What life in Austria is like, according to locals

Discover the pros and cons of life in Austria for expats. From affordable cost of living and free healthcare to a language barrier and high taxes.

Ivandzhelin

7 minute read

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Updated on 16 Aug 2024

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Living

Is Austria a good place to live? If you’re considering living in Austria, you’re probably asking yourself this very question. Austria has a high quality of life, a well-developed public transport system, and breathtaking scenery. But before you pack your bags, getting to know your new home better is a good idea. To help you answer this, we’ll delve into the pros and cons of living in Austria.

There are so many benefits of living in Austria to consider. This is why we’ve highlighted the 7 most important pros of living in Austria:

1. Austria has a high quality of life
2. Austria has an affordable cost of living
3. Austria has a breathtaking scenery
4. Austria has a well-developed public transport network
5. Austria’s healthcare is accessible to everyone
6. Austria has world-class and affordable education
7. Austria has a great work-life balance

1. Austria has a high quality of life

Austria’s quality of life ranks 9th in the world, offering residents lots of perks like free healthcare, tenant-friendly rights and even free kindergarten. With an air quality index of 40 and drinkable tap water, the country’s environment contributes to the wellbeing of Austrian citizens. Safety is also a strong suit, with a safety index of 70, making Austria one of Europe's safest spots.

Another benefit of living in Austria is that there’s no shortage of fun! From skiing in the Alps to swimming in the lakes, Austria has it all. You can visit over 1,000 museums, eat some of the best food in Europe or visit the oldest zoo in the world in Vienna . Plus, its central location makes hopping over to neighboring countries a breeze.

2. Austria has an affordable cost of living

With an average cost of living of €1,900 monthly for a single person, Austria is one of the cheaper European countries to live in. Your living expenses will vary depending on your lifestyle, the city you live in, and the type of accommodation you live in. Renting in Austria is affordable in comparison to the rest of Europe. But finding a place to live in Vienna is more expensive than in Graz and cheaper than in Salzburg.

Moreover, another benefit of living in Austria is the balanced salary-to-living-cost ratio. With an average net salary of €2,966 per month, residents can comfortably cover their expenses while enjoying the country's high quality of life.

3. Austria has breathtaking scenery

One of the reasons Austria is a good place to live is the gorgeous scenery and offers plethora of things to do. Austria is known for its nature, from pristine lakes and national parks to Alpine landscapes and stunning waterfalls. Places like Zell am See, Grüner, and the Lünerse lakes draw people from all over with their beauty. Living in Austria, you’ll be able to experience these places without much hassle. You will also have ample outdoor recreation and relaxation opportunities, like hiking, skiing, mountain biking, and thermal spas.

4. Austria has a well-developed public transport network

You can reach any destination in Austria just by public transport because of its well-organized network of trains, buses, trams, and metros. A bigger benefits is that it’s also affordable. There are plenty of subscriptions and discounts you can take advantage of.

Like the KlimaTicket, which allows you to travel unlimited with all public transportation in Austria for €1,095 annually (or €83 monthly). Other popular public transport subscriptions include the semesterticket available to university students, youth tickets for school students, and family tickets.

Trains in Austria are punctual and comfortable, connecting you with Austria and the rest of Europe. Because of its 95% punctuality rate, Austria’s train system is considered one of the best in Europe. To save money on trains in Austria, you can get a ÖBB Vorteilscard, which gives you between 40% and 50% discount on train fares.

In major cities like Vienna, you can rely on buses, trams and metros to reach your destination. Each city has its own subscriptions for public transport that allow you to save money. For example, for Vienna’s public transport, you can get an annual ticket costing €365 and travel unlimited within the city and suburbs.

5. Austria’s healthcare is accessible to everyone

When you live in Austria, having health insurance is a requirement. Luckily, the healthcare system is accessible and affordable, with mandatory contributions of only 7.6% of your Austrian salary. Additionally, support is available for low-income individuals and families through subsidies.

To access Austrian healthcare, you’ll need to apply for Austrian health insurance. Public insurance has basic coverage, including things like visits to the GP, certain medications, and hospital stays. If you want more expensive coverage, you can opt for private health insurance. The healthcare system in Austria is stellar, with modern hospitals and skilled and trained healthcare professionals.

6. Austria has world-class and affordable education

One of the biggest benefits of living in Austria is the access to the highest-ranking universities in the world. Educational institutions like the University of Vienna, the Graz University of Technology, and the University of Klagenfurt attract thousands of international students every year.

