Work in Austria

Austria is a great destination for anyone with a good knowledge of the German language. Discover what it's like to work in Austria...

Job market in Austria

The Austrian economy is growing steadily and the sectors that are employing the most people are: goods manufacturing; retail; real estate; business services; construction; healthcare; and social services.

If you want a job lasting only a few months, then Austria's tourism industry is the best place to look. There are opportunities to work in a restaurant or as a ski instructor in the famous ski-resorts of the Alps.

Job vacancies

Search for jobs in Austria at:

• EURES Job Search  
• Jobnet Austria  (in German)
• Stepstone Austria  

Work experience and internships in Austria

In Austria, placements and internships are common and flexible, ranging from just a few weeks to a year. There are opportunities available throughout the year and these are listed on websites such as the Austrian Employment Service (AMS) .

Internships and summer work placements for students can also be arranged by:

• AIESEC UK  - for students and recent graduates; 
• IAESTE UK  - for science, engineering and applied arts students.

Volunteering in Austria

If you want to improve your CV and language skills, as well as demonstrate your ability to work in a multilingual environment, you may be interested in volunteering in the country.

The European Commission (EC) funds a scheme called The European Voluntary Service (EVS) , which is aimed at 18 to 30-year olds who want to volunteer abroad. Opportunities can last for up to 12 months.

Accommodation, travel, food and insurance are all covered by a European grant and you even receive a personal allowance each month.

Other volunteering schemes are available through:

• Concordia  
• International Voluntary Service (IVS) in Britain

Language requirements

The key to gaining employment in Austria is being able to speak German. For almost all jobs, it's essential that you have a good understanding of the language (both spoken and written).

The Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch (ÖSD)  is Austria's officially recognised examination system for German as a foreign language, with exam centres all over the world.

Other institutions and organisations also offer a variety of German language courses. For more information, visit the association of Austrian language schools Campus Austria .

Austrian visas and immigration

According to the EC, European Union (EU) citizens have the right to:

• move to another EU country to work without a work permit;
• enjoy equal treatment with nationals in access to employment, working conditions and all other social and tax advantages;
• stay in the country even after employment has finished.

For more information and to check what conditions and restrictions apply, see:

• European Commission - Free Movement EU Nationals  
• Europa - Work-Related Rights  
• Europa - Workers and Pensioners    

EU nationals may also be entitled to have certain types of health and social security coverage transferred to the country in which they go to seek work. For country-specific information on social security entitlements, see European Commission - Your Rights Country by Country .

Depending on your occupation, your qualifications may be recognised in some countries. To find out more, visit Europa - Qualifications for Employment .