Ruqayyah Snyder
Vienna, Austria's capital, is a popular place to live and work for locals and foreigners alike. The city has a lot to offer, including museums, theatres, opera houses, historical sites, and parks. It is also known for its high quality of life, excellent infrastructure, reliable public transport, top healthcare, low crime rate, and availability of high-quality housing. Vienna has a well-developed economy, with most jobs found in the service sector, and offers career opportunities in various lines of work, including media and tourism. The city also boasts low rental prices compared to other capital cities, and employees benefit from a regulated labor law system and additional payouts, such as a 13th and 14th-month salary.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Vienna is located in the heart of Europe, with easy access to other major European capitals such as Budapest, Prague, Rome, and Paris. |
| Transport | Vienna has excellent infrastructure and a reliable public transport network, and is served by Vienna International Airport (VIE). |
| Attractions | Vienna is full of museums, theatres, opera houses, historical sites, and parks. Notable attractions include the MuseumsQuartier, Belvedere and Schönbrunn Castles, Stephansdom and Karlskirche Cathedrals, and hiking trails. |
| Quality of Life | Vienna consistently ranks highly in global quality of life surveys and livability indices due to factors such as safety, clean environment, top healthcare, low crime rate, cultural and leisure activities, and excellent infrastructure. |
| Cost of Living | Vienna has a relatively low cost of living compared to other major cities like New York, London, and Berlin. Rental prices are significantly lower, and the total cost of living, including food, transportation, and utilities, is more affordable. |
| Economy | Vienna has a well-developed and growing economy, with a strong service sector and a thriving startup scene. It is a major hub for research and media, attracting many expats and multinational corporations. |
| Employment Opportunities | Vienna offers a range of employment opportunities, including jobs in global companies, international teams, and startups. The city also has a large media sector and attracts many researchers. |
| Employment Benefits | Austrian employees receive two additional payouts per year: a Christmas bonus and a vacation bonus. They also receive mandatory health insurance, accident insurance, and pension contributions from their first paycheck. |
| Work-Life Balance | Vienna offers a relaxed way of life, with regulated labor laws that protect employees' rights, including mandated breaks, paid vacation days, and sick leave with full pay. |
| Expat Support | Vienna has an Expat Center that provides advice and support to expats on topics such as residence permits, relocation, and expat life. |
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What You'll Learn
Vienna's job market: global companies, startups, and internships
Vienna is a great place to be for job-seekers, with its thriving economy and high quality of life. The city is home to several global companies, startups, and internship opportunities.
Global Companies
Vienna is home to several large companies, including Deloitte, which provides audit and assurance, tax and legal, consulting, financial advisory, and risk advisory services. The city is also home to Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI), which has over 17 million customers in Austria and other Central and Eastern European countries. Other notable companies with a presence in Vienna include KPMG, Bolt, and OMV, an oil and gas company.
Startups
Vienna has a thriving startup ecosystem, with many young companies in the tech and innovation space. Bolt, for example, is a fast-growing startup in the logistics industry, offering a platform that connects users with various transportation and delivery services. Another startup, tset, operates at the intersection of the automotive industry and machine learning, using data science and mathematics to improve cost efficiency in the automotive sector.
Internships
Vienna offers a range of internship opportunities, particularly in the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations. The UN Secretariat, including entities such as UNOV, UNODC, and UNOOSA, offers internships for enrolled graduate students. These internships typically last between two and six months and are not remunerated. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also offer internships for students or recent graduates to gain practical work experience. The IAEA provides stipends to interns to cover basic subsistence costs.
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Employment contracts: working hours, overtime, and pay
In Austria, the standard working week is 40 hours, and the standard workday is eight hours. Daily working hours may not exceed 12 hours per day and 60 hours per week. If you work for more than six hours, you are entitled to a half-hour break, which is unpaid and does not count as working time. At the end of the working day, employees should have an uninterrupted rest period of at least 11 hours.
By law, part-time employees have the same rights and protections as full-time employees. Part-time work is defined as any weekly working hours falling below 40. Overtime is any work that exceeds the standard working hours outlined in your contract. Overtime must be ordered and approved by the employer, and compensation can be monetary or in the form of time off, as agreed with the employer. The minimum overtime rate is a 50% surcharge on your standard hourly rate, but this can be higher depending on the type of work and the terms of your contract.
Austrian employment contracts are comprehensive and include the date of employment, a description of your work duties, the place of work, and the agreed-upon working hours. The contract will also outline which collective bargaining agreement and laws apply to the employment. Employees are entitled to receive a copy of their registration with the social insurance institution, such as the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse, or ÖGK), from their first day of employment.
The average annual salary in Austria is approximately €48,000, and salaries are typically paid 14 times per year. Office hours are usually from 9 am to 5 pm, but many Austrians start their workday earlier, around 8 am. Employees are entitled to five weeks of paid leave per year and must agree with their employer on the dates of their leave. In the case of illness, employees must inform their employer immediately and send a sickness certificate to the company. Employees will continue to receive their full wage or salary for a certain period, as outlined in their contract, after which they will receive sickness benefits from their health insurance provider.
