First Steps upon Arrival
Residence Registration
Meldezettel (registration form) – Requirements
- Everyone who moves into accommodation in Austria must register within three working days of arrival – see mandatory residence registration info
- This applies to Austrians, EU/EEA citizens, and nationals of non-EEA countries alike
- The residence registration form (Meldezettel) should be signed both by the owner or landlord of the flat or house where you are living, as well as by yourself.
- Registration can be done at any Magistrat office, regardless of which district you reside in
Meldezettel (residence registration form)
Here is an english guide showing how to fill out the Meldezettel (residence registration form).
Required Documents for Registration
- Passport or other travel document
- Birth certificate (or equivalent)
- Marriage certificate and/or proof of academic titles (if applicable)
- Completed registration form (Meldezettel), signed by both you and your landlord/landlady or owner
Important: Once registered, you’ll receive confirmation of your address — an important document for many later steps, such as opening a bank account or arranging insurance.
Vienna Registration Service Offices
Opening hours:
- Mon.-Fri.: 8:00-11:30 (No appointment needed, waiting times apply)
- Mon.-Fri.: 12:00-15:30, Thursdays until 17:30 (With appointment only)
You can make an appointment online at: Vienna Registration Booking
Note: There is a fee when submitting foreign documents for the first time (Passport: 42€, Other documents: 21€ per sheet)
Insurance and Social Security
Austria’s Social Security System
Austria has an excellent social security system that provides strong protection for employees and their families.
Once you start your job, your employer will automatically register you for the public statutory social insurance (Sozialversicherung), which includes:
- Health insurance
- Accident insurance
- Unemployment insurance
- State pension insurance
Your social insurance contributions are automatically deducted from your salary.
e-Card
After registration, you and your family members will receive an electronic social security card (e-card). This card gives you access to medical treatment from doctors, specialists, dentists, and public hospitals that are part of Austria’s health insurance network.
How to Get Your e-Card
You must submit a photo in person at the registration office. Book an appointment online for one of the offices in Vienna (districts 8, 10, 15, 16, 20, or 22).
Required documents:
- Photo according to passport requirements (not older than 6 months)
- Austrian social insurance number
- Travel document (passport or ID)
Please note: Private doctors and hospitals are not covered by the public insurance system, but additional private health insurance can help cover these costs if desired.
Useful Resources
ID Austria
If you register for ID Austria, you can identify yourself digitally on official platforms such as FinanzOnline. It offers highly secure access to government and commercial services and is free to use.
How to Apply as a Foreigner:
You need to go to the Landespolizeidirektion (Provincial State Police Directorate) and apply in person.
Book appointment online (available in English)
Required documents:
- Valid ID or passport
- A recent passport photo (not older than 6 months)
- Proof of affiliation to Austria: residence registration and proof of employment/education
Once you receive your ID code printout, please download the ID Austria app and complete your registration here: A-Trust: ID Austria Registrierung
Healthcare & Medical Services
Finding a Doctor
At most doctor’s offices, you need to call in advance or go online to make an appointment. There are two categories of doctors in Austria:
Panel Doctor (Vertragsarzt/Vertragsärztin)
They have a contract with an insurance company. Costs are directly coordinated between the doctor and the health insurance carrier.
Check if they accept “alle Kassen” (all carriers) or your specific health insurance carrier (e.g., ÖGK).
Doctor of Your Choice (Wahlarzt/Wahlärztin)
They do not have a contract with all/any health insurance carriers. Patients must cover the costs first, and a small part is refundable through the general health insurance carrier.
If you have private insurance, it will cover the rest (depending on your plan).
Finding English-Speaking Doctors
Several online platforms allow you to search for physicians and filter by language spoken:
- Praxisplan – Platform by Vienna Medical Chamber (available in English)
- Docfinder – Find and rate doctors (filter by language)
- Dentist search – Austrian Dental Chamber
24/7 Health Advice Service Line
Call 1450 First!
Round-the-clock advice service for all health-related questions. If you’re in pain, feel ill, or are unsure if you should go to the hospital, call 1450.
Hospitals & Emergency Care
In case of emergency or acute problems, please seek help in one of Vienna’s hospitals.
The General Hospital (Allgemeines Krankenhaus – AKH Wien) can be approached 24 hours a day. Located at U6 subway station Michelbeuern/AKH (Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna).
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are generally open Monday to Friday until 6 PM, and on Saturdays until noon.
Night and weekend service: One pharmacy is on duty in every district. Find the pharmacy on duty
Note: There is an extra fee for using pharmacies during off-hours.
Useful Resources for Healthcare
Bank Account
Austria’s currency is the Euro (€), and most shops, restaurants, and services accept major credit cards.
Opening a Bank Account
To open a bank account, you’ll need to present:
- A valid photo ID (passport, ID card, or driver’s license)
- Your registration form (Meldezettel)
- Proof of employment or university enrollment (if applicable)
What to Consider
- Overdraft facility: Decide if you need one
- Online or branch bank: Choose based on your preference
- Credit card: Check fees for credit cards
- Account management fees: Compare between banks (online banks generally have lower fees)
Recommended Banks
Erste Bank has a beneficial offer for employees of AITHYRA partner institutions (no account fee for 2 years).
Bank Austria offers the possibility of opening a bank account online in English.
Tax Declaration & Benefits
Employee Assessment (Arbeitnehmerveranlagung)
As an employee, you can file an Employee Assessment with the financial authorities (Finanzamt) once a year to possibly get a tax refund.
Our payroll office sends your annual pay slips directly to the tax office (Finanzamt). This allows you to begin your employee tax assessment (Arbeitnehmerveranlagung) at the start of the following year.
Your income tax is calculated as if you earned the same amount throughout the entire year. If your income has fluctuated—for example, due to a job change—submitting an employee assessment is especially worthwhile, as it leads to your tax being recalculated and evenly distributed over the year.
You may also be entitled to additional tax benefits, such as for sole earners or single parents, contributions to supplementary insurance, or extra occupational expenses (such as specialist literature or professional development courses not covered by AITHYRA). Donations to recognized charitable organizations can also be taken into account.
The application can be made online through FinanzOnline – Log in with ID Austria
Tax Number
Every tax-paying resident in Austria has a tax number (Steuernummer) or Tax Identification Number (TIN). The 9-digit number can be found on letters from the financial authorities, in your FinanzOnline account, or on your residence permit.
Important: The application must be done within 6 months of moving to Austria. It is highly recommended to seek professional support from a tax advisor.
Useful Resources
Starting Necessities
Cellphone and Internet
There are several cellphone providers in Austria offering monthly phone plans, SIM-card only tariffs, and prepaid cards.
Main Network Providers
- A1
- Magenta
- Drei
They offer cellphone plans and internet plans for your home. Combined offers are often cheaper.
Mobile Virtual Network Operators
- HoT
- S-Budget
- Yess!
- Spuusu
These use the networks of main providers but with lower prices. Customer service is handled by the reseller.
Roaming
Within the EU, there are no roaming fees (“Roam like home”). This also applies to Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
Note: Switzerland is not included in this regime.