Original document : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-austria
Change description : 2020-01-23 11:31:00: Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal. [Brexit]
Showing diff : 2019-10-19 10:28:14 +00:00..2020-01-23 11:34:55 +00:00
Guidance
Official information for UKBritish nationalspeople moving to and living in Austria, including Brexit guidance, residency, healthcare and driving.
This page tells you what to do ahead of the UK leaving the EU. It will be updated if anything changes, including if a deal is agreed.
You should:
The UKon is leaving the EU. This page tells you how to prepare for Brexit and will be updated if anything changes. You should:
The British Embassy regularly holds events across Austria for UK nationals. Attend one of our Q&A meetings to keep up to date on working and living in Austria after Brexit.
You can also:
Check the entry requirements for Austria.
You must register with the Austrian authorities if you want to stay in Austria. You need to:
Read the Austrian government’s guidance on residence registration and guidance on registration certificates
If the UK nationalsleaves willthe beEU ablewithout toa continuedeal, toyou movemust toapply Austriafor duringa thenew implementationresidence period,permit aswithin now.6 Ifmonths youof arethe residentday in Austria before the endUK ofleaves the implementation period on 31 December 2020 you will be able to stay.EU.
If there are further changes to residency rules or registration processes after Brexit, we will update this guidance as soon as information is available.
Austrian authorities require a criminal records check to be carried out if you apply for permanent residence. They generally accept records which are not older than six months.
Read the Austrian government’s Brexit guidance for residency in the event of a no-deal Brexit, which includes details of language requirements.
According to guidance from the Austrian government, an apostille (official certification of authenticity) for British documents such as a birth certificate will not be necessary in most cases. However, local authorities have the discretion to assess individual cases. You should check with your local authority (Bezirksverwaltungsbehörde).
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Austria.
See our travel advice for Austria and sign up to email alerts for up-to-date travel information on local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
After Brexit, the rules on travel will change. Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip. YourYou’ll need to renew your passport shouldbefore betravelling validif foryou thedo proposednot durationhave ofenough time left on your stay;passport.
If youthere’s dono notdeal, needyou anymust additionalhave periodat ofleast validity6 months left on youran passportadult beyondor this.
You’llchild needpassport to renewtravel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland). If you renewed your current passport before travellingthe ifprevious youone doexpired, notextra months may have enoughbeen timeadded leftto its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport.passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.
TheIf rulesyou onare a UK national resident in Austria and there’s no deal, the Austrian government strongly advise that you start your application for new residency documents before you travel outside the country. After you apply, you will stayreceive an A4 application certificate to use as proof of residence when re-entering Austria. These application certificates will only be issued from the sameday untilthe UK leaves the endEU without a deal.
If you are travelling outside Austria before Brexit and returning after, you must bring credible evidence of theyour implementationresidence periodstatus onwhen 31re-entering DecemberAustria. 2020.This Duringcould be residence documentation such as an Anmeldebescheinigung, Meldebestätigung (Meldezettel), or other relevant documentation such as a Studienbescheinigung (proof of study), work contract or other relevant document. You will only be able to prove residence in this timeway in exceptional cases and for a limited period of time, if you canhave continuebeen unable to travelapply for new residence documentation prior to countriestravel. inThe Austrian government strongly suggests that you start your application for a new residency document as soon as you have the Schengenopportunity areato ordo so.
If there’s no deal, UK nationals will not need visas for short stays elsewhere in the EU. withYou yourwill UKbe able to stay up to 90 days in another EU, passport.EEA or EFTA country, within a 180-day period. You must retain evidence of travel (such as train and plane tickets), in case these are requested by national authorities. If you hold a residence permit from an EU, EEA or EFTA country, you will be able to transit through other EU, EEA or EFTA countries to reach your country of residence.
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You must register for healthcare as a resident in Austria. Unless you have private insurance or your healthcare is paid for by the UK, you should pay contributions for medical care to a local social insurance organisation (Sozialversicherungsträger). Your employer will normally deduct health insurance contributions from your salary and make the payments on your behalf.
Read the NHS guidance on who can access healthcare in Austria and how to register.
If you live in Austria and receive an exportable UK pension, contribution-based Employment Support Allowance or another exportable benefit, you may currently be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK. You must apply for a certificate of entitlement known as an S1 certificate.
If you are resident in Austria, you should not use a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from the UK for healthcare in Austria.
When you travel from Austria for a temporary stay in another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, you can use an EHIC to access state-provided healthcare in that country. During that short stay:
If you are a student, read the NHS guidance on healthcare and studying abroad.
You can find an English-speaking doctor by region in Austria. You can search for an English-speaking doctor in Vienna. Find a list of English-speaking medical facilities and practitioners in Austria.
You should also check your prescriptions are legal.
Mountain rescue is not covered by standard Austrian health insurance.
