From Education to Career

STUDY – Studying and working in Austria

1. 01

   Studying in Austria

   You will find the information you need about entering the country, staying in Austria and being admitted as a student, working as an artist or as researcher at a university here and on the website of the Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation (OeAD). Here you can learn more about the right course of studies for you, and grants.at provides details about all Austrian scholarship programmes. The OeAD is also the right contact for any legal issues r relating to studying in Austria.  

2. 02

   Working in Austria as a student from an EU/EEA country

   As an EU or EEA citizen, you have unrestricted access to the Austrian labour market during your studies. You can work as a marginally employed person, part-time or full-time and also do traineeships or internships. However, it is important that your studies are not negatively affected and that you are officially registered in Austria. You must get a Registration Certificate (“Anmeldebescheinigung”) for this purpose. Read more

    

3. 03

   Working in Austria as a student from a third country

   If you are a third-country national with a Residence Permit – Student and would like to work up to 20 hours per week alongside your studies, you can do so with a work permit (“Beschäftigungsbewilligung”) for which your employer can apply to the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS). Within the context of the application process, the AMS will check to see if you have a valid with a Residence Permit – Student and whether the application includes all the required documents from your employer. You also require a work permit even if you are only in marginal employment.

   If you are a third-country national with a Residence Permit – Student and would like to work more than 20 hours per week alongside your studies, the AMS may carry out a special procedure called a labour market test (“Ersatzkraftverfahren”) as part of your application for a work permit. In this process, the AMS determines if other skilled workers are already registered for the specific position. Only if this is not the case will the work permit be granted.

    

4. 04

   Doing a traineeship/internship in Austria

   Are you a third-country national, studying at a university or university of applied sciences and the traineeship or internship is part of your studies? In this case the employer need not apply for a work permit for you. It is sufficient if he reports the studies to the AMS in a timely manner. Your university must confirm in writing that the traineeship or internship is necessary to complete your studies or will be credited to your studies. Our blog provides additional information on how to do a traineeship as a third-country national.

   Do you want to do an Erasmus+ semester or Erasmus+ traineeship while studying in Austria? This is possible if your university offers Erasmus+. We recommend contacting your university and the Austrian Agency for Internationalisation and Education (OeAD). You will also find further information on internships at the international organisations AIESEC and IAESTE​.

START – Begin your career

1. 01

   Find your dream job

   Search for your mission in life with us! With jobs in companies and startups throughout Austria, our ABA Job Platform offers you possibilities to work in many sectors and fields, many of which are in English and German. If you have not yet successfully concluded your studies in Austria or if you graduated a long time ago, inform yourself about your options in entering the labour market by using our Immigration Guide.

2. 02

   How to apply for a job in Austria

   In Austria it is customary to include a photo of yourself with your curriculum vitae as well as a motivational letter when contacting a company and applying for a job. The motivational letter should clearly state your motivation to work at the advertised position and for the company and how your qualifications fulfil the demands stipulated in the job advertisement. Our blog contains answers to questions relating to applications for jobs with Austrian companies.

3. 03

   Start your career after graduation as an EU/EEA national

   EEU/EEA nationals can travel to Austria without a visa and work without a work permit. However, EU/EEA nationals have to report their place of residence within three days and apply for a Registration Certificate ("Anmeldebescheinigung") at the responsible office of the Immigration Authority within four months after entering the country. Find out more here.

4. 04

   Start your career after graduation as a third-country national

   If you want to work in Austria after your studies but have not yet found a job, you can extend your Residence Permit – Student for twelve months after graduation. During this year you can search for a full-time job matching your qualifications and work as a self-employed person thanks to the Residence Permit – Student or you can obtain a work permit to enable you to work as a salaried employee during this time. All the information you need can be found here.

   If you have already found a full-time job after concluding your studies, the Red-White-Red – Card for Graduates (“Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte für StudienabsolventInnen”) is the best solution for you. We will be happy go advise you on all issues relating to the Red-White-Red – Card.

STAY – living in the Austria in the longer term

1. 01

   Salary expectations – what can I expect?

   We will answer your questions on calculating salaries or employees in your field and what you can personally expect. Write us an email and we will check it out for you.

    

2. 02

   Life and Culture in Austria – how is it?

   Do you have questions on living in Austria, on the healthcare or educational system, which public authority you have to report to or on purchasing a car? Our Essential Guide on Living and Working in Austria is available to you free of charge.

3. 03

   Establishing startups – how can I set up my own company?

   We support you on any issues relating to founding your own business or startup. Our INVEST in AUSTRIA department provides information on all aspects such as financing, investment capital and legal advice.

4. 04

   Finding ABA – at what events can I talk to the ABA?

   ABA takes part in many job and career fairs throughout Austria, offers individual consultations on site, gives webinars and will work together with your university and international partners to show you the best path for you to take.  Learn more