Moving to Austria from Germany

Tax Obligations and Differences

Austria and Germany both follow progressive income tax systems, but the brackets and rates differ. Austria's top marginal rate applies at a lower income threshold than Germany's, and an additional solidarity surcharge applies to very high earners in Austria ^[1]. Germany's Solidaritätszuschlag was largely abolished for most taxpayers, so many Germans moving to Austria will notice a slightly different effective rate at equivalent income levels.

Tax residency.

You become an Austrian tax resident when you establish your habitual abode (gewöhnlicher Aufenthalt) in Austria, which is generally triggered by staying longer than six months in a calendar year ^[1]. As an Austrian tax resident, you are taxed on worldwide income. Germany will no longer tax you on employment income earned in Austria once you de-register (Abmeldung) your German residence, though German-source income (rental properties, pensions, certain investment income) may remain subject to limited German taxation under the Austria-Germany Double Taxation Agreement ^[2].

The Austria-Germany tax treaty.

The treaty allocates taxing rights between the two countries and prevents double taxation through credit or exemption methods ^[2]. Employment income is generally taxed only in the country where the work is performed. Pensions follow specific treaty articles depending on whether they are state pensions (Gesetzliche Rente) or occupational/private pensions.

Social contributions.

Austrian payroll deductions are split between employer and employee. The employee share covers health insurance, pension insurance, unemployment insurance, and other levies. The combined employee deduction rate is roughly comparable to Germany's, but the ceiling (Höchstbeitragsgrundlage) and the specific breakdown differ. Both countries are EU members, so your German contribution periods count toward Austrian benefit entitlements under EU social security coordination regulations ^[3].

Church tax.

Austria does not collect church tax (Kirchensteuer) through the state tax system as Germany does. Instead, religious communities bill members directly. If you are a registered member of a church in Austria, you will receive a separate bill. Many Germans find this a modest savings compared to the surcharge on income tax they paid in Germany.

Filing.

Austrian tax returns (Arbeitnehmerveranlagung for employees, Einkommensteuererklärung for self-employed) are filed via FinanzOnline, Austria's electronic tax portal ^[1]. The tax year matches the calendar year, and returns are generally due by April 30 (paper) or June 30 (electronic) of the following year.

Healthcare and Insurance

Germany and Austria both operate statutory health insurance systems (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung). As an employed person in Austria, you are automatically enrolled in the Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK), which replaced the former regional sickness funds in 2020. Your employer registers you, and you receive an e-card, Austria's health insurance card, within a few weeks.

Coverage.

The Austrian statutory system covers general practitioners, specialists, hospital care, prescription drugs (with a per-prescription copay), rehabilitation, and maternity care. The scope is broadly similar to German GKV coverage. Dental coverage is more limited than in Germany, particularly for cosmetic and orthodontic procedures, so supplemental dental insurance (Zahnzusatzversicherung) is common.

Choosing a doctor.

Austria distinguishes between Kassenärzte (doctors with a statutory health fund contract) and Wahlärzte (private-practice doctors without a fund contract). With Kassenärzte, you present your e-card and pay nothing out of pocket for the visit. With Wahlärzte, you pay the full fee upfront and receive a partial reimbursement (typically 80% of the Kassentarif) from ÖGK. Many Germans are surprised by the prevalence of Wahlärzte in Austria, especially in cities like Vienna, where finding a Kassenarzt with short wait times can be challenging.

Transferring from German insurance.

Under EU Regulation 883/2004, your German health insurance periods count toward your Austrian entitlement without a gap ^[1]. You do not need to satisfy any waiting period. Inform your German Krankenkasse of your departure and request an S1 form if you are a posted worker or pensioner, or simply de-register if you are taking up new employment in Austria.

Private insurance.

Austria allows high earners and self-employed individuals to opt out of statutory insurance under certain conditions and purchase private coverage instead, though the eligibility rules differ from Germany's PKV system. Most employed residents remain in the statutory system and purchase Zusatzversicherung (supplemental insurance) for faster specialist access, private hospital rooms, and broader dental coverage.

Prescription drugs.

The Austrian system uses a formulary (Erstattungskodex) that determines which drugs are covered. Copays per prescription are modest. If you take medications regularly, verify that your specific drug or its equivalent is available in Austria before you move. Brand names sometimes differ between Germany and Austria even for the same active ingredient.

