Top 5 tips to live in Austria

Hi,

When you are going to live abroad, you may have a lot of questions. Hence to facilitate you in this process, we are inviting expats to share their top 5 tips with regards to settling and living in Austria.

What recommendations would you give soon-to-be expats in Austria?

How should they prepare efficiently for their expatriation project and settling in?

Please share with us your best advice for a successful expatriation in Austria!

Thank you in advance :)

You MUST register with your council as a foreigner. Get ANY kind of job ASAP which is fully insured, so that if needed you can claim unemployment benefit, and register correctly for the National Health. Your normal E card is really only for emergency cover. Expect food to be dearer here, but of the highest quality. Even 3.5% fat milk tastes creamy. Obviously speaking German is a BIG advantage for employment.

As Rod says you must register with the local council, you must do this with in the first 3 days of arrival, This is of course for the those than plan to settle down in Austria. (If you are backpacking you are a tourist so no need to.)

If you are staying longer you need to get 2nd residency, failing to to do either you will be finned.

It is also good to know where your nearest Embassy is and get their contact details save. You never know when you may need their services.

Its also worth looking out for a community from your home country, often they hold events and always nice to have a fellow countryman to be in contact with.

Learn German as its the mother tongue of the country.

And finally enjoy yourself in your new surroundings, Austria is a very calm relaxed country as well as safe place to live in, but you still have to be on your guard in larger cities as pickpockets are about, so when out and about, do not dress as a tourist. If you do get lost go to the nearest public place, Post office, bank and ask there.