Living in Austria

Coronavirus

You should follow the advice of the Government of Austria and your local authority. You can also read our Austria travel advice for our latest guidance.

For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine as a UK national in Austria see our coronavirus travel advice.

Stay up to date

You should:

• sign up for email alerts to this guidance
• follow the British Embassy in Austria on Facebook and Twitter
• take part in an embassy Q&A

The Withdrawal Agreement

TheIf Withdrawalyou Agreementwere setslegally outresident thein termsAustria ofbefore the1 UK’sJanuary withdrawal2021, fromyour therights EUwill andbe providesprotected forby athe dealWithdrawal onAgreement.

You citizens’must rights.apply Itfor sets out a transitionnew periodresidence whichstatus lastsby until 31 December 2020.2021 Duringto thissecure timeyour yourights. canYou continuedo tonot live,need workto andshow studyproof inof theGerman EUlanguage broadlyskills aswhen you didapply.

You beforeshould 31also Januaryread 2020.our guidance on living in Europe.

Visas and residency

If you arewere legally resident in Austria atbefore the1 endJanuary of2021, theyou transitionneed period,to youapply willfor bea coverednew by‘Article the50’ Withdrawalresidence Agreement,card.

In andVienna, youryou rights will beneed protectedto formake asan longappointment asat youthe remainMA35 resident(local immigration office) in Austria.Arndtstrasse.

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Visas

If andyou residency

Checkhave thebeen entryliving requirementsin Austria for Austria.

more than 5 years

Residency

If you arehave residentbeen living in Austria beforecontinuously thefor transitionmore periodthan ends5 onyears, 31your December‘Article 202050’ youcard will be ablevalid tofor stay.10 UKyears.

If you or your family members have a long-term residence certificate for EU/EEA nationals will(Bescheinigung bedes ableDaueraufenthalts) toor continuea topermanent moveresidence topermit Austria(Daueraufenthaltskarte duringor theDaueraufenthalt-EU), transitionyou period.

Youcan mustexchange registerthis withfor the Austriannew authorities‘Article if50’ card for free. Administrative charges might apply.

If you wanthave topermanent stayresidency rights in Austria.Austria Youbut needdo to:

• getnot have a long-term residence registrationcertificate form(or (Meldezettel)pre-2006 withinequivalent), 3you daysmay ofbe movingasked intoto yourbring newsupporting home
• getdocuments ato registrationshow certificateyou (Anmeldebescheinigung)have withinbeen 4living months of arriving in Austria

Austria.

ReadYou themay Austrianalso government’sbe guidanceeligible onfor permanent residence registrationbefore and5 years, read the EU guidance on registrationresidency certificatesrights,.

If includingyou detailshave ofbeen financialliving requirementsin Austria for staysless of more than 35 months.

years

ToIf confirmyou yourhave rightsbeen underliving thein WithdrawalAustria Agreement,for less than 5 years, you will needbe toeligible apply for aan new‘Article residency50’ document.residence Thecard Austrianwith authorities5 haveyears’ notvalidity. yetYou confirmedwill theneed process,to butprovide onceevidence itof isyour announcedpersonal yousituation will(as havea untilworker, atstudent, leastself-sufficient 30person, JuneBritish 2021family tomember submitor yourBritish application.spouse of an Austrian national) and proof of comprehensive health insurance.

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Passports and travel

TheYou rulesshould oncarry travelyour willresidence staycard, theas samewell untilas theyour transitionvalid periodpassport endswhen onyou 31travel. DecemberIf 2020.you Duringhave thisapplied timebut not yet received your card, carry your certificate of application.

If you canhave continuenot toyet travelapplied tofor countriesa inresidence thecard, Schengenyou areashould orcarry elsewhereevidence that you are resident in theAustria. EUThis withcould include a tenancy agreement or a utility bill in your UKname, passport.dating from 2020.

CheckIf youryou passportcannot isshow validthat foryou travelare beforeresident in Austria, you bookmay yourbe trip.asked Youradditional passportquestions shouldat bethe validborder forto enter the proposedSchengen durationarea, ofand your stay.

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Passportsnot fromaffect 1your Januaryrights 2021in Austria.

Passports

Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip.

