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Living in : Austria

Once in Austria, there are more things you need to do. These include:

Registering your arrival

Residential registration with the police is mandatory. Any person establishing their residence in Austria is obliged to register with the respective competent authority within three (3) days of arrival.

Responsible authorities to contact in this regard are:

in large cities with federal police departments: the registration office of the respective federal police department (Meldeamt der Bundespolizeidirektion).
in Vienna: the registration office of the municipal district offices (Magistratische Bezirksämter)
for other locations: the communal administrative office (Gemeindeamt)

You will need to bring the following documents:

completed registration form (Meldeformular; Meldezettel); the registration form can be obtained from the responsible registration authorities and certain registry offices (e.g. in Vienna).
residence registration certificates for any other places of residence
passport and birth certificate

You are also required to provide your:

name (including previous names, if any)
date of birth
place of birth
gender
nationality

The residence registration form must be signed by the landlord (the owner or the property management) and the tenant, submitted personally or by a person of trust or sent by post.

Upon registering in Austria, your personal data will automatically be saved in the Central Residence Registry (Zentralen Melderegister (ZMR)) and made available to various authorities. Every person registered in Austria is assigned a dedicated number in the Central Residence Registry (so-called Central Residence Registry Number, “ZMR-Zahl”) which is shown on the residence registration certificate (Meldebestätigung).

Tax registration with the authorities

If planning on staying/working/buying a house etc you must obtain a Lohnsteuerkarte (wage tax card). This document identifies you to the Austrian taxman and is required when dealing with the Tax Office.

Some employees will handle this for you, however if not, you get it from the same place you registered your arrival in the country and it must be given straight to your employer. This tells them what tax bracket you have been put into. Once a year this is returned to you and outlines the amount you earned and the amount of tax you have paid. A new one is issued each year.

Austrian Tax Info - Find your local Finanzamt

Registering children with daycare/school/universities

The following site can give you information about general child care:

Help - Childcare

The rules for compulsory schooling are simple. Children are expected to start school at the age of 6 and attend for no less than 9 years. One of the biggest decisions you need to make will be "Do I want my children educated in English, at an International school, or in a Austrian school?"

Help - Compulsory Schooling

In most cases, it's simply a case of deciding where you want to your child to attend, and then contacting the estabilishment direct. You can find out details regarding Austrian Schools via your nearest School Council by entering your postal code at the site below.

Help - School Council (Landesschulrat)

The following website can help you, giving you detailed information regarding Education and Schools in English.

Federal Ministry for Education, Arts and Culture

And your International Schools can be found here:

Schools - International schools

Signing up with a Dr or Dentist etc

Many Doctors and Dentists are English speaking, especially in the more commercial areas of Austria. You have a free choice of general practitioner, paediatrician and several specialists within your area. For an English speaking Doctor, ask around - other Brits in the neighbourhood can help as well as many of the locals.

The Austrian Health Care system is excellent. Almost everybody in Austria has access to this system, irrespective of income or social status.

However, this said, medical insurance is essential. Before you do anything else, speak to your employer to find out if they have a policy which you and your family are entitled to join. Although your EHIC will cover you for the first 3 months of your stay in Austria, you will have to prove you have a more permanent solution before residency will be permitted.

If you are staying in Austria for a longer period, you are considered resident in Austria and will have to pay contributions for medical care to a local social insurance organisation (Sozialversicherungsträger). These are often called "Gebietskrankenkasse".

If you are working in regular employment, normally your employer will deduct contributions to the health insurance system from your salary and make the payments on your behalf. Please ask your employer for details or contact your local branch of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for advice before leaving the UK. When in Austria you can also enquire at your local health insurance organisation (Gebietskrankenkasse).

Before you go to a Doctor or Dentist or in fact any health care institution, you must have your Health Insurance Card. You WILL be asked for it at every visit.

Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on additional medical insurance, general private heathcare and private hospitals.

Set up a bank account

As mentioned in our "Moving to" section, it is possible to open a bank account in Austria before taking residency. However accounts set up in this way are treated differently and there are additional fees etc to be paid for each transaction.

If you chose to do this before your arrival, contact them NOW to let them know you are now living in Austria. This will avoid unecessary fees.

If you have not yet set up an account, check with your existing bank, see if they have any agreements with any in Austria before you leave which could make opening an account easier. Also, you may wish to check out international options too. Those who deal with "foreigners" on a regular basis and can actually cater to the English language.

