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Countries / Austria
Austria
Vienna tops global quality-of-life rankings for good reason: superb transit, affordable rent controls, mountains an hour away; German and a formal culture are the price.
RegionWestern Europe
CapitalVienna
CurrencyEuro
LanguageGerman
Expat saturationHigh (20% foreign born)
Living cost · Mid-rangefrom $2,200/mo
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🇦🇹 Austria from aboveAustria in 60 secondsAerials of Vienna, Graz, Salzburg. Replace this slot with the video element; the text stays overlaid.
Ad
MMeridian Relocation
Door to door to Austria.
One quote, one contact, insured all the way. Packing, customs and delivery to Vienna.
Get a free quote →Trusted by 40,000 families
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CCasa Nova Rentals
Month-to-month homes in Vienna.
Furnished, utilities included, no deposit games. Move in from your phone.
Browse homes →From $900/month
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⚓Anchor Tax Advisors
Two countries. One tax return.
Cross-border tax for Americans and Britons living in Austria. Fixed fees, no surprises.
Book a call →Licensed in the US, UK & EU
Sample creative · fictional advertiserYour moveSets your plan and the listings on flights, hotels, rentals, furnishings, moving and retirement.
Your plan for Austria checklist · timeline · cost breakdown
Affordable move$11,400estimated first-year setup · about 33 weeksMid-range move$22,750estimated first-year setup · about 28 weeksLuxury move$65,100estimated first-year setup · about 20 weeksRetirement move$33,100estimated setup incl. visa, insurance and advice · about 48 weeks
Estimates for one adult before ongoing rent and living costs; couples and families scale up. Tap a plan for the full breakdown.
Austria by the numbers editorial estimates in US dollars
Worth of the dollar$1 ≈ €0.861 euro ≈ $1.16 · snapshot, changes daily · Current rate ↗
Utilities · 85 m² flat$230/moElectric, water, sewer & garbage
Home internet$35/moBroadband, typical plan
Wi-Fi & connectivity score84/100Median fixed broadband ≈ 120 Mbps
Internet reliability88/100Reliable in cities; occasional dips
English day-to-dayHighHow far English gets you
Remote-work time zoneFull EU overlapFull EU overlap, partial US (late)
Phone & eSIM$15/moLocal plan · travel eSIM ≈ $15/10 GB
Walkability of cities92/100Car-optional in the main cities
Air quality80/100Good; Vienna occasionally moderate in winter inversions
Healthy food & food safety88/100EU bans plus strict organic (Bio) standards; among Europe's highest organic share
Severe weather & hazards25/100 riskAlpine avalanches, spring flooding, summer storms; no seismic or hurricane risk
Drive on theRightLeft-hand-drive cars · Licence & vehicles →
Time zoneCET (UTC+1) with DSTCET (UTC+1) with DST; 6 hours ahead of New York
Literacy99%Adult literacy rate
Cost to give birthfree with insurancePublic free with insurance / private $4,000–7,000
Rural land$10,000–30,000per acre · $10,000–30,000 rural; Alpine land far higher
Beauty of cities94/100Architecture, setting, upkeep and green space
Petrol / fuel$1.65/L≈ $6.25 per US gallon
Doctor visit$60Basic clinic visit, paid privately
Emergency roomFreePublic system, at point of use
Dentist$80 / $120Check-up & cleaning / one filling
Life expectancy82 yrsAt birth
Unemployment5%National rate
Remote work & digital nomadsToleratedNo nomad visa; remote work for a foreign employer needs a residence title
🌤️ Climate
Continental with four real seasons: cold snowy winters, warm summers, golden autumns. Alpine west far colder and snowier than Vienna.
Winter · Jan0°C32°F
Spring · Apr11°C52°F
Summer · Jul21°C70°F
Autumn · Oct11°C52°F
Mean temperatures for Vienna.
🌧️ Rain & snow
Rainfall about 650 mm (26 in) a year.
Snow Regular in winter; heavy in the Alps.
⚖️ The law
Official legislationRIS (Federal legal information system) ↗
OverviewLaw of Austria on Wikipedia ↗
Driving On the right. Licence rules →
🏛️ Taxes
Property tax Grundsteuer very low, typically $200–600/yr.
Local & regional income tax None regional; church tax 1.1% if registered.
