Leslie Massey
If you're considering a move to Austria from America, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, Austria is known for its multicultural society, vibrant cultural life, and strong social security network. The process of relocating depends on your situation; for instance, if you're moving with children, you'll need to consider their education, as Austria has compulsory schooling for children from the age of six. When it comes to visas and residence permits, the requirements vary depending on your citizenship status. EU/EEA citizens and Swiss nationals can stay in Austria for up to three months without a visa and can reside longer if they meet certain conditions. Nationals of other countries, including Americans, will need to navigate the visa and residence permit process, which can be complex and time-consuming. It's recommended to seek legal advice to ensure you meet all the necessary requirements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa requirements | Nationals of countries outside the EU/EEA require a visa to enter Austria. |
| Visa duration | A visa entitles the holder to a stay of up to 90 days, after which they must apply for a residence permit from outside of Austria. |
| Visa costs | Information on visa costs is available on the website of the U.S. Embassy in Austria. |
| Visa application | The application process involves submitting a standard form, a valid passport, proof of health insurance, a police record certificate, and other relevant documents. |
| Residence permit | Required for stays exceeding six months. |
| Residence permit application | Applications may take up to six months to process and require proof of income, accommodation, health insurance, and no legal impediments to relocating. |
| Work permits | Restricted work permits are available for one year, work permits for two years, and unrestricted work permits for five years. |
| Citizenship | Austria does not allow dual citizenship, except in special cases. |
| Education | Compulsory schooling for children aged six to 15. |
| Social security | Austria has a strong social security network, including health, accident, pension, and unemployment insurance. |
| Business opportunities | Austria offers support for startups and encourages volunteer work. |
| Culture | Austria has a multicultural society with a diverse cultural life. |
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What You'll Learn
Visa requirements
The visa requirements for moving to Austria from America depend on your citizenship status. If you are a US citizen, you must obtain a visa and a residence permit. Austria is part of the Schengen Area, so US citizens must complete a standard form provided by the Austrian authorities with their complete details. The passport must be valid for at least 3 months before relocation to Austria, and immigration authorities in the country require Schengen Travel Insurance with a coverage of at least EUR 30,000.
If you are moving with your family, you will need to provide your marriage certificate and your children's birth certificates. You must also prove that you have accommodation in Austria and provide information on your financial means to cover your entire stay in the country. If you have accepted a job in Austria, you will have to present an employment contract.
For temporary residence permits, you will need a valid passport, health insurance, birth certificate, information about accommodation, and proof of income. If you are a student, you should consult with the Austrian Embassy/Consulate before your arrival to see if you should apply for a residence permit from outside of Austria. The Austrian Consulate will accept the application and forward it to the local visa office in Austria for processing.
If you are a citizen of an EU or EEA country, you do not need a visa, residence permit, or work permit to live in Austria. You can reside in Austria for up to 3 months without a visa and can stay longer if you meet certain requirements due to your right to free movement in the EU.
If you are a qualified worker and a citizen of a third country (a country outside the EU), you need the Red-White-Red Card. This is issued for a period of 24 months and entitles you to fixed-term settlement and employment by the employer specified in your application. 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. You must also have health insurance coverage that provides benefits in Austria and covers all risks.
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Residence permits
If you are a US citizen and plan to stay in Austria for longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for a residence permit. US citizens can apply for a residence permit directly in Austria during their lawful visa-free stay of 90 days (within 180 days). This is done at the relevant authority responsible for the area they intend to live in ("Magistrat" or "Bezirkshauptmannschaft"). However, it is recommended to apply for a residence permit as soon as possible after entering Austria, as if you haven't received a positive decision before your lawful stay of 90 days ends, you will have to leave Austria and the Schengen zone.
If you are a third-country national (a country outside the EU), you will need a residence permit to stay in Austria for more than six months. The best option to obtain permanent residence in Austria is to apply for a Red-White-Red Card. This is issued for a period of 24 months and entitles the holder to settlement and employment with a specified employer. The card facilitates the immigration of qualified workers and their families, with the prospect of permanent settlement. To be considered as a highly qualified worker, you must score more than 70 on the points-based scheme by the Austrian authority's scale, which takes into account factors like professional qualifications, work experience, and your ability to speak German.
