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Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, known for its mountainous landscapes, rich culture, and history. It’s a federal republic with a capital city and largest city of Vienna, and it’s part of the European Union.
Austria is attractive for its blend of rich history, stunning natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine, making it a popular destination for tourists and a desirable place to live and work.
Austria offers a good environment for both working and settling, with a strong economy, high quality of life, and stable political environment, making it an attractive destination for those seeking employment and a place to call home. Austria welcomed 46.2 million visitors marking the highest recorded visitors in history.
Austria, one of Europe’s wealthiest countries and one of the most attractive and well-developed countries in the world to live in, makes for an outstanding place of residence. Pre-immigration tax planning is required before establishing permanent residency in Austria, but interesting opportunities exist for wealthy families. An Austrian residence permit allows visa free travel to the Schengen area.
Austria offers 10 types of residence permits for the applicants and their families. The permits do not require an investment obligation and therefore the total costs of the residence permit application are comparably low. An Austrian residence permit allows visa-free travel to the Schengen area and the processing time can take from three to fourteen months, depending on the type of permit.
The grant of citizenship is subject to the discretion of the Austrian federal government. In general, a minimum of six and up to ten years of uninterrupted residency is normally required before one can apply for Austrian citizenship, depending on the category of the residence permit. Knowledge of the German language is required, as well as of relinquishment of all other citizenships.
The processing time for a residence permit can take from 3 to 14 months, depending on the type of the permit, which is fairly efficient when compared to other countries. The due diligence processes are reasonable with minimal bureaucratic and application requirements.
Citizenship is also possible to obtain where an applicant actively invests by economic contributions in the Austrian economy.
| Visa Type | Permanent Residence Permit |
| Time Frame | 3-12 months |
| Requirements | Proof of funds to finance daily life without working income; health insurance; accommodation in Austria; clean criminal record |
| Minimum Investment | None |
| Taxation | No wealth, net worth, gift or IHT tax; flat rate income tax of 25% on most interest payments received from banks, on dividend received from shares and on most capital gains; other income subject to max. tax rate of 50% |
| Years to qualify for Citizenship | 6-10 years residence |
| Language for Citizenship | Yes |
| Permanent Residence | n/a |
| Other requirements | None |
| Dual Citizenship | Restricted – possible under certain circumstances |
General Requirements:
1. Legal Residency
2. Financial Self-Sufficiency
3. Health Insurance
4. Adequate Accommodation
5. Integration
6. No Criminal Record
7. Integration Agreement
Specific Documents:
1. Valid travel document (e.g., passport)
2. Application for a residence permit
3. Passport photo
4. Proof of locally customary accommodation (e.g., lease contract)
5. Proof of health insurance
6. Proof of income (sustenance)
7. Proof of completion of the Integration Agreement
Austrian permanent residence lasts for five years and after this, you will need to renew it. You should renew it before it expires, however, keep in mind that the renewal window opens three months before your residency expires. You will need to contact your provincial government authority to begin the renewal process, and as long as everything is in order, your renewal should proceed smoothly.
To obtain permanent residence in Austria as a family member, you and your family must meet specific conditions, including proving legal residence for five years, adequate accommodation, full medical insurance, and sufficient means of subsistence.
You can lose your Austrian permanent residence if you stay outside the EU/EEA for more than 12 consecutive months, fail to maintain residency in Austria for six years, or become a public safety or criminal risk.
third-country nationals seeking settlement and residence in Austria, a residence permit is required for stays exceeding six months, and various options exist based on personal circumstances, including the “Settlement Permit – gainful employment excepted” and the “Red-White-Red Card”.
General Requirements:
1. Residence Permit:
Third-country nationals require a residence permit for stays longer than six months.
2. EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens:
Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland need to request a “confirmation of registration of Right of Residence under EU law” for stays longer than three months.
3. Initial Application:
In principle, the initial application for a residence permit must be submitted in person to the Austrian Consulate of the applicant’s domicile before entering Austria and awaiting the authority’s decision abroad.
If you intend to stay in Austria for more than six months and are not an EEA citizen or a Swiss national, then you will need to get a residence permit. Austria offers different types of resident permits. However, if your period of stay is less than six months, you do not require a residence permit, but you will need a visa.
The application for a residence permit should be made in person and in your home country before you enter Austria. Residence permits are issued for either employment, study or research. You need to have a fixed and regular source of income to meet your living costs. The best cities to live in Austria include Vienna, Innsbruck and Salzburg.
To apply for permanent residency in Austria, you must meet the following requirements:
Working in Austria can be a good experience due to its strong economy, high standard of living, and good work-life balance, though it’s important to note that the cost of living can be relatively high, especially in cities like Vienna.
Here’s a more detailed look at The working in Austria:
1. Strong Economy and High Standard of Living:
Austria boasts a stable and prosperous economy, contributing to a high quality of life for its residents.