🎓 University
Near-free: EU ~$800/yr, non-EU ~$1,600/yr at public universities.
📱 Phone & eSIM
Carriers A1, Magenta, Drei.
Average cost Local SIM or eSIM with generous data about $15/month; a 30-day travel eSIM (Airalo, Holafly, Saily and similar) around $15 for 10 GB.
🎁 Schemes to attract expats
- Red-White-Red Card points system
- Near-free university for all
- Vienna's social housing keeps rents far below Western peers
- No inheritance or wealth tax
Figures are national averages for planning, not quotes; big cities run higher. Tax schemes change often and carry conditions. Verify before you rely on them.
Official sources for Austria embassies, warnings, law and reference
US Embassy in Austria↗All embassies and consulates in Austria↗US State Department travel advisory↗UK FCDO travel advice↗RIS (Federal legal information system)↗Law of Austria (Wikipedia)↗Austria on Wikipedia↗Austrian National Tourist Office (official tourism board)↗World Health Organization country profile↗Numbeo cost-of-living data↗
Government, intergovernmental and reference sites only; no reviews or opinion. Links open in a new tab.
Ratings & warnings independent
Visa informationTypes, step-by-step application, where to applyPassport renewalOfficial renewal links and timingLiveability scoreThe rating and what drives itSafety ratingCrime, stability and what the number meansTravel warningsState Department and UN advisories, liveRegional information & cuisineWhere to live and what you'll eatCommunity & meetupsFinding your people
Follows your Mid-range tier partner listings match your budget
FlightsGateways, routes and fares for your research tripHotels & accommodationWhere to stay while you scout, with videoRental propertiesNeighbourhoods, prices and how renting worksFurnishings & home setupFurniture, appliances, utilities and internetMoving & shippingGetting your life across the oceanRetirementVisas, costs and where retirees settle
Services & daily life one labelled partner per page
Airport taxis & transfersOfficial cabs, apps, rail links and faresTransportationGetting around, driving and licencesTrains, buses & ticketsIntercity travel and where to bookSchoolsInternational, bilingual and local optionsChild care & nanniesNurseries, nannies, au pairs and costsUniversitiesDegrees, fees and student visasPets: vets, boarding & relocationBringing animals, finding a vet and careLanguage classesLearning before and after you landBest restaurantsWhere locals and expats actually eatHospitals & healthcare accessHow to see a doctor, hospitals, insuranceBanking & money transferAccounts, transfers and currencyTax & legal helpResidency, treaties and who to hireJobs boardRoles open to foreigners, updated weeklyCoworking & remote workWork rights, spaces and freelancing
Rated & officialPartners in three tiersOne labelled partner
Life in Austria faith, wellbeing, shopping and play
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Interested in where astrology says you should live?Click here for more info on astrocartography and Austria.
Click here →🕊️ Religious servicesChurches, mosques, synagogues, temples and more🧘 Wellness & spiritualityYoga, retreats, meditation, spas and practitioners🛍️ Retail recommendationsWhere to shop for clothes, tech, homeware and gifts🧺 Groceries & marketsSupermarkets, local markets and what things cost🥾 Recreation & tour guidesOutdoors, sport, day trips and licensed guides📱 Phone & eSIMCarriers, eSIMs, plans and what they cost⛴️ Boats & ferriesFerry routes, marinas, boat rental and ownership🏖️ Beaches, lakes & riversSwimming, water quality and the best spots🚗 Vehicles & driving licenceRent or buy a car, and how to get a local licence🖼️ Art galleries, museums & librariesWhat's free, what costs, and where to start Holidays & festivalsNational holidays, closures and the festivals worth planning around
Holidays & festivalsNational holidays, closures and the festivals worth planning aroundJobs board · Austria
Search for jobs for free, or post a job for $100 USD.
Roles open to foreigners in Austria: remote work you can do from Vienna, and in-person jobs with employers who hire from abroad. Free for job seekers, always. Employers pay a flat $100 per listing, live for 60 days.
Latest listings. Example listings shown until the first real posts go live.
Example · Senior Software Engineer (React / Node)Northwind Labs · Remote, US or EU hours
$95,000–130,000USD
Example · English Teacher (adults & business)International Language Centre · Vienna · in person
€1,900–€2,800/moEUR