Dual Career

We are receiving more and more inquiries from so-called “dual career couples” with a high level of education and a strong professional focus. Couples in which both partners are pursuing a career are confronted with various challenges, especially when immigrating or returning to Austria: 

• Career setback for one of the two partners 

• Emotional, financial & professional strain 

• Loss of second income for a certain period of time 

Denise Haslwanter is Austrian and met her Colombian husband Fabio Echeverry in New York, where they lived and worked. Both are scientists and moved back to Vienna together a few years ago. We asked them what advice they would give to other couples in a similar situation:  

"Being a dual career couple means constantly balancing two career paths while building a life together - and that's not always easy. What has helped us the most is being open and honest about our individual goals while remaining flexible and supporting each other. The biggest challenge was finding opportunities that suited each other both geographically and professionally. But over time, we've learned that a shared long-term vision - and a willingness to adapt along the way - makes all the difference." 

Denise and Fabio used the services of the Austrian Business Agency during their relocation process and found them very helpful for their new start at home. 

The Austrian Business Agency offers customized information on the topics of residence, work and employment of third-country nationals and navigates you and your family through your personal path to Austria. 

Austria not only offers attractive residence titles for international skilled workers, but also for their family membersfamily members (). Family members are usually wives/husbands, registered partners and children under the age of 18. 

Which residence title family members receive depends on a few different factors. The most important factor is whether there is a connection to an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen. It also plays a role which residence title the international skilled worker in the family has and how long they have been in Austria or whether the family is immigrating to Austria. In any case, the basis for this is that the skilled worker also lives in Austria. 

For example, family members of holders of a Red-White-Red Card or an EU Blue Card receive a Red-White-Red Card PlusRed-White-Red Card Plus (). Among other things, the Red-White-Red Card Plus offers free access to the Austrian labor market. This means that you can work both as an employee and as a self-employed person and are not tied to one employer. This makes it easier for family members to find a job in Austria. 

Visit the Talent Hub, the job and CV platform for international professionals, their family members and Austrian companies to network and get to know each other.   

This is a good opportunity to network and become visible on the Austrian job market. 

Register herehere (). 

Create a profile and set it to “public” so that Austrian companies can find your profile on the Talent Hub and contact you for their job advertisements. Your data can of course only be viewed anonymously. The Talent Hub fulfills all data protection requirements.  

Search for interesting job advertisements yourself and set up your own job agent to inform you about possible vacancies.  Everything is available in various formats, from the classic CV to the EUROPASS layout. 

You can translate the job advertisement into English so that you can prepare your application in the best possible way. The Talent Hub JobMAPS immediately shows you the location of the jobs in Austria. You can share job ads with friends and family at any time.  

Find the answers to your questions herehere (). 

"Getting started in a foreign country is never easy - but if you get good advice, it is definitely easier, and your start will be smoother. Use our “Personal GuidePersonal Guide ()” and find tailor-made information about living, working, education, health and culture in Austria. 

Special emphasis is placed on the application process, from tips for the cover letter to preparing for the interview. 

For Austrians and their partners who want to move back home from abroad, the question often arises as to how to ensure that both can continue their professional career in Austria. 

We know the key topics of dual careers, remote work, double taxation, exit tax for green card holders, pension credits and building a professional network back home.  

Our Willkommen Daheim ServicesWillkommen Daheim Services () provide support focusing on these key issues when returning from abroad, and we offer customized solutions for each individual situation. 

For more information and to schedule your individual consultation please contact us here.here. () 

In many cases, the dual career topic concerns the professional group of scientists and researchers and therefore some universities, tertiary education and research institutions as well as regional networks have joined forces to increase Austria's attractiveness as a research location. The national network Austrian Network for Dual Career (ANDC) has set itself the goal of providing support in the following core topics. 

• Further development and professionalization of consultation services 

• Development of quality measurement features for dual career services in Austria 

• Supporting the establishment and expansion of dual career services within their own organizations 

• Contribution to raising the profile of Austrian universities and research institutions as attractive employers 

• Supporting universities and research institutions in their internationalization efforts 

• Improving the compatibility of family, partnership and career 

• Female empowerment programs 

• Specialized training courses for dual career managers 

Once a year a networking event for all members takes place. Please find more information on the EURAXESS webpageEURAXESS webpage (). 

Do you have questions we have not answered in this article? Would you like further advice or a forms-check of required documents for the Settlement Permit – Researcher or one of the alternatives?   

You are welcome to contact uscontact us () directly.