✅ Your moving checklist
Your step by step timeline for moving to Austria, from permits and customs to your Meldezettel, e-card, German course and first Sunday in Vienna.
Your move to Austria in numbers
This checklist takes you from the first permit papers to your first Sunday in Vienna. Updated November 2026. Use the timeline sections in order and tick off each step.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Figures checked against official sources in November 2026.
Permit, documents, flat and job
The slowest parts of a move are permits and paperwork. Start here, months before you book a truck.
- Check your residence route: EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can move freely and register later in Austria. Non-EU citizens usually need a residence title first. Popular routes are the Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte = work permit with residence), the EU Blue Card and family reunification. Compare them in our residence permits guide.
- Apply for the permit: You apply at the Austrian embassy or consulate in your country of residence, or your employer files for you at the residence authority in Austria. In Vienna this is MA 35 (Magistratsabteilung 35 = immigration office). The Red-White-Red Card costs 218 € and the whole process takes about 8 weeks if your file is complete.
- Get documents legalised: Austria may ask for legalised documents. If your country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, you need an apostille (an official stamp that confirms the document). Other countries need full legalisation through the Austrian embassy. Typical documents are birth and marriage certificates, degrees and police records.
- Order translations: Documents not in German or English need a translation into German or English. Many offices prefer a certified translation by a court-certified interpreter (gerichtlich beeideter Dolmetscher). Order early, because certified translators are often booked out.
- Prove health insurance: For a permit you must show health insurance that covers all risks in Austria. Travel insurance only counts if it covers well above 30,000 € and includes rescue and return costs. Read our health insurance guide.
- Start the flat search: Vienna flats move fast. Plan viewings for a short trip, or book a furnished flat for the first weeks. Our finding a flat guide covers deposits, agent fees and scams.
- Sign your job contract: Your employment contract is often the core of your permit file and your EU registration. Ask your employer which start date fits the permit timeline.
- Set your budget: Rent, deposit, transport and fees add up in the first months. Use our cost of living guide to plan.
General information, not legal advice. Fees and procedures depend on your permit type.
Insurance, bank and moving company
With the permit and flat in place, sort out the practical side of the move.
Insurance
Arrange cover from your arrival day until Austrian social insurance starts with your job. Look at household contents insurance (Haushaltsversicherung) for your new flat, which often includes private liability cover.
Bank
Keep your home account open for the first months. Some Austrian banks and online banks let you open an account before you arrive. Compare options in our banking guide.
Moving company
Get at least three written quotes. Ask if the price covers packing, a parking permit for the truck and carrying to upper floors. Many older Vienna buildings have small lifts or none.
- Make an inventory list of your household goods with values. Customs and insurers both ask for it.
- Book the move-in date with your landlord and agree on the handover protocol (Übergabeprotokoll = written check of the flat’s condition).
- Carry originals of all documents in your hand luggage, not in the truck.
- Cancel or move contracts at home: phone, internet, utilities, subscriptions.
- Planning to bring a car? Read our cars and driving guide first. Registering a car in Austria triggers the NoVA (registration tax).
Duty-free import of household goods (Übersiedlungsgut)
Moving from inside the EU? Your goods move freely and you can skip this section. Moving from a non-EU country? You can bring your household goods free of duty and import VAT if you meet these conditions.
| Condition | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| 12 months abroad | You lived outside the EU for at least 12 months in a row before the move. |
| 6 months of use | You used the goods at your old home for at least 6 months before you left. |
| Same use | You use the goods for the same purpose in your new home in Austria. |
| 12-month window | You import the goods within 12 months of moving your residence to Austria. |
| Used goods only | New items do not qualify. Personal belongings, furniture, household supplies in normal family amounts, pets and private vehicles do. |
| 12-month hold | For 12 months after import, you cannot sell, lend, rent out or pledge the goods without telling customs first. |
Forms and proof
You declare the move with form ZBefr 2E. If that form does not fit your case, you apply with ZBefr 2aE. Add proof of your move, for example your deregistration abroad, your Meldezettel, your job contract, your lease or school enrolment for your children.
Not duty-free
Alcohol, tobacco, commercial vehicles and work equipment do not qualify (portable tools for the arts are an exception). Cars, trailers, caravans and boats need a separate basic assessment notice, which you apply for before import.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Ask the customs office before your goods arrive.
Bringing your dog or cat to Austria
The rules depend on where your pet travels from. Plan at least 4 months ahead if you move from a country without the simple rules.
From an EU country
- Microchip, placed before the rabies vaccination.
- Valid rabies vaccination, given from 12 weeks of age.
- The vaccination counts only 21 days after the first dose.
- EU pet passport, filled in by an authorised vet.
From a non-EU country
- Microchip and rabies vaccination, as for EU travel.
- Official vet certificate, not older than 10 days at EU entry.
- Rabies antibody test (titre test) for countries not on the EU list: the vet takes blood at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 3 months before departure. The result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml.