ThereIf willyou beare noresident changesin toAustria yourand healthcarehave accessstatutory beforeor 31voluntary Decemberhealth 2020.insurance Youfrom canan alsoAustrian continueprovider (Krankenkasse), your access to usehealthcare will not change.
If there’s no deal, your Austrian-issued EHIC, as(E-Card) youmay didno before,longer duringbe thisvalid time.for trips to the UK. You must purchase travel insurance for travel to the UK and other non-EU/EFTA countries.
If youthere’s areno residentdeal inand Austriayou anddo not have statutory or voluntary health insurance from an Austrian providerinsurer (Krankenkasse), your access to healthcare may change significantly. You must take action now to confirm your residency status and decide how you will ensure access to healthcare.
The UK government has offered to continue paying the country you live in for your healthcare in the event of no deal, just as it does now. The UK government has proposed maintaining current healthcare cooperation with Austria for S1 form holders until the end of December 2020. If there’s no deal, and an arrangement with Austria to continue reciprocal healthcare has not changebeen afterreached, your S1 form will no longer be recognised in Austria. You will be able to sign up for voluntary insurance with your regional insurer (Gebietskrankenkasse) within 6 weeks of the day the UK leaves the EU.
Payments will be based on income. You should contact your regional insurer now to find out what your monthly payments would be. If you register with a statutory health insurer within this 6-week period, your cover will be retrospective to ensure uninterrupted cover from the day the UK leaves the EU. For more information read the Austrian government’s Brexit FAQs.
On 23 September 2019 the UK government announced transitional healthcare arrangements across the whole of the EU if there is a no-deal Brexit. If you are an S1 form holder in Austria, you will have also been sent a letter with information about this announcement.
If you are livingresident in Austria, you should still join an Austrian statutory health insurer within 6 weeks of the day the UK leaves the EU, irrespective of these transitional arrangements.
Your UK-issued EHIC may not be valid in Austria orif movethere’s thereno permanentlydeal. beforeThe 31UK Decemberhas 2020,offered you’llto havemaintain life-longthe healthcareEHIC scheme if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, however this is reliant on Austria continuing to accept UK EHICs.
If there is a deal, your current rights on access to healthcare in Austria aswill youremain dothe now,same provideduntil the end of the implementation period, as long as you remain resident.a resident in Austria.
If you are registered as a resident in Austria, you have the right to work in Austria. Read our guidance on working in another EU country. To apply for a job you may need to provide a:
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If youthere areis livinga indeal, Austria before 31 December 2020, your right to studywork will stay the same,same asuntil longthe asend youof remainthe residentimplementation in Austria.period.
For more information on education, read studying in the European Union after Brexit and guidance from the Austrian government on studying after Brexit.
If you are offering a professional service in Austria and are unsure whether your qualification or professional status is currently recognised – it may not be if you are not currently an active (fee-paying) member of the relevant business chamber – find out whether you need to take any further action:
If you are unsure which is the relevant organisation, contact the National Contact Point in Austria.
RecognitionIf decisionsthere’s madeno ondeal qualificationsand obtainedyou arrive in Austria to work in a regulated profession after Brexit, there will be a new system in place to recognise professional qualifications. You will need to acquire residency to access the UKlabour ormarket. You should seek further advice from the EUrelevant beforeauthorities 31on Decemberwhat 2020procedures arewill notbe affected.required to register under each trade, craft or profession.
If there’s no deal and you haveare nota hadstatutory yourauditor, professionalyou qualificationsshould recognised,find out whether any existing recognition you have in an EU member state will havecontinue.
You untilcan read:
For UK statutory auditors, the currentAustrian rules.Auditing Oversight Authority (in German) should be able to provide further information.
The European Commission’s ‘preparedness notice’ offers guidance for lawyers. This preparedness notice does not deal with the recognition of qualifications under the Lawyers Establishment Directive.
If you’re a UK-qualified lawyer working in Austria, using either an Austrian or UK professional title, you should contact the local Bar Association in the region in which you are working or the Austrian Federal Bar Association for specific advice.
The UK has a double-taxation agreement with Austria to make sure that people do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
As an Austrian resident, you must declare your global income to the Austrian authorities, no matter which country it came from. You can ask the relevant tax authority about double taxation relief.
Read guidance about:
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Austria. You can find a tax adviser (Steuerberater) or accountant at Kammer der Wirtschaftstreuhänder or find an English-speaking lawyer.
Find out if you can pay National Insurance while abroad so that you protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.
If you are employed or self-employed in the EU or EEA and you have a UK-issued A1/E101 form, you will remain subject to UK legislation until the end date on the form.
If the end date on your form is after 31 October 2019, you should contact the relevant EU, EEA or Swiss authority to confirm whether you need to start paying social security contributions in that country after 31 October, as well as UK National Insurance contributions.
