Working in Austria: A Complete Guide for Foreigners Comprehensive guide for foreigners who want to work in Austria: labour market access, in-demand jobs, salary, taxes, and labour law. Topics: Work, Labor Market, Salary & Taxes.

Working in Austria: Jobs, Salary, Rights

Austria is one of the wealthiest countries in Europe, with a stable economy, high quality of life, and a strong labour market. Every year, thousands of qualified professionals move to Austria to work and live. This guide explains everything you need to know about labour market access, the best job opportunities, salary structures, and your rights as an employee in the Alpine Republic.

Labour market access: EU vs. third countries

EU and EEA citizens

Citizens of EU member states and the EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), as well as Switzerland, enjoy free access to the Austrian labour market. This means:

• No work permit required
• No restrictions on the choice of job
• Equal rights with Austrian employees
• Registration with the registration authority within 3 days (Meldezettel)

However, you must be registered with the Gebietskrankenkasse for social insurance. Your employer usually takes care of this registration automatically.

Third-country nationals

Workers from third countries (non-EU) need a residence permit with work authorisation. The most common system is the Red-White-Red Card, based on a points system:

Red-White-Red Card:

• For qualified third-country nationals
• Requires 50 points (education, work experience, language skills, age, connection to Austria)
• Valid for 12 months, tied to the employer
• Renewal and change of employer possible under certain conditions

Red-White-Red Card Plus:

• For highly qualified professionals
• Requires 90 points
• Free access to the labour market
• Valid for 3 years

Other types include the Red-White-Red Card for self-employed and the Red-White-Red Card for start-up founders.

For current requirements and the points system, see migration.gv.at.

In-demand professions and industries

The Austrian labour market is urgently seeking qualified professionals in several key industries. Summary table:

Industry	In-demand roles	Average salary
IT and technology	Software developers, sysadmins, data analysts, IT specialists	€4,500 – €7,000
Healthcare and care	Nurses, doctors, therapists, care workers	€3,500 – €5,500
Engineering	Mechanical, electrical, civil engineers	€4,200 – €6,500
Skilled trades	Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, installers	€3,200 – €4,800
Education	Teachers (all subjects), lecturers, educators	€3,000 – €5,200
Hospitality and tourism	Hotel specialists, chefs, restaurant managers	€2,800 – €4,200

IT sector: particularly in-demand qualifications

IT is one of the most dynamic sectors in Austria, with high salaries and good advancement opportunities. Particularly sought after:

• Full-stack developers (JavaScript, TypeScript, React, Node.js)
• Backend developers (Java, Python, .NET)
• DevOps engineers (Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD)
• Cloud specialists (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Cybersecurity experts
• Data analysts and data scientists

IT hubs are concentrated in Vienna, Graz, Linz, and Salzburg. Many international tech companies have offices here.

Healthcare and care: acute staff shortage

Austria has an acute shortage of care workers. This means excellent job opportunities for qualified nurses, care workers, and medical professionals:

• Nursing (registered nurses): €3,500 – €4,800
• Elderly care: €3,200 – €4,200
• Therapists (physiotherapy, occupational therapy): €3,800 – €5,200
• Doctors (depending on specialisation): €5,000 – €9,000

Recognition of your foreign qualifications is required. For the nostrification process, see the Federal Ministry of Health.

Engineering and technology

Engineers are always in demand in Austria, especially in:

• Mechanical engineering (automotive industry, manufacturing)
• Electrical engineering (energy, automation)
• Civil engineering (infrastructure projects)
• Environmental engineering (renewable energy)

Companies such as Verbund, AVL, Siemens, voestalpine, and many SMEs are constantly looking for qualified engineers.

Job search and portals

Effective job search in Austria requires a strategic combination of online portals, recruitment agencies, and networking.

