Remote work in Vienna (2023)

FAQs

Where can I work remotely in Vienna? ›

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.

Getting a job in Vienna is a competitive affair, so make sure you invest the time upfront. The document you need to submit is usually known as a CV in Europe, but is different to that known as a curriculum vitae or CV in America.

To live and work in Sweden as a non-EU citizen, you must be employed by a Swedish company or have Swedish clients, and apply for a work permit. If you are an EEA, EU, or Schengen area citizen you do not need a visa or residence permit to work remotely from Sweden.

Expats who are citizens of EU-member states can legally work in Austria without any special documentation, but those from outside the EU will need to obtain a work permit.

Although it's legal to work remotely from another country, you should be aware of the 183-day rule, which states that anyone working 183 days (half the year) in another country is considered a resident for tax purposes and subject to taxation laws in both countries.

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.

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.

Relocating to Vienna

It depends on your situation which visa you require, but it's suggested that you apply for a residence permit before you plan to move to Austria. Finding accommodation in Vienna that meets your needs can come at a high price; if you intend to stay for a long time, buying property is recommended.

Is Vienna expat friendly? ›

Austria has a good healthcare system and you'll get access as an expat. Similar to German culture, making local friends is a slow and steady process instead of instant acquaintances. Austria has a high democracy index and the city is family and LGBTQ+ friendly.

Austrians are quite friendly and foreigners are typically received with a warm welcome. Despite this, Austrians tend to lead more private personal lives. It can be difficult to make friends with locals unless one interacts with them on a daily basis at work or as part of a recreational activity.

Santa Ana, Calif.

Kansas City, Missouri, has been named the number one city in the world to take a working vacation, according to a recent analysis from Icelandair.

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.

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.

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.

Speaking to locals

The locals are naturally aware that most foreign visitors, for example, cannot speak German. As a result, you're unlikely to offend anyone by addressing them in English as long as you're not arrogant about it. Indeed, you'll find people eager to practice their English on you.

The short answer is: yes, it is possible to find work even if you speak little to no German in Austria.

Can a US citizen live in Vienna? ›

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens need a type to get a long-stay visa and a residence permit if they plan to stay for longer than six months in the Austrian territory.

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.

The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE, using IRS Form 2555) allows you to exclude a certain amount of your FOREIGN EARNED income from US tax. For tax year 2022 (filing in 2023) the exclusion amount is $112,000.

California's 'Safe Harbor' rule for expats

Known as the Safe Harbor rule, expats who move abroad for at least 546 consecutive days on an employment contract are not considered state residents for tax purposes.

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.

While France doesn't have a specific visa for digital nomads, most foreigners are allowed to enter the country for 90 days thanks to the Schengen Area agreement. Technically, you're not allowed to work during this time, but if you're working remotely you should be fine.

In most cases, if you are a U.S. citizen working abroad, you will be able to claim a foreign earned income exclusion on your U.S. tax return. This exclusion allows you to exclude up to $112,000 of your foreign earned income from your taxable income for 2022 (this amount is adjusted for inflation each year).

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.

For a variety of reasons, it is generally not possible to work remotely in the U.S. without a work visa. As more companies adopt “work from anywhere” policies with no geographic requirements, it can be tempting to jump on the opportunity to earn an income from your location of choice — the United States included.

Can I drive in Vienna with a US license? ›

The U.S. driver's license must be accompanied by an international driver's permit (obtainable in the U.S. from AAA) or by an official translation of the U.S. driver's license, which can be obtained at one of the Austrian automobile clubs (ÖAMTC or ARBÖ ).

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Prospective residents or anyone intending to stay longer than 90 days must obtain the appropriate visa. Visit the Embassy of Austria's website for current visa information or the Government of Austria's website on migration.

U.S. citizens who intend to remain in Austria for a period exceeding 90 days or who wish to be gainfully employed in Austria must obtain an Austrian visa. Please note that the visa-free travel is limited to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Expats describe people in Vienna as unfriendly in general (43 percent vs. 17 percent globally) and towards the foreign population in particular (46 percent vs. 18 percent globally). In addition, more than half of those surveyed find it difficult to make friends with the Viennese.

Con: Taxes

Austria uses a progressive tax rate system like in the U.S., but the tax percentages are greater. You can expect to pay more than double the taxes in Austria. For example, if you have an average salary of €60,000 in 2022, you will pay 48% of that income in taxes in Austria.

Austria offers several visas to Americans, but the most popular one for retirees is a settlement permit. To qualify for a settlement permit, a person must prove that he or she has sufficient funds, health insurance and a place to live.

Requirements for obtaining a residence permit include proof of income and accommodation in Austria, health insurance, and proof that there are no legal impediments for an American citizen to relocate to Austria.

When it comes to whether Austrian or German culture is better, it depends on what you're looking for. If you want big cities and more professional opportunities, go to Germany. If you want a smaller country with interesting traditions, then Austria is the place to be.

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.

What is the 2nd most remote city in the world? ›

What is the most isolated city in the world? The most isolated cities in the world are Medog, Tibet; Nuuk, Greenland; Perth, Australia; Iquitos, Peru; and Yakutsk, Eastern Siberia, Russia.

In the US, the management and consulting industry is the most in-demand industry for remote workers.

Mexico. If you're looking for a remote-work friendly country that isn't too far from the US, Mexico is a great choice. The cost of living is relatively cheap, the internet is strong and reliable, and there are plenty of coworking spaces available throughout the country.

For the very first time, readers of Travel + Leisure have voted Charleston the No. 1 City in the World! Charleston is the first domestic destination to earn the coveted No. 1 City in the World ranking.

Germany is the top ranked country for remote working, followed by Denmark and the US, according to cybersecurity software firm NordLayer. European countries make up the remainder of the top 10, aside from Singapore which ranks ninth.

As an American, you can work in Australia, Ireland, Singapore, New Zealand, Canada, and South Korea. If your visa requires you to get a background check first, National Background Check, Inc. can help with all the necessary background checks and travel paperwork you will need to safely and effectively travel abroad.

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.

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'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.

Is it illegal to work remotely for my company which is in my country while I m in the United States as a tourist? ›

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.

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.

Speaking to locals

The locals are naturally aware that most foreign visitors, for example, cannot speak German. As a result, you're unlikely to offend anyone by addressing them in English as long as you're not arrogant about it. Indeed, you'll find people eager to practice their English on you.

Lots of major international companies have bases in Vienna because of its strategic location bridging the east and west of Europe. If your German isn't so strong, you might find a job for non-German speakers by working in English in Vienna with a global company or within an international team of a smaller business.

Iquitos, Peru

Iquitos only has one single outward road which dead-ends in the only neighboring settlement 65 miles away. With 400,000 residents, Iquitos is the largest city on the planet that's not connected to the outside world by road.

We have a diverse workforce with talented people from all over the world. As our operations span across different countries and time zones, remote working is a key aspect of our business' growth. With staff in remote locations in all corners of the world, we can serve our customers, wherever they may be.

Is this advice any good? GitLab is one of the world's largest all-remote companies. We are 100% remote, with no company-owned offices anywhere on the planet.