Lyla Lindsey
Moving to Austria can be an exciting adventure, but it's a big undertaking with lots of things to consider. Whether you're relocating for work, study, or something else, there's plenty to do to prepare for your new life in Austria. From visas and work permits to housing and healthcare, there's a lot to think about. Luckily, Austria is an inviting country with a large community of expats, so you'll be sure to find support and make friends.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Language | German, Austro-Bavarian |
| Required documents | Birth certificate, higher education degree, passport, proof of accommodation, health insurance, proof of financial means, lease contract, etc. |
| Translation requirements | Documents must be translated into German or English and then legalized |
| Visas | Required for non-EU citizens for stays of more than 6 months; EU citizens can move freely but need to apply for a registration certificate for stays of more than 3 months |
| Residence permits | Required for non-EU citizens for stays of more than 6 months; EU citizens can reside without a permit for up to 3 months |
| Work permits | Required for non-EU citizens; not required for EU citizens |
| Vaccinations | Required for both humans and pets |
| Schooling | Compulsory for children from the age of 6 |
| Transportation | High-speed trains, buses, cable cars, bikes, passenger ferry routes, boat tours, etc. |
| Housing | Apartments, houses, and state-subsidized options are available |
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What You'll Learn
Transport options: Trains, buses, cable cars, bikes, and boats
Austria has a well-developed public transportation network, making it easy to get around the country. Trains are the main way to get around, with two companies operating rail services: ÖBB and Westbahn. High-speed trains connect cities and towns, and standard fare tickets offer flexibility in departure times. Sparschiene tickets, purchased in advance, are often half or a third of the cost. Seat reservations can be made for €3.00 each way. Bikes can be brought on regional trains for free, but a special ticket is required to bring a bike on long-distance trains. ÖBB also offers discounted tickets for travellers over 60 or under 26 years old, as well as family tickets.
Buses are another option for getting around Austria, with Postbus providing services to smaller towns and regional areas. Buses are generally slower than trains, but they are fairly reliable and often depart from outside train stations. In some cases, travel by Postbus can be more expensive than trains, especially if you have a Vorteilscard for train discounts. However, the ÖBB intercity bus between Graz and Klagenfurt is cheaper and faster than the train. Bus services operate in most cities and are complemented by night-bus lines.
For those seeking a more adventurous mode of transport, cable cars and bikes are also options in Austria. Mountain bikes, road bikes, and e-bikes are available for hire, and there are many hiking and biking trails to explore. Vienna and Salzburg have public bike rental schemes, and some guest cards include free bike hire. Boat tours and passenger ferry routes operate along the Danube between Passau, Linz, Wachau, and Vienna.
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Visas and permits: Requirements and applications
If you are a citizen of a country within the EU or EEA, you do not need a visa to enter Austria, nor do you need a residence or work permit. However, if you plan to stay for more than three months, you will need to apply for a registration certificate within four months of your arrival.
For citizens of non-EU/EEA countries, the process is more complex and will depend on your country of origin and the purpose and duration of your stay. Some third-country nationals do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days within 180 days, but others will need a visa even for short stays. You can check the list of visa requirements on the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior to see if you need a visa to enter Austria.
If you plan to stay in Austria for more than six months, you will generally need to apply for a visa and a residence permit that suits your purpose of stay. This includes students, who should consult with the Austrian Embassy or Consulate before arriving in Austria to find out if they need to apply for a residence permit from outside the country.
There are several types of visas and permits available, depending on your circumstances. If you are a qualified worker and a citizen of a third country, you will need a Red-White-Red Card. This entitles you to fixed-term settlement and employment by the employer specified in your application and is issued for a period of 24 months. Family members can apply for the Red-White-Red Card Plus. To obtain this card, you will need a respective job offer, and applications will be processed according to specific selection factors and in coordination with the local labour authorities.
Other types of visas and permits include restricted work permits, which last for one year, work permits, which last for two years, and unrestricted work permits, which last for five years.
To apply for a visa, you will need to provide several documents, including a passport, proof of accommodation, health insurance, and proof of financial means. All necessary documents, such as birth certificates or higher education degrees, must be translated into German or English and then legalised. Even if your documents are in English, you may need to legalise them if their authenticity is not recognised in Austria. You can find out more about this on the local Austrian embassy or consulate's website. You will also need to provide evidence requested by the relevant authorities, such as hotel reservations, invitations, booking confirmations, return flight tickets, or proof of gainful employment.
You can find a list of all representation offices, including addresses and telephone numbers, on the website of the Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs. Consular fees can also be found on the list provided by the relevant Austrian representation. For more information on entry requirements, you can visit www.bmi.gv.at/visa or contact the Federal Ministry of the Interior by telephone.
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Housing: Renting, buying, and relocating goods
If you're relocating to Austria, there are a few things you should know about housing. Renting is a popular option, especially if you're new to the country and want to get a sense of the market before buying. When renting, consider factors like location, accessibility to major places via public transport, and monthly rent. Online rental platforms like HousingAnywhere offer secure payment options and can be useful for finding a place to stay.
The average rent in Austria varies depending on location and the type of accommodation. For example, a room might cost around €590 per month, while a studio could be closer to €916. Keep in mind that certain regions in Austria have government-controlled rent prices, and landlords can add a location surcharge of 0.33% per square meter in specific areas.
