Working in Austria

EU and EEA nationals:

Since the European Employment Service (EURES) is the governing body in charge of filling vacancies within the European labour market, applications for work in Austria will be handled by Eures advisers at local labour offices in each EU and EEA member state.

The European Commission and the European Parliament are producing, in all EU countries, a series of guides. A catalogue of all publications available can be obtained from:

European Commission
Representation in the UK
Publications Department
8 Storey's Gate
London SW1P 3AT
Tel: 020-7973 1992

Factsheets on working, living, studying in another EU country as well as practical information on your rights and opportunities in the EU can be obtained by calling the freephone number: 00800 6789 1011 or by consulting the website of Europe Direct.

Detailed information on the Austrian labour market as well as living and working conditions in Austria (i.e. accommodation, taxes, health and social issues, legislation, etc.) are available on the EURES Job Mobility Portal-site.

Your local jobcentre can help you to find work nationally as well as internationally, please contact:

International Jobsearch Advice Team
Jobcentre Plus Regional Office
6th Floor Whitehall II, Whitehall Quay
Leeds LS1 4HR
Tel: 0113-307 8090
Fax: 0113-307 8213

The website of the Austrian Employment Service (Arbeitsmarktservice) provides an online job-search and a list of companies looking for employees:

Arbeitsmarktservice Vienna
Weihburggasse 30
A-1011 Vienna
Tel: +43-1-515 25 0

The press is a very important source of vacancies for jobseekers. The Austrian national and regional newspapers, such as Die Presse, Der Standard, and Kurier carry job supplements as wella as other, more specialised newspapers and magazines.

Foreign nationals intending to establish themselves in business in Austria require a separate permit from the responsible provincial government. For certain trades or business special qualifications or special licences are required to be provided by the applicant. For details on this particular subject, please contact the Austrian Trade Commission in London.

Please be advised that United Kingdom employment protection legislation does not extend to work outside the UK. The terms and conditions of employment are a matter of agreement between the employer and the employee, subject to labour legislation.

The Austrian Government is closely involved with employment issues. Legislation covers income agreements, minimum wages, equal opportunities, maximum working hours, rest periods and shiftwork. Collective wage agreements are common for all sector of industry. For example, the normal working week is between 36 and 40 hours. The legal maximum working week is 40 hours, or 8 hours per day, and annual leave entitlement is a minimum of 5 weeks after six months' employment.

The website of Help-Service contains comprehensive information on employment in general, independent contractors, social insurance, minimum income work, and income tax returns.