From 1You Januarycan 2021,apply youfor or renew your British passport.

You must have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland). This requirement does not apply if you are entering or transiting toAustria Austria, and you are in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement.

If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.

You will need to renewRenew your passport before travellingbooking your travel if you do not have enough time left on your passport.

As a non-EEA national, different border checks will apply when travelling to other EU or Schengen area countries. You may need to show a return or onward ticket and that you have enough money for your stay. You may also have to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing. YourYou passport may bealso stampedneed forto visitsshow toa thesereturn countries.or onward ticket.

Entry requirements

FromYou 1can January 2021, you will be able to travel to other Schengen area countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for purposes such as tourism.

To Thisstay islonger athan rolling90 180-daydays period.

Toin stayany for180-day longer,period, to work or study, or for business travel, you willmust need to meet the entry requirements set out by the country to which you are travelling.travelling to. This could mean applying for a visa or work permit. You may also need to get a visa if your visit would take you over the 90 days in 180 days limit.

Periods of staytime authorised underby a visa or permit will not count againsttowards the 90-day limit.visa-free Travel to the UK and the Ireland will not change.limit.

Different rules will apply to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen Area.area. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.

Healthcare

IfTravel youto arethe livingUK inand AustriaIreland orhas movenot there permanently before 31 December 2020, you’ll have life-long healthcare rights in Austria as you do now, provided you remain resident.changed.

Healthcare

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).(Sozialversicherungsträger). Your employer will normally deduct health insurance contributions from your salary and make the payments on your behalf.

IfRead youour areguidance residenton healthcare in Austria and havemake statutorysure oryou voluntaryare healthcorrectly insuranceregistered.

If fromyour anUK Austrianemployer providerhas (Krankenkasse),sent youryou access to healthcareAustria willtemporarily, notyour changeaccess afterto 31healthcare Januaryis 2020.

Readdifferent. ourFind guidanceout onhow whoto can access healthcare inas Austriaa andposted how to registerworker.

State healthcare: S1

If you livehave ina Austriaregistered andS1 receiveform anand exportablewere UKliving pension,in contribution-basedAustria Employmentbefore Support1 AllowanceJanuary or2021, anotheryour exportablerights benefit,to youaccess mayhealthcare currentlywill bestay entitledthe tosame stateif healthcareyou paidare foreither:

• receiving bya the UK. YouState mustPension
• receiving applysome forother ‘exportable benefits’
• a certificatefrontier ofworker entitlementwho knownlives asin anAustria S1and certificate.
  commutes to work in the UK

Read our guidance on howusing to get an S1 formin Austria. to ensure you are correctly registered for healthcare.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

If you are resident in Austria, you shouldmust not use your EHIC from the UK-issued EHIC for healthcare in Austria.

WhenIf you travelwere fromliving Austria for a temporary stay in anotherAustria Europeanbefore Economic1 AreaJanuary (EEA)2021, countryyou ormay Switzerland,be youeligible canfor usea annew UK-issued EHIC toif access state-provided healthcare in that country. During that short stay:you’re:

• thea EHICUK coversstudent treatmentin that is medically necessary until your planned return homeAustria
• ana EHICUK isState notPensioner with a replacementregistered for comprehensive travel insuranceS1
• fora morefrontier informationworker readwith oura travelregistered advice pages and advice on foreign travel insurance S1

ThereApply willnow befor noa changesnew toUK yourEHIC.

An healthcare access before 31 December 2020. You can also continue to use your EHIC, asis younot dida before,replacement duringfor thiscomprehensive time.travel insurance.

IfFor youmore areinformation a student, read theour NHS guidance on healthcare when travelling in Europe and studyingadvice abroadon foreign travel insurance.

You should also read guidance on:

• finding an English-speaking doctor in Austria
• searching for an English-speaking doctor in Vienna
• finding English-speaking medical facilities and practitioners in Austria
• checking your prescriptions are legal

Mountain rescue is not covered by standard Austrian health insurance.

Working in Austria

If you arewere registeredlegally as a resident in Austria,Austria before 1 January 2021, you have the right to work, as long as you remain resident.

If you are planning to come to Austria to work inyou Austria.may need a visa. Read ourthe Austrian government’s guidance on workingwork invisas anand EUmigration countryto Austria.

