Remote work in Austria (2023)

FAQs

Can I work remotely in Austria? ›

EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens can live in Austria and work as digital nomads for up to three months without any restrictions. After three months, all they need to do is register their stay at a local registration hall, and they can keep living there.

If you have the correct visas and a work permit, you can reside for a pre-set time period within the borders of most foreign countries. However, if you only plan on working remotely for a couple of days or a single week, just take a well-earned vacation instead — working while on a tourist visa is prohibited.

A worker may have tax obligations in any state where they reside and possibly the state where their employer's worksite is located. A permanent remote worker will file their personal income taxes in their state of residence, whether they are a W-2 employee or a 1099-NEC independent contractor.

You will need to check with your employer to find out if they withhold taxes from your paycheck and how much they withhold. If you are working remotely in another country, you may also be required to file a tax return in that country. This is typically due by April 15th.

If you're classified as an independent contractor, then you're free to choose where you work. However, if you're classified as an employee, you'll have to ask your employer for permission to work remotely. In both cases, you'll need to abide by local labor laws and check if you require a work permit.

Generally speaking, if your company permits it and you obey your destination country's local laws regarding work visas and taxes, you can work remotely for your U.S. company from anywhere in the world.

To work remotely for a US company from Europe, you'll need to make sure you're doing it legally. There are a few things to consider, including getting the right visa, paying taxes, and following the laws of both countries.

If a US-based company allows its employees to work remotely, they can work from anywhere in the world. However, no matter what country you choose to work from, you can't legally avoid paying your income taxes one way or another. For US-sourced income, you're subject to US taxes.

Either use a public VPN, like subscribing to NordVPN, for a basic level of concealment of your location. If your employer has a savvy IT department they might be able to see that you're using a VPN, but at least they won't know where you are, so that would give you some nice “plausible deniability”.

Whether digital nomads have to file or pay state taxes will depend on the state where they last resided and how recently they left. Typically, you would only need to file a State Tax return for the part of the year you lived in that state or whenever you have earned income from that state.

Can an employer dictate where you work remotely? ›

Yes, an employer can dictate where you work remotely.

This is mostly because employees are subject to the laws of the state that they work in. Some states have stricter laws for employees, so employers may discourage their employees from working remotely in those states.

In California, it's 45 days. Some states have a first-day rule, which means that if you work there for even one day, you owe state income tax. So, working remotely in your new home and traveling back to your old office could open you up to tax liability in both states.

Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen or a resident alien living outside the United States, your worldwide income is subject to U.S. income tax, regardless of where you live. However, you may qualify for certain foreign earned income exclusions and/or foreign income tax credits.

In general, yes — Americans must pay U.S. taxes on foreign income. The U.S. is one of only two countries in the world where taxes are based on citizenship, not place of residency. If you're considered a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident, you pay income tax regardless where the income was earned.

Most countries will allow foreign remote workers to stay and work remotely for up to 183 days in a year without becoming tax liable. After that period, a person becomes a tax resident on their worldwide income.

Non-US citizens can work remotely for a US company from their home country or anywhere in the world as long as they have consent from their employer, follow local laws regarding visas, and file taxes with their country of tax residence.

Even though a number of countries across the world have realised the economic benefits of welcoming remote workers, commonly referred to as digital nomads, and adjusted their immigration policies accordingly, the US does not issue work visas to cover remote working.

You are not allowed to work on a tourist visa in Italy, and you would need a digital nomad visa if you want to work remotely from Italy. Although many people work and travel on a tourist visa, this could potentially cause tax issues for you or your employer.

The Spain digital nomad visa is a residence visa for digital nomads who want to live and work remotely from Spain. It implies you can relocate to Spain for at least a year but only work with companies outside the country.

How long can a person on h1b work remotely outside US for a US company? ›

You will be able to work, but only for 30 days. Therefore, you will have to file a new LCA for that particular location, as well as an Amendment for it before you reach the 30 days term. It should be done before you start performing work from that location.