To open an account you are generally required to present valid identification with photo (passport, personal ID or a driver’s license) in order to open a checking account (an account to which your salary is paid "Gehaltskonto");a residence registration certificate (Meldezettel) may be required as proof of residency in Austria. Further information on this subject may be obtained by contacting your local bank or financial institution.

Convert your driving license?

The first thing you need to be aware of is if you move abroad, you cannot have your new international address added to your British driving licence.

Directgov - Driving Abroad on a GB Licence

You can apply for an International Driving Permit as a temporary solution although the Austrian authorities will accept your UK licence so this is not necessary. Information about this can be found here:

The AA - International Driving Permit

Alternatively, you have two other choices. Either leave it with your last address in the UK, or submit it to the Austrian authorities and have it replaced with a Austrian Licence. If you want to do this, information can be found here:

Help - Conversion of drivers licence

The driving offence laws are outlined here. Be warned, Foreign drivers who commit three recordable offences| (Vormerkdelikte) will be banned from driving in Austria.

Help - Recordable offences

Regardless of your decision regarding your licence, you should familiarise yourself with the rules of the Austrian roads! The two most important rules you should know are that it is mandatory to drive with lights on also during daylight hours in Austria. Additionally you must carry a safety vest in fluorescent yellow or orange, a breakdown triangle and vehicle first-aid case. Not to do this is illegal.

Most other rules can be found here.

Driving Abroad - Driving in Austria
Europa - Getting there

And finally, please remember that although in the UK you can take and pass your driving test at the age of 17, in Austria, your licence is not valid until your 18th birthday! Other general differences can be found here:

ViaMichelin - Driving in Europe - Similarities and Differences

Registering or buying a car

Deciding whether to take your car or not is something you will need to think about. What is "right" varies from person to person. For example, for my first move, I took my UK car with me for the first 6 months only. This gave me the security blanket when I wasn't sure if I would stay. Had I returned to the UK, I wouldn't have then had to look for a new car. Having decided to stay, I returned my UK car to the UK, and bought a local one. Just make sure that if you decide to take your own car, your insurance covers you properly with a "permanent green card"!

Don't forget you must also notify the DVLA if you plan to take your car out of the UK either temporarily or permanently.

Direct Gov - Taking your car abroad

If you plan on taking your own car permanently, this site should help. Although American, it refers to any car taken into Germany from anywhere else.

Details regarding the required steps when importing your car (motor vehicle) to Austria can be obtained from the official Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre (Prüfstelle) located at the respective government office responsible for the province where you maintain your primary residence. Homologation (Typisierung) will be provided on the basis of the technical inspection of your motor vehicle performed there. You will receive an inspection certificate or interim certificate (Interimsbescheinigung).

You will need to take the following with you (after consulting the responsible inspection centre) to the inspection centre:

proof of ownership (e.g. invoice, purchase contract, gift certificate, foreign vehicle papers in your own name)
Certificate of Conformity (COC) papers = EU-operating licence for vehicles between 1994 and 1997) or document of compliance from the general importer (for older vehicles)
For vehicles manufactured in 1997 or after, the EU-COC is already included in the motor vehicle registration certificate.
If there is no COC document, please provide two photos of your motor vehicle in addition to your document of compliance.
residence registration certificate (Meldezettel)
personal identification and approx. 150 Euros

Import of the motor vehicle must be reported to the fiscal office competent for your place of residence (so-called "Veranlagungsstelle” of the Finanzamt); please do not forget to bring along the interim certificate (Interimsbescheinigung) and residence registration certificate (Meldezettel). At your local tax office (Finanzant) you will be required to pay a standard consumer tax called a NOVA (Normverbraucherabgabe). The amount charged for the NOVA depends on technical data concerning your car (purchase price or current resale value, HP or KW, etc.). Details regarding the amount of the NOVA can be obtained from car dealers or automobile associations in Austria (ÖAMTC or ARBÖ). Once the NOVA amount has been determined, you must fill out the “NOVA 2” Form (available at the fiscal office) and pay the appropriate tax. You will receive an inspection confirmation certificate (Freigabebescheinigung). Subsequently, arrange for third-party insurance by choosing from among one of the large number of insurance companies. The final traffic registration is performed at the registration department of your selected insurance company.

