Moving Abroad from Austria: Deregistration and Essential Steps in 2026

Moving from Austria to another country involves more than packing your belongings. You may need to complete several deregistrations and notifications (An- und Abmeldungen), and some of them have deadlines. This guide outlines the main areas to check before leaving.

In brief

• Moving abroad can involve several deregistrations and notifications.
• Some steps have deadlines, so they should be handled before you leave.
• Important areas include your vehicle, ORF-Beitrag, dog tax, energy supplier, telephone and internet services.
• For moving abroad, relevant topics include entry, residence and settlement, employment, and studying in the EU.
• The information was last updated on 14 January 2026.

Why should you start early?

Some deregistrations are subject to deadlines. For this reason, it is advisable to complete these steps before moving rather than waiting until after you have left Austria.

Exact deadlines vary depending on the provider and the individual matter. They are not listed separately here, so check each contract and administrative matter to find out when and how it can be cancelled, transferred or updated.

Which areas may require deregistration?

Several parts of your household and daily life may be affected. The following overview groups the main areas by topic:

• Home and household: waste collection (Abfallentsorgung/Müllabfuhr) and the energy supplier (Energieversorgungsunternehmen)
• Communication and media: telephone and internet (Telefon und Internet), cable connection (Kabelanschluss), and ORF contribution (ORF-Beitrag)
• Transport: vehicle (Fahrzeug), vehicle deregistration (Kfz-Abmeldung), vehicle registration (Kfz-Zulassung), and parking permit (Parkerlaubnis)
• Family and animals: kindergarten and school (Kindergarten und Schule), and dog tax (Hundeabgabe, Hundesteuer)

Not every item applies to everyone. For example, you do not need to deal with vehicle or dog-related matters if you do not have a car or dog.

Housing, utilities and services

If you are leaving your Austrian home, you should also settle the services connected with the household. These include waste collection and your energy supplier, meaning the company providing your electricity or gas.

You should also review your telephone, internet and cable connection contracts. The conditions for cancellation are normally set out in your individual contracts.

The ORF contribution (ORF-Beitrag) is another separate item to deal with when moving abroad.

Vehicles, parking and dog tax

If you own a car, your move may involve several steps. Check the vehicle itself, vehicle deregistration (Kfz-Abmeldung) and vehicle registration (Kfz-Zulassung). If you have a residential parking permit (Parkerlaubnis), include that in your checklist as well.

Dog owners should also deal with dog tax (Hundeabgabe, also known as Hundesteuer), as this is another matter that may need to be settled when moving.

Children: kindergarten and school

If you are moving with children, arrange the relevant kindergarten and school matters (Kindergarten und Schule). A child's connection with an educational institution does not end automatically simply because the family moves away.

Where to find information about the destination country

The topic of moving abroad (Umzug ins Ausland) covers three main areas:

1. entry, residence and settlement in the EU (Einreise, Aufenthalt und Niederlassung in der EU),
2. employment in the EU (Erwerbstätigkeit in der EU),
3. studying in the EU (Studieren in der EU).

These topics are particularly useful if you are moving to another EU country and need information about residence, work or study rules.

For information from the Austrian government, visit the oesterreich.gv.at portal and look for the “Umzug ins Ausland” section.

Frequently asked questions

Do deregistrations have deadlines?

Some deregistrations are subject to deadlines. It is therefore advisable to complete them before moving. The specific deadline depends on the matter.

What should I do if I have a car?

Deal with the vehicle, vehicle deregistration (Kfz-Abmeldung), vehicle registration (Kfz-Zulassung) and any parking permit (Parkerlaubnis) connected with your home.

Do I need to deal with the ORF contribution?

Yes. The ORF contribution (ORF-Beitrag) is listed separately among the notifications and deregistrations to consider when moving.

Where can I find information about moving within the EU?

The “Umzug ins Ausland” section of the oesterreich.gv.at portal provides information about settlement, employment and studying in the EU.

Practical steps before you leave

1. Make a list of every service, contract and registration connected with your Austrian home.
2. Check the deadline and cancellation procedure for each contract or administrative matter.
3. Arrange waste collection, the energy supplier, telephone, internet, cable connection and ORF-Beitrag where applicable.
4. Complete vehicle deregistration (Kfz-Abmeldung), vehicle registration (Kfz-Zulassung) and parking permit arrangements if relevant.
5. Deal with dog tax (Hundeabgabe, Hundesteuer) if you own a dog.
6. Notify your child's kindergarten or school if you are moving with children.
7. Use the “Umzug ins Ausland” information on oesterreich.gv.at to check entry, residence, employment and study requirements for your destination.

This article is based on information available online and does not constitute professional advice. If you need specialist assistance, consult an appropriate legal, employment or other qualified professional.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at