As a US citizen, you do not have an automatic right to work in Europe. You need a valid Schengen work visa or a work visa for a specific non-Schengen country. Many Americans looking to work in Europe will use their 90 days per 180 days visa-free period to apply for jobs before obtaining a work visa.

Assuming the worker has a valid permit to live in and work in/from Switzerland – the worker can work remotely for a foreign company under: EOR or Employer of Record Status.

If you're looking to move to Europe, work remotely, and gain the right to travel in the Schengen Area, a digital nomad visa could be just the ticket. Here's a comparison of the remote work visas currently - or soon to be - available in Europe, including length of stay, application fees and income requirements.

Foreign employees of US companies working and living abroad aren't taxed in the US. Foreign contractors working for US companies should pay taxes where their self-employment is registered and in the country of residence. US citizens remain to be taxed for their worldwide income in the US.

Whether you have a remote job in Canada or not, or go to the office every day if you are not a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen, you will need a work permit to be legally employed by a Canadian company.

Yes, with some planning, you can easily take your remote job on the road and work from anywhere you'd like. What Jobs Can You Do While Traveling? Pretty much any job done on a computer — such as writing, programming, accounting, SEO, tutoring — has the potential to be a remote job.

Can my employer track me via a work-provided VPN? Yes, because the VPN servers know where you're connecting from, and your boss has access to them.

The short answer is: yes, they can. Your employer may monitor several aspects of your activity while you are connected to the company network, including your location.

Informing your current employer of your decision to move abroad can often be done hastily, but it is an important part of the emigration process, as backing from your boss early on can support the transition.

Do digital nomads pay US income tax? ›

Yes, American digital nomads must file U.S. taxes, even when working remotely abroad. The most common question we hear is, “Do digital nomads have to file U.S. taxes?” Yes, if they make over the minimum amount required to file, digital nomads must file a U.S. tax return.

One of the cheapest countries for digital nomads is Thailand. You can rent a place to stay, eat food from the local street markets, and go on boat tours and hiking trips all for a fraction of the cost you'd pay in Europe or the USA. Thailand is also just a wonderful place to live.

Many employers use video cameras to prevent internal theft, security purposes, and to have a record of any employee accident or injury. Most video surveillance in the workplace is permissible when the employers notify workers about the surveillance.

Can my employer monitor me from a work computer through a built-in camera? A: YES, your employer can monitor you from a workplace computer through a built-in camera. To do this, special monitoring software has to be installed on your computer. Although this is not a common practice, some employers in the US do this.

One big question is whether you are using GPS to track company-owned property or employees' personal property. Generally, employers are in their right to track activity on company-owned devices. In other words, if you provide smartphones or laptops to employees, you are allowed to track activity via GPS or IP address.

You can deduct $5 per square foot of office space for up to 300 square feet (or $1,500). With the regular method, you'll need to keep records of your eligible home office-related expenses such as homeowners insurance, mortgage interest, utilities and repairs.

So before we go further here is the definitive answer: You can apply to remote jobs in any state no matter where you live in the United States. Furthermore, if you have a US work visa or are a US citizen, you can apply to jobs inside the United States while living abroad (as digital nomads know very well).

The only option to avoid submitting a US tax return and paying US taxes abroad under current US tax legislation is to renounce your US citizenship. If US citizens fail to file US taxes while living abroad, they may incur fines, interest charges, or possibly legal repercussions.

If you're an expat and you qualify for a Foreign Earned Income Exclusion from your U.S. taxes, you can exclude up to $108,700 or even more if you incurred housing costs in 2021. (Exclusion is adjusted annually for inflation). For your 2022 tax filing, the maximum exclusion is $112,000 of foreign earned income.

Do I need to file US tax return if I live abroad? ›

If you are a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder living abroad, the tax filing process is similar to filing a return if you are in the U.S. Learn from the IRS about filing a U.S. tax return if you live abroad.

Because the U.S. is one of the few countries in the world that taxes based on citizenship, not place of residency. This policy led to some expats paying taxes twice — once in the U.S. and once in their country of residence.

