Are you thinking about moving to Austria? Home to stunning natural landscapes, enchanting cuisine and an abundance of culture, it's no wonder that Austria is among the most popular destinations for those looking to live abroad.
While there are a lot of things to get excited about, it's also essential to understand a few details more thoroughly before making that big decision. So why exactly is Austria such an interesting destination for immigrants and why do they seek out the country? That's what we answer below!
Strong economy, better quality of life
Let's look at the most recent economic data: according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in 2019, Austria was the 13th richest country in the world in terms of GDP per capita.
Furthermore, in 2020, the country ranked 18th when it comes to the Human Development Index (HDI) – for comparison, Brazil ranks 84th on the list.
Unemployment, in 2022, is just 6.1% and the healthcare system, as we will see below, is among the 5 best in the world. However, as you can imagine, Austria is not the only European Union (EU) country to offer a high standard of living.
What really sets it apart from other destinations in Europe is the wide variety of natural beauty on offer and the tremendously rich history of excellence in arts, science and culture – and it was home to Freud, Mozart, Beethoven, Billy Wilder and Michael Haneke.
Other than that, Austria is located right in the center of the continent, making it easy to travel to other European destinations even during a weekend off.
One of the best healthcare systems in the world
As you would expect, Austria offers excellent affordable healthcare for both foreigners and locals – in fact, according to CEOWorld Magazine , in 2021, it ranked 4th in the ranking of the best healthcare systems in the world.
Therefore, if you are used to waiting in long lines for service, you won't have to worry about that there. If you are working in Austria, your company will automatically register you for public healthcare.
That said, if you want to benefit from even shorter waiting times, a more comprehensive network of doctors and more sophisticated hospital wards, you can also take out complementary private health insurance.
Austrians work hard, but they also know how to have fun!
If you're moving to Austria for work, you'll be pleased to know that the country prides itself on a solid work-life balance. This means that in addition to working, you will also have plenty of time to explore all the wonderful places the country has to offer.
Workers enjoy a high proportion of public holidays and generous holiday schemes, making the country a great place to live, work and raise a family. Not only that, but Austrian labor law offers broad protections and rights for workers. This covers everything from sick pay and maternity pay to disability benefits and protection against discrimination at work.
