EU · Vienna

🇦🇹 Austria

Practical relocation guide for Austria — visas, housing, banking, healthcare, education and integration in one place.

Capital
Vienna
Currency
EUR
Language
German
Cost index
72/100
Pathways

Visa & residency options

Red-White-Red Card

Points-based for skilled workers, graduates, key personnel.

EU Blue Card

Salary €3,879/mo gross + university degree.

Self-employed Key Worker

Founders with macroeconomic impact.

Residency: Daueraufenthalt-EU (permanent) after 5 years, citizenship after 10.

Money

Tax & cost of living

Taxation

Progressive 0–55% (above €1M); ~18% social contributions. Family bonus €2,000/child.

Monthly essentials
  • Rent (1BR city): €900–€1,400
  • Meal out: €14
  • Transport pass: €51/mo KlimaTicket Vienna
Money 2

Banking & business setup

Banking

Erste Bank, Bank Austria, BAWAG or N26. Meldezettel (registration) required; account active within 2–5 business days.

Business setup

GmbH requires €35,000 capital (€17,500 paid up); FlexCo from €10,000 since 2024. Trade licence via Gewerbeanmeldung €0–€60.

Lifestyle

Living in country

Housing

Vienna Gemeindebau (council housing) for residents; private rentals via Willhaben. Agency fee capped at 2 months rent + VAT.

Healthcare

ÖGK universal statutory insurance; e-card issued at registration.

Education

Free public universities incl. English Master's at TU Wien, WU; non-EU pays €726.72/semester.

Employment

Banking, IT, life sciences, tourism. Vienna hosts UN, OPEC, IAEA headquarters.

Ready to move to Austria?