Overseas Mail Forwarding Services

The most convenient way to maintain a functional U.S. address while living abroad is to use a virtual mailbox service that you can activate online. This service scans, holds, and offers mail forwarding services for a few dollars per month.

You may wonder why U.S. citizens pay taxes on income earned abroad. U.S. taxes are based on citizenship, not country of residence. That means it doesn't matter where you call home, if you're considered a U.S. citizen, you have a tax obligation.

Yes, you can work remotely from another country. However, that answer also depends on several factors related to employment laws, taxes, visas, and data protection.

Let's recap: You can live in another country and work remotely for a U.S. company, but likely only up to 90 or 180 days visa free. If you want to live abroad for longer, it would be necessary to get residency permission, normally in the form of a visa, and the easiest would likely be a digital nomad visa.

If you're classified as an independent contractor, then you're free to choose where you work. However, if you're classified as an employee, you'll have to ask your employer for permission to work remotely. In both cases, you'll need to abide by local labor laws and check if you require a work permit.

All the remote work visas currently available in Europe, including length of stay, application fees and income requirements. Across Europe, countries are capitalising on remote work by offering digital nomad visas. Since the pandemic, many of us have enjoyed the freedom to work from anywhere.

The employer may need to obtain client consent to their work being performed in a particular country for a particular period. Insurance in relation to company assets provided to employees (e.g. laptop, tablet, mobile phone) may not apply in a foreign country.

In Austria you are not allowed to work for more than twelve hours per day and 60 hours per week, including overtime. Total working time may not exceed 48 hours per week based on a 17-week average. Nevertheless, there are many exceptions also included in the Working Hours Act.

Is Austria hiring foreign workers? ›

Attention. As a rule, you are only permitted to employ skilled workers from third countries if they have a valid work permit or a residence permit allowing them to work.

Most countries will allow foreign remote workers to stay and work remotely for up to 183 days in a year without becoming tax liable. After that period, a person becomes a tax resident on their worldwide income.

Spain's digital nomad visa is open to non-EU nationals who work remotely for non-Spanish companies. Applicants are allowed to get a maximum of 20 per cent of their income from Spanish firms.

You are not allowed to work on a tourist visa in Italy, and you would need a digital nomad visa if you want to work remotely from Italy. Although many people work and travel on a tourist visa, this could potentially cause tax issues for you or your employer.

Australia

If you're applying for a remote work visa in Australia, you'll need the First Working Holiday Visa. It allows digital nomads to spend a year in the country with the ability to apply for an extension. You can apply for a Second Working Holiday Visa if you meet certain eligibility criteria.

A visa is required in order to work in Australia, and anyone who is not a permanent resident or citizen needs work authorisation. The most appropriate visa for a remote worker would be a Temporary Skills Shortage visa (subclass 482).

Citizens of non-EU countries can apply in three different ways when you seek employment in Austria. The first is a restricted work permit (Beschäftigungsbewilligung) which will last for one year; a work permit that lasts two years (Arbeitserlaubnis), or an unrestricted work permit for five years (Befreiungsschein).

4 Day Work Week in Austria

Although there is no official pilot in place, some companies in Austria are starting to offer 4 day work weeks as an option to stay competitive. Although most workers in Austria don't have a 4 day work week, they still enjoy shorter working hours than workers in most countries.

The short answer is: yes, it is possible to find work even if you speak little to no German in Austria. You can even find higher-paying jobs in certain international companies, and the IT and startup sectors recruit continuously.

Which job has highest salary in Austria? ›

What is the best-paid profession in Austria? The best-paid job in Austria is not a complete surprise: “medical doctor” tops the list of Austrian occupations with good salaries, with an average wage of €72,000 annually.

Families wishing to immigrate to Austria from the US must apply for the respective residence permit, which is valid for one year. This document allows access to jobs valid on the Austrian market. Please get in touch with our lawyers in Austria for more information on how to apply for a residence permit in Austria.