Ranked as one of the richest countries in the world and with one of the highest standards of living, Austria is a popular destination among immigrants and expats. But there is more to this small country located in the heart of the Alps. With its important role in the history of the last several decades, it has become an international country where citizens from all over the world feel at home. And that is no surprise when you know that Austria is bordered by eight countries. Would you like to know more about Austria and everything related to immigrating and relocating to Austria? In our article, we uncover all the secrets of the musical capital of Europe.
Moving to Austria from the USA is a thing that many Americans dream of. With the grandeur of Vienna, the knowledge centre of Graz and with Salzburg being the birthplace of Mozart, there is lots to choose from. But what if you visit Austria on holiday and fall in love with this magnificent country? Permanent settlement is something completely different than staying somewhere on holiday and there many more things to keep in consideration. That is why we have created this easy relocation guide, that will show you the most important topics when relocating to Austria.
Before you can start walking the streets of Vienna or ski down the slopes in Tirol, you should first know all the basic info about this amazing country in the Alps.
| Capital | Vienna, with 1.8 million inhabitants also the largest city in Austria. |
| Timezone | UTC+1 |
| Currency | The Euro (EUR) |
| Population | Austria has a population of about 8.8 million inhabitants. |
| How do you call someone from Austria? | Austrian |
| Official language | Austrian German, which is a variation of Standard German |
| International dialing code | +43 |
| Emergency number | 112 (for emergency) 122 (fire) 133 (police) |
| Driving | On the right side |
| Tipping | Tipping is not obligatory as wages are included in the bill. However, the payment is often rounded-up for good service. |
| Unusual fact | About 25% of the Austrian population lives in the capital Vienna. |
When you are relocating from the USA to Austria, there are some things that can help you make your international removals to Austria a big success.
Like in any other country on the planet, Austria also has its own peculiarities. Let’s look at them so that you won’t be shocked when you relocate.
Getting a visa is not necessary for many Europeans but for others, it is still necessary to get the obligatory paperwork done.
Most employees in Austria are covered by public healthcare insurance for which you pay through the social security system. You are free to choose a healthcare insurance provider, which will then, in turn, provide you with an E-card which functions as your insurance card when visiting a hospital or any other medical facility.
The school system (which is compulsory until the age of 15) can be easily divided into the following stages below.
| Type | Age |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten | 2.5-6 |
| Primary school | 6-9 |
| Lower Secondary school | 10-13 |
| Upper Secondary school | 14-18 |
After lower secondary school there are several levels of upper secondary school, which will determine which kind of vocational or university education you can attend.
Private education takes up about 10% of all education and is in most cases organized by the Roman Catholic church.
No less than 70% of the inhabitants of Austria work in the service industry and a large part of that industry consists of tourism. This means you can easily find seasonal work in one of the tourist hotspots around the country.
Also be aware that Vienna is home to many international organisations like OPEC and the OSCE, which brings many expats to the capital and job opportunities for new settlers as well.
Don’t forget the Jobseeker visa mentioned above, which gives you up to 6 months to find employment in Austria.
Most people in Austria, including the Austrians themselves, choose to rent accommodation. Prices, of course, depend on your wishes, but let’s shine a light on some of the things you should pay attention to.
When you are preparing your move, your biggest question is most likely: How much is shipping from the USA to Austria? When you choose to ship your items with Eurosender, you have 4 options that determine the cost of moving house to Austria:
So whether you are looking for the cheapest way to move furniture to Austria, or you want to ship something as big as your sailboat or motorcycle, you are guaranteed to have the lowest average moving costs to Austria when you arrange your relocation with Eurosender.
Many people have probably told you that the cost of living in Austria is high and unfortunately they are right. However, it is not all as expensive as people might want to make you believe. The price level in Austria is just a bit above the European average and also, you have to keep in mind that in one of the richest countries in the world, salaries are also higher.
To drive your own, or a rented car, in Austria, you need the documents listed below. Failing to have them with you could lead to fines.
Driving in the mountainous landscape of Austria might take some getting used to. However, with the tips below, from both locals and expats, you know exactly what to expect when driving across the country.
Moving from Canada to Austria is a move between two winter nations. Both Austrians and Canadians like to spend their free time in the outdoors for activities such as skiing, snowboarding, hunting and hiking. That’s is why Canadians will easily feel at home in this Alp country. But obviously, there are also many differences between these nations. Canadians who have settled in Austria praise the slow pace of life, the proximity between villages, towns and cities, and all the history that Vienna and other parts of Austria have to offer.
Moving from Ireland to Austria is a relatively small step as the two countries are only about 2.000 km apart. The countries have in common that the majority of the population live in the capital. But where Austria offers the fresh air of the Alps, Ireland is rather flat. So, when you are Irish and you are looking for something completely else, but still want to stay within the EU, Austria is the ideal pick for you. With ample job opportunities, an impressive ecological situation and a high standard of living, Austria has everything, an Irishman could wish for.
Moving to Austria from the UK is a convenient option when you want to live abroad but still often want to visit your friends and relatives. London-Vienna is only a 2-hour flight and prices are decreasing year on year. But when you are frequently flying back and forth you also want to bring your stuff. Only then you will understand the exorbitant prices for excess baggage that air companies ask. When you ship with Eurosender you don’t have to worry about paying too much as we know how to move your items across the world at the lowest price.
Disclaimer: The materials provided in this article were collected from other credible resources to be used for general information purposes only. Given that the legislative basis of the country and its economic development have a changing nature, the information provided in the article could be subject to change. Whilst we endeavour to keep the information up-to-date and correct, Eurosender will not be liable for any inappropriate, incomplete, or inaccurate information. Certain links will lead to websites which are not under control of Eurosender. Thus, Eurosender accepts no liability in respect of materials, products or services being not under control of Eurosender.