Moving To Austria From The UK

Moving to Austria

If you are planning on moving to Austria, whether to Vienna, Salzburg or Linz, Britannia Movers International has the expertise and the local knowledge to tailor the move to your specific needs.

	Importing Personal Effects to Austria All shipments to the EU from the UK will now have to clear customs on arrival and you must ensure you can provide all relevant customs documents required at destination. Your contact at your local Britannia office will assist you with which forms are necessary along with what supporting documentation you will need to provide. However, the responsibility for completion and submission of these forms now falls with the customer and it is advisable that all these formalities are prepared for prior to the move to avoid potential delays in transportation and additional charges.  If you are moving to Austria from outside the EU then you will also need an entry certificate from the police station of the municipal office concerned, and an exit certificate or certificate of proof that you have resided abroad for at least 12 months. Britannia will advise you of the requirements prior to your move.
	Austria Customs Prohibitions and Restrictions In general, it is in your interest not to import the following items: Firearms & ammunition Inflammable goods & substances Plants & plant material Foodstuffs, perishables or otherwise Narcotics and dangerous goods Offensive materials Alcohol & tobacco
	Transit Times to Austria Transit times can vary subject to the method of transport chosen, size of your consignment and the final destination. Britannia will advise you once this information is established.
	Protecting Your Items for Transport to Austria All shared load consignments will be bar coded before they are loaded into the vehicle. This will ensure that no items are left at origin.
	Moving to Austria with Pets Britannia can recommend a specialised shipper of animals to assist you in sending your family pet(s) from home to home. They will coordinate all documentation and necessary veterinary procedures. Find out more about pet transport.
	Importing Vehicles to Austria Importation of motor vehicles to Austria will be subject to compliance, it is probable that duty and tax will apply. Importation of a motor vehicle will have to be reported to the local fiscal office, and you will also be required to pay a standard consumer tax on your car.
	Austria Currency Transfer When you are making international payments for individuals you can benefit from IFX expertise in seeking the best possible rate, whether you are sending or receiving foreign currency. IFX can help to protect you from exchange rate fluctuations and save you time and money on international payments. IFX offers: International payments Regular overseas transfers Prepaid currency card Forward contracts More info on the IFX website.

Moving to Austria with Britannia

Your Move to Austria with Britannia – For many years Britannia has been providing an excellent door to door shipping and removal service to Austria, and can either transport your effects by shared load or by sole use container load. Household and personal effects can be transported to Austria in various ways; over land by road van, by sea containers or by air.

Additional Removal Services – Britannia can provide a range of additional moving services when moving to Austria. We are authorised to provide comprehensive insurance, arrange international storage, and can also recommend a convenient way to transfer your money.

If you are interested in moving to Austria you can request a quote, and read more about our European and international removals.

Living in Austria

Offering a combination of Central European culture and Western European living standards, Austria can be a very exciting holiday or expat destination. Whether you would prefer to see stunning landscapes, move to a historic city, or to the cosmopolitan capital, Austria has a lot to offer. Vienna is Austria’s economic and political centre and has an extremely varied cultural life, including theatre, classical music, the fine arts, jazz, and stunning architecture.

Located in Central Europe, bordered by the Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Hungary and Germany among others, Austria is nowadays one of the richest countries in the world. The country is a parliamentary democracy, has a high standard of living and ranks high on the Human Development Index. Austria is also a member of the United Nations, European Union, and the OECD.

With a long cultural tradition in various forms of art, including music, and theatre, stunning architecture and beautiful landscapes in the Alps, Austria could be the perfect location for many expats moving abroad. You’ll surely enjoy Austria’s cosmopolitan culture, amazing ski-resorts, and Austria can also boast an extremely strong economy and a favourable business environment.

Austria Visas

To live and work in Austria, you’ll need a residence and a work permit. Known as a Red-White-Red card, this is designed for skilled workers, particularly those with qualifications in high-demand professions. This residence and work permit will allow you to live and work in Austria for up to two years, after which it can be extended. To qualify, you’ll need to have a job offer from an Austrian employer.

You can also apply for a job seeker visa, which will allow you to stay in Austria for up to six months while you look for a job. Once you’ve secured employment, you can transition to a Red-White-Red card.

There is also a visa available for self-employed people looking to establish a business in Austria. To qualify for this, you must prove your business will contribute to the Austrian economy and generate enough income.

After you’ve lived in Austria for five years, you can apply for permanent residency. This will allow you to live and work in Austria indefinitely.

Working in Austria

In Austria, certain job sectors have a higher demand for skilled workers, particularly in industries where there is a shortage of qualified professionals. Sectors where qualified UK citizens could find there is high demand for work include IT and software development, engineering, healthcare, and skilled trade such as electrics and plumbing.

Being proficient in German can be important for many of these roles, so learning the language can give UK expats a better chance of finding employment. However, there are also roles in tourism and for international companies where English may be valued over German.

The working culture in Austria is characterised by professionalism, efficiency, and a strong work-life balance. The standard work week is between 38-40 hours and longer hours are generally avoided. Most employees in Austria will be entitled to at least 5 weeks annual leave.

Cost of Living in Austria

The cost of living in Austria is a little higher than in the UK, but rent prices are considerably lower. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Austria is 3.7% higher than in the UK, not including rent costs. Rent alone is 26% lower than in the UK. Salaries are around 17% lower in Austria, so, on balance, UK expats could find they are able to maintain a similar or better way of life in Austria compared to back home.

You can check out some of the items you are likely to purchase regularly whilst living in Austria below. Prices are shown in Euros and converted to UK pounds alongside the price in the UK so you can see how costs match up.

Interesting Facts About Austria

• Austria’s official language is German, and almost 90% of the population speak German.
• Over 85% of Austria’s electricity is supplied by renewable resources.
• Many world-famous composers, including Strauss, Mozart, Haydn and Schubert were Austrian, and Vienna used to be the musical centre of Europe.
• The highest waterfall in Europe is the Kriml Falls, located in Vienna.
• The city centre of Vienna is a World Heritage Site.

Choose Britannia for Your Austria Relocation

If you are thinking about moving to Austria and want to find out more about our international removal services or request a quote, you can call us on 0845 6006661 or email sales@britannia-movers.co.uk. Our team will be happy to discuss how we can help you with your international relocation.