Residence Registration and EU Free Movement

As a German citizen, you have the right to live and work in Austria without a visa or work permit under EU free movement of persons ^[1]. There is no immigration application, no labor market test, and no quota.

Meldezettel registration.

Within three days of moving into your Austrian residence, you must register at the local Meldeamt (registration office) by submitting a Meldezettel signed by your landlord ^[2]. This is a residence registration, not an immigration formality. You will need your passport or national ID card and the signed Meldezettel form. The registration is free and usually processed immediately.

Anmeldebescheinigung.

EU citizens staying in Austria for longer than three months must apply for an Anmeldebescheinigung (registration certificate) at the local MA 35 office (in Vienna) or BH/Magistrat elsewhere ^[2]. You need proof of employment, self-employment, or sufficient financial means, plus health insurance coverage. The certificate is issued as a confirmation of your right of residence, not as a permit. It is valid indefinitely as long as you continue to meet the conditions.

Long-term residence.

After five years of continuous legal residence in Austria, you can apply for a Daueraufenthalt (permanent residence certificate) ^[2]. This removes the requirement to demonstrate employment or financial means. Continuous residence means you have not been absent from Austria for more than six months in any 12-month period.

German Abmeldung.

Before leaving Germany, de-register (Abmeldung) at your local Einwohnermeldeamt. This is legally required within two weeks of moving out and affects your tax residency, Rundfunkbeitrag obligation, and voter registration. Bring your Personalausweis and rental contract termination.

Citizenship.

Austrian citizenship is available after ten years of continuous legal residence (reduced to six years in certain cases, such as demonstrated advanced integration or EU citizenship) ^[2]. Austria generally does not allow holding two passports simultaneously, so acquiring Austrian nationality would require renouncing German citizenship ^[2]. Most Germans choose to keep their German passport and rely on the EU residence certificate instead, since it grants nearly identical rights within Austria.

Banking and Finances

Opening an Austrian bank account.

With your Meldezettel and passport or German ID card, you can open an account at any Austrian bank. Major banks include Erste Bank, Raiffeisen, Bank Austria (UniCredit group), and BAWAG. Online-only banks like N26 and Revolut are popular with younger residents and require even less paperwork. If you already use N26 in Germany, your account can often be transferred to an Austrian IBAN without opening a new one.

SEPA makes transfers easy.

Both countries use the euro and are part of the Single Euro Payments Area. Transfers between your German and Austrian bank accounts are treated as domestic euro transfers with no conversion fees and settlement within one business day. Standing orders, direct debits, and salary payments work identically across borders.

Closing or keeping German accounts.

There is no requirement to close your German bank account. Many Germans keep a German account for ongoing obligations (insurance policies, subscriptions, family transfers). If you maintain a German address on the account, there is no friction. If you update to an Austrian address, most German banks will continue to service the account normally since both countries are in the EU.

Retirement and pensions.

Your German pension entitlements (Deutsche Rentenversicherung) remain valid. Contributions made in Germany are not lost. Under EU coordination rules, you can combine German and Austrian pension periods to qualify for benefits in both countries ^[1]. German state pension payments can be received in Austria without reduction. The Austrian pension system (ASVG) builds a separate entitlement based on your Austrian contributions.

Cost of living.

Vienna is generally cheaper than Munich but more expensive than most other German cities. Groceries, dining, and transportation costs are broadly comparable. Housing in Vienna has risen significantly but remains below Munich levels. Rent control (Mietrecht) applies to many older buildings (Altbauwohnungen) in Vienna, keeping rents in regulated apartments well below market rates. Salzburg and Innsbruck are expensive for their size due to limited housing supply and tourism demand.

Tax-advantaged savings.

Austria does not have a direct equivalent to Germany's Riester-Rente or Bausparvertrag tax benefits. Austrian residents can contribute to employer-sponsored pension funds (Betriebliche Vorsorge) and state-subsidized premium pension products (Prämienbegünstigte Zukunftsvorsorge). Consult a local financial advisor to restructure your savings strategy after moving.

Moving Logistics

Cross-border moves within the EU.