- Listed countries such as the USA, Canada, Japan and Australia skip the titre test.
- Maximum 5 animals per trip, travelling with you or within 5 days of you.
| After arrival in Vienna | What to do |
|---|---|
| Pet database | Register your dog in the Heimtierdatenbank (national pet database) within one month of entering Austria. You can do it online with ID Austria. |
| Dog tax (Hundeabgabe) | Register your dog with the City of Vienna (MA 6) for the annual dog tax. The city announced a rise to 120 € a year for the first dog in 2026 (before 72.67 €). Check the current rate with MA 6 before you pay. |
| Proof of knowledge | If you register a dog in Vienna and did not keep a dog in the past 2 years, you need a Sachkundenachweis (short course on dog keeping). |
| Dog licence (Hundeführschein) | Required in Vienna for listed breeds (Listenhunde) such as Rottweiler, Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bullterrier and their crosses. You pass the test within 3 months and repeat it after 21–24 months. These dogs wear a muzzle and leash in public. |
Dog tax and breed rules differ in every federal state and municipality. Outside Vienna, ask your Gemeinde (municipal office).
Register, get a phone and a transport pass
You need your Meldezettel for almost everything else, so do it first.
- Meldezettel: Register your address within 3 days after you move in. The landlord or main tenant signs the form. In Vienna you go to a Meldeservice (registration office) at any municipal district office (Magistratisches Bezirksamt). Bring your passport. It is free. Step by step in our registration guide.
- SIM card: The three networks are A1, Magenta and Drei. Cheaper brands use their networks, for example yesss!, bob, HoT and spusu. Prepaid SIM cards must be registered with photo ID before they work.
- Transport pass: In Vienna the annual pass (Jahreskarte) costs 467 €, or 461 € as a digital card. Under 26? The youth annual pass costs 300 €. A single ticket costs 3.20 € (3.00 € digital). A 7-day ticket costs 28.90 €.
- Klimaticket: Travel a lot by train? The KlimaTicket Österreich Classic covers all public transport in Austria for 1,400 € a year (1,050 € for under 26 and over 65).
Bank, e-card, residence papers and utilities
Now you set up the services that keep daily life running.
| Task | What to know | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Bank account | Open a local account for salary and rent. Bring passport and Meldezettel. See our banking guide. | Before your first salary |
| e-card | Your health insurance card arrives by post after your employer registers you. Over 14 and no photo on file in Austria? Bring a photo to the insurer. | With your first job |
| Anmeldebescheinigung (EU) | EU, EEA and Swiss citizens apply at MA 35 in Vienna. Bring ID and proof of work, studies or enough money plus insurance. Fee 44 €. | Within 4 months of arrival |
| Residence card (non-EU) | Collect your card at the residence authority (MA 35 in Vienna) after you entered with your D visa. | After entry |
| ORF fee | Every household with a main residence pays the ORF-Beitrag of 15.30 € a month in Vienna. Report your address to the ORF-Beitrags Service (OBS). | After registration |
| Electricity and gas | Register the meter in your name or switch supplier. The E-Control tariff calculator compares prices. | At move-in |
| Internet | Fixed-line and mobile broadband offers come from A1, Magenta and Drei and smaller providers. Check which lines reach your building. | Book early, setup takes time |
ORF fee by federal state
Some states add a surcharge to the 15.30 € federal fee. Vienna, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Salzburg and Vorarlberg add none. Tirol charges 18.40 €, Burgenland and Carinthia 19.90 €, Styria 20.00 € a month. Low-income households can apply for an exemption.
e-card service fee
Employees pay a yearly e-card service fee through payroll. For 2026 it was 25 €. For 2027 it is 26.85 €, taken on 15 November 2026. Co-insured family members do not pay it.
General information, not legal or tax advice.
Driving licence, tax and German course
These tasks have longer deadlines. Put them in your calendar now so they do not slip.
Driving licence
EU and EEA licences stay valid. A non-EU licence works for 6 months after you register your main residence. Convert it within that time. The fee is 90 €. Many countries need a practical test, but category B holders from the USA, Canada, Australia and some others do not. In Vienna you apply at the police traffic office. Details in our cars and driving guide.
Tax
As an employee, your employer deducts wage tax. Set up FinanzOnline (the tax portal) so you can file your Arbeitnehmerveranlagung (employee tax return) and claim money back. Self-employed? Register with the tax office soon after you start work.
German course
Many non-EU permit holders must reach German level A2 within 2 years (Integrationsvereinbarung = integration agreement, Module 1). You prove it with an ÖIF exam (Austrian Integration Fund). VHS Wien (adult education centres) offers courses from A1 to C2 and ÖIF exam preparation.
- Red-White-Red Card holders count as having met Module 1 automatically.
- Some family members get 50 % of course costs back, up to 750 €, if they attend 75 % of the course and pass in time.
