Austria

"Die Zukunft liegt in unseren Händen, Österreich liegt in unseren Herzen" ("The future is in our hands, Austria is in our hearts")

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Welcome to Austria

Austria, in the heart of Europe, is renowned for its Alpine landscapes and cultural heritage, particularly in music and the arts. A stable economy centered on industry and tourism, Austria offers a high standard of living.

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Austria Essentials

National Anthem

Bundeshymne

Independence Day

October 26, 1955

Haiko

Alpine peaks soar high / Waltz echoes through Vienna / Sachertorte sweet

Interesting Tradition

Celebrates Krampusnacht where people dress as Krampus to scare naughty children

Weirdest Local Superstition

Avoiding eye contact during "Prost" (cheers)

Strangest Law Still on the Books

Illegal to wear a mask in public

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Come for the history, stay for the future

Come for the refinement, stay for the innovation: Austria harmoniously blends imperial grandeur with cutting-edge modernity. Beyond the concert halls and coffee houses of Vienna lies a nation that has mastered the balance of work and leisure, where morning meetings might be followed by afternoon skiing in the Alps, and where centuries-old traditions inspire modern creativity. The country's robust social infrastructure and recent digital nomad-friendly policies have transformed historic cities into dynamic hubs for global talent, while investment and ancestry programs offer paths to joining this sophisticated society.

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Gehen wir

Enter a realm where Gemütlichkeit isn't just comfort, but an art form. Your journey begins where imperial legacy meets modern innovation.

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Willkommen in Austria

The birthplace of Mozart and schnitzel where music and food are both taken very seriously

Austria isn't just a country—it's a masterpiece of cultural refinement. Here, time flows like a Strauss waltz, and even a simple coffee house visit becomes an exercise in living history. This is a land where imperial grandeur and modern creativity harmonize like a perfect symphony.

From the musical streets of Vienna to the snow-capped peaks of Tyrol, Austria offers sophistication for every cultural connoisseur. Whether you're drawn to the baroque splendor of Salzburg, the contemporary arts scene of Graz, or the alpine charm of Innsbruck, you'll find a country that orchestrates tradition and innovation with masterful precision.

Statistics

Savor the Flavor

Eat

wiener schnitzel (breaded veal cutlet) - sachertorte (chocolate cake with apricot jam)

Drink

melange (Viennese-style coffee with milk) - grüner veltliner (local white wine)

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Durst?

Beer

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

111

Wine

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

27

Coffee

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

8.46

Tea

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

0.44

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Cultural Tips and Etiquette

#1
Coffee house culture has specific etiquette rules
#2
Remove shoes when entering homes
#3
Always say hello/goodbye when entering/leaving shops
#4
Sundays are quiet days - most shops close
#5
Formal titles are important in professional settings

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Austria Essentials

Representative Novel

The Man Without Qualities by Robert Musil (Unfinished masterpiece set in Austria-Hungary)

National Animal

Barn swallow

National Pasttime

Skiing

National Souvenir

Swarovski crystal figurine

National Dish

Wiener Schnitzel

Famous Festival

Salzburg Festival

Famous Dance

Viennese Waltz

Famous Music

Classical (Mozart)

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Did You Know?

Austria is home to the world's oldest zoo.

Tiergarten Schönbrunn, the world’s oldest zoo, is in Vienna and was founded in 1752.

The country boasts an extensive network of high-speed trains.

The ÖBB Railjet network is capable of traveling at speeds up to 230 km/h (143 mph).

The country produces some of the world's most famous sweets.

Including the famous Viennese dessert, apple strudel.

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Austria’s Key Historical Events

1,278

April 2014

The Habsburg Rudolf I of Germany acquires the duchies of Austria and Styria after defeating King Ottokar II of Bohemia at the Battle on the Marchfeld.

1529

July 2014

Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent launches the first siege of Vienna, but retreats amid early winter snowfalls.

1683

February 2015

Second siege of Vienna. The city is freed after two months when the Holy Roman Empire and Polish-Lithuanian forces decisively defeat the Turkish army.

1867

March 2015

The Austro-Hungarian Compromise establishes the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary, a military and diplomatic alliance of two sovereign states.

2017

October 2016

2017 - Government agrees to ban Islamic full-face veils in courts, schools and other public spaces.

