🇦🇹 Austria
Central European quality of life with strong social infrastructure
Visa Options
- Red-White-Red Card (2 years (renewable → Red-White-Red Card Plus)) — Points-based (qualifications, salary, age, language); salary ≥ €3,465/mo gross (2026)
- EU Blue Card (2 years (renewable)) — Job offer, recognized degree, salary ≥ €55,678/yr gross (2026)
- Self-Employed Key Worker Card (2 years (renewable)) — Business plan demonstrating economic benefit to Austria
Tax Overview
- Income Tax: 0% – 55% (progressive, 7 brackets)
- Corporate Tax: 23%
- VAT: 20% standard (10%/13% reduced rates)
Cost of Living
- Comfortable living (single, typical): €1,600 – €2,300/mo
- 1BR Apartment (Vienna): €900 – €1,300/mo
- 1BR Apartment (Graz/Salzburg): €750 – €1,050/mo
- Groceries: €230 – €330/mo
- Utilities: €150 – €220/mo
- Dining out: €14 – €26/meal
- Public transport: €51/mo pass (Vienna) or ~€1,095/yr nationwide Klimaticket
Relocation Checklist
- Apply for the Red-White-Red Card / Blue Card at an Austrian consulate or via AMS
- Register your residence (Meldezettel) within 3 days of arrival
- Open an Austrian bank account
- Apply for a Sozialversicherungsnummer (social insurance number)
- Enroll in Austrian health insurance (ÖGK)
- Secure a housing lease
- Collect your residence permit card from the local authority (MA35 in Vienna)
- Register for a tax number if self-employed