Almost 17% of the entire Austrian population consists of foreign citizens, and nearly one-quarter have some kind of expat background. But why are people moving to Austria (AT) in such big numbers? It could be anything from high living standards, over an amazing cultural heritage, to the magnificent scenery. If this Alpine country has found a way to get under your skin and you plan to become one of the Austrian expats, here is all you should know.
Before you contact an overseas moving company, a misunderstanding needs to be cleared – we are talking about the European country, not Australia. Yes, that is a common mistake, and it happens more than you would think. And the proof of that – there is a separate stamp with the sign “Missent to Austria ” for when people send packages to AT instead of Australia. Even Google will correct you sometimes by mistake – be smarter than it and learn the difference once and for all.
A Simple Guide for Getting Visas and Permits When Moving to Austria From the US
When thinking about documents needed to travel abroad, you can’t disregard the process of obtaining a visa as well as different permits. According to Austria’s requirements, you must plan how long you want to stay before you move in order to get proper documents.
Remember that you’ll need the entry permit if you plan a relatively short visit, but if you are relocating for a period longer than 6 months, the residence permit is required (both of them you could obtain at the local embassy or consulate.) On the other hand, if you are relocating because of your career, note that your work permit could last from one to five years, depending on the type.
AT has a visa-free policy toward the USA if you only want to visit and travel the land. However, if you’re going to relocate for more than 6 months, getting a visa is mandatory since the US is not a part of the EU or EEA. When it comes to the application itself, note that there are different types of visas:
- Work– you could get it by being employed by the employer located in AT,
- Job seeking – the one that will provide you with six months to find employment, if you don’t have one waiting,
- Business – if you need to stay in AT regarding business matters for six months the most. However, if you stay for less than 90 days as a US citizen, you won’t need to apply for a visa.
Red-White-Red Card – Permits for You and Your Family
This card is the specific combination of residence and work permit valid for two years, but some requirements need to be fulfilled. Austria’s emigration system implies that you’ll be assigned points according to your skills, experience, knowledge in different languages, or even age. Those points will determine if you could apply for this card and, if so, to which group you belong. You must:
- Be in the group with the highest scores, which will determine you as a part of very high qualified workers,
- Be in the group with skilled workers in shortage occupations, in which case you’ll need to provide proof of your training in the fields that are short with professionals.
- Belong to other key workers, or
- Be one of the start-up founders with a business plan to introduce innovative services, products, technologies, and so on.
A person could apply for a Red-White-Red Card without following through the points system if he or she is a former student from Austrian universities and colleges. Their residence permit could be extended for another year.
On the other hand, if you intend to start a business that could benefit the state, not only the employer, such as investing in the Austrian economy, creating new jobs, and so on, you’ll belong to the group of self-employed essential workers. This grouping also doesn’t follow the points system. Keep in mind that if you become a qualified worker, your family could get a Red-White-Red Card plus after your arrival in AT.
Cost of Living at the Musical Capital of Europe
AT is more expensive than some other locations considered the best places to live in Europe, but still more affordable than NYC or San Francisco. Of course, you should always remember that the prices will change depending on the country’s regions you are interested in. Vienna, Innsbruck, and the Vorarlberg Land (state) are the most expensive areas, while Carinthia Land is considered the most affordable region.
Living Arrangements – Renting or Owning a Property When Moving to Austria From America?
As an American citizen, you won’t find any rules against buying property on Austria’s land. However, note that it doesn’t come cheap – the average price of an apartment in Vienna amounts to around $830 per square foot. The cost of special types of homes, such as mountain houses or period properties, goes even higher. You would need to pocket out more than one million dollars to purchase a period property.
That is why most members of the expat community opt for renting a place. The average rent cost per month for a one-bedroom apartment in Vienna is around $950. Note that rental contracts are usually signed for three years. If you want to sign one for a shorter period, ensure that clause in the contract. And one more thing about renting that should be ignored – renting usually means that your apartment won’t be furnished, so plan your relocation budget for moving internationally according to it.
Remember that AT has one of the finest social housing systems globally – a system where housing is provided by the government or some non-profit organization meant for the people who struggle financially. However, in AT, governmental assistance is provided for a bigger part of the middle class. Expats could apply if they have an income of up to around $60 000 per year and have lived in the country at least for five years.
To learn more about renting in AT check out the video below:
Employment Demand and Salaries in AT
One of the downsides of life in AT is the discrepancy between the relatively high cost of living and not-so-high monthly salaries. There is always a need for more workforce in jobs in demand, such as IT sector, services, finances, and so on. Don’t be too disappointed to find out that they are better paid back home in the US. On the other hand, finding a job itself, especially in those fields, shouldn’t be a big problem for expats.