If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, you can reside in Austria for up to 3 months without a visa. To stay longer than 3 months, you will need to request a "confirmation of registration of Right of Residence under EU law" from the competent authority. If you wish to stay longer than 90 days, you must apply for a certificate of registration (also called a registration certificate) or face a 200 EUR fine. After five continuous lawful years of residence, you can apply for a long-term residence certificate.
The following initial applications for a residence permit can also be made directly in Austria:
- Applications from family members of Austrians, EU citizens, other EEA citizens, or Swiss nationals who are permanently resident in Austria and have not used their right of residence of more than three months.
- Applications from children in the case of family reunification within six months after birth, provided the person who is responsible for the care and education of the child is legally resident.
- Applications for a "Residence Permit - Researcher" and their family members, as well as for a "Residence Permit - Student" or a "Residence Permit - Volunteer" following legal entry into and during their legal stay in Austria.
In principle, it is mandatory to submit the initial application for a residence permit in person to the Austrian Consulate of the applicant's domicile prior to entry and await the authority's decision abroad. You can find information on the documents required for the respective residence permit on the Migration Platform of the Austrian Federal Government. The Austrian Ministry of Interior also has a hotline service for residence permits that is available Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
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Health insurance
If you are a US citizen, you do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in Austria within a 180-day period. For stays of up to six months in Austria, travel health insurance is probably sufficient. For stays of more than six months, proof of having health insurance that covers “all risks” is advisable. US citizens with a valid US passport can enter Austria without a visa, but they need to show proof of sufficient financial resources for the entire stay.
The Austrian social insurance system is based on the principle of solidarity and comprises health insurance, accident insurance, pension insurance, and unemployment insurance. The country has 28 social insurance institutions, and these are statutory bodies under public law. The social system is predominantly financed through tax contributions from employees and employers. Social insurance contributions are deducted by the employer and paid to the local tax office. Employees will receive a social insurance number once they are registered. Since 2005, e-cards have been issued to verify coverage, and these should be presented when visiting a doctor.
In Austria, both insured persons and their dependents are entitled to benefits. Dependents include spouses, registered partners, and, under certain circumstances, life companions. Children can be included in the insurance free of charge. The insured and their dependents are entitled to receive medical care from a general practitioner, specialist, or dentist who has a contract with the health insurance fund. Patients themselves must pay for a few services (e.g. treatment by private doctors, in private hospitals, orthodontic treatments, dental bridges, etc.). However, part of the costs will be reimbursed by their health insurance fund. In the event of hospitalization, a certain sum is payable by the patient for each day spent in the hospital.
If an employee is unable to work due to an illness that is not a result of their own negligence, the employer will normally continue to pay their wages/salary for up to twelve weeks. After that, sickness benefits will be paid by the health insurance fund until the incapacity for work has been certified as ended. Persons requiring long-term care due to illness or disability are eligible for a care allowance. Applications for care allowance must be made to the relevant health insurance fund.
Degree programme students at all universities may take out student self-insurance. The main requirements for this are residence in Austria and confirmation of admission or continuation of studies from the institution of higher education. The health insurance premium is around €24.42 a month for students who have access to the regional healthcare system. Medical insurance is easily accessible, but the cost of private health insurance can be considerably higher.
Austrian citizens may reside in Austria without restriction but must always enter with a valid travel document. For those who are not Austrian citizens, other rules apply. EU/EEA citizens and Swiss nationals can reside in Austria for up to three months without a visa. They can also reside in Austria for longer if they meet certain requirements as they have a right to free movement in the EU. Nationals of other countries require a visa to enter Austria, which entitles them to a stay of up to six months in the country.
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Education system
The education system in Austria is diverse and of high quality, with strong investment from the Austrian government. School attendance is compulsory for nine years, including one year of preschool, four years of primary school, and four years of lower secondary school. At age 16, students can choose between a vocational or academic track based on their interests and strengths. The vocational track lasts six years and offers practical skills and apprenticeship preparation in seven areas: metal, electrical, wood, construction, trade/office, services, and tourism.
Austria's education system ranks 6th among 63 countries worldwide for talent competitiveness, and the country also ranks highly in prioritizing employee training and implementing apprenticeships. The Austrian-American Partnership Fund (AAPF) promotes collaboration between US and Austrian academic institutions, schools, and other organizations, with the goal of expanding educational cooperation.