Find out more about social security contributions after a no-deal Brexit.
Brexit will not change existing double-taxationdouble taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Austria. Send your questions about double taxation to the relevant tax authority.
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If you retire in Austria, you can claim:
If you get a life certificate from the UK Pension Service, you need to report changes as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you don’t.
YouThe can continue to receive your UK Stategovernment Pensionwill ifcontinue youto livepay ina the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you can still claim your UK State Pension.
IfPension youto arethose livingeligible in the EU, EEAafter orBrexit. SwitzerlandYour by 31 December 2020 you will get your UK State Pension upratedwill everybe yearuprated forin asApril long2020, as2021 youand continue2022 to live there. This will happen even if you startlive claimingin yourthe pensionEU, onEEA or after 1 January 2021, as long as you meet the qualifying conditions.Switzerland.
If youthere areis livinga indeal, Austriaand by 31 December 2020, you will be able to count future social security contributions towards meeting the qualifying conditions for your UK State Pension.
If you work and pay social security contributions in Austria, you will still be able to add your UK social security contributions towards your Austrian pension. This will happen even if you claim your pension after the end of the implementation period.
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Read leavingour theguidance EUon pensions if there’s no deal.
You may still be able to claim some benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in Austria. You should:
Many income-related benefits such as pension credit and housing benefit cannot be paid to you if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
You may be eligible to claim some Austrian social security benefits.
You can request proof of the time you’ve worked in the UK from HMRC if you are asked for this.
IfThe you are living in the EUUK, EEAgovernment or Switzerland by 31 December 2020, you will continue to receivepay anythe UK benefitsstate youpension, alreadychild receive.benefits, Thisand willdisability continuebenefits forto aseligible longpeople asliving youin livethe thereEU andafter meet all other eligibility requirements.Brexit.
If there is a deal and you work and pay social security contributions in Austria, your UK social security contributions will be taken into account when applying for Austrian contributions-based benefits. This will happen even if you claim contributions-based benefits after the end of the implementation period.
If there’s no deal, the Austrian government has proposed that they will continue to take periods of work in the UK before Brexit into account when claiming Austrian contributions-based benefits. We will update this guidance when there is a formal agreement on this.
Read the guidance on benefits and pensions if there’s no deal.
If you are resident in Austria, you should exchange your UK licence for an Austrian one before the UK leaves the EU. You can still use your Austrian licence in the UK for short visits or exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test if you return to live in the UK.
For information on driving in Austria, read our guidance on:
If you are in Austria and your UK driving licence is lost, stolen or expires, you will not be able to renew it with the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). You will need to apply to the DVLA for a ‘certificate of entitlement’ in German to be able to apply for an Austrian driving licence.
Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.
If you have your main residence in Austria, you may use your car with foreign number plates for 1 month in Austria. You must register your car, pay a one-off fuel consumption tax called NoVA (Normverbrauchsabgabe) at your local tax office and exchange your UK number plates for Austrian plates at your nearest vehicle registration office (Kfz-Zulassungsstelle). Read the European Union’s guidance on car registration rules and taxes in Austria.
Third-party car insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung) is compulsory.
You need proof of insurance before you can get your number plates (Autokennzeichen) and car registration document (Zulassungsschein). Your insurer can advise you how to get these.
DrivingIf there is a deal, driving licence rules will stay the same untilduring 31the Decemberimplementation 2020.period.
If there’s no deal, you must exchange your UK licence for an Austrian one within 6 months from the day the UK leaves the EU.
Read our guidance on driving in the EU after Brexit.
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
If you’re resident in Austria, you can vote in local municipal and European parliamentary elections.
You cannot vote in general or regional elections in Austria.
UK nationals resident in Austria will no longer be eligible to vote in local and European elections after Brexit.
If your child is born in Austria, you will need to register a birth abroad.
If someone dies in Austria you can:
Find out how you can get married abroad.
Find out about notarial and documentary services for British nationals in Austria.
You may also need to find:
Read guidance on how to buy a property abroad.
Property ownership laws in Austria vary by province.
CurrentWhen petthe UK leaves the EU, you will still be able to travel to and from the UK with a cat, dog or ferret, but the rules will staychange. You can read guidance on pet travel to Europe.
While the sameUK untilis 31still Decemberan 2020.EU Member State, you’ll be able to travel with your pet to the EU under the current pet travel rules using your current EU pet passport.
If you’re travelling with your pet for the first time you must visit your vet to get a pet passport.
Read guidance on returning your cat, dog or ferret to the UK.
For moving pet travelhorses and other equines read guidance on export horses and ponies: special rules.
As well as the European emergency number 112, Austria also has:
You can find Austria – emergency numbers.
If you’re the victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad, contact the British Embassy Vienna.
