Your Guide on Jobs and Finding Work in Austria

Jump right in:

• How to get a job in Austria as a foreigner
• Minimum wage and average salary
• Self-employment
• Business culture
• Social security and benefits
• Maternity and paternity leave

How to get a job in Austria as a foreigner

Is it hard to find a job in Austria?

No matter where you come from, having a good grasp of the German language will give you a better chance of getting a job in Austria. The Austrian government has refused to join the United Nations’ migration agreement; however, it is still straightforward for most people

If you plan to work in the capital, Vienna, there should be job opportunities in industries like research, IT, tourism, and the service industry. And if you are from an EU or EEA country, you will be able to live and work in Austria without a special work permit or visa.

Job sites

• European job mobility portal (EURES): If you are from the EU/EFTA you can look for a job, upload your CV and even get advice while looking for work.
• Arbeitsmarktservice (AMS): public employment service for people who are looking for work and employers. It includes training programs, counseling, unemployment benefits, and job placement.

Other job websites:

• Career Jet
• Expatica job board
• indeed
• Jobs in Vienna
• Karriere

Additionally it is worth keeping an eye on local newspaper as they sometimes have opportunities you might not want to miss.

For english speaking jobs you can check out Xpat portal, however, it is better to learn German for better opportunities.

Recruitment agencies

If you don’t want to get overwhelmed by the hunt you can try the following agencies to do that for you:

• Manpower
• Aviteus
• Hays
• Michael page

Networking Tips

If you have any local friends make sure to ask around for opportunities. Maybe they know someone within the company that you are interested in, so that you can get a better insight into what they are looking for.

Join the InterNations community an expat social network that will make it easier for you to meet people already living in Austria. They can tell you what it is like to work in the country and the best ways to get a job in Austria as a foreigner.

Attend networking events. If possible, visit an event in Austria before you move there permanently. This way, you can find out more about the industry you want to work in and how things operate there.

Job fairs

One of the options to find a job in Austria is to attend a job fair and network. One event is Job Messe Austria, where attendees get to meet various exhibitors and network; the program also involves various workshops and discussions.

You can find more career fairs scheduled for different dates throughout the year at Trade fair dates website.

The Red-White-Red card

If you come from outside the EU or EEA, you are considered a third country national. This means you will need a Red-White-Red Card. This card (or permit) allows qualified workers to stay and work at the same company in Austria for 24 months. If you start working for another company during this time, you will have to reapply for the card.

The minimum gross salary level to obtain the card is 3,225 EUR (3,750 USD)

Also, if you have a family, they can apply for the Red-White-Red Card too, but you will need to prove you earn enough to support them. The minimum monthly salaries required based on different family circumstances were as follows (note that social benefits are not taken into account):

• single persons must earn at least 1.270 EUR (1.480 USD)
• married couples must earn at least 2.010 EUR (2.350 USD)
• for each child, you must earn an additional 200 EUR (230 USD)

Daddy Month lets new fathers take one month off after their child’s birth without needing employer approval. During this time, they’re protected from dismissal. While unpaid by the employer, the government provides a 700 EUR (810 USD) grant, which is later deducted from future parental leave payments.

Opinion

The paycheck deductions for insurance and taxes are quite high and it's difficult to find work after 50 years of age… (US American expat in Vienna)

Opinion

So, try to focus on the quality rather than the quantity of your applications to minimize the chances of outside influences getting in the way of your dream job.

Austrian employers are generally familiar with standard resume or CV (curriculum vitae) types that are found throughout most of Western Europe and North America. Acceptable resumes in Austria are usually one or two pages long. It is also advisable to have your CV in German if possible, this is not necessary for every job.

What to include in your Austrian-style CV

1. Professional-looking image of yourself at the top of your resume. It does not need to be large, at most half a page wide, and it only needs to show your head and shoulders.
2. Contact information with your home address, phone number, e-mail address, and date of birth.
3. Educational history, including any college, university, and higher study. Also include other relevant training, qualifications, and certificates.
4. Each previous job you have had that is relevant to the role you are applying for. If you have only had one or two jobs or voluntary positions, then add those as they may demonstrate transferable skills.
5. Hobbies and interests, and even better if these are related to the job to which you are applying.