If you're considering buying property in Austria, be aware that the process may differ depending on your citizenship status. For non-EU/EEA citizens, certain provinces may not allow direct property purchases, but you can register a property under a legal entity. Legal fees for buying a home are typically 1-3% of the purchase price, and a 20% value-added tax also applies. Additionally, monthly utility bills and other charges like energy, water, and telecommunications will be your responsibility.
When relocating goods to Austria, the process and requirements differ for EU/EEA citizens and non-EU/EEA citizens. If you're coming from an EU/EEA country, you can move goods freely without import taxes and duties due to EU laws. However, if you're bringing a car, you'll need to pay a standard consumption tax called NOVA at the local tax office.
For non-EU/EEA citizens, you must declare certain items, including goods bought outside the EU that exceed duty-free allowances, such as tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and medicinal products. To import your goods duty-free, you'll need to provide evidence of establishing residence in Austria and proof of residence abroad for the last twelve months. Additionally, you'll need to complete and submit specific forms, like ZBefr 2E or ZBefr 2aE, to the customs office.
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Health: Insurance, vaccinations, and healthcare
Austria has both public and private healthcare systems. The public healthcare system covers around 99% of the population and provides comprehensive coverage for all health care needs, regardless of age or background. This system is funded by mandatory public health insurance contributions. As soon as you start a job in Austria, your employer is obligated to register you with Social Insurance within seven days, and they will deduct the health insurance tax from your salary. Self-insured students based in Austria must pay around 50 EUR (60 USD) per month for national health insurance. Spouses and underage dependents of employed individuals who are registered with the public healthcare system are automatically covered as "co-insured" persons. Health insurance is also guaranteed to pensioners, students, the disabled, and anyone receiving unemployment benefits.
If you are a student from an EU/EEA country, you can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access healthcare in Austria. If you do not have an EHIC or GHIC card, you should contact your country's public health authority before moving to Austria to understand your specific situation and rights to access Austrian healthcare.
Private health insurance is also available in Austria, offering additional benefits such as shorter waiting times, access to exclusive physicians, private hospital rooms, and worldwide coverage while travelling. The cost of private insurance varies based on age, with higher premiums for older individuals.
Regardless of your insurance type, remember to carry your insurance card (Krankenschein) when visiting a doctor, dentist, or specialist. While public healthcare is mostly free, you may need to pay a small fee of around 4 EUR (5 USD) per visit. In some areas, you may also need a voucher for an appointment, with a limit on the number of vouchers and appointments per year.
Regarding vaccinations, Austria does not currently have any mandatory vaccination requirements for entry into the country, except when entering from countries or areas with a high epidemiological risk. In such cases, travellers are required to provide proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative test result, complete a pre-travel clearance form, and self-isolate for 10 days (which can be shortened with a negative test after 5 days). Additionally, vaccination certificates are required for national (internal) use when visiting vulnerable settings such as nursing homes and hospitals, and these certificates have different validity periods based on age and booster status.
It is worth noting that Austria's vaccination rate is generally around 87%, with lower rates in some districts of Tyrol. While there is discussion around introducing mandatory vaccinations, it is a complex legal issue due to the Constitution's consideration of both individual and public health.
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Work: Job search, qualifications, and contracts
If you are a resident of the EU/EEA, you can contact the Public Employment Service Austria (AMS) via the European Job Mobility Portal (EURES) to view job vacancies before you arrive in the country. You can also use the WORK in AUSTRIA TALENT HUB, where you can create a profile with a CV in German and English. This will allow Austrian companies to discover you. You will also be able to find job adverts from Austrian companies that are specifically looking for international specialists.
If you are not an EU/EEA citizen, you will need to apply for a visa to work in Austria. 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. You can also apply for a job-seeker visa, which is valid for a maximum of six months. To obtain this visa, you must achieve 70 out of 100 points on a list of criteria that includes factors such as higher education, language level, and research and innovation.
Austrian companies generally require an application letter and a CV. It is recommended that you learn at least some German before you start looking for a job, as this is the main working language in Austrian companies. It is customary to include a professional photo of yourself in the top right-hand corner of your CV and your signature at the end of the document. Your CV should be up to date and contain brief and accurate descriptions of your work experience and education. Interviews are usually conducted in German unless otherwise stated.
The conventional contract of employment in a permanent employment relationship is the most common form of contract in Austria. Part-time employees are subject to the same labour legislation rules and have the same insurance protection as full-time employees. Fixed-term employment contracts are also possible, although there are no periods of notice since the employment relationship ceases at the end of the contract. Freelance service and work contracts are replacing conventional employment contracts in all fields of employment.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria has a comprehensive public transport system, including high-speed trains, buses, cable cars, and bikes. The national operator ÖBB has a network of over 5000km (3107 miles) connecting the nine federal states. There are also regional operators connecting federal cities and the areas around them.
If you are an EU or EEA citizen, you do not need a visa to live in Austria, nor do you need a residence or work permit. If you are from a non-EU/EEA country, you will need to apply for a visa and possibly a residence permit, depending on how long you plan to stay. You will need to provide documents such as a passport, proof of accommodation, health insurance, and proof of financial means.
In addition to the requirements for a visa, you will need to provide evidence of a legal title to locally customary accommodation and health insurance coverage that provides benefits in Austria and covers all risks. If you are seeking to live and work in Austria as a qualified worker and citizen of a third country, you will need a Red-White-Red Card.
All necessary documents, such as birth certificates or higher education degrees, need to be translated into German or English and then legalized. The German used in Austria can be difficult to understand even for native speakers of standard German, so it may be helpful to take German courses before your move.
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