For those moving to Austria with children, it is important to note that many educational institutions report to the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research. This ministry provides an overview of the Austrian education system, and its website can be a valuable resource for understanding the system and finding a suitable school. Children who are not native German speakers and cannot follow lessons in German will initially receive instruction in remedial German classes.
When choosing a school, it is recommended to contact the headmaster or headmistress to set up an appointment and get to know the school. For foreign students, specific information on studying in Austria is provided by the Austrian Exchange Service (OEAD) and on the website 'Study in Austria'. The recognition of foreign qualifications is handled by the National Academic Recognition and Information Centre (ENIC NARIC Austria). Additionally, the Austrian National Student Union (Österreichische Hochschülerschaft) provides counselling for students on topics such as health insurance, work, and funding.
In terms of higher education, Austria offers university exchanges and scholarships that encourage international study. The Erasmus+ Program, for example, funds students to study, teach, or complete internships at partner institutions abroad. Fulbright Austria also provides grants for Austrian and American students to teach, research, or study in each other's countries.
For Americans planning to study in Austria, it is important to note that specific requirements must be met. Students must have an A-level or high school diploma that is considered equivalent to the Austrian Matura examination certification. This can be determined by the vice chancellor, who may set certain requirements. Additionally, proof of completion of a minimum of three years of study at a certified post-secondary institution is required.
Regarding tuition fees, regular students with EU/EEA citizenship or permanent residents in Austria pay €363.36 per semester if they exceed the minimum period of a BA, MA, or PhD program by more than two semesters. Students from non-EU/EEA countries, or "third countries," pay a higher tuition fee of €726.72 per semester. It is important to note that residence permits and visas may be required for non-EU/EEA citizens planning to stay in Austria for an extended period.
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Business and employment
If you are a US citizen, you will need a visa to move to Austria for business and employment. Austria falls within the Schengen Area of Europe, so you can apply to your nearest Austrian embassy for a Schengen visa. There are different visas for tourism, business, cultural activities, work, and studies. If you are staying for more than three months, you will need to apply for a registration certificate and prove you have adequate means of subsistence or are attending an educational institution. After five continuous lawful years of residence, you can apply for a long-term residence certificate.
The paperwork process in Austria can be intimidating and is poorly explained to expats. If you are a non-EU resident, a work permit will require a lot of supporting documentation, which must be submitted in German to the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS). The approval process typically takes about seven weeks. If approved, you will be required to get a visa application from your usual country of residence. Work permits must be applied for by the prospective employer.
Under the Red-White-Red Card model, individuals need a respective job offer. Applications will be processed according to specific selection factors and in coordination with the local labor authorities (Arbeitsmarktservice). The Red-White-Red Card is issued for a period of 24 months and entitles the holder to fixed-term settlement and employment by the employer specified in their application. The card is for qualified workers and citizens of third countries (a country outside the EU) seeking to live and work in Austria.
If you are a citizen of a third country, you can apply for employment in Austria in three different ways: a restricted work permit (Beschäftigungsbewilligung) which lasts for one year, a work permit that lasts two years (Arbeitserlaubnis), or an unrestricted work permit for five years (Befreiungsschein). The work permits must be applied for in the sequence given above; you cannot immediately apply for the five-year permit. Each permit acts as proof of employment and that you can financially support yourself.
In Austria, health insurance is mandatory if you are in paid employment, self-employed, claiming unemployment benefits, a pensioner, or dependent on someone from one of these groups. When you start a job, school, or university in Austria, you will be automatically covered by health insurance and should be issued with an e-card, which you will need to show when seeing a doctor.
If you want to set up your own business in Austria, you can seek competent advice from the Economic Chambers of the individual federal provinces within the framework of the "service for startups" or attend workshops on setting up a business. The most important chambers are the Austrian Economic Chambers (WKO) and the Chamber of Agriculture.
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Frequently asked questions
US citizens need to complete a standard form provided by the Austrian authorities, with full details about the applicant. The passport must be valid for at least 3 months before relocation to Austria. You will also need to provide proof of health insurance and income, and information about your accommodation.
Nationals of countries outside the EU/EEA require a visa to enter Austria, which entitles them to a stay of up to six months. To stay longer than six months, a residence permit is required. For students, it is recommended to consult with the Austrian Embassy/Consulate before travelling to Austria.
Austria has a multicultural society with a diverse cultural life. The education system is of high quality, and the country has a strong social security network. The German used in Austria can be difficult to understand, even for native German speakers.
