What is it like to live in Austria?

Question

I have a possible opportunity coming up in Austria. I just wondered if anyone had ever lived there and what it is like.

A few specific questions:

How do you get a work visa?

How do taxes work if you are an American working in Austria?

What is the best way to do banking?

How difficult are things if you only speak English?

What do you recommend to avoid?

What do you think are "must-see" while in Austria?

What are the people like there?

That is all I can think of at the moment, but anything you can tell me and any additional information will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.

Answer 1

[I live there, but as a native and citizen, so my point of view is different, just to keep that in mind]

Q: How do you get a work visa?

A: That's actually rather difficult, in this day and age. Depending on your qualifications, the duaration of your stay, whether you already have a job opportunity (ie are "sponsored" by a local or international company etc), things vary greatly. Get in contact with the Austrian embassy of your home country, they should be able to answer these questions. By all means, do some research while still at home, some things can only be done from abroad!

Q: How do taxes work if you are an American working in Austria?

A: There is a treaty on the avoidance of double-taxation between the Republic of Austria and the US, so you only pay taxes once, eithere here in Austria or back home. It's quite complicated, actually, but the bottom line is that you pay taxes in the country that you live in for the larger part of the fiscal year.

Edit: Forgot one thing, there is a general and compulsory medical and social insurance scheme in place. Premiums are deducted automatically from your salary, in turn you get a chip card (named "e-card") that entitles you to free healtch care at most doctors or hospitals. It also includes insurance against personal injury and unemployment.

Q: What is the best way to do banking?

A: Banking is straightforward. You chose a bank, walk up to a branch, and open an account. They will ask for ID, obviously, and perhaps a proof of residence (you need to register with the local authorities within 72 hours of changing address!), but there's no need to establish a line of credit, bring references or things like that. Checks are virtually unheard of in Austria, most payments (utility bills, etc) are done via direct (online) deposit. Internet-Banking is reliable and widespread. Cash is used for most daily transactions, but ATMs are widespread and generally free (!) to use if you have an Austrian account.

Q: How difficult are things if you only speak English?

A: It depends. In Vienna, there is a comparatively large expat community, also the UN crowd, dimplomats, etc. Many Austrians, at least the younger people, speak a tolerable English. There are movie theaters, a radio station, even newspapers in English. Still, if you really want to connect with the local populace, or when dealing with doctors, authorities, etc trying to pick up at least a few words of the local vernacular will be quite helpful, not to mention appreciated by a number of Austrians, seeing that you make an effort. Having said that, you will get by with English alone, too.

Q: What do you recommend to avoid?

A: Don't touch sensitive topics like Hitler or the Second Worldwar without good reason, certainly not in general, pleasant conversation. Table manners are slighlty different, just observere and imitate. Austrians don't talk much about money, and they hate it when you call their currency "Euro Dollar" (it's "Euro", plain and simple.)

Q: What do you think are "must-see" while in Austria?

A: Vienna has a lot to offer, but that you can discover while there. Much of the rest will depend on your preferences. Try to go to Salzburg at least once, also make an effort to see the "Wachau" valley, and the Melk monastery.

Q: What are the people like there?

A: Like much of the rest of Europe. Austrians in general have a reputation for being "gemütlich" (cozy, laid back), while the people of Vienna are said to be grouchy. I am, obviosuly, generalising. Anyway, these are the cliches that come to mind.