• to To apply for a job you may need to provide a:
  • a UK police certificate
  • Austrian criminal records certificate (Strafregisterbescheinigung)

  Frontier workers

  If you arelive living in Austria onand were regularly commuting to work in another EU or EFTA country before 311 DecemberJanuary 2020,2021 youryou rightmay need a permit to show that you are a frontier worker. You must also apply for a residence card in Austria.

  If you live in the UK or another EU or EFTA country and regularly commuted to work in Austria before 1 January 2021 you need a certificate. You should apply for a “Bestätigung gemäß § 3 Absatz 8 Ausländerbeschäftigungsgesetz für “Artikel 50 EUV – Grenzgänger und Grenzgängerinnen” certificate at the regional office of the Austrian Public Employment Service (Arbeitsmarktservice).

  Read the Austrian government guidance on working in Austria.

  Education and professional qualifications

  You will staybe eligible for the same,same tuition fees as Austrian nationals, as long as you remainwere legally resident in Austria before 1 January 2021. You must apply for a residence card in Austria.

  Education

  Read andour professionalguidance qualifications

  on:
  • continuing your studies in the EU
  • healthcare for students in Austria

  Moving to Austria to study

  If you are planning to study in Austria, seemake sure you meet all visa requirements before you arrive. Contact the relevant Higher Education provider in Austria to check what fees you may have to pay

  Read the Austrian Agency for International cooperation in Education and Research (OeAD) website for more information on entry and admission requirements.

  If youRead areour livingguidance on studying in Austriathe beforeEuropean 31Union.

  Professional Decemberqualifications

  You 2020,may need to get your rightprofessional toqualification studyrecognised willif stayyou thewant same,to aswork longin asa youprofession remainthat residentis regulated in Austria.

  For moreWhen informationdoing readthis, studyingyou inwill be subject to the Europeanthird Union.country regulations.

  Professional qualifications

  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:

  • ENIC NARIC is the information centre for the academic and professional recognition of qualifications
  • the Austrian single point of contact for service providers
  • the business chamber that covers your professional area, such as the Chamber of Lawyers, the Chamber of Auditors and Chamber of Doctors
  • the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (teachers only)

  If you are unsure which is the relevant organisation, contact the National Contact Point in Austria.

  If youyour havequalification alreadywas beenofficially recognised by anthe EUrelevant countryregulator asin holdingAustria validbefore professional1 qualifications, this will remain valid after 31 January 2020.

  If2021, youmake havesure not had your professional qualifications recognised, you canunderstand submitthe anterms applicationof underyour therecognition currentdecision rulesby untilchecking 31with Decemberthat 2020.regulator.

  Recognition of legal qualifications

  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.

  Money and tax

  The UK has a double taxation agreement with Austria to make sure that you 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:

  • telling HMRC if you leave the UK to live abroad
  • tax on your UK income if you live abroad
  • paying income tax in Austria

  You should get professional advice on paying tax in Austria. You can find a tax adviser (Steuerberater) or accountant at Kammer der WirtschaftstreuhänderWirtschaftstreuhänderor or find an English-speaking lawyer.

  National Insurance

  Find out if you canneed to pay National Insurance whilein abroadthe soUK thator yousocial protectsecurity yourcontributions Statein PensionAustria.

  Banking

  Whether andUK entitlementbanks can provide services to othercustomers benefitsliving in the EEA is a matter of local law and allowances.

  Ifregulation. Your bank or finance provider should contact you areif employedthey orneed self-employedto inmake theany EUchanges to your product or EEAthe andway they provide it. If you have aany UK-issuedconcerns A1/E101about form,whether you willmight remainbe subjectaffected, tocontact UKyour legislationprovider untilor seek independent financial advice.

  Read the endMoney dateand Pension Service guidance on thebanking, form.insurance and financial services changes for more information on cross-border banking.

  Pensions

  Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Austria.

  You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

  If you retire in Austria, you can claim:

  • your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre to claim
  • your Austrian State Pension if you worked in Austria
  • pensions from working abroad, if you’ve worked in other EU countries

  Read the Money and Pension Service guidance on pension and retirement changes for more information on cross-border pensions.

