Moving to Austria from another EU country
- Graham Crewe
- Dec 31, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 27, 2023
If you move to Austria from another EU country you have 4 months (Austria gives you an additional month beyond the EU minimum of 3) to find work and start paying social insurance contributions. Otherwise you must leave Austria and return to your home country.
Note that this information ONLY applies to people moving to Ausrtria from another EU country. It DOES NOT apply to people moving from the UK (unless you have an Article 50 card - you will know if this applies to you), the USA or other third countries.
Meldezettel
Within three days of arriving in Austria you need to register at your local government offices for a "Meldezettel".
You will find general information about the requirement to register here: https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/themen/dokumente_und_recht/an__abmeldung_des_wohnsitzes/Seite.1180200.html
You can find the address of the office where you need to register here: https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/themen/dokumente_und_recht/an__abmeldung_des_wohnsitzes/Seite.1180200.html#ZustaendigeStellen
There is no cost for registering.
Anmeldebescheinigung
You then need to register for the Anmeldebescheinigung within 3 months of moving to Austria IN ADDITION TO the Meldezettel.
EU citizens have freedom of movement between countries but ONLY if they have a job OR sufficient means to support themselves (i.e. savings). This is what the Anmeldebescheinigung is for. It proves that you have the right to stay in Austria beyond the 3 months.
There is a fee to pay (€15 in 2022) and you will be fined if you fail to register for the Anmeldebescheinigung before the deadline of FOUR months. (I know because I was fined €50 for being 10 years late!)
Bescheinigung des Daueraufenthalts
After 5 years of being here legally an EU citizen can then apply for the Bescheinigung des Daueraufenthalts which gives you the PERMANENT right to stay in Austria. This permanent right basically can’t be taken away from you, even if you become unemployed or pick up a minor criminal record.
Links
You will find all the necessary information including where to go for your Anmeldebescheinigung or Bescheinigung des Daueraufenthalts here:
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