Austria cover letter tips

A cover letter can be the key to securing a job interview and even provide the magic to eventually land the job of your dreams in Austria. Here is what you should include in your cover letters when applying for jobs in the country:

1. German language skills and you are applying to an Austrian company, make sure to mention this in your cover letter.
2. Explain what job you are applying for, where you found it, and why it interests you.
3. Briefly describe yourself and what you are looking for in a few paragraphs.
4. Find the key points in the job description and explain how you match these requirements.
5. Keep it short, one side of an A4 paper is enough.
6. Include references and highlight your qualifications that match the job description.

Opinion

There is an unwillingness among Austrian companies to work with foreigners, even though I'm licensed to work here and speak the language fluently. (British expat in Grein)

Opinion

Minimum wage and average salary

The average gross salary in Austria is 3.400 EUR (3.970 USD), which would add up to 51.500 EUR per year. When it comes to minimum wages, the lowest wage across different industries is 1.700 EUR before taxes.

What is a good salary in Austria?

In Austria, a good salary is around 60.000 EUR (70.100 USD), for a single person, this would allow a person not only. To live comfortably, but also have savings. 50.000 EUR (58.410 USD) is also good for a single person, even better if you choose to live outside the city centre. For families, a comfortable income would be 75.000 (81.770 USD), EUR or more.

Top salaries in Austria

Most in demand jobs and their salaries

Self-employment

If you are looking to take up self-employment in Austria, please be aware that there are certain steps of the initial process that will require German language skills. So, if you do not speak German, consider getting help from a friend or a human resources professional.

How to be self-employed in Austria?

To be self-employed in Austria, you have to:

• be at least 18 years old;
• reside in Austria;
• be free of current or previous criminal convictions;
• contact the relevant municipal authority or district commission to get a trade permit (or trade license).

Any activity performed independently with the aim of earning income is seen as a trade in Austria. In Austria, there are free traders who perform their business without formal qualifications, and regulated traders who have gained certificates.

As a self-employed person, you will have to pay income tax (Einkommensteuer) but not earning tax (Lohnsteuer).

You can find information about self-employment from the Austrian Economic Chamber (Wirtschaftskammer or WKO). The WKO helps those starting a business in the country from their initial business idea to financing and insurance. You can take workshops, individual consultations, attend special events, and talk with experts.

How to set up as a freelancer?

Go to your nearest WKO in Austria to register and bring the following documents:

• Passport;
• proof of address;
• a criminal record (can come from a police department in Vienna, or from your home country);
• your birth certificate;
• marriage certificate, if applicable.

Payments you will have to pay:

• annual fee of around 100 EUR (110 USD).
• business fee and a tourism tax.
• contribute to social security. Expect to receive forms to complete to sign up for Social Security several weeks after registering with the WKO.
• You will pay VAT and social security every three months. You can consider employing an assistant to help you to deal with your finances and taxes. They will manage your tax, social security, and VAT.

Top Self-Employed Jobs in Austria

Some of the most popular freelancer jobs in Austria are:

• marketing assistant
• business project manager
• web developer
• writer
• accountant
• insurance inspector
• teacher/tutor
• social media assistant
• graphic designer
• administrative assistant

If you work as a self-employed person in Austria, you will not have to pay tax until you earn 11,000 EUR (12,300 USD). Also, self-employed workers can insure themselves against the risk of unemployment.

Opinion

Austria is reliable, here life comes easy. Salary levels are fair, life-work balance is valued and here I can practice a job that in my home country would be unthinkable: I am a Researcher in my field of study. (Italian expat in Vienna)

Opinion

Business culture

In Austrian business culture, values like punctuality, privacy, and organization are very important. Hierarchy is also generally valued highly, so the flat work teams you might have experienced elsewhere will be rarer. Titles matter here, and there are clearly-defined responsibilities for each member of staff and department.

