Working in Austria

Working in Austria

Gainful Employment on Contract Basis

Students from EU countries can pursue gainful employment in Austria without a work permit. Exception: Citizens of Croatia will need a work permit until the year 2020 (see below).

Students from non-EU countries who are in Austria on a student visa need a work permit to start gainful employment. This is tied to a number of preconditions:

• Max. 10 hours/week (undergraduates) /20 hours/week (graduate students) without labour market test
• Exceeding those limits only subject to labour market test
• Work permit must be obtained from AMS (Public Employment Service Austria) through employer prior to employment
• For further information please refer to the following websites OeAD and AMS

Exceptions from Employment of Foreign Nationals Act not requiring Work Permit

• Activities within the framework of exchange or research programmes of the EU
• Activities in scientific teaching or research

Special arrangements for voluntary work/internships

• Internship: for projects/internships required in the curriculum no work permit is needed, a confirmation of notification is sufficient
• Voluntary work: up to 3 months per calendar year without obligation to work and remuneration, a confirmation of notification is sufficient
• Confirmation of notification sent to AMS (Public Employment Service Austria) by employer at least 2 weeks prior to start of occupation, costs app. € 20

Students from non-EU countries in Austria on Visa D

• The legitimacy of any type of employment (e.g. voluntary work, internship) must be applied for and noted on the visa by the authorities

Residence Permit Special Cases of Paid Employment

• For employment not subject to the Employment for Foreign Nationals Act (teaching and research activities) instead of residence permit B for students without admission to university

Red-White-Red Card „Graduate“

• For graduates of a master´s programme (or a diploma programme after the first diploma exam)
• Prospective occupation matches education/training
• Gross monthly salary at least 45% of maximum pensionable earnings according to §108 Abs. 3 ASVG (section 108, paragraph 3, General Social Insurance Act), plus special payments.
• Employer declaration according to Employment of Foreign Nationals Act (AuslBG)
• Application prior to expiration of residence permit/confirmation of search for employment at Immigration, Citizenship and Registry Offices
• Temporary residence permit may be granted for up to 6 months for the purpose of finding employment (not the same as permanent residence permit!) as long as there is proof of financial means, health insurance and accommodation

Legal Basis

• Employment of Foreign Nationals Act (Ausländerbeschäftigungsgesetz: AuslBG, version BGBl. I 78/2007) or condensed version in English.

Contact AMS

AMS OÖ Ausländerinnenfachzentrum, Tel: +43/732/6963-0, E-Mail: afz.oberoesterreich@ams.at