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Cost of living: rent, utilities, and food
Vienna is considered one of the most liveable cities in the world, with excellent infrastructure, reliable public transport, a first-class water supply, top-quality healthcare, a low crime rate, high-quality housing, and a large variety of cultural and leisure activities. However, it is also considered a pretty expensive place to live.
The cost of living depends on factors such as location, quality, and layout. For example, a minimalist three-bedroom outside the city center starts at 1600 euros per month, and you may have to pay extra for parking. The average income in 2021 for Vienna was 2100 euros net per month, while the gross income average for all of Austria was 31,400 euros. However, there is a big difference between the salaries of low-skilled and high-skilled workers. Low-skilled workers can expect to earn less than 2000 euros net per month, while high-skilled workers can earn more than 3000 euros net per month.
Utilities such as energy can cost around 118 euros per month for a three-bedroom house close to the city center with good insulation and double glazing.
Food prices vary depending on dietary preferences and shopping habits. A vegetarian meal at a restaurant can cost around 80 euros, including a tip, which is considered expensive for Vienna. Groceries for a week, including fresh fruit, salad items, snacks, wine, and coffee, can cost around 57 euros. A bottle of Austrian wine can be purchased for 7 to 11 euros at a grocery store.
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Benefits: health insurance, accident insurance, and pension
When it comes to benefits, Austria has a comprehensive social insurance system in place, which includes health insurance, accident insurance, and pension coverage. Here is a detailed overview of each of these components:
Health Insurance
In Austria, as soon as an individual takes up an occupation, they are automatically covered by health insurance. This insurance is provided through various institutions that are members of the main association of Austrian social insurance institutions. Insurance contributions are calculated based on a person's income, with employers being responsible for deducting these contributions and paying them to the local tax office. Employees receive a social insurance number once they are registered, and this number serves as a verification of their insurance coverage.
Accident Insurance
Accident insurance is a statutory requirement in Austria, offering protection against accidents at work and occupational diseases. It is considered a form of liability insurance taken out by employers for their employees, with only employers paying contributions. Self-employed individuals, however, pay their own contributions. Accident insurance also covers pupils, students, members of aid organizations, and rescuers without requiring them to pay contributions.
Pension
Austria has a well-structured pension system, with the Austrian Pension & Retirement Agency managing pensions for both blue-collar and white-collar employees. To receive an Austrian state pension, an individual needs a minimum of 180 covered months. The retirement age is currently set at 65 for men and 60 for women. It is important to note that pensioners living abroad must submit an annual life certificate to continue receiving their pension benefits. Additionally, victims of Nazi persecution between March 4, 1933, and May 9, 1945, can retroactively purchase pension credits at a reduced rate, ensuring they are eligible for an Austrian pension.
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Leisure activities: museums, theatres, and parks
Vienna has a lot to offer when it comes to leisure activities, with its abundance of museums, theatres, and parks.
Museums
With more than 100 museums, Vienna is a cultural hub with something for everyone. The Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum) is a must-visit, located in a magnificent building from 1891. The MAK Museum Vienna is another great option for those interested in art and design. The mumok - Museum of Modern Art Ludwig Foundation, the Jewish Museum, and the Belvedere 21 museum are also worth visiting. The Vienna Museum of Science and Technology, spanning 22,000 square meters, is sure to keep you engaged for hours.
Theatres
Vienna's theatres cater to a range of tastes, from classical to contemporary spoken theatre, dance, and puppetry. The Vienna Volksoper, for instance, offers a diverse programme, including ballet and contemporary dance performances. The Volkstheater, opened in 1889, is another notable theatre in the city. For English speakers, Vienna's English Theatre, founded in 1963, is the oldest foreign-language theatre in continental Europe.
Parks
Vienna's parks offer the perfect escape from city life, with their beautiful gardens, meadows, and tree-lined paths. The Volksgarten, part of the Imperial Palace grounds, showcases French Baroque design and is located in the heart of the city. The Stadtpark, Vienna's oldest public park, opened in 1862, features monuments, sculptures, and peaceful green spaces. For a unique experience, visit the Kurpark Oberlaa, which was part of the 1974 International Garden Show. It features thematic sections like the Allergy Garden, Flower Labyrinth, Film City, and Japanese Garden, along with expansive meadows and playgrounds. The Donaupark, on the other side of the Danube, is home to Austria's tallest building, the Danube Tower. It boasts vibrant flowerbeds, a central pond, and sports facilities for activities like tennis and jogging.
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Frequently asked questions
Vienna has been voted the most liveable city in the world seven times in a row. The city has a rich culture, with museums, theatres, opera houses, historical sites, and parks. It is also clean and safe, with excellent infrastructure, reliable public transport, a first-class water supply, top healthcare, and a low crime rate. Vienna is located in the heart of Europe, making it an excellent gateway to explore the rest of the continent.
Vienna has a well-developed economy, with most jobs found in the service sector. The city is also a major hub for research, with numerous startups and internship opportunities for students. Vienna's large media sector and international companies also provide many career options.
In Vienna, employees benefit from a regulated labor law system with numerous rules and regulations that protect them. Overtime is allowed only up to a certain amount, and employees are entitled to a 30-minute break after 6 hours of work, 25 paid vacation days per year, paid sick leave, and vacation and Christmas bonuses. Additionally, every employee receives mandatory health insurance, insurance against work-related accidents and illnesses, and pays into a pension fund.
