Expat Guide to Austria
Everything you need to know about living and working in Austria.
Visa & Residency
Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte) for skilled workers with points-based assessment. EU citizens have free movement. Freelance residence permit (Freiberufler) available for self-employed professionals. Employee secondment options for those transferred by multinational companies. Student visas allow part-time work. Permanent residence (Daueraufenthalt-EU) available after 5 years.
Tax System
Progressive income tax from 0% to 55% (Austria has one of Europe's highest top rates). Unique feature: 13th and 14th month salary (Weihnachtsgeld and Urlaubsgeld) are taxed at a preferential rate of only 6% (up to €620/year). Social security contributions total approximately 18% for employees (employer pays an additional ~21%). Church tax of 1.1% of income applies if registered with a recognized church. Austria has an extensive double taxation treaty network.
Note: Always consult a qualified tax advisor for your specific situation.
Healthcare
Austria's social insurance system (Sozialversicherung) provides comprehensive healthcare through mandatory contributions. Coverage includes GP visits, specialist care, hospital stays, prescriptions, and dental (basic). Quality is excellent — Austrian hospitals are among Europe's best. Vienna General Hospital (AKH) is one of the largest hospitals in the world. E-Card (health insurance card) provides access to all public healthcare services. Private supplementary insurance (Zusatzversicherung) costs €30-100/month for private rooms, faster specialist access, and alternative medicine coverage. Dental beyond basic fillings requires private insurance or out-of-pocket payment.
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Get Covered →Banking
Erste Bank, Raiffeisen, and BAWAG are common choices. Account opening requires Meldezettel (address registration) — register at your local Magistrat/Gemeindeamt within 3 days of moving. Also needed: passport/ID and residence title. N26 and Revolut are popular digital alternatives. Austrian banking is reliable but can feel bureaucratic compared to Nordic or Dutch banking. Cash is still widely used and preferred — many smaller shops and restaurants are cash-only. Maestro/Debit cards are more widely accepted than credit cards for daily purchases.
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