Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In
Waehringer Strasse Station in Vienna, Austria

Living in Austria

By Betsy Burlingame

Last updated on Feb 04, 2024

Summary: The approximate population of Austria is 8.9 million people. The largest cities in Austria are Vienna (1.9 million people), Graz (280,000 people), Linz (200,000 people), and Salzburg (150,000 people). Expats love living in Austria for its high quality of life, excellent infrastructure, and beautiful scenery. People describe life in Austria as peaceful, safe, and relaxed. Popular foods in Austria include Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, Kaiserschmarrn, and Apfelstrudel. The cons of living in Austria include the high cost of living, the language barrier, and the lack of diversity. The average cost of living for an expat is around $2,500 to $3,500 per month, depending on the city and lifestyle. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, and entertainment.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care
Allianz Care
Allianz Care

What do I need to know about living in Austria?

When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Austria, they said:

"Expats looking to retire in Austria should research the country’s residency requirements and the permits needed to stay in the country for a longer period of time. Expats should consider the cost of living in Austria and investigate the tax system to determine how their retirement savings could be affected. It is also important for expats to brush up on their German language skills, as most of the population speaks German fluently. Obtaining health insurance coverage is also essential for living in Austria. Understanding the local culture and traditions can help expats adjust to life in Austria more easily," commented one expat who made the move to Austria.

"Try to accept the local way of life and learn the language. This is perhaps the country in the whole world where speaking the local language and imitating local customs makes the difference between being truly "in" and just getting by," remarked one expat living in Vienna , Austria.

Answer this Question

How do I meet people in Austria?

Please login to continue reading this article.

Not a member? Join Today (it's free).

About the Author

Betsy Burlingame Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.

Waehringer Strasse Station in Vienna, Austria

Cigna Global Health
Cigna Global Health

Get a quote in 2 minutes from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
Get Quote

Cigna Global HealthCigna Global Health

Get a quote in 2 minutes from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
Get Quote

Contribute to Austria Network Contribute
Help others in Austria by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Austria.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal