Immigrate To Vienna: Steps To Live In Austria's Capital

Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a popular destination for immigrants due to its high quality of life, stunning scenery, and vibrant culture. The city boasts a mix of history, food, and elegance, making it an attractive place to live and work. However, relocating to Vienna requires careful navigation of the country's immigration system, which can be intimidating and complex. Understanding the different types of visas and residence permits is essential, especially for those planning to stay long-term or seeking employment. This guide will provide an overview of the key considerations and requirements for immigrating to Vienna, Austria, to help make your transition as smooth as possible.

Visa and residence permits

The visa and residence permit requirements for immigrating to Vienna, Austria, depend on your nationality and the intended duration of your stay. Here is an overview of the requirements for different nationalities:

• EU/EEA Citizens and Swiss Nationals: EU/EEA citizens and Swiss nationals can enter Austria without a visa and reside there for up to three months. They have the right to free movement within the EU and can reside in Austria for longer periods if they meet certain requirements. If planning to stay for more than six months, they must register with the local authorities but do not need a residence permit.
• Third-Country Nationals: Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland are considered third-country nationals. For stays of up to six months, they require a visa. For longer stays, they need a residence permit. The specific type of residence permit may depend on factors such as employment status and duration of stay. One option is the Red-White-Red Card, which is valid for twelve months and requires passing language module 1. Family members of Red-White-Red Card holders can apply for the Red-White-Red Card Plus. Another option is the EU Blue Card, which is valid for 24 months and does not require a language test.
• U.S. Citizens: U.S. citizens who intend to stay in Austria for more than 90 days or seek employment must obtain an Austrian visa. They can apply for this visa before travelling to Austria or within the first 90 days of their stay. To work in Austria, U.S. citizens must obtain the appropriate visa before starting employment.

It is important to note that the requirements and application processes for visas and residence permits can be complex and may change over time. Therefore, it is essential to refer to official sources, such as the Austrian government websites and embassies, for the most up-to-date and accurate information. Additionally, Vienna, as the capital city, tends to be more expensive than other parts of Austria, so it is crucial to consider the financial aspects of relocating there.

Healthcare and insurance

Austria's healthcare system is among the top 10 best in the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The country's healthcare system is well-developed, accessible, and offers a high level of medical care, high-quality hospitals, and professional doctors. In fact, Austria has almost twice as many doctors per capita as the USA.

Healthcare is one of the main priorities for the Austrian government, with over 10% of the country's GDP spent on healthcare in 2019. The healthcare system is funded through the social insurance system, and issues are regulated by the Federal Law on General Social Insurance (Allgemeines Sozialversicherungsgesetz, ASVG) of 1955. This law covers three areas: medical, pension, and accident insurance.

Health insurance is obligatory for all residents in Austria, and most Austrian residents have health insurance. The public health service in Austria is funded by mandatory health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung), and offers almost universal medical coverage to 99.9% of the population. Public health insurance covers all essential care, including doctor visits and emergency care. However, certain treatments require co-payments, and private health services are not covered or only partly covered. As a resident of Austria, you will be required to regularly transfer part of your salary as insurance payments. Your income level will affect the amount of your insurance payment, while your age and health status will not. People with low or zero incomes receive medical care for free.

If you are employed in Austria, your public social insurance coverage will be sufficient. If you are a new resident of Austria, you may be able to use the health insurance from your home country. Expats from the EU or EFTA (European Free Trade Association – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC – Europäische Krankenversicherungskarte – EKVK). People from the UK can access public healthcare with their Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). Other residents may fill out an S1 form to use their home country's healthcare rights in Austria or take out private health insurance.

If you are a non-EU/EFTA/UK expat or immigrant, you will need to prove that you have valid health insurance coverage before entering the country. Private health insurance covers treatments that are excluded from public healthcare. If you are a self-employed, freelancer, or business owner, you can get state health insurance through Sozialversicherungsanstalt der Selbständigen (SVS). However, you will need to pay 20% of the cost of treatment, and the amount of your contribution will depend on your income.

Education and schools

Austria's education system ranks 6th among 63 countries worldwide for talent competitiveness, according to the 2020 Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Talent Report. The country also ranks 2nd in prioritizing employee training and 3rd in implementing apprenticeships. The education system in Austria is diverse and of high quality. The Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research provides general information on attending university, while the Austrian Exchange Service (OEAD) and the website Study in Austria offer specific information for foreign students.

In Austria, school attendance is compulsory for nine years, including one year of preschool, four years of primary school ("Volksschule"), and four years of lower secondary school. Children whose native language is not German and who are unable to follow lessons in German will initially receive instruction in German remedial classes. All children residing in Austria are subject to compulsory schooling, which commences in the year the child turns six by 31 August and lasts for nine school years.

