Last updated: October 2026 · Official sources linked
The short answer in 30 seconds
- Australian citizens can enter without a visa for short stays, as a rule for up to 90 days within any 180-day period (BMI – visa list).
- You may also apply for your first residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) in Austria, but this does not extend your visa-free stay (oesterreich.gv.at).
- Australia is a partner in the Working Holiday Programme for people aged 18 to 30 (oesterreich.gv.at).
- There is a social security agreement and a double taxation agreement (in force since 1 September 1988) (Ministry of Social Affairs, BMF).
- You can exchange your category B driving licence without a practical test (oesterreich.gv.at).
From Sydney or Melbourne to Vienna is a long way, but not a difficult one. Australians enter visa-free and, as young adults, can use the Working Holiday Programme. If you want to stay longer, work or start a business, you need a residence permit. This guide shows you the most important routes. The authority decides on every application.
Your status as an Australian citizen
You are a third-country national and exempt from the EU visa requirement. In addition, Austria grants Australians a national visa exemption of three months (BMI – countries requiring a visa). If you want to settle or work long term, you need a residence permit (BMI – entry).
On short stays, you are recorded in the Entry/Exit System (EES), which has been fully operational since 10 April 2026 (BMI – EES). The BMI has announced the ETIAS travel authorisation (€7, valid for three years) from the fourth quarter of 2026; the BMI explicitly names Australia as an example (BMI – ETIAS, BMI magazine).
Entry and where to apply
| Route | Where | Important |
|---|---|---|
| Application abroad | Austrian Embassy in Canberra | in person, before entry |
| Application in Austria | residence authority in Austria; in Vienna, the MA 35 | only during your permitted visa-free stay |
Applying in Austria does not give you a right to stay beyond your permitted visa-free period. If that period ends before the decision, you must leave (migration.gv.at).
Working in Austria
The main route is the Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte). For “Other Key Workers” (Sonstige Schlüsselkräfte), the 2026 requirements are a minimum salary of €3,465 gross per month plus special payments and at least 55 points. For highly qualified graduates, the EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU) is also an option.
You do not need a job-seeker visa, because you enter visa-free. If you find a job, you can apply for the card in Austria during your permitted stay (migration.gv.at).
Working Holiday: Young Australians aged 18 to 30 can come to Austria for six or twelve months and take up any work during that time. Wage and social security rules apply to them as well (oesterreich.gv.at). The Austrian embassy can give you the details.
Studying in Austria
To study, you need the “Residence Permit – Student” (Aufenthaltsbewilligung – Student). After entering visa-free, you can apply for it in Austria. Alongside your studies, you may work up to 20 hours per week with a permit from the AMS. In 2026, the minimum funds are €1,308.39 per month from the age of 24 and €722.58 below that age (migration.gv.at). More: Studying in Austria and Staying after your studies.
Starting a company and investing
How company formation works is explained in Founding a GmbH or FlexCo. Australian companies can also open a branch office (Zweigniederlassung). If you move to Austria yourself, you need a residence permit:
- Self-employed Key Worker (Selbständige Schlüsselkraft), for example with an investment of €100,000.
- Start-up Founder Card (Start-up-Gründer-Karte) with at least €30,000 in capital and 50 points.
For a life without gainful employment, there is the quota-bound “Settlement Permit – except gainful employment” (Niederlassungsbewilligung – ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit). In 2026, you need a regular income of at least €2,616.78 per month as a single person and €4,128.24 as a married couple (migration.gv.at). Only want to invest? See Investing without relocating.
Real estate
When acquiring property, you count as a foreigner. As a rule, you need approval under the land transfer law (Grundverkehrsrecht) of the federal province; in Vienna, under the Vienna Act on Property Acquisition by Foreigners (Wiener Ausländergrunderwerbsgesetz). More: Buying property as a foreigner.
Taxes and social security
- Social security: Austria and Australia have a social security agreement (Ministry of Social Affairs).
- Taxes: The double taxation agreement was signed on 8 July 1986 and has been in force since 1 September 1988 (BGBl 480/1988) (BMF – list of DTAs).
Our partner tax advisers will work out with you what this means for your income.
Qualifications and driving licence
For regulated professions, your qualification must be recognised in Austria. Clarify this early, ideally before you apply for a residence permit.
You may drive with your Australian licence for six months after taking up residence. Within this period, have it exchanged. For category B, there is no practical driving test (oesterreich.gv.at).
Business links between Australia and Austria
The Austrian Economic Chamber (Wirtschaftskammer) is represented by its foreign trade centre (AußenwirtschaftsCenter) in Sydney (WKO – economic situation). The EU and Australia concluded their negotiations on a free trade agreement on 24 March 2026. The agreement has not yet been signed and is not yet in force. The Framework Agreement between the EU and Australia has applied since 21 October 2022 (WKO – EU–Australia). More on the WKO country page for Australia.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stay in Austria after my Working Holiday? Only with a residence permit of your own, for example a Red-White-Red Card. Plan the switch in good time.
May I submit my application in Vienna? Yes. As a visa-free traveller, you may submit your first application in Austria. However, you must leave when your permitted time ends (oesterreich.gv.at).
Will my Australian insurance periods be taken into account? The social security agreement governs this. Have your case reviewed individually.
Do I have to retake my driving test? Not for category B, provided you have your licence exchanged within six months.
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