Moving to Austria: visas, cost of living & citizenship

About $2,250 a month for one person and $5,050 for a family of four in Vienna, including rent. A city-centre 1-bedroom flat costs around $1,000 a month and a 3-bedroom around $1,850. Prices are 85% of US levels. Austria is the 54th cheapest of the 76 countries in the index.

Austria scores 72/100 for safety (safe), ranking 32nd of 76. The homicide rate is 0.88 per 100,000 people (US 5.8, UK 1.0, Japan 0.2).

Austria scores 81/100 for stability (very stable), ranking 16th of 76, based on the World Bank's indicators for political stability, rule of law, control of corruption and government effectiveness.

Austria scores 80/100 for family-friendliness (excellent), ranking 19th of 76. Life expectancy is 82 years and under-5 mortality is 3.3 per 1,000 births. Spouse and children can join on most work and residence permits, and spouses can usually work. Public schooling is free; international schools are common in the capital.

Usually 5 yrs of legal residence.

Usually 10 yrs of residence. 6 years with strong integration; reform with B2 German planned for 2026. Dual citizenship: not allowed.

Yes. Job seeker visa (very highly qualified): 70+ points gives 6 months to look for work. Red-White-Red Card: Points for qualifications, experience, language and age; most streams need a job offer.

you can live and work here with simple registration. (EU / EEA free movement: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland.)