Learning how to get a job in Europe as an American could be applied to this destination, too. However, keep in mind that the better you know the German language, the greater your opportunity to find employment. It is also the quality required when applying for citizenship. Find some tips for learning a new language and try to break the language barrier soon after relocating overseas. Of course, learning a language abroad will not grant you employment immediately – watch the video below for some more tips on finding a job in AT:
All the Benefits of Austria’s Health Insurance
Amazing healthcare programs play a huge part in the quality of life and high life expectancy, making AT one of the best places to live overseas. When you become an employee in Austria, you are immediately enrolled with public healthcare, which covers almost all medical issues. However, even though it is on a very high standard, you’ll still have an option of private healthcare that will provide you with shorter waiting times, better hospital rooms, and so on.
It doesn’t mean that your health insurance will be free of charge – the system works that way that a health insurance tax is paid through the salary. If you are relocating to a new home with family, remember that your dependents, such as your spouse or child, will be co-insured. Also, if you are your own boss and don’t have an employer who will register you with Social Insurance, remember that you must do it by yourself.
Amazing Education Opportunities at Your Fingertip
Many young adults choose Austrian universities and colleges when considering the best countries to live in and study overseas. The University of Vienna holds the highest standard, but note that great learning opportunities could be found in other areas, too. Even more than that, students who come to study at AT are able to learn even more than what is in their curriculums by being in touch with the culture that dates way back. Note that the origin of the Austrian flag is connected to the 12th century, making it one of the oldest national flags in the world.
Top education could be expected even for younger generations, with an excellent public school system. Private schools, however, often have a religious, catholic note, which is the reason for some parents to avoid them. On the other hand, international schools are often the first choice for expats, no matter the high costs. Great schools alongside low crime rates make AT one of the best places to live overseas with family.
Outstanding Land – The Reason to Save Some Time to Travel
AT has marvelous sceneries – it is worth moving overseas just for that reason. While Vienna, as the Austrian capital, represents the country’s cultural hub, Salzburg is a city to go to when wanting to explore the most beautiful scenery of AT and experience the Alpine views. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is – this Alpine land holds beauty throughout all four seasons.
Being located in the heart of Europe, it’s natural that AT doesn’t have exotic beaches relocating to the Bahamas would provide you with. Still, numerous lakes and the great Danube could more than compensate for it. So you could enjoy all the magnificence this land has to offer, organize a car shipping overseas, gather information about all the best places and go on a road trip whenever you feel like it – it would feel like a paradise.
Austrians Care About the Planet, Too
It is considered to be one of the most eco-friendly countries in Europe. Not only that most of the population recycle the waste, but there is also high usage of renewable energy resources. In addition to that, it was one of the first countries that recognized the benefits of organic farming and made regulations for it. And while on the topic of ecology, note that many of the Austrians prefer using public transit, which is highly developed in this land – it certainly means less polluted air. If the ecological orientation of countries is important to you, keep AT in mind.
What Do You Need to Know About Austrians and Their Culture?
When relocating across the world, researching and learning how to live in another country is a must. After all, you will become part of the culture more or less different from your own – but different, nevertheless. It won’t hurt to know a thing or two about the people you will get in touch with.
For example, Austrians, similar to Germans, value politeness and punctuality and tend to be more formal than friendly, at least at the first impression. Those values you’ll get to meet even before you move, through the bureaucracy and piles of paperwork you’ll need to fill before an overseas shipping company relocates you. Because of that, it may seem that every person from this land is a workaholic, but that is not true – Austrians value their time and despise mixing their free hours with work. It is no wonder that a Sunday is a non-working day by law – it is a time when everyone relaxes in the comfort of their own home.
The Need of Maintaining Eye Contact and Some Other (Weird) Social Practices
So you won’t stand out (too much) from the Austrians, try to find out more about their customs and expected social behavior. If you want to learn how to live abroad in order to fit in, you should :
- Always look another person in the eyes when toasting, or else you’ll bring bad luck upon yourself,
- Never be late,
- Forget kissing on the first date – many Austrians will kiss you when you meet (on the cheek, but still),
- When possible, cut your food with the fork – it’s the highest compliment a chef could get,
- Start considering cafes as the essential part of the city,
- Prepare yourself for the cuisine full of meat, potatoes, bread, and cakes. Healthy, right?
- Try to enjoy classical music, since you’ll be staying in the musical center of the world, which gave birth to Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss, and many other famous composers.
Are There Any Items You Can’t Ship?
Many countries have special restrictions for importing items. So learning what to pack when moving abroad must find its place on your relocating overseas checklist, whether you are packing by yourself or by using packing services. However, AT is not one of them. Learn which items and you must pay taxes when importing, but other than that, the regulations are not different than usual ones. Don’t try to import weapons, fireworks, hazardous waste, and so on, and you’ll be good to go.
Do You Consider Following the Sound of Music?
If you were sitting on the fence regarding relocation to AT, we hopefully convinced you that there is no reason to wait any longer. As a legally regulated liberal country that could provide you with tons of opportunities, AT and living overseas in it will leave room only for unavoidable worries, such as how to keep in touch with friends after relocating to a new home. And in order to keep away relocation stress even before you move, remember to do your research and choose a first-class international moving company and let its moving services get you to the Alpine fairytale. Auf Wiedersehen and good luck!
