Work in Austria
Working in Austria is achievable through the Job Seeker Visa, allowing six months to find employment. Once employed, you can apply for the Red-White-Red Card. After five years of legal work and tax payments, permanent residency may be possible.
Graduates in high-demand fields and applicants with strong points in education, experience, age, and language skills have the highest chances of success. The Malekpour Institute connects candidates with Austrian employers and guides them step-by-step.
For more information about immigration to Austria you can contact our experienced consultants and benefit from a free initial consultation. You can also ask your questions in the comments section and receive a response shortly.
Work Conditions in Austria
- Standard workweek: 40 hours, five days/week
- Breaks: 30 minutes minimum for shifts over six hours
- Mandatory rest: 11 hours between shifts
- Paid leave: 5 weeks/year
Austria offers a strong economy, political stability, and high quality of life, making it an attractive destination for skilled workers.
Why Work in Austria?
1. Job Offer
Employers advertise jobs for six months within Austria and the EU. If no suitable EU candidate is found, they can hire skilled workers from outside.
2. Job Seeker Visa
Stay in Austria for six months to search for jobs, then convert to the Red-White-Red Card if successful.
3. Blue Card
Designed for highly skilled workers with a job offer and salary above the threshold (€100k–€150k). Provides residence and work rights across the EU.
Working Hours in Austria
In the table below, you can take a look at the work status and working hours in Austria.
| Work Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard Workweek | 40 hours per week, five days a week |
| Break Time | Minimum 30-minute break for workdays over 6 hours |
| Mandatory Rest Period | 11 hours between work shifts |
| Paid Leave | Five weeks of paid annual vacation |
Ways to Work in Austria
There are various methods to work in Austria. Applicants for work migration to Austria can apply for a Blue Card or a Red-White-Red Card through the following methods:
Working through a Job Offer in Austria
Individuals can migrate through this method if they have a job offer in Austria from an employer approved in Austria. In fact, work visas in the European Union are generally issued in this format. A work visa through a job offer requires that the employer advertise the job for three months in the target country and for another three months across the entire European Union. If they have not found anyone for the job, they can hire someone from outside the EU as a key worker.
Working through a Job Seeker Visa
This visa is among the popular types of visas due to its favorable conditions. This type of visa is offered in European countries such as Germany and Austria. The Austrian Job seeker Visa allows an individual to enter Austria for six months and apply for existing job opportunities.
Types of Work Visas in Austria
Austrian Work Visa can be divided into the following types:
Obtaining a Blue Card for Work in Austria
The Blue Card is granted to individuals who are employed in an EU member state and earn a salary above a certain threshold. Obtaining residence through the Blue Card does not require significant investment, as it is primarily based on a job offer and employment.
If you have financial backing of approximately €100,000 to €150,000, you may be eligible for the Austrian Blue Card. Applicants can obtain the Blue Card through the following methods:
- Company registration
- Skilled worker programs
- Skilled worker recruitment in shortage occupations
- Key worker immigration programs
- Austrian Job Seeker Visa
Austrian Job Seeker Visa
The Job Seeker Visa is valid for 6 months and operates on a point-based system. If an applicant scores at least 70 out of 100 points, they may apply for this visa. The Job Seeker Visa can lead to receiving Austria’s Red-White-Red Card.
Austria’s Red-White-Red Card
The Red-White-Red Card can be obtained through a job offer or the Job Seeker Visa. Holders of the Red-White-Red Card are allowed to live and work in Austria.
Receiving the Red-White-Red Card for Working in Austria
To receive the Red-White-Red Card, one can either invest through investment in Austria and Austrian startup or through job offers or the job seeker visa. To proceed through job offers and the job seeker visa, you need to pay attention to the mentioned scoring table and required conditions.
- Obtaining a Red White Red Card through a Job Offer
As mentioned, to obtain a work visa in Austria through a job offer, the job must be advertised for six months in Austria and the EU, and if no suitable candidate has been found, the employer can hire someone from outside the EU. If a person meets the necessary points from the scoring system, they can apply for the Red-White-Red Card of Austria. The initial validity of this card is two years and is extendable.
| Category | Max Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifications | 30 | University degree, Austrian postgraduate, or vocational skills |
| Work Experience | 20 | Domestic and international experience |
| German Language | 15 | A1–B1 levels |
| English Language | 10 | A1–B1 levels |
| Age | 15 | Up to 40 years |
Minimum required score: 55 points for job offer, 70 points for Job Seeker Visa.
- Obtaining a Red White Red Card through Job Seeker
If the individual acquires the necessary points from the scoring system and is recognized as a skilled worker, they can receive the Austrian Job Search Visa. The person can stay in Austria for six months on this visa and search for a job. To obtain this visa, the individual must score 70 points from the table below.
