Moving to Austria - How to Immigrate to Austria? (2024)

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Austria, officially the Republic of Austria, is a highly developed and industrialized country that offers high standards of living to all its residents. Located in the southern part of Central Europe, you will get a stunning view of the beautiful Austrian Alps and crystal clear lakes that give a mesmerizing idyllic scenery.

Austria is home to more than 1 million expats from all over the world. Austria ranks high in many aspects and life fields such as education, healthcare, work-life balance, economy, etc. this is why the country has become a central point for expats moving to Europe.

Who Can Move to Austria?

EU nationals and non-EU nationals who want to make Austria their new home can easily move here for the long term. However, the moving process may differ depending on the country you come from.

Everyone,except citizens of the EU/EEA or Switzerland,need a visa and a residence permit to move to Austria (which they can obtain before they settle at a Austrian embassy or immigration authorities).

On the other hand, citizens of the EU/EEA/Switzerland can move to Austria permanently (without a visa) if they are working, studying, or have a Austrian family member. After three months, they must simply register their stay with the local Austrian authorities.

How Can I Move to Austria as an EU Citizen?

The moving process for EU nationals is way easier compared to non-EU citizens. Citizens from European countries can enter the country visa-free for three months (90 days). Since Austria is a European country, you will also cherish the same rights as every other EU citizen. However, you need to register for a Certificate of Registration.

Once you move to Austria, you are allowed to work, study, and live there freely.

How Can I Move to Austria as a Non-EU Citizen?

Third-country nationals (non-EU citizens) who want to reside permanently in Austria need to apply for a type of D visa (long-stay visa) first. With a D visa, you will be allowed entry into Austria. You can then apply for the type of residence permit you want.

A long-stay visa (D visa) is issued for different reasons, such as work, study, family reunification, etc.

Moving to Austria to Work

To work in Austria, you need to apply for a work permit and work visa (D visa) to be allowed entry into the country. Austria issues a work permit, known as the Red-White-Red Card, to highly skilled non-EU nationals wishing to move there for work. This type of work permit is issued for a period of up to 2 years, and there is a set of requirements you must meet to be eligible for it.

Moving to Austria to Study

If you are a non-EU citizen wishing to move to Austria for study purposes, you need to obtain a student visa. Austria issues two types of student visas – Visa C and Visa D.

In this case, you need to get a Visa D, which is a long-term visa that is issued for a longer period and can be switched to a student resident permit.

You need to be enrolled in an Austrian university before starting the application process for a student visa. Once you get an acceptance letter, you can continue to apply for a student visa at the local embassy or consulate in your home country.

After you obtain your student visa, you can move to Austria and register at the registration office. Since you get a D student visa, you can immediately apply for a student residence permit.

Moving to Austria for Family Reunification

Third-country nationals residing legally in Austria and wanting to bring their family members to join them can do so by applying for a family reunification visa at the Austrian embassy or consulate.

The following family members can come to Austria on a family visa:

Spouse.
Minor children (under the age of 18).
Partners in long-term relationships.
Other relatives under specific circ*mstances.

You cannot get a family visa if your family member residing in Austria is not in possession of Austrian citizenship or is not a holder of a residence permit.

The family reunification visa is valid for one year and can be renewed depending on the residency type. You are also allowed to work in Austria on a family visa.

Moving to Austria for Retirement

Unfortunately, Austria does not issue retirement visas. However, if you want to move to Austria for retirement and you are financially independent, you can obtain a residence permit, known as a “settlement permit except gainful employment.”

Austria issues a limited number of settlement permits per year, so you must be quick to find a quota place. There are also other requirements that you must meet to be eligible for this type of residence permit.

This type of residence permit is issued for a period of 12 months (one year) and does not allow you to do any type of work.

Moving to Austria for Investment

If you want to become an Austrian resident and have the necessary financial means, you can win residency by investment. You can do this through an investment program by investing directly in the country.

Why Should I Move to Austria?

Here are the pros and cons of moving to Austria:

Pros	Cons
Healthcare— Austria offers free healthcare to all its residents. The Austrian healthcare system consists of the public and private sectors, with almost 99% of the population being part of the public healthcare sector.	Living costs— Austria is known to be an expensive country to live in, especially when it comes to housing. For a small space, you would pay more than what you would have for a big apartment in another European country. For example, for an apartment in the city center, prices range from €3400 to €10,000 per square meter.
Quality of life— Austria is ranked as the second most liveable country in the world. Austrian cities constantly rank high among the top most liveable cities in Europe. Austria provides a safe environment to live in, excellent healthcare and education, and has good air quality, and a high standard of living.	Language barrier— the official language of Austria is German. So it will be useful for you to learn the language before you move here. English is spoken widely, but it has no official status in Austria.
Education— Austria has a very high-quality and well-developed education system. The country offers free universal, preschool, and primary and secondary school education to every citizen. Austria ranks 11th for primary school and 7th for secondary school.
Work opportunities— due to its highly-educated labor market and the demand for highly skilled workers in many fields, Austria is an alluring target for many people.
Safety— Austria is an incredibly safe country to live in and visit. The crime rate in Austria is very low, with robbery, assault, car hijacking, and other violent crimes occurring rarely, not to say never.

