Living in Austria: the ultimate expat guide
Everything you need to know for a successful life in Austria.
Famous for its beer, pastries and impressive mountainous and lush green landscapes, Austria is one of Europe's major economic powerhouses. The country is deemed to be a real haven for outsourcing companies. Indeed, it is very open to the setting up of small and medium enterprises.
Austria is also a multicultural country welcoming expatriates from across the globe with open arms.
Austria's geography and demography
The country is surrounded by eight European neighbors: Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. You will find some of the best skiing areas in the world in the southern and western parts of the country (Tyrol, Salzburg, Carinthia, and Vorarlberg), including some of the best ski resorts and densely forested areas.
A quarter of Austria's population (almost 9,1 million, the population has increased in recent years) lives in Vienna, and this is also where most expatriates' lives revolve around. In total, as many as one-third of all Austrians live in Vienna and Lower Austria.
Austria's economy
Austria's main economic, intellectual, and business activities are taking place in its capital city Vienna. But there is also an exciting cultural program and prestigious universities and colleges in the other larger and smaller cities such as Salzburg, Linz, Krems and Innsbruck. Companies and organizations have locations all over Austria.
Many international organizations (United Nations' institutions, NGOs, and energy companies) have their headquarters in Vienna.
Big organizations and professionals benefit from Austria's access to the single European market, its proximity to emerging markets such as Hungary and the Czech Republic, an exemplary private banking system, and its continuous promotion of entrepreneurship with a special focus on social entrepreneurship. But Vienna successfully combines the past with the present, and from one moment to another, visitors get transported to a time when the palaces were filled with waltzers.
Social life in Austria
Austrians are very respectful of their work-life balance, and this is something they are proud of — getting work done shouldn't mean sacrificing family time or staying in the office until late hours. They also find it reasonable to pay higher taxes when education and healthcare are covered and come at high quality. Austria is very rich in culture and home to many famous musicians and composers like Joseph Hayden, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, Josef Strauss, and Herbert von Karajan. Some of the famous artists are Friedensreich Hundertwasser and Gustav Klimt whose art you can enjoy in one of the many museums like the Albertina and the Leopold Museum.
This results in numerous prestigious music universities in Vienna. In the western part of Austria, there are the Alps, which aren't just beautiful to enjoy some fantastic days sliding down the slopes but are also home to many great athletes like ski racer Marcel Hirscher or Hermann Maier.
Quick Information
Capital: Vienna
Official Language: German
Minority Languages: Burgenland-Croatian, Czech, Hungarian, Romani, Slovenian, Slovak
Currency: Euro
Area: 83858 Km²
Population: 9,078,237
Calling Code: 43
Timezone: Europe/Vienna, UTC 1
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Generalities
Get an overview of living in Austria with general information to discover the destination.
Formalities
Find out more on visas, passports and entry requirements to travel to Austria.
Getting married in Austria
If you wish to get married in Austria, it is important to know that only civil ceremonies are legally binding in the country. However, you may ...
Visas
All you need to know on work visas, work permits, working holiday visas and residence permits to live and work in Austria.
Work
Dive into the Austria labour market, legal framework and tips on how to find a job in Austria.
Working in Austria
The Austrian economy is strong, with a high gross domestic product and a high quality of life for ...
Setting up a business in Austria
If you are seeking more than employment, starting your own business in Austria would be the other ...
Jobs in Austria
Discover professional opportunities in Austria and boost your career.
Accommodation
Explore real estate or temporary rentals in Austria. Find out more about renting or buying a house or a flat, real estate agents, leases and rental agreements.
Study
Universities, training courses, student visas, registration procedures: all you need to know about being an international student in Austria.
Study in Austria
Austrian universities are highly esteemed throughout Europe, boasting a diverse range of courses available in both German and English. Studying in ...
Health care
Understanding the healthcare system in Austria: public and private health system, health insurance...
The health system in Austria
Choosing to move to Austria is a very good decision if it's for having a stable and high-class ...
Accidents and emergencies in Austria
It is important to be prepared and aware of the available resources in case of an emergency or when ...
Health insurance for expats in Austria
Protect your health during your expatriation.
Bank
Navigate the banking system in Austria: how to choose a bank and open a bank account.
Tax
All you need to know about income tax, the tax system and filing your taxes as an expat in Austria.
The tax system in Austria
Tax revenue is a crucial element of the Austrian economy and plays a significant role in funding essential services, including healthcare, education, ...
Transport
From public transports to renting or buying a car, explore the best options to getting around in Austria.
Getting around Austria
Austria has a number of modern airports that serve international and domestic flights. The largest airports, most likely to be used by ...
Driving
Essential information on driving requirements in Austria, driver's license exchange and international permits.
Driving in Austria
In general, the age that gives you permission to drive is your 18th birthday. And in a country like Austria, this marks a very special event for most ...
Removal
Moving to Austria? Find useful information and tips to organize your move.
Relocating to Austria
To make your move to Austria as smooth as possible, take the time to plan and prepare for ...
Relocating to Austria with your pets
Austria is known to be a very pet-friendly country, and most house owners have various of ...
Free quotes for your move
Get the best offers to easily organize your relocation to Austria.
Communications
Internet and phone providers, plans, and everything you need to stay connected in Austria.
Phones, internet and mail in Austria
Austria offers fast and secure telecommunications throughout the country and has been known to be one of the best countries when it ...
Leisure
Sports, leisure, culture and other activities expats can enjoy in their spare time in Austria.
Things to do in Austria
As the western terrain in Austria is very mountainous, skiing and snowboarding are very popular in the winter, with Austria being home to ...
Everyday life
Eager to discover what life in Austria looks like? Here's a taste.
Moving to Austria with children
There are several international schools in Austria, located mainly in Vienna and Salzburg. These schools provide a curriculum based on the American ...
Key facts
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