Working in Austria
For transparency, AI has been used during the generation of this content, with every care taken to verify its accuracy. Last updated April 2026.
Average Salary
Austria offers some of the highest salaries in Central Europe. The average gross monthly salary across all sectors is approximately €3,900 – €4,300 per month (around €46,000 – €52,000 annually). Austria also operates a 14-salary system in most sectors, meaning employees typically receive 13th and 14th salary payments (holiday and Christmas bonuses), which increases effective annual income.
Expats working in specialist and technical sectors earn significantly above the national average. In engineering, salaries typically range from €4,500 – €6,500 per month, depending on experience and industry. In the energy sector, mid-level professionals typically earn €5,000 – €7,000 per month, while senior professionals can command €7,000 – €10,000+ per month, especially within multinational or large utility companies.
General information
Currency
Euro (€)
Official language
German
Conversational languages
German (Austrian variant) English
Time zone
Winter period: Central European Standard Time (UTC+01:00) Summer period: Central European Summer Time (UTC+02:00)
Common types of Employment or Contracting
Austria offers structured employment arrangements, with strong worker protections and clearly regulated contracting models.
Common types of employment
Common types of contracting
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Living in Austria
Austria offers an exceptionally high quality of life, combining strong social infrastructure, efficient public transport, low crime rates, and access to Alpine landscapes. Vienna is consistently ranked among the world’s most liveable cities. The country is culturally diverse, with strong Central European influences and a growing international community. Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck are the most expensive cities. Rural regions and smaller towns offer significantly lower housing costs.
- A weekly grocery shop for a small family costs roughly €120 – €180
- Monthly rent for a 2 – 3-bedroom apartment is roughly €1,200 – €2,500 (costs in Vienna may be higher)
- Monthly childcare costs around €250 – €500, and subsidised public childcare is common
- Petrol costs roughly €1.55 – €1.75 per litre, whilst diesel costs around €1.60 – €1.80 per litre
Vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road. EU/EEA driving licences are recognised, and non-EU licence holders may use their licence for six months before exchanging it or completing a practical test, depending on reciprocal agreements.
Weather in Austria
Austria has a temperate continental climate, with Alpine influences. In summer, lowland cities such as Vienna typically see daytime temperatures of 25 – 32°C, occasionally higher. In winter, temperatures range from -5 to 5°C in lowland areas, with Alpine regions frequently dropping below -10°C and experiencing heavy snowfall. Spring and autumn are generally mild, with significant regional variation due to altitude.
Language and integration support
Austria provides structured integration programmes through the Austrian Integration Fund, offering subsidised German courses, integration exams, and cultural orientation programmes. Many municipalities also provide community integration support and expat networks.
For any translation needs - especially those required for work permit or visa applications - our dedicated Languages team is ready to support you. They provide accurate, timely translations and can guide you through the process to ensure all necessary documents meet the required standards.
Our services in Austria
Across the globe, we support energy and engineering companies with the international recruitment and global mobilisation solutions they need to extend their capability and grow their businesses.
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Global mobility
NRL Recruitment simplifies international employee relocation with seamless global mobility services. From visa assistance to cultural onboarding, we ensure your staff transitions smoothly across borders, minimising disruption and maximising productivity.
Payroll solutions
Managing payroll across multiple countries can be complex, but our payroll solutions make it simple. We handle accurate, compliant compensation for your global workforce, ensuring employees are paid correctly and on time, every time.
Global employer of record
With our global employer of record services, you can legally employ staff overseas without establishing local entities. We manage compliance, contracts, and HR administration, giving you the freedom to expand globally with confidence and ease.
International recruitment
Finding the right talent worldwide is effortless with our international recruitment solutions. We connect your business with top-tier professionals, managing the end-to-end hiring process so you can focus on growth and strategic priorities.
