
Vienna, Austria's economic hub, has a well-developed economy with a thriving service sector and a significant marginal sector in terms of turnover. The city is also a major research hub, attracting over EUR 2.8 billion in research activities annually. Vienna's job market is competitive, and while German proficiency is important, there are still English-speaking job opportunities, especially in global companies or international teams within smaller businesses. Several visas are available for skilled workers, and job-seekers can take advantage of the city's Expat Centre, which provides advice and support for expats.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Language | German is the primary language in the workplace. However, there are English-speaking jobs available, especially in international companies or teams. |
| Visa | EU/EEA citizens can live and work in Vienna without a visa. Other nationalities may need a work permit or a special visa. Visa types include the Red-White-Red Card, Job Seeker Visa, EU Blue Card, and Short-term Employment Visa. |
| Economy | Vienna's economy is well-developed, with most jobs in the service sector. The city is also a hub for research and startups. |
| Job Market | The job market in Vienna is competitive. |
| Job Portals | Popular job portals include JobsInVienna, Monster, Jobrapido, Graduateland, and Jobera. |
| CV | CVs in Austria typically include personal details such as date of birth, nationality, and marital status. They should be concise, error-free, and no longer than two to three pages. |
| Interviews | Interviews may be held over the phone or via video call, especially for long-distance candidates. Larger, more established businesses may conduct traditional interviews with multiple rounds and German language tests. |
| Recruitment Agencies | Recruitment agencies include Manpower, Aviteus, and Hays. |
| Teaching Jobs | Teaching English is an option, with resources like TEFL Jobs Centre and Go Overseas providing information on English teaching jobs and programs. |
Explore related products
$20.88 $21.99
What You'll Learn

Visa requirements for non-EU citizens
As a non-EU citizen, you will need a work permit and a residence permit to work in Austria. The type of work permit you can apply for depends on your situation, and there are different visas for tourism, business, cultural activities, work, and studies.
If you are staying in Austria for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a residence permit. For stays of fewer than six months, you will need a working permit and a visa. The working permit must be applied for by your future employer before you enter the country. It is important to note that the embassy does not have the legal authority to arrange job positions, so you will need to contact the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) for this.
There are three types of work permits for non-EU citizens: a restricted work permit (Beschäftigungsbewilligung), which lasts for one year; a two-year work permit (Arbeitserlaubnis); and an unrestricted five-year work permit (Befreiungsschein). These must be applied for in sequence, and each permit acts as proof that you are employed and can support yourself. The application for a work permit must be submitted in German, and it will typically take around seven weeks for approval. If approved, you will then need to apply for a visa in your country of residence.
You can apply for a visa at a VFS Visa Application Centre or an Austrian consulate general, depending on the jurisdiction of your embassy area. If you are a resident of the UK, Ireland, Russia, Turkey, or Bosnia and Herzegovina, you must submit your application through VFS Global. If you are a resident of Kosovo, you must submit your application through the Swiss TLS Contact in your country. Residents of all other countries must submit their applications to the Austrian embassy or consulate in their country of residence.
It is worth noting that a Schengen visa does not allow you to work in Austria; it is only for short trips for tourism, business, and other non-work-related activities.
Austrian Bank Account Numbers: AT81 and Beyond
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$17.99 $27.99

German language proficiency
German is the primary language used in the Austrian workplace. Therefore, German language proficiency is generally important for finding a job in Vienna. Many roles, especially customer-facing or administrative positions, require at least conversational German proficiency.
If you are a native English speaker, you might find a job for non-German speakers by working in English in Vienna with a global company or within an international team of a smaller business. Some of the largest international companies operating in Vienna include Siemens and Hewlett Packard. Vienna is also a major hub for research, with some 35% of all researchers in Austria based there. Startups are also prevalent in the city, with Vienna being one of Europe's top ten startup hotspots.
If you are a teacher or are having difficulty finding an English-speaking position in Vienna, teaching English is always an option. Although it is not a huge market, you can still look into it before deciding whether or not to take a TEFL course to get certification.
If language is a barrier, Austria offers many institutions that provide German language classes to help integrate into the job market. The cost of a German course can vary widely, from free to several hundred euros, depending on the institute, duration, and proficiency level. That shouldn’t stand in your way, however, as Austria offers several ways to obtain language vouchers and qualify for discounts or even free lessons. As a part of the Start Coaching program, Vienna provides vouchers (Sprachgutschein) for courses at selected providers. In other Federal States in Austria, you can consult the ÖIF, and they are often provided by the VHS and AK. Qualifying third-country nationals seeking to obtain a residency permit (and who have existing family ties in Austria) can receive up to €300 (3 x €100), while citizens from the EU/EEA and Switzerland can receive up to €150 from ÖIF. If you are seeking employment or want to increase your chances on the job market, you can apply for financial support from the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) or the Vienna Employee Promotion Fund (WAFF) if you live in Vienna.
Third-country nationals who immigrate to Austria or who want to remain in Austria must prove, under certain circumstances, that they have German language skills. The decisive point is the classification of language proficiency levels in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (“Gemeinsamen Europäischen Referenzrahmen für Sprachen”). Level A reflects elementary language skills (basic user). Level B reflects an independent use of the language (independent user). Level C reflects a proficient use of the language (proficient user). In turn, each level is divided into two sub-levels. This means that there are six levels in total: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. German language skills up to a B2 level are relevant for immigration and residence in Austria. In principle, German certificates must be shown to the Immigration Authority (“Aufenthaltsbehörde”). If you apply for a Long-Term Resident EU permit (“Daueraufenthalt EU”), you have to present the ÖIF B1 Integration Certificate when you extend your residence permit.
Wild Wolves in Austria: Do They Exist?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