  Life certificates for UK State Pensions

  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.

  Pensions after 31 December 2021

  Benefits

  ThereRead willour beguidance no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claimingentitlement the UK State Pension 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 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 explained in the new State 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 31 December 2020.

  If you are considering moving to Austria on or after 1 January 2021 and you are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, the rules depend on negotiations with the EU and may change. Check our guidance on benefits and pensions in the EU.

  You canwhile continue to receive your UK State Pension if you liveare living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you can still claim your UK State Pension.Austria.

  Benefits

  You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

  YouCheck maywhich stillUK be able to claim some benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in Austria. You should:

  • read our guidance on which benefits you can claim ifwhile you live abroad
  • use ourand toolhow to check which benefits you can claim while you’re abroad
  them.

  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.

  YouIf canyou requestwere prooflegally ofresident the time you’ve worked in theAustria UKbefore from1 HMRCJanuary if you are asked for this.

  Benefits after 31 December 2021

  There willand becontinue noto changeslive beforein 31Austria, Decemberyou 2020have to the rulessame onaccess claimingto UKAustrian benefits in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.

  If younationals. areUntil living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020,2021, youthis willis continuenot todependent receiveon anyhaving UKapplied benefits you already receive. This will continue for asor longreceived asyour youArticle live50 there and meet all other eligibility requirements.card.

  IfYou youmay workbe andeligible payto socialclaim securitysome contributionsAustrian 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 31 December 2020..

  IfYou youcan arerequest consideringproof movingof to Austria on or after 1 January 2021 and you are not covered by the Withdrawaltime Agreement,you’ve theworked rulesin depend on negotiations with the EUUK andfrom mayHMRC change.if Checkyou our guidanceare onasked benefitsfor and pensions in the EU.this.

  Driving in Austria

  Driving licence rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020.

  If you are resident in Austria, you shouldmust exchange your UK licence for an Austrian one .within You6 canmonths stillof 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.arriving.

  For information on driving in Austria, read our guidance on:

  • what you need to drive abroad
  • driving rules in Austria

  If you are resident 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.

  Driving in the UK with an Austrian licence

  You can use your Austrian licence in the UK for short visits, or exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test. We will update these pages if there are any changes to the rules, as soon as information is available.

  Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Austria

  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.

  Voting

  You cannot vote in general, regional or local elections in Austria or European Parliament elections.Austria.

  You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

  • check if you are able to vote
  • register as an overseas voter to vote

  Births, deaths and getting married

  If your child is born in Austria, you will need to register a birth abroad.

  If someone dies in Austria you can:

  • read our guidance on what to do after someone dies abroad
  • read guidance for UK nationals on bereavements in Austria
  • find a list of English-speaking funeral directors in Austria

  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:

  • English-speaking lawyers in Austria
  • translators and interpreters in Austria

  Accommodation and buying property

  Read guidance on how to buy a property abroad.

  Property ownership laws in Austria vary by province.

  Pets

  CurrentIf you have a pet passport issued by Austria or another EU member state, you can use it to travel ruleswith willyour staypet theto sameGreat untilBritain 31and Decemberelsewhere 2020.in the EU.

  IfA you’reGB-issued travellingEU withpet yourpassport petis not valid for travel to the firstEU timeor youNorthern mustIreland. visitYou should speak to your vet before you travel to get athe necessary pet passport.travel documents and ensure you’re compliant with the EU Pet Travel Regulations.

  Read guidance on on:

  • bringing your pet to GB
  • travelling with your pet in the UKEU.
  • travelling to Northern Ireland with your pet

  Check the rules of the country you’re travelling to for any additional restrictions or requirements before you travel.

  Emergencies

  As well as the European emergency number 112, Austria also has:

  • 122 for the fire brigade
  • 128 for gas-related emergencies
  • 133 for police
  • 140 for mountain rescue
  • 141 for doctors
  • 142 for telephone counselling
  • 144 for rescue/ambulance
  • 147 for emergency services for children and young people

  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.

  Returning to the UK

  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:

  • local registration office (Gemeindeamt or Magistrat)
  • health insurance provider (Krankenkasse)
  • bank and local service providers

  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.

  Disclaimer

  Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Austrian authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.