Read our guidance on:
Tell the UK and Austrian authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently. To help prove you are now living in the UK, you should de-register with your:
To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.
If you get UK State Pension or benefits payments, you must tell the International Pension Centre and your local social insurance organisation
If you get healthcare in Austria through the S1 form, you must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999 and your local social insurance organisation to make sure your S1 is cancelled at the right time.
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax, access to services and bringing family members.
Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Austrian authorities. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement
Brexit update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.
Brexit update: Added guidance to "Passports and travel after Brexit" section for UK nationals travelling from Austria before Brexit and returning afterwards. Added information to the Visas & Residency section: "If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, British nationals must apply for a new residence permit within 6 months of Brexit."
EU Exit update: updated "Passports and Travel after the UK leaves the EU" and "Returning to the UK" sections
Added guidance under "Passports and travel after EU Exit" for recommended travel documentation if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Updated information on residency, visas, healthcare, driving, education and professional qualifications, pensions and passports to reflect latest information on the UK's departure from the EU.
We have updated the contact details you need to apply for an S1 form.
Updated information on passports: you must use the checker tool to see if your passport is still valid for your trip
EU Exit update: New English language website link to the Austrian Federal Chancellery Brexit page
EU Exit update: updated information on access to healthcare
EU Exit update: Added new Brexit Q&A event dates in Salzburg, Styria, Lower Austria, Vienna, Upper Austria, Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Carinthia and Burgenland
EU Exit update: updated information on pensions and driving
EU Exit update: added web link to new Austrian government page about Brexit preparations in EU Exit section
EU Exit update: New information in residency and visa section on draft withdrawal agreement in principle between the UK and EU. Plus information on travelling with pets in Europe in pet section
Brexit update: "Visas and Residency" section updated to reflect the wording from the Austrian Government about requirements for the registration certificate and long-term residency certificate.
Link to citizens outreach meetings
Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.
Information on healthcare access updated.
Update to entry and residence requirements
Added links to Life Certificate witness options document
Life Certificate section - updates requested by BE Vienna Consular section. Notary search website address added - update requested by BE Vienna Consular Section.
First published.
2024-10-24 10:05
Updated section on EU Entry/Exit System (EES), following the announcement that the EES will be delayed.
2024-05-13 12:21
Added information on EU Entry/Exit System (EES) from autumn 2024. UK nationals who are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement (those who were lawfully resident in the EU before 1 January 2021) will be exempt from registration in EES, provided they hold the correct documentation.
2023-10-16 11:32
Added link to complain to the EU if your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement are not being respected. Added line to confirm that Austria does not offer a special visa for “digital nomads”.
2023-07-11 09:48
Reviewed corona virus information
2022-12-19 09:53
Added information on Church Tax
2022-08-02 12:53
Added information about reduced Article 50 card fees for under 16s (now €26.30) and how to apply for a partial refund if you have paid the full adult fee. The reduced fee applies retrospectively from 1 Jan 2021.
2022-07-15 10:54
Added line on property purchase for Article 50 card holders: “If you have an Article 50 card, you should be treated the same as an Austrian national when purchasing property.”
2022-06-15 13:01
Added information for Article 50 residency card holders who become parents after 1 January 2022.
2022-04-29 11:22
Added information on Article 50 card eligibility for parents of children born on or after 1 January 2022.
2022-04-27 16:08
Updated information on passport stamping at borders.
2022-03-11 09:28
Important information in the Working in Austria, and National insurance sections if you work in Austria, even it if it is for an employer based in the UK.
2022-01-01 07:00
Visas and residency guidance updated, following the 31 December 2021 residency deadline for people with rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
2021-12-06 12:32
Added information on applying for an Article 50 card during lockdown. UK nationals living in Austria before 1 January 2021 have until 31 December 2021 to apply for an Article 50 card and secure their residency rights.
2021-03-01 09:54
Driving section update: additional information on importing vehicles from the UK
2021-02-15 13:10
Benefits section updated on access to Austrian benefits.
2020-09-08 10:30
Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021
2020-07-03 11:02
Added a link to embassy Q&A events, before an online Q&A on Monday 6 July 2020. You can ask questions from midday – 2pm Austrian time on the embassy's facebook page www.facebook.com/ukinaustria.
2020-01-23 11:31
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
2019-10-18 12:17
Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement
2019-09-03 17:02
Brexit update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.
2019-08-27 12:07
Brexit update: Added guidance to “Passports and travel after Brexit” section for UK nationals travelling from Austria before Brexit and returning afterwards. Added information to the Visas & Residency section: “If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, British nationals must apply for a new residence permit within 6 months of Brexit.”
2019-04-16 10:35
EU Exit update: updated “Passports and Travel after the UK leaves the EU” and “Returning to the UK” sections