Vienna City Guide

Page 9

Vienna City Guide

Registration at the Place of Residence

Everyone in Austria, whether Austrian or foreign resident, has to register at the place of

residence. This must be done within three days after moving to Austria or moving house

within Austria. Required documents are:

Registration form, completed and signed by the tenant and the landlord, available at

the municipality (“Magistrat”)

Passport(s) (no copies accepted)

The registration office (“Meldeamt”) registers the form and issues another printed form with

the personal data which is the so-called “Meldezettel” (confirmation of the registration at the

place of residence). The “Meldezettel” is to be kept with one’s personal files. In case

household goods are shipped from abroad to Austria, a copy of the “Meldezettel” is required;

it is therefore recommended to give a copy to the moving company.

Residence Permit

After arriving in Austria and registering at the new place of residence, all Non-EU-citizens

have to apply for a residence title at the local foreign office or pick up the residence title if it

has been applied for beforehand, e.g. within the visa application process. Usually, proof of

adequate accommodation has to be presented at this stage at the latest, e.g. by submitting

a rental contract. If applicable, the residence title will be combined with a work permit and

only one permit including both the residence and the work permit will be issued.

Work Permit

Non-EU members and members from the 'new' EU countries Bulgaria and Romania need a

work permit. Depending on nationality a Non-EU member needs to apply for a visa before

entering the country. This visa process can take up to three to four months. Working is not

allowed without a valid work permit.

All foreigners requiring a work permit will need to be specialized and qualified, need a

sufficient salary (comparable to an Austrian employee for this position), health insurance

and a place of residence. They should have a university or comparable diploma or at least a

very qualified job history and special working experience. In case the foreigner shall be

employed by the Austrian company with a local employment contract, it might have to be

proved that no Austrian citizen is available for this specific position.

The work permit will have to be applied for at the employment office in advance. This also

applies to spouses who want to work.

For the application of a work permit it is normally necessary to supply:

Employment contract

Application letter (statement from the company with a detailed job description)

Application form

University diploma (translated into German; English is usually accepted)

Curriculum vitae

Passport