Another perk of studying in Austria is the affordability of education. Austrian public universities are free for EU/EEA/Swiss students and cost €726 per semester for non-EU/EEA/Swiss students. If you decide to study at an applied sciences university, your tuition fees will be €363 per semester for EU/EEA/Swiss students and between €727 and €7,500 for international students.

One thing to note is that while most large universities in Austria offer plenty of courses in English, for smaller universities or specific degree programs you’ll need German.

7. Austria has a great work-life balance

Another perk of living in Austria is that Austrians have a great work-life balance, plenty of vacation days, pension benefits, and parental leave. If you’re working in Austria full-time, you’ll have around 25 legal vacation days per year, supplemented by 13 public holidays. So, in total, you get a minimum of 38 days annually of paid vacation.

Parental leave policies are also socially-orientated, with couples eligible for up to 22 months of leave. Additionally, Austrian employees benefit from robust pension and retirement plans thanks to consistent social contributions deducted from their monthly earnings.

Moreover, Austria's 13th and 14th salary system provides additional financial rewards. Equivalent to a monthly salary each, these payments, known as holiday pay, are disbursed mid-year and at year-end. Keep in mind that while you receive them alongside your regular salary, the 13th and 14th salaries are subject to different tax rates based on individual tax brackets.

Like any other country, Austria has its cons. We’ve highlighted the 5 most important disadvantages of living in Austria for expats.

1. Austria has a strong language barrier
2. Austria doesn’t have many English-speaking jobs
3. Austria has high taxes
4. Austrians are reserved
5. Austrian stores have short working hours

1. Austria has a strong language barrier

Austrians speak German, and while this may pose a barrier for expats in Austria, it can be overcome. English is spoken in many urban areas, but knowledge of German is beneficial for living in Austria and getting integrated better.

Integration programs and language courses are available for expats wanting to learn German. You can sign up for courses available in your area through the universities or online courses from language academies.

If you’re moving to Austria to study, you can sign up for courses organized by the Austrian government in your own country or in Austria.

2. Austria doesn’t have many English-speaking jobs

A second disadvantage of living in Austria is that the unemployment rate for foreign nationals is higher at 9.1% compared to the national average of 6.3%. This is largely because of the language barrier, as there aren’t many English-speaking jobs available. While positions in English do exist, they are primarily concentrated in major cities like Vienna or tourist hubs such as Salzburg. If you want to work in Austria, it’s best to learn the language as you’ll have an easier time finding a job.

3. Austria has high taxes

Taxes in Austria are higher compared to other countries in Europe. Although you won't be charged income tax for the first €12,465, the tax rate is 41% for income between €34,192 and €66,178. It’s important to note that while taxes may be higher than in other European countries, they support Austria's social welfare system, providing residents with benefits like free healthcare, education, and social security.

Employees also receive beneficial tax breaks on special payments like bonuses and extra salaries. These special payments are taxed at a lower rate of 6%, and the first €620 of such payments are entirely tax-free.

Working students also receive tax benefits. If you’re working part-time (40 hours per month) and earn up to €518.44 per month, you won’t have to pay taxes, as you’re exempt from making social security contributions.

So while higher taxes might be a disadvantage of living in Austria, the social benefits you contribute to make Austria a good place to live.

4. Austrians are reserved

Austrians may seem reserved at first, but don't take it personally—they're not unfriendly, just cautious. Especially if you don’t speak German, the language barrier can really get in the way of becoming friends with the locals.

On the plus side, Austria has a strong international community making it a welcoming place to live. Most major cities have expat groups, maybe even expat groups from your home country! Be sure to check out Facebook, Meetup, and other social media groups to see what your city has to offer.

5. Austrian stores have short working hours

One of the disadvantages of living in Austria is that, Austrian supermarkets open early in the morning at 7 AM and close at 7 PM at night during the week. Some supermarket chains like Bila are open until 8 PM, but it really depends on which city you live in. The same goes for retail stores, like H&M, whose working hours depend on the location.

On Saturday stores close even earlier at 6 PM, and they don’t open on Sundays. Generally, on Sundays and public holidays, most businesses and shops stay closed, except for a few exceptions, such as pharmacies, gas stations, and restaurants.

Austria is a good place to live because of the high standard of living, accessible healthcare and education systems, low crime rates, and gorgeous scenery. The economy is strong, and the country is safe and stable. Austria also has a rich cultural heritage and good transportation infrastructure. Overall, it’s one of the best countries in the world to live in.