Austria
Austria is where grand imperial cities meet Alpine landscapes, offering a blend of German language culture and mountain tradition.
Overview
From Vienna’s classical grandeur to Graz’s creative energy, Austria’s cities pulse with history and innovation. Beyond the urban centers, Alpine valleys and river towns like Salzburg and Innsbruck reveal a landscape shaped by centuries of music, art, and outdoor pursuits.
At a glance
Languages
- German(Official)
- Czech(Recognized)
- Serbian(Recognized)
- Slovak(Recognized)
- English(Widespread)
Population8,979,894
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
1 EUR = 1.1673 USD
1 USD = 0.8567 EUR
Cost of living
Numbeo publishes these source indexes relative to New York City.
Cost of LivingPotentially much less expensiveSource category: All | 2026
RentPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Rent | 2026
GroceriesPotentially less expensiveSource category: Grocery | 2026
RestaurantPotentially less expensiveSource category: Restaurant | 2026
Local Purchasing PowerStronger local purchasing powerSource category: Purchasing Power | 2026
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Quality of life
Quality of Life IndexStrongSource category: Quality Of Life | 2026 | Overall quality of life index
Healthcare IndexGenerally favorableSource category: Healthcare | 2026 | Healthcare quality index (100 = best healthcare)
Crime IndexLowSource category: Crime | 2026 | Crime index (100 = highest crime)
Safety IndexGenerally favorableSource category: Safety | 2026 | Safety index (100 = safest)
Pollution IndexLowSource category: Pollution | 2026 | Pollution index (100 = most polluted)
Traffic IndexElevatedSource category: Traffic | 2026 | Overall traffic index (considers time + inefficiency + CO2)
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Entry requirements
Visa and residency reference data is available for EU Blue Card, Work (Employer-Sponsored), Family Reunification, and 1 more.
EU Blue Card
European Commission Immigration Portal EU Blue Card route for highly qualified non-EU workers in Austria.
- Employer-sponsored only
- Path to residency
Work (Employer-Sponsored)
- Employed Worker Residence Permit
European Commission Immigration Portal route for non-EU citizens who want to work in Austria as employed workers.
- Employer-sponsored only
- Path to residency
Family Reunification
European Commission Immigration Portal family reunification route for eligible non-EU family members joining a sponsor in Austria.
Self-Employment
Languages
- German(Official)
- Czech(Recognized)
- Serbian(Recognized)
- Slovak(Recognized)
- English(Widespread)
- Hungarian(Regional)
- Slovene(Regional)
Sources
- Country language reference
Safety
3 source-backed travel advisories are available for Austria.
Canada
Take normal security precautions
Advisory effective · Verified
Take normal security precautions in Austria.
United Kingdom
No destination-wide FCDO travel warning
Advisory effective · Verified
FCDO travel advice currently has no destination-wide warning for Austria. Review the full FCDO travel advice before travelling, including safety, entry, health, and insurance guidance.
United States
Level 1Exercise Normal Precautions
Advisory effective · Verified
There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated. Advisory summary Austria is generally a safe destination for travelers. Read our Travel Guidance for additional information on travel to Austria. If you decide to travel to Austria: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency. Review the Country Security Report for Austria. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Austria. Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist. We highly recommend that you buy
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