The following is to be provided:

motor vehicle documents (technical data, registration certificate)
foreign licence plates
duly filled out automobile registration form
proof of insurance contract (third-party insurance)
residence registration certificate (Meldezettel)
ID document with photo (driver’s licence, passport or personal identification)
confirmation of payment of the NOVA tax
Inspection Confirmation Certificate (Freigabebescheinigung) + sales contract (Kaufvertrag), or a leasing contract if applicable etc.
Leasing transfer approval etc.
150 – 170 Euros (depending on vehicle)

You will receive your licence plates and the inspection sticker at the Registration Department.

If you choose to buy a car, we would always suggest going to a reputable dealer. You will need to take with you identification and enough money to buy it. Other than that, you need nothing! Ensure they take care of insurance and plates for you - a car found without plates will be towed and impounded!

Search for a job

There are a number of websites which focus on job searches in Austria. The following are a few, however we can not take liability for any of their content or claims. It is also worth actually going into agencies on the street with your up to date CV.

Job Centre Plus
4ICJ
Euro Jobs - Finding work in Austria
Jobs Abroad
Executives on the Web
Tip Top Jobs

Austria also has the added bonus of hosting the UN (United Nations). Jobs within this organisation can be found here:

The United Nations

Register for language courses

We Brits are terrible when it comes to learning languages! It's awful to walk around the shops and feel illiterate. Seeing the letters but not understanding the words. It can leave you feeling very isolated. Learning the language has many benefits. Firstly, it teaches you the essentials you will need to get by. Secondly, it helps you meet people - often people in a similar situation to yourself. And thirdly, it makes people take you more seriously on a daily basis.

Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on language courses.

Recycling

Austria is big on recycling. Each area has its own recycling rules. Make sure you speak with neighbours or the local council to find out the rules for your area.

If a student, check out the local student life

Once you know where you will be studying, contact your campus to find out about the local social life. Find out the "in" places to go and the local club scene. Most students work hard, but play harder!

Marrying in Austria

When living in a foreign country, it is not unthinkable that you might meet and later want to marry someone in Austria.

Foreign Office - Marriage in Austria
Foreign Office - Civil Partnerships
Helpline Law - Marrying in Austria

British Nationals dying in Austria

While in Austria, although none of us wants to think about it, it is possible that you could be left to deal with the death of a loved one. There are many decisions to be made and the British Foreign Office have put together a booklet (PDF) which you can download.

Foreign Office - Death Overseas
Foreign Office - Registering a Death
Foreign Office - Help if someone dies

Please note, that under Austrian law, by default, everyone is an organ donor. If you wish to opt out there are a few steps you must take.

Regardless of your choice concerning organ donation, you should carry a written statement detailing your wishes at all times, this can be enclosed with your ID.

More information about organ donation can be found at the Austrian Foreign Ministry's website.

Organ Donation in Austria

Please also visit our Repatriation page where we go into this in more detail.

Protect your pension

As a UK citizen you are entitled to a UK pension when you retire. This can and will be paid into your bank account anywhere in the world. However, whether you get a full or part pension at retirement age depends on your contributions.

Be aware that you are able to pay into a private pension for 5 years after you leave the UK, however advisers also suggest that you consider paying voluntary NI contributions to preserve your state pension entitlements.

You can find out how much to pay by calling the HMRC International Services Helpline on +44 (0) 845 9154811 giving them your UK NI Number. There are many ways to pay, the link below will be of use.

HM Revenue & Customs - Paying NI from abroad

There is also an agreement between Austria and the UK whereby any pension contributions made into the Austrian state pension system can be taken into consideration for your UK pension if/when you return to the UK and vice versa.

Keep an eye out for your work / residence permit / insurances / passport lapsing...

This may seem obvious but make sure you know exactly when each of your documents are due to expire! To begin with you may not be able to read the correspondence these companies are sending you. This makes renewal notices very difficult to understand. The last thing you want is to find out that part of your life is no longer legal... Whether it's your right to live in the country or your car insurance, have those dates marked clearly somewhere that you check regularly and if it spans more than one year... make sure you copy it over to the following year!

If your passport is due to expire you will need this website:

Foreign Office - Passport

Emergencies

Emergency Services can be reached by dialing 112, however if you want to get hold of a specific service you can call the following numbers.

Police - 133
Ambulance - 144
Fire Bregade - 122

If anything else goes seriously wrong, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office offers the following help:

Foreign Office - When things go wrong

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