Moving to Austria

MOVING TO AUSTRIA - TIMING

Transfer times to Vienna & Graz

MOVING TO AUSTRIA - ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

No visa requirement for Germans

UTS Germany recommends everyone to inform themselves early enough about the entry and residence regulations at the Austrian embassy. Nevertheless, we have already prepared a summary of the most important points for you:

All EU citizens, EEA citizens as well as citizens from Switzerland can stay visa-free in Austria for up to 3 months. Upon entry (at the airport), an identity card or passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival must be presented.

After moving to Austria, every person must therefore register at the competent registration office of the municipality within 3 days. For this purpose, a valid passport, the birth certificate as well as a registration form signed by the landlord must be presented. Further information and the application form can be found here

However, this registration does not yet grant a right of settlement in Austria!

Every person who works during his stay in Austria or stays longer than 3 months needs a permit.

For third-country nationals (i.e. all persons who are neither EU citizens, EEA citizens, nor from Switzerland) a visa is a prerequisite for entry into Austria. This can be applied for at the Austrian representative authority at the applicant's place of residence.

If you have been living in Austria for more than 5 years without interruption, you can apply for a certificate of permanent residence. This is also the first opportunity to obtain the official photo ID, which also counts as an identity document.

The application for a permanent residence certificate must be made in person at the competent settlement authority. The following documents are required for this purpose:

MOVING WITH ANIMALS

Dog, Cat & Co. in Austria

Are you moving to Austria and are you planning to take your beloved pets with you? With UTS at your side, even your four-legged friends will arrive safely at their new destination. Among other things, we organise the transport and any formalities. This ensures a stress-free move for your pets, too.

There are a few points that should be taken into account when moving with animals. These concern, for example, topics such as preparations before the move, the acclimatisation period afterwards as well as the journey by plane. Here (insert internal link, moving with animals) you can find comprehensive information.

Do you have any further questions? No problem, our staff is there for you.

For a move to Austria your pet will need

• Microchip
• rabies vaccination
• EU pet passport

MOVING TO AUSTRIA - IMPORT REGULATIONS

Import regulations on entry

Get advice

MOVING TO AUSTRIA - FORMALITIES

Everything about health insurance

The health care system in Austria is basically comparable to that in Germany, which is an ideal prerequisite for your move to Austria. Health insurance is therefore compulsory, but there is no free choice of health insurance as in Germany. 

Each of the 9 different federal provinces has its own regional health insurance fund (GKK). Some industries also have their own health insurance (e.g. mining).

Statutory health insurance offers good basic care, but more than one third of Austrians have taken out private supplementary insurance in addition to statutory health insurance in order to benefit from further advantages, such as comfortable accommodation in hospitals. This also offers patients a free choice of doctor and also covers the costs of alternative healing methods. At just under €20 per month, it is particularly affordable for students. From the age of 60, however, this private supplementary insurance costs considerably more at €300. 

Before taking out the insurance, however, a general health check is required for all applicants, which determines whether the necessary admission criteria are met.

MOVING WITH A CAR

What do I have to bear in mind if I want to take my own car with me to Austria?

• Re-register your car: If you move your main residence to Austria, you have to re-register your car within one month. Otherwise you may face penalties.
• It is obligatory to take out third party insurance.
• NoVA: The so-called NoVA (Normverbrauchsabgabe - standard consumption tax) must be paid to the tax office before registering your vehicle.

MOVING TO AUSTRIA - FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Below we have summarised some of the most frequently asked questions about formalities when moving to Austria. For further information, please do not hesitate to contact your UTS relocation manager.

MOVING TO AUSTRIA - THINGS TO KNOW

Culture and language

Almost 250 different languages

MOVING TO AUSTRIA - LABOUR MARKET

The labour market

Although the unemployment rate of 6.9% is somewhat higher in Austria, the general situation on the Austrian labour market is good. Especially Germans are in demand on the labour market because of their punctuality and conscientiousness. Therefore, the chances of finding a job quickly after moving to Austria are very good.

In Austria, skilled workers are sought after in all fields. In particular, the tourism, gastronomy and hotel sectors are always looking for staff, as the demand in these areas cannot always be met with local staff, especially in the high season.

But what is the best way to find a job? 

As in Germany, the easiest way to look for a job is via the Internet. The best place to start is the official website of the Austrian labour administration. It contains all the links to job exchanges and employment agencies in Austria.

MOVING TO AUSTRIA - TAX SYSTEM

Income tax

Paying taxes 

After a stay in Austria of at least 6 months, you are obliged to pay tax on your income there, unless it is a posting. Those people who live on the border with Germany but work in Austria can pay their taxes in Germany if they wish. We at UTS Germany recommend that you enquire in good time with the tax authorities in your place of residence and place of work.

With the inclusion of the new tax reform 2015/2016, the tariff brackets were reorganised in 2016 and the tax rates were lowered. Instead of the previously applicable three rate brackets (36.5 per cent, 43.21 per cent and 50 per cent), there are six rate brackets as of 2016. For income shares above 1 million euros per year, a tax rate of 55 per cent was set until 2025. After that, it will be reduced to 50 per cent.

MOVING TO AUSTRIA - COST OF LIVING

Rental prices

Hardly any differences to Germany

On average, living in Austria is about 10.7% cheaper than in Germany, but there are big differences between the individual cities.

We have summarised the monthly rental prices for you to compare:

As of 2024. Please note that these are only average values and that there can always be deviations due to seasonal factors.

Food prices

Average prices

Food is not really more expensive than in Germany, even the rents are on the same level, although there are of course big differences between the big cities and the countryside. Leisure activities such as a visit to the cinema cost just as much as in Germany, at just under €12. A visit to a simple restaurant is also possible from 15€.

Since the average total cost of living (excluding housing costs) is only 7% higher than in Germany, you should therefore not expect any major additional costs when moving to Austria. If you have any further questions, your UTS expert will be happy to assist you.