Higher Chances of Securing an Austrian Work Visa for These Professions

The latest figures from Statistics Austria indicate a significant increase in job vacancies within Austrian enterprises, with 196,400 unfilled positions recorded in the first quarter of 2024.

This represents an 8.5 percent rise compared to the previous quarter's 181,000 vacancies. Tobias Thomas, General Director of Statistics Austria, noted that this marks the first increase in a year. "This means that for the first time in a year, the number of vacancies has risen again compared to the previous quarter. By far the most job offers were in the service sector," he said.

Breaking down the 196,400 job vacancies, 113,200 were in the service sector, 46,100 in manufacturing, and 37,100 in the public sector. Despite being lower than the figures from 2022 and 2023, these numbers are still higher compared to the pre-pandemic year.

Austria, with an estimated population of 9.17 million as of April 2024, has around six million people of working age. The country faces a labor shortage exacerbated by its aging population, with an average age of 43.4 years, and a total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.41. The negative balance of births and deaths, amounting to 9,909 in 2022, highlights the demographic challenge Austria is facing. Thomas pointed out that "Austria has been facing a birth deficit for the third year in a row."

To support its economy, Austria relies heavily on foreign workers. Individuals looking to live and work in Austria can take advantage of this labor shortage and apply for a work visa.

According to the 2023 EURES report on shortages and surpluses, some of the professions most in demand include electrical mechanics and fitters, agricultural and industrial machinery mechanics and repairers, motor vehicle mechanics and repairers, sheet metal workers, welders and flame cutters, spray painters and varnishers, plumbers and pipefitters, roofers, carpenters and joiners, cooks, nursing associate professionals, construction supervisors, physical and engineering science technicians not elsewhere classified, mechanical engineering technicians, electronics engineering technicians, electrical engineering technicians, systems analysts, midwifery professionals, generalist medical practitioners, and engineering professionals not elsewhere classified.

Some of these shortage occupations are also among the better-paid ones. The Economic Research Institute (ERI) reports that medical general practitioners in Austria earn an average of €162,974 annually, which equates to €78 an hour. Registered nurses earn €69,552 a year or €33 an hour. Electrical engineers make an average of €75,384 annually or €36 an hour, while electrical repairers earn €65,008 annually or €31 per hour. Automotive mechanics have an average salary of €43,001 a year or €21 an hour. Pipefitters earn €56,843 annually or €27 an hour, fitters make €31,851 a year or €15 an hour, and plumbers earn €53,688 annually or €15 an hour.

The minimum wage in Austria starts at approximately €1,500 per month, while the average wage is €2,182 per month.

Non-Austrian citizens need a D Visa, a long-term visa, to work in Austria. The only exceptions are residents from within the EU and EFA. Highly skilled workers from other countries can apply for a Red-White-Red card, which serves as both a work and residence permit for up to two years. It is important to note that travelers to Austria on a Schengen Visa are not eligible to work or convert their short-term visa into a long-term visa for employment or other purposes. Foreign nationals should apply from their country of residence. As of October 2022, over 900,000 foreign workers were employed in Austria, according to EURES.

While Austria offers good wages and living conditions, it also comes with higher living costs. Numbeo ranks Austria as the world's 19th most expensive country to live in and Europe's 7th.

The estimated monthly costs for a single person, excluding rent, are €1,055, while a family of four can expect to incur monthly expenses of €3,590. Rent varies by location and apartment size. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately €854 per month, whereas a similar apartment outside the city center is about €695. A three-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around €1,540, while outside the city center, it costs approximately €1,215.

By fLEXI tEAM