Austria’s working culture

• Academic achievement and experience in the relevant industry are highly regarded, and it usually decides who is given the most senior roles.
• Decisions usually follow a traditional route.
• You might find that there are more female professionals than in other countries.
• Workers like to take their time to make the right decision, so risk-taking is rare.
• The average working week is 40 hours, but at the maximum, it can go up to 48 hours. It is a legal requirement to give employees a break for lunch.
• Holidays, overtime, and weekend pay vary.
• Health and safety in the workplace are maintained with stringent laws.

Austria’s workplace culture dress code

Workers in Austria tend to dress conservatively. Suits and shirts will work well for men, while smart trousers and a blouse, or a simple dress, is acceptable for women. Dark colors are preferred. It is best to dress more formally when you initially start your job and then get a better idea of the level of formality during your employment.

Social security and benefits

Austrian social insurance numbers (also known as insurance numbers and SV, SVNR, VSNR, and VNR numbers) are ten digits long and allow you to manage your social insurance (social security) account. However, simply having a number does not mean you automatically get social security benefits in Austria.

What is the social insurance number in Austria for?

If you are eligible for social insurance, this will cover your needs regarding prevention, sickness, incapacity for work, maternity, unemployment, old age, survivors’ pensions, nursing care, social need, and the death of a person who would have provided maintenance funds.

If you are employed in Austria, you will be automatically covered by the social insurance system.

How to get a social insurance number in Austria

In Austria, there are 22 insurance institutions that take care of the general public for health, accident, and pension issues. About 15 of these are concerned with just health insurance while the remaining seven focus on general insurance.

Applying for a social insurance number in Austria

If you start working for an employer in Austria, you will automatically be covered by social insurance. You and your employer each contribute half of the cost.

• Your employer must register you at the district health insurance fund (Gebietskrankenkasse).
• If you are self-employed, you must register with social insurance for the industry economy.
• All family members of an employed person in Austria are covered by the worker’s social security insurance.
• Regardless if you are employed or self-employed, you must be registered in an insurance scheme in the social insurance system within seven days of starting work.
• Once you are registered, you will receive your social insurance card (Sozialversicherungskarte) in Austria, which shows your social insurance number and date of birth.

Can a foreigner get a social insurance (security) number in Austria?

Yes, as long as you live and work in the country, you can get a social insurance number and benefit from Austria’s social insurance system.

Opinion

I have the opportunity in Austria to work independently and finance my studies as well as my daily living expenses. (Bosnian expat in Graz)

Opinion

Maternity and paternity leave

Maternity leave in Austria is called Mutterschaftsurlaub. You can collect maternity benefits (Wochengeld) if you have to miss work due to pregnancy. Women are not allowed to work eight weeks before or after their expected due date. If it is believed the birth could have associated risks, this period could be extended to 12 weeks.

Mutter-Kind-Pass

As soon as you know you are pregnant, you can get a Mother-Child Pass (Mutter-Kind-Pass) or maternity card from a doctor. This contains helpful information, such as the examinations you need to take prior to and after the birth of your child.

If you want to be eligible for the total child-raising allowance, you must be sure to have all of the examinations that are detailed on your Mutter-Kind-Pass. You should receive maternity benefits for the duration of your maternity leave.

Mothers and fathers are eligible for parental leave for a maximum of two years, as long as the parent taking leave lives in the same household as the child. The minimum parental leave allowed is eight weeks, and parents’ jobs are protected until four weeks after the end of their parental leave.

Fathers can take parental leave in place of their partners up to two times during the total parental leave period. There must be at least eight weeks between each switch. As mentioned previously, the maximum time off parents can take from their jobs is two years.

How long is maternity leave in Austria?

Following the period of eight weeks before and after the birth of the child, where the mother receives her full salary, she can claim childcare allowance (Kinderbetreuungsgeld) for up to 24 weeks.

“Daddy Month” in Austria

Daddy Month lets new fathers take one month off after their child’s birth without needing employer approval. During this time, they’re protected from dismissal. While unpaid by the employer, the government provides a 700 EUR (810 USD) grant, which is later deducted from future parental leave payments.