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Being an expat in Austria (1)
From healthcare and the cost of living to dating and raising kids, we answer the more frequently asked questions about being an expat in Austria.
Naturally, when you are considering moving to a new country, you will have a million questions about what it is like to live there as an expat. Of course, these will largely depend on your own personal circumstances in life; for instance, whether you are single and looking for love, or you have children and want to ensure that they get the best education possible. Then there is the question of budget, and whether the general cost of living in Austria will allow you to live the lifestyle you desire.
With so many burning questions on your mind, it can feel difficult to know where to begin. So to help you out, here are some frequently asked questions about being an expat in Austria – answered.
1. What is it really like to live in Austria?
As an expat, you will discover a plethora of delights living in Austria. The beautiful alpine country offers clean alpine air, efficient public transport, high-quality healthcare, and education; not to mention numerous stunning destinations in which to spend your free time.
However, there are some less appealing realities that you should also be aware of.
Making new friends
Firstly, Austrians move slowly. In general, they are not quick to warm to newcomers. Typically, Austrians tend to have an initial reserved and formal manner. They also value spending time with family as hugely important, which often doesn’t leave much spare time for making new friends. Of course, this won’t always be the case, but prepare to be patient when it comes to getting to know your neighbors, co-workers, and new acquaintances.
That said, once you have made the connection, you will likely find Austrian people to be extremely neighborly, and you may just make friends for life. Also, don’t forget that there are plenty of expat groups in Austria, such as Meetup, the Expat Club at the Vienna Business Agency, and Girl Gone International, that can help you meet like-minded people in your area.
And, once you have made friends, you will find that socializing with them at local bars and restaurants is very common. The coffeehouse scene is also integral to Austrian life, so you can expect to spend many enjoyable days chatting over a fantastic brew with your new friends.
And if you are successful in making some local Austrian friends, you will quickly notice that they love to get dressed up and attend concerts, cultural attractions. Needless to say, donning a frock or a tux and dancing the night away is an old-world tradition that Austrians still cherish greatly.
Learning the local lingo
Another thing to be aware of is that German is the official language of Austria. Therefore, if you want to truly integrate into the local culture, it’s a good idea to start learning the lingo. That said, the level of spoken English in the country is still very good, given that it is taught in schools. Still, learning German is a good way to improve your job prospects, especially if you move there without securing a job beforehand.
2. Can I afford to live in Austria?
The high standard of living in Austria means that the cost of living can be high for expats too, depending on where you live in the country.
Rent and utilities.
The cost of rent varies greatly across the country, ranging anywhere from €300 to €900 a month.
Healthcare costs
Essentially, your healthcare costs will all be included in your health insurance, which is packaged within your salary. Fortunately, education in Austria is also free from the age of five. You can also enjoy a generous childcare allowance. However, pre-school options vary in price, especially if you need an international or English-speaking one.
3. Is it easy to find love as an expat in Austria?
You will find that dating in Austria is much the same as anywhere else in Europe. Dating apps, social clubs, and meeting people through friends are the major ways couples tend to meet in the country.
However, the reserved and formal nature of Austrian people does tend to slow things down.
How to meet singles
That said, there is a surprisingly active speed dating scene in Austria if you want to move fast. CITY Speed Dating is the leading platform that brings people together in the cities of Vienna, Graz, Linz, and Salzburg. Since it launched in 2006, around 4,000 singles have attended their speed dating events at casual venues around the cities. These events cater to different age groups as well as special groups such as ‘exclusive dating’ or ‘younger seeks older’. The platform claims to have an 85% success rate in terms of the number of matches made. Therefore, this might be worth checking out if you are looking for adventurous ways to meet other singles.
Learning the local dating etiquette
Characteristically, Austrian people value honesty, but of course, not everyone falls in this category. In terms of dating, this means they will tell it like it is. Additionally, Austrian men, in particular, are not famous for their great ability to flirt like say, their Italian neighbors. Therefore, in general, you may find that you need to be bold. On the positive side, though, you’ll know exactly where you stand without needing to sift through various levels of game-playing.
Another thing to bear in mind is that Austria is a traditionally Catholic nation and marriage still holds great importance. Same-sex marriage also became legal in 2019 and is on the rise. Importantly, Austrians, in general, tend to support gay marriage. As a result, the gay scene is a comfortable and inclusive one.
4. What is it like to work in Austria?
Chiefly, Austrians enjoy a great work-life balance. Deadline-driven projects are the norm and people tend to work with efficiency so they can leave on time and spend time with their family and on leisure activities. Essentially, Austrians don’t work late and view this as ineptitude rather than enthusiasm for the job.
Additionally, punctuality is incredibly important, so for expats in Austria, showing up on time is a skill you will have to acquire if you want to enjoy life in the country. Furthermore, you won’t find much in the way of personal talk in the office because Austrians generally like to keep themselves to themselves, and chit-chat will be brief.
Finding a job
If you move to Austria without a job, make sure to check out our guides to finding a job and CV and job interview tips to get your job hunt off to a good start. You will find that the country has robust labor laws in place that offer broad protection to workers.
Essentially, there is a lack of local labor throughout Austria. Therefore, jobs within sectors like construction, healthcare, tourism, and hospitality are plentiful. Additionally, finance, technology, and insurance companies often have vacancies. If you are thinking of starting a business in Austria as an expat, or working for yourself as a freelancer, this can be a good way to go.
5. Can I afford housing in Austria?
Essentially, Austria is an inexpensive place to live in. However, it all depends on where you live. If you would like a charming cottage in a rural town, for instance, then chances are, you will find a lovely one in your price range. If you are set on living in a city like Vienna, on the other hand, houses and flats can be very expensive. Additionally, it’s a landlord’s market, meaning that there are plenty of tenants willing to rent and you will need to act quickly in order to bag a great place.
If you are going to buy a home or build your own, there are plenty of reasonable options in Austria, too. Sustainable building options are also at the forefront, so you will likely be looking at very cost-effective bills after the initial outlay of funds. But again, it depends on where you build or buy your home. There are some restrictions on expats buying a property in certain areas of Austria, but generally speaking, it is quite easy.
Austrian quota immigration requirements:
1. Non-criminal record;
2. College degree or above or German A1 level;
3. 45,000 euros of bank deposit;
4. Bank statement for six months;
Why choose us: WZ&P is the expert in residence and citizenship planning. There are hundreds of clients and advisors rely on our expertise and experience. Our highly qualified professionals work together as one team worldwide.
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