Original document : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-austria
Change description : 2020-07-03 11:02:00: 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. [Brexit]
Showing diff : 2020-01-23 11:34:55 +00:00..2020-07-03 10:05:21 +00:00
Guidance
Official information for UK nationals moving to and living in Austria, including Brexitguidance guidance,on residency, healthcarehealthcare, driving and driving.the Withdrawal Agreement.
You should:
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YouThe Withdrawal Agreement sets out the terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and provides for a deal on citizens’ rights. It sets out a transition period which lasts until 31 December 2020. During this time you can also:
If you are resident in Austria at the end of the transition period, you will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, and your rights will be protected for Brexitas long as you remain resident in Austria.
Any rights that are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement will be the subject of future negotiations. Read this guidance page for more information.
In the meantime, make sure you are registered as a resident in Austria. We will update this guidance as soon as more information becomes available.
You should also read our guidance on living in Europe
Check the entry requirements for Austria.
If you are resident in Austria before the transition period ends on 31 December 2020 you will be able to stay. UK nationals will be able to continue to move to Austria during the transition period.
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.
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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.
Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip. Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay; you do not need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this.stay.
You’ll need to renew your passport before travelling if you do not have enough time left on your passport.
The rules on travel will stay the same until the end of the implementation period on 31 December 2020. During this time you can continue to travel to countries in the Schengen area or elsewhere in the EU with your UK passport.
We will update these pages with details of any changes to the rules as soon as information is available. You should sign up for updates to this guidance.
If you are living in Austria or move there permanently before 31 December 2020, you’ll have life-long healthcare rights in Austria as you do now, provided you remain resident.
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.
If you are resident in Austria and have statutory or voluntary health insurance from an Austrian provider (Krankenkasse), your access to healthcare will not change after 31 January 2020.
Read our 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.
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If you are resident in Austria, you should not use your 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.
There will be no changes to your healthcare access before 31 December 2020. You can also continue to use your EHIC, as you did before, during this time.
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If you are registered as a resident in Austria, you have the right to work in Austria. Read our guidance on working in anotheran EU country. To apply for a job you may need to provide a:
If you are living in Austria on or before 31 December 2020, your right to work will stay the same, as long as you remain resident in Austria.
If you are planning to study in Austria, see the Austrian Agency for International cooperation in Education and Research (OeAD) website for more information on entry and admission requirements.
If you are living in Austria before 31 December 2020, your right to study will stay the same, as long as you remain resident in Austria.
For more information read studying in the European Union 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.
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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-taxationdouble taxation agreement with Austria to make sure that peopleyou do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.
Existing double taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Austria have not changed following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
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.
Brexit will not change existing double-taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Austria. Send your questions about double taxation to the relevant tax authority.
You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming the UK State Pension in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.
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.
There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming the UK State Pension in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.
You can continue to receive your UK State Pension if you live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you can still claim your UK State Pension.
If you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020 you will get your UK State Pension uprated every year for as long as you continue to live there. This will happen even if you start claiming your pension on or after 1 January 2021, as long as you meet the qualifying conditions.
If you are living in Austria by 31 December 2020, you will be able to count future social security contributions towards meeting the qualifying conditions forexplained yourin UKthe new State Pension.Pension guidance.
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 the31 endDecember of2020.
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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.
There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming UK benefits in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.
If you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020, you will continue to receive any UK benefits you already receive. This will continue for as long as you live there and meet all other eligibility requirements.
If 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 the31 endDecember of2020.
Read theour implementationguidance period.on benefits and pensions in the EU.
Driving licence rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020.
If you are resident in Austria, you should exchange your UK licence for an Austrian one . 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.
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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.
Current pet travel rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020.
If you’re travelling with your pet for the first time you must visit your vet to get a pet passport.
Read guidance on bringing your pet travelto the UK.
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.
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.
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.
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