If, during the six-month residence in Austria, the person successfully finds a job corresponding to their field of study, they can apply for the Red-White-Red Card of Austria. This card is initially issued for a period of two years and can be extended.
| Category | Title | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Points: 40 | Special Qualifications and Skills | |
| Bachelor’s degree graduate | 20 points | |
| Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Computer Science, Natural Sciences, or Technology | 30 points | |
| PhD in the above fields | 40 points | |
| Salary in Senior Management Fields | (With stock exchange listing or a company approved by Austrian business authorities) | |
| Salary between €50,000 and €60,000 | 20 points | |
| Salary between €60,000 and €70,000 | 25 points | |
| Salary over €70,000 | 30 points | |
| Research activities and patents | 20 points | |
| Recognized scientific awards | 20 points | |
| Maximum Points: 20 | Work Experience | |
| Work experience related to the field of study | 2 points | |
| 6 months of work experience in Austria | 10 points | |
| Maximum Points: 10 | Language Skills | |
| German or English language skills at level A1 | 5 points | |
| German or English language skills at level A2 | 10 points | |
| Maximum Points: 20 | Age | |
| Up to 35 years old | 20 points | |
| Up to 40 years old | 15 points | |
| Up to 45 years old | 10 points | |
| Maximum Points: 10 | Education in Austria | |
| Associate degree (Diploma) in Austria | 5 points | |
| Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Austria | 10 points | |
| Total Maximum Score | 100 points | |
| Minimum Required Score | 70 points |
Documents Required for a Work Visa in Austria
Applicants for a work visa in Austria must provide certain documents. The main documents include the following:
- Valid travel document (e.g. passport)
- Birth certificate or similar document
- A photo taken within the last 6 months
- Language certificate for working in Austria must be German B1 or B2 or equivalent English IELTS 6 or above or TOEFL
- Proof of accommodation in Austria (e.g. rental contracts, preliminary rental agreement or title deed)
- Health insurance covering all risks (compulsory health insurance or equivalent insurance)
- Proof of financial means
In addition to the mentioned documents, the individual must provide valid documents to prove the authenticity of each of the points they have earned.
Obtaining Dependent Visa through Work in Austria
If the applicant proceeds through a job offer, they can apply for an accompanying visa for their family from the start of their work. However, if the individual has applied for the Austrian job search visa, during the six-month period they are searching for a job with this visa, they cannot obtain an accompanying visa for their family.
If the individual finds a suitable job during this six-month period, they can obtain a work permit in Austria and also apply for an accompanying visa for family members. Note that the Dependent visa in Austria includes spouse and unmarried children under 18 years in age. Additionally, the spouse will receive the Red-White-Red Plus residence permit. This provides the spouse with the opportunity to work in Austria and full access to the labor market.
Unemployment Rate in Austria
According to reports from the European Commission Eurostat sourced from the website https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/publications/statistical-reports, the unemployment rate in Austria is projected to be only 5.5 percent by 2025. This unemployment rate means that there are virtually no unemployed individuals in Austria.
This low unemployment rate also tends to increase the caliber of wages for the workforce, allowing individuals to have a choice in their employment. Nevertheless, there are still opportunities to witness an increase in job openings in Austria. Changes in the unemployment rate in Austria over recent years are examined in the chart below.
Salary Levels in Austria
The average gross salary in Austria for the year 2025 is approximately 52,665 Euros per year, which is equivalent to 4,388 Euros per month before taxes. After tax deductions, the average net salary drops to 35,961 Euros per year or 2,996 Euros per month.
Salaries vary depending on the job and region. For instance, in Vienna, the average gross salary is slightly lower at about 51,219 Euros per year.
| Profession | Average Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| Doctors | €2,898 – €6,875 |
| Software Engineers | €3,454 – €8,134 |
| Waiters | €1,667 – €3,273 |
| Hairdressers | €1,500 – €2,200 |
| Gardeners | €1,500 – €2,300 |
| Mechanical Engineers | €3,000 – €6,500 |
| Lawyers | €3,500 – €8,500 |
| Nurses | €2,000 – €3,500 |
A comfortable salary in Austria is generally considered to be between 2,500 to 3,500 Euros per month, while a family of three may need between 4,000 to 5,000 Euros to maintain a similar standard of living.