In Vienna, children between the ages of 0 and 6 can receive free childcare and early education. Day nurseries (crèches) are available for children from 0 to 3 years old, while daycare with registered childminders caters to children from 0 to 6 years old. Kindergarten is mandatory for all children who turn 5 before 2 September and starts in September to prepare children for school. If you move to Vienna during the school year, your child can start school immediately by sending an email to [email protected].

After the 4th grade of primary school, there are two options: secondary school or pre-vocational school. Secondary school lasts for 4 years and provides a fundamental general education. The AHS, or "Gymnasium", offers a comprehensive general education and is a good preliminary stage for further higher education. To be admitted, students need good grades in their 4th-grade primary school report. Pre-vocational school, on the other hand, lasts only one year.

Upon completion of compulsory schooling, young people can enter an apprenticeship to learn a trade. They will spend most of their time (80%) learning at a company and the rest (20%) in a vocational school. Intermediate vocational schools last 3 to 4 years, while higher-level vocational schools (BHS) offer a comprehensive general education and higher-level vocational training for 5 years. The Matura (school-leaving examination) is the final examination for upper secondary (higher-level) schools and is required for university admission.

For foreign students, admission to universities of the arts is based on entrance examinations, with decisions made by the vice-chancellor. Requirements include A-levels, a high school diploma, or equivalent certification, along with proof of citizenship and payment of tuition fees. Foreign qualifications must be checked and confirmed as equivalent to Austrian standards for recognition.

Employment and work permits

If you are a citizen of a country within the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you are free to work in Austria without a visa or permit for the first three months. If you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you must apply for a registration certificate.

For citizens of other countries, the process is more complex. The first step is to check whether your country requires a visa to enter Austria. If you do not need a visa, you can enter Austria and apply for a residence permit. If you do need a visa, you must apply for one before travelling to Austria. You can apply for a visa that will allow you to stay beyond 90 days or to work in Austria at an Austrian Embassy or Consulate General in your country of residence.

The type of visa and permit you will need depends on your personal circumstances, including your citizenship, how long you plan to stay in Austria, and whether you will be working, studying, or joining family. You can answer a questionnaire on the website of the Municipal Department 35 - Immigration and Citizenship (MA 35) to determine which documentation or residence permit you need.

If you are seeking employment in Austria, you will need a work permit. For non-EU citizens, this will require a lot of supporting documentation, which must be submitted in German. The approval process typically takes about seven weeks. If approved, you will need to get a visa application in your country of residence. Work permits must be applied for by the prospective employer. There are three types of work permits for non-EU citizens: a restricted work permit (Beschäftigungsbewilligung), which lasts for one year; a work permit that lasts two years (Arbeitserlaubnis); and an unrestricted work permit for five years (Befreiungsschein).

The best option to obtain permanent residence in Austria is to apply for a Red-White-Red Card. This facilitates the immigration of qualified workers and their families, with the prospect of permanent settlement. Cards are issued for a period of 24 months and entitle the holder to settlement and employment with a specified employer. To be eligible, you must have a fixed and regular personal income that enables you to cover your living costs without resorting to welfare aid from local authorities. You can apply for a Red-White-Red Card with the competent Austrian representation in your home country or country of residence, provided that you have received an employment offer.

Cost of living

Vienna is known to be an expensive city to live in, but it is still considered affordable when compared to other popular European cities. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is 846 EUR (935 USD), while you would pay 963 EUR (1,064 USD) per square meter in Barcelona and 1,194 EUR (1,319 USD) in Paris.

The cost of living in Vienna is dependent on several factors, including your income, lifestyle, and location. The average income in 2021 for Vienna was 2100 EUR net per month, while the gross income average for all of Austria was 31400 EUR. However, there is a significant difference between the salaries of low-qualified and high-skilled workers. Low-qualified workers can expect to earn less than 2000 EUR net per month, while high-skilled workers can earn more than 3000 EUR net per month. The rent for a minimalist three-bedroom apartment outside the city center starts at 1600 EUR per month, and you may have to compromise on location, quality, and layout. These apartments do not come with furniture, and you will likely need to pay extra for parking.

The cost of food and dining out in Vienna varies. A basic vegetarian meal can cost around 57 EUR, while a four-course tasting menu at a restaurant is approximately 80 EUR, including a tip. Wine is considered affordable in Vienna, with prices ranging from 7 to 11 EUR per bottle. Publicly funded healthcare is available in Austria, but you also have the option to purchase private health insurance, which costs around 169 EUR per month.

Vienna's excellent public transit system is also affordable, making it easy to explore the city and the rest of Europe. For example, a flight from Vienna to Naples in May can cost under 100 EUR, whereas a similar flight from New York City to Naples would be significantly more expensive.

Overall, while Vienna is known for its high cost of living, it offers excellent quality of life, with a great work-life balance, stunning nature, clean streets, and a vibrant culture.

Frequently asked questions