Leben in Österreich: Ratgeber für Wien und darüber hinaus

At a glance

Why Austria?

Austria stands out for its strong social security system, safe cities and Vienna's consistent position at the top of international quality-of-life rankings. As a German-speaking country, it is an option frequently considered by those looking for an alternative to Germany; it also has a large Turkish community.

Cities and cost of living

Vienna, the capital where roughly one fifth of the population lives, is the centre of job opportunities; thanks to municipal housing, rents are relatively balanced compared with other European capitals. Graz and Linz are more affordable, while Salzburg and Innsbruck are relatively expensive due to tourism. Public transport is excellent, and annual passes are economical.

• Address registration (Meldezettel): Must be completed within three days of moving in.
• Health insurance: Employees are automatically insured through their salary; students can take out affordable student insurance.

Routes to work

The main route for non-EU workers is the points-based Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte): it has different categories for very highly qualified workers, skilled workers in shortage occupations and other key workers; age, education, experience and language skills earn points. The EU Blue Card is also an option for university graduates. Requirements: Austria work visa.

Education

At public universities, non-EU students pay a reasonable fee per semester; the University of Vienna and TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology) are among the most popular institutions. There are also German preparatory programmes and English-taught master's options: Studying in Austria.

Visas and family

For short visits, see the Austria tourist visa; to join your family, the family reunification visa; for all types: Austria visa application.

Next step

Let's assess your plan to move to Austria together in a free initial consultation: a visa, education or both — let's choose the right path together.

Book a visa consultation · Book an education consultation

This page is for general information purposes only. Salary thresholds, fees and visa requirements are updated frequently; confirm the current situation with your consultant or official sources before applying.