List of In-Demand Jobs in Austria 2025
Before working migration to Austria, paying attention to the in-demand professions in Austria and high-demand fields of study is highly important. Since individuals only have six months to search for jobs in Austria, it is essential that the field of study is in demand and can lead to quick employment in Austria. The list of in-demand jobs in Austria is as follows:
- IT & Software Engineering
- Electrical & Mechanical Engineering
- Healthcare (Doctors, Nurses)
- Data Processing & Research
- Public Health & Social Work
Job Searching Methods in Austria
It is advisable to know that knowing the German language can greatly enhance your chances of finding a job in Austria, especially regarding jobs that involve most interaction with people. Job search in Austria can be conducted online. Applicants can send their CV or resume and details to employers and wait for their applications to be reviewed.
Furthermore, with the Austrian Job Search Visa, applicants can look for work in person in Austria. Individuals can also initially apply online and, if they find a few good job opportunities, travel to Austria for in-person interviews.
Employment Agencies in Austria
The topic of job searching in Austria is of great importance for job seekers in the country. Utilizing employment agencies and websites is one of the ways to find work in Austria. Below we will outline these methods:
Newspapers
One of the most common ways to find a job is by reading job advertisements in newspapers. In fact, newspapers are considered one of the most important sources for job searching. You can find listings of job vacancies in both national and regional newspapers. Some of these newspapers include:
- Kurier
- Der Standard
- Die Presse
- Krone
- Nachrichten
Job Search Websites
Referring to reliable job search websites can also be an effective method for finding employment. Some of these websites are:
- ec.europa.eu
- jobnet.at
- karriere.at
- stepstone.at
- austria.xpatjobs.com
Other Resources
There are also employment offices, which are government-run job agencies located throughout cities. By visiting these offices, individuals can search for suitable job opportunities. These agencies also have branches in some universities, making it easier for students to find jobs.
Part-time job for students in Austria
International students in Austria can work part-time. The permitted working hours depend on the level of education: 10 hours a week for undergraduate students and 20 hours for master’s students.
For some professions, obtaining a work permit is necessary. Common jobs include working in restaurants, hotels, private tutoring, and research work. The average student income is about 10 to 15 Euros per hour, which can cover part of their living expenses.
Insurance Status in Austria for Immigrants
Austria has a mandatory health insurance system (GKV), which includes both public and private insurance. Employed immigrants are automatically covered under public health insurance, and the costs are deducted from their monthly salaries.
Students and those who entered with a job search visa can get insured by paying about 60 Euros monthly. For long-term residence, having valid insurance is mandatory. Private insurance is also an option for individuals with high incomes or those who want better services.
Residency Status and Citizenship Acquisition in Austria
To work in Austria, applicants can obtain a work visa and the Red-White-Red card, which ties them to one employer. After 21 months of employment within two years, they can upgrade to the Red-White-Red Plus card, offering full access to Austria’s labor market. This card is valid for 3 years. After 5 years of residence, individuals may apply for permanent residency in Austria.
After one more year, they can also apply for the Austrian passport. Additionally, if a person can work in a profession with an average annual income, they can obtain a Blue Card. Holders of the Blue Card can work across the entire EU.
Taxes for Work in Austria
In Austria, income tax is imposed progressively, meaning as income increases, so does the tax rate. The table below shows the income tax rates for the year 2025:
| Annual Income (€) | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to €12,816 | 0% |
| €12,816 – €20,818 | 20% |
| €20,818 – €34,513 | 30% |
| €34,513 – €66,612 | 42% |
| €66,612 – €99,266 | 48% |
| Over €1,000,000 | 55% |
In addition to income tax, employees in Austria are required to pay social security contributions, which include pensions, unemployment, and health insurance. These payments generally account for about 18% of gross income.
Source: Ministry of Finance of Austria: www.bmf.gv.at
Frequently Asked Questions about Working in Austria
- What is the salary in high-paying jobs in Austria?
High-paying jobs in Austria typically pay an average of 16,900 Euros per month. Jobs such as executive management and transformation specialists are among the high earners.
- Can one work in Austria without a language certificate?
Austria’s work visa regulations follow a points-based system, and you must present a certificate of English or German language proficiency to earn sufficient points.
- Can one work in Austria without a degree?
To work in Austria, you need to earn sufficient points in this country’s scoring system, and having an educational qualification is also scoring.
- How to seek employment in Austria?
You can seek employment through employment agencies or obtain the Austrian job search visa and look for work in person in this country.
Conclusion:
The work situation and conditions in Austria have been examined in detail. As mentioned, the Austrian work visa can be obtained through two main pathways: a job offer or job seeking, both of which were discussed. If you would like further explanations or answers to additional questions about immigration to Austria — including working, studying, and obtaining an Austrian visa.
You can benefit from free consultations, either by phone or online, with the lawyers and senior experts at the Malekpour Institute regarding working in Austria and all immigration-related matters.
