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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

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

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.

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

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...

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

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

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

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.

Communications

Internet and phone providers, plans, and everything you need to stay connected in Austria.

Phones, internet and mail 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

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

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 ...

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