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Living and working in Austria

Austria offers international skilled workers attractive career opportunities, a high quality of life and a stable environment.

Your next steps:

  • Important information about living in Austria
  • An overview of the healthcare system and social security
  • Insights into the Austrian education system 
  • Clear information on the cost of living in Austria
  • Direct access to jobs in Austria on the Talent Hub

Why Austria?

From economic stability to a high quality of life

Comprehensive Coverage Nationwide

99.9 %

Thanks to mandatory public health insurance, almost the entire population is covered.

  • No exclusion clauses for medical conditions
  • Coverage for family members included
  • Covers hospitals, specialists and rehabilitation
© Paul Bauer

Family-friendly environment

2 years

In Austria, parents are entitled to up to two years of parental leave after the birth of a child.

  • Strong focus on family support
  • Part-time work option until the child turns 8
  • Tax benefits through the Family Bonus Plus
Familie mit Kinderwagen
© Maskot / Westend61

Strong Innovation Performance

2,272 patents

In 2025, thousands of inventions were successfully filed with the Austrian Patent Office.

  • Strong business-driven research
  • Upper Austria leads in patent applications
  • Focus on future technologies
© Paul Bauer

Additional Public Holidays Each Year

13 days

Thirteen public holidays provide people in Austria with regular time off throughout the year.

  • High number of public holidays compared to other EU countries
  • Full salary payment on all public holidays
  • More time for leisure and recreation
© Paul Bauer

Largest Student City

197,000

No city in the German-speaking world has more students than Vienna.

  • 77 higher education institutions across Austria
  • Wide range of study programmes
  • International three-cycle system (Bachelor's, Master's, PhD)
© Paul Bauer

High Density of Medical Professionals

552 physicians

Austria's healthcare system provides more than 500 physicians per 100,000 inhabitants.

  • Free choice of physician for all insured persons
  • Medical assistance available around the clock
  • Fast consultation via the 1450 health hotline
© Paul Bauer

Affordable Mobility in Vienna

€461

The annual Wiener Linien travel pass costs just over one euro per day for the entire city network.

  • Excellent metro network in Vienna
  • Vienna residents own more public transport passes than cars
  • Unlimited use of buses and trams
© Paul Bauer

High Life Satisfaction

7.2 points

People in Austria rate their overall life satisfaction well above the OECD average.

  • Measured on a scale from 0 to 10
  • OECD average stands at just 6.7 points
  • Austria scores highly for health and nature
© Paul Bauer

Digital Public Services for Employees

6.3 million

More than 6 million citizens use the FinanzOnline portal for simple tax-related matters.

  • Convenient tax filing from home
  • Available free of charge 24/7
  • Secure access via ID Austria
© Paul Bauer

Length of Compulsory Schooling

9 years

In Austria, all children between the ages of 6 and 15 are required to attend school for nine years.

  • Free attendance at public schools
  • Basic education covers primary and secondary levels
  • Mandatory preparatory year in kindergarten
© Paul Bauer

Personal Guide

Get off to a good start in Austria

Arrive well-informed. Get off to a safe start. The Personal Guide supports international professionals with reliable information on all aspects of living and working in Austria—from everyday topics and the cost of living to the healthcare and education systems. The guide can be personalized to suit your needs and accessed with a single click.

Download the Personal Guide to Living & Working in Austria

Put together your own personalised guide to living and working in Austria – tailored to your interests and needs. Whether it’s the health and education systems, housing, the cost of living or everyday life: You’ll receive exactly the information you need to get started in Austria – concise, practical and free of charge.

Download now for free

Any questions about working in Austria? We’re here for you.

Do you have any questions about living and working in Austria, the Austrian healthcare system, or the specific steps involved in finding a job? WORK in AUSTRIA is the main point of contact for international skilled workers and provides you with reliable information on all aspects of living and working in Austria. If you already have a specific job offer, we can also help you with any specific queries you may have regarding your residence and employment.

  • Guidance on living and working in Austria
  • Information on careers, living here and everyday life
  • Support with specific questions about your move to Austria

 Get in touch now

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