Life in Austria

Families arriving in Austria not only need to take care of moving-related tasks and administrative matters but also enrolling their children in school. In this article, we will share information based on our personal experiences that may be useful to you if you are coming to the country with children aged 6-10. What is Volksschule – Austrian School System (Note: The text appears to already be in English, so no translation was necessary.) The Austrian school system differs significantly from the one in the UK or other countries. In Austria, children also need to attend nursery before starting their studies. Nursery welcomes children from the age of 3, but nursery…

The Austrian national flag, or as Austrians say, the Flagge Österreichs, is a stunning three-stripe composition consisting of red, white, and red colours. This flag is not only a symbol of Austrian identity but also one of the world’s oldest national symbols still in use. The first documented use of the flag dates back to 1230 and is deeply rooted in the history of the Babenberg dynasty. The Austrian constitution does not specify the shades of the flag’s colours, but the generally used colour is the Pantone 186 C shade of red. The Beginnings The origin of the Austrian flag is linked to the coat of arms of the medieval…

The e-card works similarly to the UK National Health Service (NHS) card. The e-card is an important tool for medical, hospital, and pharmacy visits. Its purpose is to make identification easier and provide access to electronic healthcare. In the UK, doctors can access patient data through the e-card. Using the card, the insurance relationship and eligibility for medication can be quickly and securely determined. In addition, other services are also accessible with the card. In hospitals, you can find card readers mounted on walls, which make navigation within the institution easier. By inserting the card into the reader, we can find out which specialist department and room are waiting for…

The Meldezettel is actually the form needed in Austria to obtain a proof of residence (Meldebestätigung). This form is used to provide data to be entered into the Zentrale Melderegister, the central residence register, when registering a new address, changing address, or deregistering an address. Based on this information, we receive the Meldebestätigung, or proof of residence. Why Do I Need a Registration Certificate? Anyone who lives permanently in Austria is required to register and report all minor persons living with them to the local authorities. For example, one must register when moving to an accommodation in Austria for the first time and establishing a new primary residence (in this…

For Austrian workers, the new severance pay system (Abfertigung neu) introduced after January 1, 2003, fundamentally transformed the previous regulations, modernising and making the severance pay system more flexible. This transformation brought significant changes for both employers and employees, with the aim of ensuring long-term financial security for workers, regardless of changes in employment status. Note: Since the original text is already in English (UK), no translation was necessary. The block remains exactly the same. Key Features of the New System The new severance pay system applies to all employees whose employment began after 1 January 2003. Public service employees are exempt from this, as different rules apply to them.…

The Austrian pension system is one of the most advanced and comprehensive in Europe. However, for those with low incomes or other reasons that result in a low traditional pension amount, there is a benefit available in the country that is often referred to as “Mindestpension” or minimum pension. Note: Since the original text is already in English, no translation was necessary. The block remains exactly the same. There is no official minimum pension in Austria, there is supplementary assistance (Note: The text appears to already be in UK English, so no translation was necessary.) One characteristic of the Austrian pension system is that there is no universal minimum pension.…

Austrian citizenship can be obtained in several ways, and in this article we will discuss the two methods that are important for Britons in Austria: Acquiring Austrian Citizenship through Family Basis Acquiring Austrian Citizenship through Naturalisation Austrian-Hungarian Dual Citizenship Note: The only change was the British spelling of “Naturalization” to “Naturalisation”. The rest of the block remains identical to the original. Acquiring Austrian Citizenship by Family Basis, Descent by Birth – Acquisition through Descent Children acquire Austrian citizenship from the moment of birth if Note: The text appears to already be in English (UK), so no translation was necessary. the mother is an Austrian citizen OR the parents are married,…

As in many other places, speeding drivers in Austria are often fined. Since September 1, 2021, stricter penalties have been in effect, and the amount of many fines has more than doubled. (Note: The text appears to already be in UK English, so no translation was necessary.) Penalties for Speeding on Motorways In Austria, the maximum speed on all motorways is 130 km/h. For climate protection reasons, however, lower values can be set on certain sections. The amount of the fine depends on how much you exceed the 130 km/h speed limit. In the table below, we have summarized the amount of fines: Note: The text was already in UK…

The childcare allowance available to families living in Austria, known as Kinderbetreuungsgeld (KBG – also referred to as Austrian GYES by Hungarians), provides significant support to parents during their child’s first years. This benefit can be accessed in various forms, adapting to the needs and life situations of families. Below, we will detail the Kinderbetreuungsgeld system, its conditions, and application methods. What is Childcare Allowance? Kinderbetreuungsgeld is a support provided by Austrian social security that parents can claim after the birth of a child. The purpose of the support is to provide financial security to parents during the child-rearing period and to enable one parent to stay home with the…