If you are thinking of emigrating to Austria, you should know that living in Austria has its pros and cons.
Currently, job opportunities in Austria are good, especially in certain industries. Salaries are high on average and are based on performance-related standards.
Working hours are 8 and only 8 hours per day. No supervisor will expect you to work longer hours. On the contrary, as a supervisor he is obliged to take care of the health of his subordinates. This means more free time, more personal satisfaction and thus an increase in productivity.
We are also on a different planet in terms of respect and dignity of the employee. Work shifts and breaks are strictly observed, and there is no moonlighting. One thing is for sure: Austria gives young people the opportunity to enter the workforce. Unfortunately, this is not possible in many countries, where in most cases experienced workers are needed.
The bureaucracy is not at the level of the Scandinavian countries, but it is nevertheless clear and straightforward. It functions much better than those in the Latin countries, which is actually not difficult.
The level of security is very good. Children of compulsory school age go to school alone. Women can go for walks alone, even late at night. There are criminals and dishonest people in Austria too, the opposite would be unthinkable, but in a much lower percentage than in other countries.
The weather is not the best. Winter is long, January and February are usually very rough, the gray weather will be the constant that characterizes your days.
In Austria you have to plan everything in advance, spontaneity and imagination are not the most pronounced characteristics of Austrians. Both at work and in personal relationships, everything has to be planned and put on the agenda. Surprises and last-minute decisions make Austrians very uncomfortable. They are not exactly known for being open to novelty or improvisation.
If you like sausages, you have come to the right place. Seriously, aside from a few good recipes, Austrian cuisine certainly can not compete with other cuisine. But it’s not even terrible.
Social integration is almost always the sore point for most expats in a foreign country and Austria is no exception. Integration is difficult, even with colleagues or neighbors. If a person lives with his family and meets with compatriots and is not interested in socializing or having local friends, he lives very well. Otherwise, it becomes difficult.
With a few exceptions (Ireland, Spain and a few other countries), I personally believe that social integration is the biggest handicap for people living abroad. In Austria, there is subtle and sophisticated racism, such as the massive and continuous use of dialect, and without knowing it, it is difficult to be accepted by the local community.
Costs are quite high with some exceptions such as electricity, car insurance and little else. For example, labor costs are very high. A handyman (plumber, mechanic, electrician) costs at least 100 € and more. Let us not even talk about the cost of fruits and vegetables.
Austria is a beautiful country to live in, especially if you are a family. There is a lot of support for families: kindergartens, children’s playgrounds, green spaces, a lot of peace, cleanliness and order.
Austria is a country without noise. People whisper, many do not even know that it is possible to exceed the “whisper” volume.
For young people, only big cities, especially Vienna, offer some opportunities in terms of social life and entertainment. Living in a small town, on the other hand, can be very difficult for a young person because there are few alternatives to the Internet and television at night. Even going out for coffee after 7:00 p.m. can be a difficult challenge.
The respect and politeness of Austrians is priceless. Rules are always observed, both in public and in private. When someone makes an agreement, they usually stick to it.
Austria’s landscapes are beautiful, the alpine landscapes are impressive, with beautiful mountains and beautiful lakes. Nature is almost untouched and is highly respected above all.
The health care system in Austria works very well, but beware because if you are married and one of you is not working, he/she is not entitled to free health care. Children, on the other hand, are entitled to free health care.
Public services generally function properly. The transportation system is modern and efficient. Life with children is great: kindergartens and nurseries are practically free, modern and well-structured. The school system is excellent.
Living and working in Austria pros and cons
Living in Austria, pros
- good job opportunities
- minimal bureaucracy
- assistance for families
- high level of security and low crime rate
- respect for the people
- good public services (transport, school, kindergartens, health, etc.)
Living in Austria, cons
- cold and gray weather
- overly scheduled life
- not the best cuisine in the world
- social integration difficult
- expensive cost of living
- little social life
Living and working in Austria, conclusion
Austria is not a paradise. It is simply a democratic and civilized country, with strengths and weaknesses, like any other country in the world. Of course, it is easier to find work here.
The mentality of Austrians is different from other countries, that is normal. Customs and traditions are sometimes similar to yours, sometimes quite different. And it is as wrong as it is useless to expect an Austrian to think like a Spaniard or, even worse, like a Cuban.
If you are interested in working in Austria, you can read the article: Working in Austria
If you want to move to Austria, I recommend you read the article: Moving to Austria
