Moving to Austria: everything you need to know about living in the country

Advantages of living in Austria

• High standard of living and decent salaries
• Modern infrastructure and efficient public transport
• Beautiful nature and clean environment: the Alps, lakes, forests, and rivers make Austria truly unique
• Safety: Austria is one of the countries with a low crime rate

Cons of living in Austria

• High costs of rent, utilities, food, and entertainment
• Language barrier: without knowledge of German, it is difficult to integrate into society
• Bureaucracy: The Austrian bureaucratic system can be complicated and slow
• Climate: Winters in Austria, especially in the mountains, are cold and snowy
• High taxes and social security contributions

Visas to Austria

Main types of visas:

• Schengen visa (Type C) — for short-term trips of up to 90 days within a 180-day period
• National visa (Type D) — for stays longer than 90 days, but not exceeding 180 days
• Work visa — for those who plan to work in Austria
• Student visa — for students enrolled in Austrian educational institutions for long-term programs
• Family visa — for family reunification
• Business visa — for entrepreneurs or investors
• Research visa — for researchers, scientists, or persons working in the field of science and research

Documents required for a visa:

• Completed application form
• Foreign passport and national passport with copies
• Proof of financial means
• Medical insurance
• Ticket and hotel reservations or invitation
• Additional documents for students and pensioners
• Receipt for visa fee payment

Documents must be translated into German or English.

Obtaining a residence permit and permanent residence in Austria

Documents for a residence permit:

• Application for a residence permit
• Valid foreign passport
• Photographs
• Proof of income
• Documents regarding housing
• Medical insurance
• Certificate of no criminal record
• Birth and marriage certificates (if applicable)
• Proof of German language proficiency
• Documents confirming the reason for stay

Documents for permanent residence:

• Application for permanent residence
• Proof of continuous residence in Austria
• Documents confirming income
• Health insurance
• Proof of integration
• Certificate of no criminal record
• Documents proving accommodation
• Birth and marriage certificates (if applicable)

Austrian citizenship

To obtain Austrian citizenship in 2024, you must:

• Live in the country for 10 years
• Prove successful integration
• Have a B1 or B2 level of German
• Have a stable income
• Renounce your previous citizenship
• Comply with the law

What you need to know about living in Austria

Work and salaries in Austria

Salaries depend on the region: for example, they are naturally higher in Vienna and other large cities. The minimum salary ranges from €1,500 to €2,000.

Average monthly salaries by profession:

• IT and technology — €4,000-5,500
• Engineers — €3,500–5,000
• Doctors — €5,000–7,500
• Teachers and lecturers — €2,500–3,800
• Construction — €2,800–4,000
• Middle managers — €4,000–6,000
• Service staff (waiters, salespeople) — €1,800–2,500

First, you need to obtain an RWR kart from the consulate in your place of residence. This document gives you the right to work in the country for up to a year. Then you can start looking for a job. Contact an agency or local employment center, ask your friends, or look for a job on your own.

You can search for a job yourself on social media groups and platforms such as:

• karriere.at
• careerjet.at
• jooble.org
• careesma.at
• jobpilot.at

Taxes in Austria

In Austria, income tax depends on how much you earn:

• If your income is less than €11,693, there is no tax (0%).
• If your income is between €11,694 and €19,134, the tax rate is 20%
• If your income is between €19,136 and €32,075, the tax rate is 30%
• If your income is between €32,076 and €62,080, the tax rate is 42%
• If income is between €62,081 and €93,120, the tax rate is 48%
• If income is between €93,121 and €1,000,000, the tax rate is 50%.
• If income is above €1,000,000, the tax rate is 55%.

Cost of living in Austria

Food

Food costs €200-300 per person per month. For a family of three, it costs €600 or more.

Prices for basic products in Austria are as follows:

• Milk (1 liter): approximately €1.50–1.80
• Eggs (12): approximately €4.50–5.50
• Chicken fillet (500 g): around €6.50–8.50
• Potatoes (1 kg): around €2.20–3.00
• Apples (1 kg): approximately €2.50–3.50
• Cheese (500 g): around €7–10
• Bread: approximately €2.50

Transport

Most roads in the country are toll roads, but the transport system is well developed. An annual travel pass costs €467 and is a good option for those who use transport frequently. For comparison, a single one-way trip costs €3.20.

How much does housing cost

The cost of renting an apartment in Austria depends on the city and area. On average, prices for inexpensive apartments in 2024 are as follows:

• 1-room apartment: €500 to €800 per month
• 2-room apartment: €700 to €1,200 per month
• 3-room apartment: €900 to €1,500 per month

In large cities such as Vienna, Salzburg, or Innsbruck, prices will be higher, especially in central areas.