MOBILITY

Access Austria Residency Rights on the GlobalPassport™ Platform 

NO. OF Mobility Assets

3

MOBILITY

Citizenship Pathways and
Residency Requirements

Citizenship by Birth
No
Citizenship by DESCENT
Yes
Citizenship by MARRIAGE
6 years
DUAL Citizenship
Conditional
RESIDENCY BY Naturalization
10
PASSPORT VALIDITY
10 years, 6 years for children under 12

MOBILITY

Passport Power

Visa Free Countries

157

Performance Class

World-Class Access

Passport Grade

A

Rank

20

Score

177.0

This visa grants access to:

• 47% of the world's population 

• 80% of UNESCO sites 

• 75% of global GDP 

• 61% of the world's land area 

MOBILITY

Visa-free access to:

MOBILITY

Number of American Emigrants to Austria by Year 

Year
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
Austria
4,247
4,294
4,300
6,587
8,919
9,664
10,359

MOBILITY

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Approval Time (est.)
Appointment Availability
Term (i.e. duration)
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Physical Presence Requirement
Cost of Living
English Usage
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Healthcare Ranking
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Number of American Expats
More Details

Healthcare

Healthcare Overview

Key Health Indicators

Median Age

43.1

years

Life Expectancy

82.2

years

Obesity Rate

22.00%

Tobacco Use

27.60%

Sources

Health care Indicators

Health Expenditure

12.10%

of GDP

Hospital Beds

7.37

per 1000 people

Doctors

5.352

per 1000 people

Out-of-pocket

15.78%

of total expenditure

Sources

Healthcare

Did you Know?

Top Global Healthcare Ranking

Austria ranks among the top healthcare systems globally, with nearly all residents covered by public health insurance.

Universal Health Insurance

Austrian residents are automatically enrolled in public health insurance, which covers a wide range of medical services including specialist care.

Specialized Care Access

Austria's healthcare system offers easy access to specialists for advanced care, with minimal wait times for critical treatments.

Short Wait Times

Austria is known for having some of the shortest wait times in Europe, ensuring prompt access to necessary medical procedures.

Maternity Care Excellence

Maternity care in Austria is exemplary, offering comprehensive prenatal, birth, and postnatal services for expecting mothers.

Healthcare

United Healthcare Coverage Service Index (2000 - 2021)

Healthcare

Healthcare Cost Calculator

cost of living

Cost of Living Overview

Austria offers a high standard of living with correspondingly high costs. Vienna is more expensive than other areas but often rated highly for quality of life. Housing in Vienna can be costly, especially in central districts. Food costs are moderate, with local markets offering good value. Utilities are reasonably priced. Public transportation is efficient and moderately priced. Education costs are low, especially for EU citizens.

Cost of Gasoline

$1.77

per liter

Cost of Meal

$16.71

(Inexpensive Restaurant)

Monthly Rent

$968.77

(1 bedroom, City Center)

Monthly Utilities

$389.82

(85m² Apartment)

Domestic Beer

$5.01

(0.5 liter draught)

VAT Rate

20%

cost of living

Cost of Living plus Rent Map

cost of living

Cost of Living Calculator

cost of living

Rent Calculator

Taxation

Taxation Overview

Before considering a move to Austria, it's important to familiarize yourself with its tax system.+Austria taxes residents on their worldwide income, while non-residents are taxed only on Austrian-source income. The income tax rates are progressive, ranging from 20% to 55%, and social security contributions are mandatory. Property tax also applies. A Tax Identification Number is required for tax purposes.+Austria has a double taxation treaty with the United States, which helps prevent dual taxation issues.

Tax Residency Requirement

183 days

Worldwide Income Taxation

Yes

Higher Rates for Foreign Assets

No

US Double Taxation Treaty

Yes

Personal Income

Progressive tax rate based on income levels

20%-55%

Personal Capital Gains

Flat rate on investment gains

27.50%

Inheritance

Based on inherited amount and relationship

0%

Corporate Income

Standard corporate tax rate applied to business profits

24%

Corporate Capital Gains

Tax rate applied to capital gains from corporate investments

23%

Dividends

Withholding tax rate applied to dividend distributions

27.50%

Interest

Withholding rate interest payment to non-residens

0%-27.5%

Royalties

Withholding tax rate for royalty payments

20%

Work Assignment

Foreign individuals are considered residents after establishing an abode or staying in Austria for more than six months.

Overall Ranking

Global position in PWC’c Ease of Paying Taxes ranking

44

Ease of Paying Taxes Score

Overall score based on multiple factors

83.5

Total Tax and Cotribution Rate

TTCR percentage including all mandatory contributtions

51.4
%

Time to Comply

Annual hours required to comply with tax regulations

131
HOURS

Number of Payments

Total number of tax payments required annually

12

Post-filing Index

Score measuring the ease of processes after filing taxes

98.5
%

taxation

Tax Burden Map

taxation

Income Tax Calculator

CLIMATE

Climate Type

Temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain and some snow in lowlands and snow in mountains; moderate summers with occasional showers

Average Temperature

7.44 °C

Humidity

72

%

Average Annual Precipitation

1,110

mm

Rainless Days per Year

255

Best Time to Travel

April-October

Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions About Gaining Residency or Citizenship in Austria

Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our tools guiding you towards residency or citizenship in Austria.

What Mobility Assets are available to me in Austria?

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Do I need to speak German to apply for residency or citizenship in Austria?

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Can my family members apply for residency or citizenship in Austria with me?

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How will the GlobalPassport™ help me move to Austria?

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Can I keep my own citizenship?

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