Work overseas: The benefits you will get if you work in Austria

Austria is an interesting and fascinating country with wonderful geographic and cultural factors that attract people from across the world. It’s a mountainous country, yet is highly urbanized.

It’s also interesting to explore why Austria is a great destination for jobseekers. So, here we look at the benefits you will receive if you work overseas in Austria.

Working hours and paid time off

The standard maximum working time in Austria is 12 hours per day and 60 hours per week. It’s necessary to maintain per-week average working hours of 48 hours over a reference period of 17 weeks.

The standard working time is 8 hours a day and 40 hours per week. An overtime work of not more than 20 hours per week is allowed which will be paid for additionally.

Employees get around 5 weeks of paid leave in Austria. The country has 13 public holidays annually.

Minimum wage

Austria has no statutory minimum wages. Most of those who earn wages in Austria are regulated by agreements made collectively which are negotiated by a social partnership. As of now, those who earn wages will get a minimum monthly wage of €1.500.

The minimum wage includes basic income, incentives, compensation for idle time, and overtime pay.

Taxes

Income Tax rates in Austria are as follows:

Income (EUR)	Tax rate (%)
11,000 and below	0
11,001 to 18,000	20
18,001 to 31,000	35
31,001 to 60,000	42
60,001 to 90,000	48
90,001 to 1,000,000	50
above 1,000,000	55

Table info courtesy taxsummaries.pwc.com

Social security benefits

In Austria, all foreign employees are given a social security number. This number enables them to access the social insurance benefits that are available to residents of Austria.

Austria’s social insurance covers aspects like incapacity for work, sickness, maternity, old age, unemployment, nursing care, and survivors’ pensions.

Under the social insurance system, that covers health insurance, free medical treatment is made available to you as an employee and your dependent family members. Also, employees are given coverage under accident insurance.

Health insurance includes maternity coverage which is mandatory. Employees are also granted free insurance coverage for their family members (under specific restrictions). They also get a childcare allowance.

Accident insurance covers accidents at the workplace as well as occupational illnesses and their consequences including invalidity and vocational disability.

Employees also get pension insurance that includes advantages like an old-age pension.

Residents in Australia are also entitled to unemployment insurance.

Maternity, paternity, and parental leave

Women get 8 weeks of maternity leave prior to and post-childbirth.

New fathers can stay off work for a month after childbirth.

Parents are also allowed to take up to 2 years of parental leave or they can choose to do reduced work hours till the child is 4 years of age. This facility will be subject to the agreement with the employer. The parents are allowed to transfer the leave amongst them once.

Childcare benefits

Mothers and fathers are entitled to childcare allowance. This allowance can range from the first 12 months after childbirth to when the child is 30 to 36 months old.

Other benefits

Employees get financial support from employers who will cover their course expenses and let them take such courses during working hours. Employees may even get a bonus or promotion for passing their examinations.

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