Utilities for a one-room apartment in Austria cost approximately €150-250 per month, including electricity, water, heating, internet, garbage collection, and common building expenses (electricity — €30-60, water — €15-30, heating and hot water — €50-100, internet — €25-50, garbage collection — €10-20, building expenses, elevator, cleaning — €20-50).

If you get a job at a hotel complex, you will be offered good apartments: one-room apartments for €150, two-room apartments for €220, and three-room apartments for €280. This amount includes all utilities, internet, and parking. There is also a free kindergarten for small children. As an employee, you will have access to bonuses such as a swimming pool and gym.

Websites where you can search for accommodation:

• willhaben.at
• immobilienscout24.at
• Booking.com
• bazar.at
• immowelt.at
• immodirekt.at

The "provisionfrei" (no commission) filter will help you find accommodation without commission, and the website will select options that do not include real estate agent services. There are also many groups on social media where you can find information about accommodation.

You can book a hotel in Austria with a discount of up to 65% on the website.

Health

Healthcare in Austria is well developed and accessible not only to residents thanks to the availability of both public and private health insurance. For example, student insurance starts at €60, insurance through an employer costs about €20 of your salary, and if you pay for it yourself, it costs about €100-500 per month.

Education

Kindergartens

Public kindergartens in Austria are free, but meals can cost around €80 per month. They accept children aged 3-6, with groups of up to 14 children per teacher. They are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Public kindergartens are inexpensive, offer high-quality programs, and have experienced teachers. However, there are often long waiting lists for places.

There are also private kindergartens in Austria. They are more expensive, up to €350 per month, and have a limited number of places. However, private kindergartens usually have more teachers and fewer children in each group. They often offer additional activities such as music, dance, swimming, and tennis.

Schools

Public schools mainly accept citizens of the country, and tuition costs from €700 per year. It is easier to get into a private school or boarding school, where the level of education is higher, as are safety and health monitoring of students. Tuition costs from €12,000 per year.

Higher education

Austria has 21 public and 16 private universities. Popular fields of study include medicine, economics, engineering, humanities, and IT. Tuition at public universities starts at €790 per semester, while at private universities it can reach €20,000 per semester.

Language

German is the main language in Austria. It has some regional features and dialects that differ from standard German. Standard German is used in official and business situations, but Austrian dialects are often heard in everyday life.

Climate

Austria has a temperate continental climate, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. In summer, temperatures usually range from +20°C to +30°C. In winter, temperatures can drop to -5°C and significantly lower in the mountains. The climate in the Alps is alpine, with cold winters and cool summers.

Moving to Austria with children

To move with children, you will need a standard set of documents:

• Child's passport
• Birth certificate
• Education documents
• Medical documents, vaccinations, etc.
• 2 photos 3.5 x 4.5 cm

Documents must be translated into German or English and certified by a notary.

Moving to Austria with animals

You can find the rules for moving with animals on the official website. The conditions for importing dogs, cats, and ferrets depend on the country of origin.

For import from third countries, the following is required:

• Animal identification (microchip)
• Valid rabies vaccination
• Veterinary certificate with serological test, declaration in accordance with EU Regulation No. 576/2013
• The animal must be at least 7 months old

Relocation of people of retirement age to Austria

In 2024, it will be possible to move to Austria on the following grounds:

• Residence permit for financially independent persons: you must prove that you have sufficient funds to live in Austria without having to work. You also need health insurance, to buy or rent accommodation, and to confirm your basic knowledge of German.
• Family reunification: if close relatives already live in Austria, you can obtain a residence permit through reunification.
• Obtaining citizenship by descent or other grounds: if a person has Austrian roots or other grounds for obtaining citizenship.
• Investment visa: if a person plans to make significant investments in the Austrian economy.
• Retirement visa (some programs): in some cases, it is possible to obtain a residence permit for retirees.

Features of the Austrian mentality

Austrians are usually meticulous, punctual, and plan their time carefully, including meetings with friends. They are friendly and cheerful, but value personal space and observe formal social norms.

Safety

In 2024, Austria remains one of the safest countries in Europe. The crime rate is low, especially in large cities such as Vienna. The authorities actively support public safety, and tourists are advised to take the usual precautions.

Banking

Austria has a reliable and convenient banking system.

• To open an account, you will need a residence permit and proof of address. Choose from popular banks such as Erste Bank, Raiffeisen Bank, or Bank Austria.
• Austrian banks offer convenient digital services for managing accounts (online banking).
• Residents have access to loans and mortgages with favorable terms.
• Banks offer international transfers, which are convenient for working with money in different currencies.