Does Austria Allow Dual Citizenship?

Austrian citizenship law does not permit dual or multiple citizenship. As such, if you want to become a citizen of Austria, you need to give up your previous citizenship.

An exception can be made only for people who acquired citizenship by descent; otherwise, you need to choose whether you want to keep the Austrian citizenship or another citizenship.

How Long Do I Need to Live in Austria to Win Citizenship?

To win Austrian citizenship, you must live in the country for at least 10 legal and continuous years. This is known as citizenship by naturalization. However, besides residing in Austria, there are other requirements you must meet to be eligible for citizenship by naturalization, such as you must not having criminal charges, must have German language skills and basic knowledge of the democratic system, and must be financially independent etc.

Other ways you can win Austrian citizenship are:

By descent (one of the parents is an Austrian citizen).
By award.

Can I Bring My Personal Belongings to Austria?

When importing your personal items, you must meet the following conditions:

Your used personal items must be in your possession for at least six months. You might be required to provide proof.
You must have lived in your current residence for at least 12 months (one year).
You cannot sell any of the used items imported to Austria within 12 months of your residence in Austria.

Personal belongings include the following items:

Furniture.
Clothing.
Personal belongings.
Appliances.
Computers.
Bikes.
Motorcycles.
Cars.
Limited amount of food and beverages.
Pets.

Items listed below are not allowed to enter Austria:

Alcoholic beverages
Tobacco
Cigarettes
Trucks and similar vehicles
Items and appliances used in manufacturing

Can I Move to Austria With Pets?

Austrian law requires that all pets entering the country must be microchipped and vaccinated before their travel to the country. Therefore, as an owner, you must have your documents ready.

To import your pets to Austria, you need to fulfill the following requirements:

Your pets must be identified with a microchip in compliance with ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785.
Your pets must have an original rabies certificate signed by the veterinarian.
Your pets must take a rabies antibody test, also known as a titer (required for high-rabies countries).
Your pets must have a health certificate.
Your pets must be at least seven months old.
Puppies and kittens younger than 12 weeks of age that are not vaccinated against rabies can only be imported to Austria from EU countries.

*If you decide to bring your pets to Austria via air, you must check the rules and regulations with the airline before your travel.

Most Popular Areas in Austria for Expats

Here are some of the most popular places for expats to move to in Austria:

Vienna.
Innsbruck.
Salzburg.
Feldkirch.
Graz.

Vienna

Being constantly voted as the most liveable city in the world is enough to know that moving to Vienna is totally worth it. The capital city of Austria is also one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, with a mix of culture, food, and history. Vienna is the perfect place for shopping, eating, and sightseeing.

Vienna is also a great option for people moving to Austria for work as it offers a great work-life balance and an excellent quality of life. You will be amazed by the beautiful atmosphere, culture, elegance, and beauty of the city.

On the other hand, life in Vienna can be expensive. The city is considered one of the most expensive cities in Austria. You would spend around €850 per month without including rent for your necessities while living in Vienna.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck is Austria’s fifth-largest city and a charming town known for its stunning scenery. Thanks to the dramatic landscapes of the beautiful Alps, Innsbruck has become a great winter wonderland perfect for people who are passionate about winter sports competitions. The city features a safe living environment and ranks high in housing, business freedom, and healthcare.

However, Innsbruck is expensive to live in. In fact, it is more expensive than Vienna, so you must be financially independent if you are considering moving here.

Salzburg

Another city that offers a great view of the Eastern Alps is Salzburg. In Salzburg, you will find a blend of history and culture and beautiful architecture. Life in Salzburg is vibrant, colorful, and of high quality. The city is perfect if you enjoy and love art, as it is the birthplace of Mozart, and over the last 60 years, it has produced a wealth of contemporary art and culture.

Just like most cities in Austria, Salzburg belongs to the group of expensive cities to live in. This is due to the high rent prices, which can go from as low as €550 to €1500, depending on the type and location of the apartment.

Feldkirch

Moving to the western part of Austria, you will find the beautiful medieval town of Feldkirch. The town is a popular place among retirees that want to enjoy the magic of an old town and Austrian architecture. It is also a cheaper alternative to move to Austria, rather than the big and expensive cities.

While in Feldkirch, you can marvel at the old buildings, charming fountains, and the beautiful Schattenburg castle.

Graz

Graz is the second largest city in Austria, after Vienna, with over 400,000 residents. The city is a famous choice among students due to its many great universities. Graz welcomes students from every part of the world and offers excellent study conditions. One of the oldest and largest universities in Austria is located in Graz.

In Graz, you will live in a safe environment as the crime levels in the city are very low, so you will not have to worry about safety.

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