Major job portals

1. AMS (Arbeitsmarktservice) — ams.at

The official Austrian employment service is the first point of contact for job seekers:

• Thousands of job offers in all industries
• Free registration
• Career counselling and training opportunities
• Special programmes for foreigners

2. WorkinAustria — workinaustria.at

The official portal for foreign professionals:

• Focus on qualified jobs
• Information materials in many languages
• Company profiles and case studies
• Visa and immigration information

3. Karriere.at — karriere.at

• Market leader among Austrian job portals
• Specialist and management positions
• Career advice and salary information

4. StepStone Österreich — stepstone.at

• Internationally focused job board
• Many specialist positions
• Salary comparison and tools

5. LinkedIn.at

• Important for networking and passive job search
• Many companies use LinkedIn for recruiting
• Create a professional profile

Regional employment services

Austria has a regional AMS in every federal state, providing specialised support:

• AMS Wien (strongest labour market)
• AMS Niederösterreich
• AMS Oberösterreich
• AMS Steiermark
• AMS Tirol
• AMS Salzburg
• AMS Kärnten
• AMS Vorarlberg

Networking and personal contacts

In Austria, personal networking is extremely important. Over 60% of open positions are never publicly advertised:

• XING (German-language business network)
• LinkedIn
• Industry events and meetups
• Alumni networks
• Trade fairs and conferences

Salary, taxes, and social insurance

The gross-to-net gap in Austria is relatively moderate compared to other European countries. Detailed breakdown:

Average salaries by qualification

Qualification level	Monthly gross	Monthly net
Entry / unskilled work	€2,500	approx. €1,800
Skilled worker / qualified trades	€3,200	approx. €2,300
Graduate / entry-level	€3,800	approx. €2,650
Experienced professional	€4,500	approx. €3,100
Executive / specialist	€6,000+	approx. €4,000+

Income tax (progressive)

Annual gross	Tax rate
up to €12,816	0%
€12,816 – €20,818	14%
€20,818 – €34,547	30%
€34,547 – €66,612	42%
€66,612 – €99,266	48%
over €99,266	50%

Social insurance (about 18% of gross)

Austrian social insurance includes:

• Health insurance (about 8%)
• Pension insurance (about 10.25%)
• Unemployment insurance (about 1.8%)
• Accident insurance (paid by the employer)

Additional deductions may include municipal tax (3–4%, depending on place of residence) and where applicable church tax (1.1% for registered church members).

Continued pay during illness

• First 3 days: 50% continued pay
• From day 4: 100% continued pay for up to 42 days
• After that: sickness benefit from the health insurance fund

Labour law and vacation entitlements

Austria has one of the strongest employee protection laws in Europe. As an employee you have extensive rights:

Protection against dismissal

• Notice period: at least 6 weeks (longer for longer tenure)
• Severance pay: for operational redundancies after 2 years of service
• Protection against unfair dismissal: right to challenge the dismissal in court

Vacation

• Minimum vacation: 25 working days per year (with 5-day week)
• For under-18s: 30 working days
• Vacation compensation: if vacation cannot be taken, it must be financially compensated

Maternity protection and parental leave

• Maternity protection: 8 weeks before and 8 weeks after birth (longer in case of premature birth)
• Parental leave allowance: during parental leave (up to 2 years)
• Right to return: right to return to the previous position

Working time

• Maximum working time: 40 hours per week (statutory limit)
• Maximum daily working time: 10 hours
• Maximum weekly working time: 60 hours (averaged over 17 weeks: 48 hours)
• Break: at 6+ hours of daily work: 30 minutes break

Premiums and allowances

• Sunday premium: 50% surcharge
• Public holiday premium: 100% surcharge
• Night work: from 23:00 to 6:00: surcharge depending on collective agreement
• Overtime: usually 50% surcharge

Frequently asked questions

Can foreigners work in Austria?

Yes, foreigners can work in Austria, but certain conditions apply. EU and EEA citizens have free access to the Austrian labour market and can work without a work permit. Third-country nationals require a residence permit with work authorisation (Red-White-Red Card). The exact requirements depend on your nationality, qualifications, and work experience.

Which jobs are in highest demand in Austria?

The most in-demand jobs include IT specialists (software developers, sysadmins, data analysts), healthcare and nursing staff, engineers (especially mechanical, electrical, civil), tradespeople and construction specialists. Teachers and qualified hotel specialists are also in demand. The skills shortage is particularly acute in nursing, IT, and engineering.