- VHS Wien runs free placement advice every week. Some course costs are refunded after you pass an ÖIF exam.
- Module 2 (level B1) is needed for long-term residence and generally for citizenship.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Ask the tax office or a tax adviser about your case.
House rules, shops and greetings
Small habits make a big difference with neighbours. These are the ones new arrivals ask about most.
Waste separation
Vienna sorts residual waste (Restmüll), paper, glass (white and coloured separately), organic waste (Biomüll) and plastic and metal packaging in the yellow bin. Electrical devices and bulky items go to a Mistplatz (recycling centre). Other states may use yellow bags instead of bins.
Quiet times
Your Hausordnung (house rules) sets quiet hours at night and often on Sundays. Read it when you move in. Neighbours notice loud music, drilling and late laundry.
Sunday closing
Shops may open Monday to Friday 6:00–21:00 and Saturday 6:00–18:00. On Sundays and public holidays most shops stay closed. Shops at big train stations and airports are open, and so are petrol station shops.
Greetings
Say „Grüß Gott“ or „Guten Tag“ in shops and offices. Friends say „Servus“ or „Hallo“. Use „Sie“ (formal you) and last names with people you do not know. Greet neighbours in the stairwell.
Useful German words for your move
You will see these words on forms, letters and signs in your first weeks.
| German | English | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Meldezettel | Registration form | Registering your address within 3 days |
| Hauptwohnsitz | Main residence | Registration, ORF fee, driving licence |
| Anmeldebescheinigung | EU registration certificate | EU citizens staying longer than 3 months |
| Aufenthaltstitel | Residence permit | Non-EU citizens |
| Übersiedlungsgut | Household goods for a move | Customs from a non-EU country |
| Beglaubigte Übersetzung | Certified translation | Permit and civil documents |
| Kaution | Deposit | Renting a flat |
| Hausordnung | House rules | Living in a flat |
| Hundeabgabe | Dog tax | Registering your dog |
| Führerschein | Driving licence | Converting a non-EU licence |
| Mülltrennung | Waste separation | Taking out the rubbish |
| Termin | Appointment | Booking at offices like MA 35 |
Common questions about moving to Austria
What do I need to do first when I move to Vienna?
Register your address within 3 days after you move in. You get a Meldezettel confirmation at any Meldeservice in a municipal district office. It is free and you need it for your bank, job and residence papers.
How long do EU citizens have to get the Anmeldebescheinigung?
You must apply within 4 months of arriving in Austria. In Vienna you apply at MA 35. The fee is 44 euros.
Can I bring my furniture to Austria duty-free?
Yes, if you move from a non-EU country, lived there for at least 12 months and used the goods for at least 6 months. You must import them within 12 months of moving. From an EU country your goods move freely.
What do I need to bring my dog to Austria?
A microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport or an official vet certificate. From countries not on the EU list your dog also needs a rabies titre test at least 3 months before travel. Register your dog in the national pet database within one month.
How much is the dog tax in Vienna in 2026?
Vienna announced a rise to 120 euros a year for the first dog in 2026, up from 72.67 euros. Check the current rate with MA 6, the city department that collects the dog tax.
Do I have to pay the ORF fee in Austria?
Yes, every household with a main residence pays it. In Vienna it is 15.30 euros a month. Some federal states add a surcharge. Low-income households can apply for an exemption.
Can I drive in Austria with my foreign driving licence?
EU and EEA licences stay valid. A non-EU licence is valid for 6 months after you register your main residence. You must convert it within that time. The fee is 90 euros.
Are shops open on Sunday in Austria?
Most shops are closed on Sundays and public holidays. Shops at big train stations, airports and petrol stations are open. On weekdays shops may open from 6:00 to 21:00, on Saturdays until 18:00.
- City of Vienna: Residence registration (Meldepflicht)
- oesterreich.gv.at: Anmeldebescheinigung for EU and Swiss citizens
- migration.gv.at: Red-White-Red Card procedure and fee
- migration.gv.at: FAQ on processing time and health insurance
- BMF: Duty-free import of relocation goods from a non-EU country
- BAVG: Entry with pets from third countries
- oesterreich.gv.at: Dog registration and pet database
- oesterreich.gv.at: Listed dog breeds in Vienna
- wien.ORF.at: Vienna raises fees including dog tax
- wien.ORF.at: Wiener Linien prices from 2026
- oesterreich.gv.at: ORF fee after a move
- finanzinfo.at: ORF fee and state surcharges 2026
- oesterreich.gv.at: e-card and service fee
- oesterreich.gv.at: Converting foreign driving licences
- oesterreich.gv.at: Integration agreement Module 1
- VHS Wien: German courses
- wertkartenregistrierung.at: Prepaid SIM registration
- BMWET: Shop opening hours law
- wien.ORF.at: Waste separation in Vienna
Rules change. Check the official source before you apply.