in the field of nursing for up to one year, with a possible extension for another year, for training purposes and under supervision.

The ABA Immigration and Residence Services offer free consulting with an official mandate by the Austrian Government. Additionally, EURES is an online platform that regularly highlights nursing occupations in Austria for foreign workers.

Career opportunities

Austria offers a range of career opportunities for nurses, with a high demand for nursing professionals and a variety of job openings on the Austrian job market. The country's structured healthcare system and dedication to work-life balance create a high satisfaction rate among nurses, with positive feedback from medical practitioners around the world.

To work as a nurse in Austria, you must meet several requirements. Firstly, your professional qualifications must be recognised and registered by the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection in the Health Professions Register. Secondly, you need proficient German language skills, at least at a B1 level for nursing assistants and B2 for registered nurses, as healthcare services operate primarily in German. To facilitate this, the Vienna Healthcare Group offers a nostrification programme that focuses on developing your language and cultural skills. This programme can be started in your home country, and once you reach the required German language level, you can begin working as a nursing assistant.

The Vienna Healthcare Group, an enterprise of the City of Vienna, offers a wealth of fields of application, areas of activity, further training, and career opportunities. With 30,000 employees across seven clinics, they provide cutting-edge medicine and treat a high volume of inpatients and outpatients annually.

Additionally, Austria offers clear pathways for career advancement in nursing, including options for continuing education and specialised training. For example, new career paths have emerged in community health nursing and school nursing. Furthermore, investments in education and the expansion of competencies within the field of nursing are characterising recent developments in Austrian healthcare.

Salary and benefits

It is important to note that salaries can also differ based on the federal state and employer. Additionally, German language proficiency can impact salary, as nurses with German language skills at levels B1 or B2 may have more employment opportunities and thus affect earning potential.

To increase your pay as a registered nurse in Austria, consider changing employers and moving to a company that offers higher compensation for your skills. Advancing your level of education by obtaining advanced degrees can also increase your income potential and open up opportunities for promotions. Lastly, gaining management experience by overseeing junior registered nurses can also enhance your earning capacity.

In terms of benefits, nurses in Austria may receive additional perks such as an extra relief week for nurses and nursing assistants at levels 2 and 1 who are 43 years of age or older. Furthermore, staff working in long-term inpatient care facilities receive two hours of time credit for each night shift worked. Collective labour agreements may also provide additional benefits for employees in the healthcare sector.

German language proficiency

To work as a nurse in Austria, you must have German language proficiency. The required level of proficiency is B1 or B2, depending on your role. This is because healthcare services operate primarily in German, and effective communication with patients and colleagues is essential.

If you are a nursing assistant level 2, you will need a German language skill level of B1. You can work in this role at the Vienna Healthcare Group with a German language proficiency of B1. While working, you will continue to attend German courses to reach level B2.

Registered nurses require a higher level of German proficiency, at a minimum of B2. To enter Austria, you must apply in person for a visa D at the Austrian embassy in your home country, and you will need to have obtained a student residence permit before applying for this visa.

The University of Applied Sciences FH Campus Wien offers a nostrification programme to prepare you for the linguistic and cultural aspects of working in Austria. The programme starts in your home country and includes a German language course. The time it takes to complete the programme depends on your language learning progress. On average, it takes 7 to 9 months to reach level B1, and level B2 must be reached within 24 months.

If you have completed your training abroad and it corresponds to Austrian higher training for nursing care, you can submit a special application to the Office of the Provincial Government in the federal province where you intend to work. If approved, you will be allowed to work in nursing for up to one year (with the possibility of an extension) for training purposes under direction and supervision.

Frequently asked questions