What is the average salary in Austria?

The average gross salary in Austria is around €3,500 to €4,000 per month (full-time). The starting salary is usually €2,500 to €3,000, while experienced professionals can earn €4,500 to €6,000 and more. IT specialists and executives can earn €7,000+. Salaries vary widely by industry, region, qualification, and work experience. Vienna and the western federal states typically pay higher.

Do I need a work permit for Austria?

EU and EEA citizens (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), as well as Swiss nationals, do not need a work permit. Third-country nationals need an employment permit, which is filed together with the residence permit. The most common types are the Red-White-Red Card (for qualified professionals) and the Red-White-Red Card Plus (for highly qualified professionals with free labour market access).

Where do I find job offers in Austria?

The most important job portals are AMS (ams.at), Karriere.at (karriere.at), StepStone.at (stepstone.at), LinkedIn.at, and WorkinAustria.at (workinaustria.at). Regional newspapers and company websites are also valuable sources. For specialists, personal networking is extremely important — over 60% of positions are never publicly advertised.

How many hours can you work in Austria?

Statutory working time in Austria is 40 hours per week. Many collective agreements, however, set 38.5 hours. Maximum daily working time is 10 hours, weekly 60 hours (averaged over 17 weeks: 48 hours). Overtime must be paid additionally (typically at a 50% premium). Night work (between 23:00 and 6:00) and Sunday work are also subject to premiums.

What are the taxes and deductions from the salary?

In Austria, income tax (14–42%, progressive by income), social insurance (about 18%, depending on contribution ceilings), municipal tax (3–4%, depending on place of residence), and where applicable church tax (1.1% for church members) are deducted. Net is typically about 65–75% of gross salary. Around €2,000 net per month is possible. With a gross salary of €3,500, you can expect around €2,600 net.

What employee rights exist in Austria?

Austria has strong employee rights: minimum 25 working days of vacation per year, dismissal protection (depending on company size), maternity protection (8 weeks before and after birth), sick pay (50% continued pay from day 1, 100% from day 4 up to 42 days), and restrictions on dismissals. Maximum working time is 40 hours per week, overtime must be paid.

Next steps

1. Check your labour market access requirements on migration.gv.at
2. Create a professional CV following Austrian standards (2–3 pages, photo optional)
3. Register on the main job portals (AMS, Karriere.at, LinkedIn)
4. Prepare for job interviews (German language skills are important)
5. Arrange nostrification of your qualifications (if required)
6. Plan your move to Austria (housing search, registration, health insurance)

For more information, visit:

• migration.gv.at — Official migration information
• ams.at — Employment service
• workinaustria.at — Portal for foreign professionals
• oesterreich.gv.at — Official government portal

Related topics and official sources

Related guides on how2austria.com

• Austrian Residence Permits: Types, Requirements & Application — RWR Card, EU Blue Card, and settlement permit at a glance.
• Teacher Salary in Austria — What Educators Really Earn — comparable pay system in the public sector.
• Renting an Apartment in Austria — rental contract, deposit, and registration for newcomers.

Official primary sources

• Migration to Austria — migration.gv.at — official portal on labour market access, RWR Card, and points system.
• Austrian Employment Service — ams.at — job offers, career advice, and recognition of foreign qualifications.
• Work in Austria — workinaustria.at — official portal for international professionals.
• Federal Ministry of Labour — bma.gv.at — labour law, collective agreements, and pay conditions.
• Austrian Economic Chambers — wko.at — contribution scheme, payroll, and HR administration.
• Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs — bmeia.gv.at — visas, residence, and consular matters.

Legal notes

Labour market access for third-country nationals is governed by the Settlement and Residence Act (NAG) and the Employment of Foreigners Act (AuslBG). Minimum wages and working conditions are regulated by the relevant collective agreements of the industries. For individual calculations, use the official BMF gross-to-net calculator.

Good luck with your job search in Austria! 🇦🇹