2. Good Work-Life Balance:
Austrians generally have a 40-hour workweek, a full hour-long lunch break, and enjoy five weeks of annual leave, along with 16 public holidays, allowing for a good balance between work and personal life.
3. Diverse Job Market:
Austria offers various job opportunities, particularly in sectors like technology, life sciences, and tourism.
4. Beautiful Scenery and Cultural Attractions:
Austria is known for its stunning landscapes, from the Alps to cities like Vienna and Salzburg, offering plenty of opportunities for leisure and exploration.
5. Opportunity for Expats:
Austria has a long history of welcoming expats and providing them with attractive work opportunities.
6. Strong Tech Scene:
Austria’s tech sector is growing, with opportunities for professionals in areas like software development, data analysis, and cybersecurity.
Austria has a strong economy and a robust job market, with high employment rates and good salaries, particularly in sectors like IT, healthcare, and construction, making it a desirable destination for many professionals.
1. Engineering & Technology
2. Specialized Power Engineers
3. Engineers for Agricultural Machinery
4. Software Developers
5. Data Scientists
6. Sales
7. AI Specialists
8. Cybersecurity Experts
9. Construction Professionals
10. Machinery and Metal Workers
11. Healthcare & Social Work
12. Finance and Accounting
13. Marketing and Brand Management
14. Human Resources
15. Research and Development
1. Black toppers
2. Engineers for agricultural machinery
4. Technicians with a higher level of training (engineers) for power engineering technology
5. Graduates in power engineering
6. Pavers
7. Special(ist) power engineers
8. Concrete fitters
9. Technicians with a higher level of training (engineers) for data processing
10. Carpenters
11. Special fitters
12. Graduate engineers for data processing
13. Technicians with a higher level of training (engineers) for mechanical engineering
14. Construction joiners
15. Physicians
16. Floor and wall tilers
17. Building plumbers
18. Graduate nurses
19. Pipe installers, pipe fitters
20. Graduates in weak-current and telecommunications engineering
21. Electrical installers, electrical fitters
22. Welders, cutting torch operators
23. Cost accountants
24. Metal turners
25. Graduate mechanical engineers
26. Milling machinists
27. Ophthalmic opticians
28. Special graduate engineers
29. Technicians with a higher education (engineer) for civil engineering
30. Special floor layers
31. Construction and furniture joiners
32. Special fitters
33. Bricklayers
34. Other civil engineering specialists
35. Specialist technicians for mechanical engineering
36. Payroll accountants
37. Wood machine workers
38. Graduate engineers – special professions
39. Varnishers
40. Motor vehicle mechanic
41. Glaziers
42. Train conductors, stokers
43. Building fitters, sheet metal fitters, construction fitters
44. Engineers/technicians for rough mechanicals
45. Special technicians for low voltage engineering and communication engineering
46. Other technicians for fuel and gas technology
47. Restaurant chefs
48. Painters, house painters
49. Stove fitters, potters, stove makers
50. Technicians with a higher level of training (engineer) for technical chemistry, chemical engineers
51. Plastic processors
52. Special technicians in business administration
53. Special technicians for civil engineering
54. Toolmakers, cutters and punchmakers
55. Dealers and sales clerks for iron and metal goods, domestic and kitchen appliances
56. Certified public accountants
57. Special technicians
58. Butchers
59. Vehicle body and radiator sheet metal workers
60. Machine fitters
Working in Austria offers numerous advantages, including a strong economy, high quality of life, a robust social security system, and a diverse range of cultural and leisure activities, making it an attractive destination for both employees and employers.
There are many reasons that workers from abroad target Austria as a destination. Firstly, Austria is home to Vienna, which has been recognized as the World’s Most Livable City. Additionally, the country itself was ranked as number 12 in the World Happiness Report 2018.
The country also boasts high wages for workers, with a new national minimum wage of around €1,500 per month due to be implemented from 2020 onwards. In addition to this, jobs in Austria give employees a generous five weeks of vacation time a year.
Aside from the high quality of life in the country and its high salaries, Austria is known for its multicultural and vibrant culture and its beautiful natural landscape. The country is a hotspot for culture lovers and winter sports enthusiasts alike making it a great place to enjoy during downtime too.
Not every foreigner who enters Austria needs a visa. For example, European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) nationals do not need a visa. However, all applicants from outside these areas must apply at the closest Austrian embassy or consulate general in person. Since Austria falls within the Schengen area of Europe, all foreigners will apply for a Schengen visa, which is broken down into further categories depending on the applicant’s situation.
Some of the types of work visas in Austria include:
General Requirements
1. Valid Passport
2. Visa Application Form
3. Passport Photos
4. Proof of Accommodation
5. Health Insurance
6. Proof of Sufficient Funds
7. Biometric Data
Specific Requirements
1. Job Offer
2. Work Permit
3. Educational Qualifications
4. Language Proficiency
5. Criminal Record Check
6. Proof of Connection to Home Country
7. Invitation Letter
8. Travel Itinerary
9. Visa Fee