CV and cover letter
When applying for a job in Vienna, Austria, you will typically need to submit a CV and a cover letter. In Austria, the cover letter is considered more important than the CV, as it is seen as an opportunity for the applicant to showcase their personality and individual style. While the CV lays out the facts and information about the applicant's work history and qualifications, the cover letter should be designed to make the employer want to meet the applicant in person. It should be formal, but also personalised and specific to the job being applied for. It should not be a repetition of the CV, but rather an argument for why the applicant is the right person for the job. It should be no longer than one A4 page, and should include the applicant's academic title.
The CV should be concise, providing a summary of the applicant's work history, education, and extracurricular activities, and how they relate to the job. It should be no more than two to three pages in length, and it should be written in tabular form. It should include the applicant's full personal details, such as date of birth, nationality, and marital status, as well as a recent photo. It is also important to note that jobs in Austria will typically be advertised in German, and your application should be in this language if possible. If language is a barrier, Austria offers many institutions that provide German language classes to help integrate into the job market. There are also several websites that provide free CV templates and builders for job-seekers in Austria.
Austria's Founding: A Historical Perspective
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Job sites and recruitment agencies
Vienna has a well-developed economy, with most jobs found in the service sector. If you are seeking a job in the city, there are several job sites and recruitment agencies you can turn to.
Firstly, it is important to note that while English-speaking jobs exist in Vienna, particularly in international companies or teams, learning German will significantly improve your chances of finding employment. The Public Employment Service (AMS) offers job listings and advice for job seekers, but these services are in German only. EURES, a European agency, provides similar services in English and other European languages.
There are several job sites that cater specifically to English-speaking job seekers in Vienna. These include Jobs in Vienna, Expatica, The Local, Xpat Jobs, and Monster. Jobs in Vienna allows you to streamline your job search and connect with high-calibre positions, offering both English and German speaking jobs. Expatica also provides an English job section, and you can check their jobs board for opportunities. The Local is another job site with an English job section, and Xpat Jobs lists vacancies for English speakers across different sectors and industries. Monster is a highly popular source of classifieds from all business sectors and salary levels.
If you are a teacher or are interested in teaching, you can explore sites like TEFL Jobs Centre, which is the leading site for English teaching jobs worldwide and is updated weekly. Go Overseas is another resource that features English teaching programs and jobs throughout Austria.
For specialist insights into the Austrian labour market, Jobera is a good option. Graduateland is ideal if you are a student seeking internship opportunities in Vienna.
In terms of recruitment agencies, Manpower is a leading recruitment and temp firm in Austria, and Aviteus specifically recruits specialists and managers. Hays is a global recruitment agency with offices in Vienna and Graz.
Lastly, many companies advertise leading employment positions in local newspapers and their online editions, so be sure to check these as well.
Exploring Austria and Bratislava by Train and Foot
You may want to see also
Explore related products

English-speaking jobs
Vienna, Austria, is a popular place to live and work, having been voted the most livable city in the world seven times in a row. Many major international companies have bases in Vienna, and there are plenty of English-speaking job opportunities.
If you are a non-EU citizen, you will need to apply for the Red-White-Red Card, which matches your skills with the shortages in the Austrian labour market. You can also apply for an EU Blue Card if you are from outside the EU, are highly skilled, and have a job already lined up. Third-country nationals can apply for a job-seeker visa, which is valid for up to six months.
When it comes to job hunting in Vienna, the internet is your friend. There are many local job sites, such as Jobs in Vienna, Jobera, and Graduateland, as well as global ones like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Monster. You can also use the WORK in AUSTRIA TALENT HUB, where you can create a profile with a CV in German and English to be discovered by Austrian companies.
When applying for jobs in Vienna, it is customary to submit an application letter and a CV with a professional photo and your signature. You can use the EU's Europass CV builder or follow templates provided by the Public Employment Service Austria (AMS). Some companies will ask for paper applications, and interviews are usually conducted in German unless otherwise stated. It is recommended to learn some basic German before starting your job search.
There are many English-speaking job opportunities in Vienna, such as Machine Learning Engineer, Senior Frontend Engineer, and Deputy Director. These jobs are often with global companies that operate across different cultures and time zones.
Austria's Historical Legacy: A Complex Past
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
If you are a citizen of an EU or EEA country, you can live and work in Vienna without a visa or permit. If you are not, you will need to apply for a work permit. The type of permit you need depends on several factors, including your qualifications and the type of job you are looking for. You can find out more about the requirements on the Austrian government's migration portal or the EU immigration portal.
German is the primary language used in the workplace in Austria, so it is beneficial to learn German before looking for a job in Vienna. However, there are still English-speaking job opportunities in Vienna, especially with global companies or international teams within smaller businesses.
There are several online job portals that you can use to find job opportunities in Vienna, including JobsInVienna, Monster, Jobrapido, and Jobera. You can also check out the English job section of The Local, or look for jobs specifically in Vienna on Indeed. Additionally, the Public Employment Service (AMS) has job listings and offers advice for job seekers, but their services are in German only.
In Austria, it is standard to include full personal details in your CV, such as your date of birth, nationality, marital status, and details of any military service. A photo (headshot) might also be requested. Your CV should be no more than two to three pages and provide a concise summary of your work experience, education, and extracurricular activities, explaining how they relate to the job you are applying for.




