Since both countries are EU members, there are no customs declarations, duties, or import taxes on your personal belongings. You can drive a rental truck across the border without any paperwork beyond your normal ID. International moving companies operating on this corridor include Gebrüder Weiss (Austrian), DB Schenker, and DHL Freight. A full-household move from a major German city to Vienna typically costs between €2,000 and €5,000 depending on volume and distance.

Importing a car.

If your car is already registered in Germany, you must re-register it in Austria within one month of establishing residence. Bring your Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and II (German registration documents), a valid Pickerl (§57a inspection, the Austrian equivalent of TÜV) from an authorized Austrian workshop, proof of insurance from an Austrian insurer, and your Meldezettel. The Normverbrauchsabgabe (NoVA), Austria's vehicle registration tax based on CO2 emissions, applies to vehicles being imported for the first time. This can add several hundred to several thousand euros depending on the vehicle's emissions rating. Many Germans are caught off guard by this cost. Electric vehicles are exempt from NoVA.

Driver's license.

German driver's licenses are valid in Austria indefinitely under EU mutual recognition. You do not need to exchange your license unless it expires, at which point you renew through an Austrian authority. The old pre-EU pink or grey German licenses should be exchanged for an EU card format regardless.

Pets.

Dogs and cats traveling within the EU need an EU pet passport, a valid rabies vaccination, and an ISO-compliant microchip. If your pet already has a German EU pet passport, no additional paperwork is needed. Austria has breed-specific legislation in some Bundesländer (Vienna requires a Hundeführschein for certain breeds), so check local rules before moving with a listed breed. Dog registration (Hundesteuer) is mandatory in most Austrian municipalities.

Internet and phone.

Austrian mobile and broadband providers include A1, Magenta (T-Mobile Austria), and Drei (Hutchison). Prepaid SIM cards are available at any electronics store. If you have a German contract with Telekom, Vodafone, or O2, you can continue using it under EU roaming rules (roam-like-at-home), but if Austria becomes your permanent residence, the provider may require you to switch to a local plan.

Time zone.

Austria and Germany share the same time zone (CET/CEST). There is no time difference to manage for work or personal calls.

Cultural Adjustment

Language.

German is the official language in both countries, but Austrian German (Österreichisches Deutsch) has significant vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar differences from standard Hochdeutsch. Everyday words differ: Paradeiser (Tomate), Erdapfel (Kartoffel), Topfen (Quark), Semmel (Brötchen), Jänner (Januar), heuer (dieses Jahr). Official documents and administrative language use Austrian standard German, which is a recognized standard variety, not a dialect. In addition, regional dialects (Wienerisch, Tirolerisch, Steirisch) can be genuinely difficult for Germans to understand at first. Most Austrians will switch to a more standard register when speaking with Germans, but social integration deepens considerably once you pick up local expressions.

Titles and formality.

Austria places more weight on academic and professional titles than Germany. Using "Herr Magister" or "Frau Doktor" in professional and even casual settings is standard practice. Dropping titles that someone has earned is considered rude. The "Sie" form persists longer in Austrian workplaces and social interactions than in many German cities.

Attitudes toward Germans.

The relationship between Austrians and Germans is shaped by shared language and distinct national identity. Light teasing and jokes about Germans are a fixture of Austrian culture, and most of it is good-natured. That said, some Austrians find certain German communication styles (directness, loudness, use of Hochdeutsch in casual contexts) grating. Adapting your vocabulary and softening your communication style goes a long way. Saying "Grüß Gott" instead of "Hallo," "Servus" instead of "Tschüss," and using Austrian food terms will be noticed and appreciated.

Work culture.

Austrian workplaces tend to be more hierarchical and formal than the flat structures common in German startups and tech companies. Decisions may take longer as they pass through more approval layers. Coffee breaks (Kaffeepause) are a social institution, not just a caffeine stop. Punctuality is expected, similar to Germany.

Bureaucracy.

Austrian bureaucracy is comparable to German bureaucracy in complexity but operates at a slower pace in some offices. The MA 35 (immigration and citizenship office in Vienna) is notorious for long processing times and difficult phone availability. A patience reserve built from German Bürgeramt experience will serve you well.

Outdoor culture.

Austria's geography makes hiking, skiing, and mountain sports central to social life in a way that goes beyond what most German cities offer. Joining a local Alpenverein chapter is one of the fastest ways to build a social network outside of work. Weekend trips to the Alps are a normal part of life, even for Vienna residents.

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