Relocating to a new international school abroad offers an array of valuable opportunities for personal growth and enrichment.
How to Relocate Your Life to Vienna
At Home Network, 2018. 10. 18.
How to Relocate Your Life to Vienna
| Vienna seems to have it all: affordable housing, equal access to the city’s resources to all its citizens, a thorough plan to tackle climate change, and great public transportation. Ít should be no wonder that it has been doubted one of the most livable cities in the world. It’s affordable, breathable, and sustainable. And, now comes the million dollar question: what does it take to move there and relocate your life to Vienna? |
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Here are the steps you need to take if you want to move to this vibrant cultural and financial hub. We’ll cover everything from visas to housing and networking.
Entry and Residence in Austria
The paperwork required to enter Austria and relocate your life to Vienna depends on your nationality.
If you are an EU or EEA citizen, then your ID is the only documentation you need to enter Austria. However, if you’re planning on staying for more than three months, then you will have to get a Certificate of Registration (Anmeldebescheinigung) as well as a Residence Registration (Medezettel.) The Meldezettel is paramount if you want to get access to any of Vienna’s facilities, from getting your social security to ordering a takeout. The registration process is quite simple as you can learn from this page here. There’s also some good information about duties and documents required for moving internationally to Austria at the url https://www.a1autotransport.com/moving-to-austria/.
You will need an application form and your both certificates, and you have to notify the authorities within three days before or after moving to your new home. If you’re renting a flat, then you will need your landlord’s signature as well.
You can apply for the Medzettel at any of the Registration Service Centers in Vienna regardless of the district you’re living in.
If you’re a third-country national who want to enter Austria, then you will need a visa. Keep in mind that you will have to apply for one before exiting your country as the Austrian domestic authorities can’t issue visas. You will also need a residence permit.
Housing
Vienna is popular for its affordable housing options. About 60% of the population lives in public housing. That makes the private rent market extremely small and competitive. Finding an apartment in Vienna can be quite the challenge, and it requires a lot of patience and nerves of steel. Keep in mind that when you finally find an apartment, you will have to pay a fee to the real estate agent – usually the equivalent of two months of rent.
If this process is too difficult or expensive for you, then you can look into flat sharing. There are plenty of students and young professionals who are looking for a flatmate. Not only that this option is more affordable than renting an entire flat on your own, but you also get to jumpstart your social life. And, that brings us to our next point.
Networking
So, you’ve taken the plunge and flew across the world to move to this thriving metropolis. It feels equally exciting and terrifying. And, while you’re still probably trying to get the kinks of it, you’re probably wondering what you can do to meet people and make some new friends.
Well, first of all, dive into the culture. Try to step outside your community and spend some time getting to know the city and its ways. It may get you some time to get used to their rigidness and apparent rudeness, but once you get to indulge in what Vienna has to offer, you are going to fall in love with it. Go to local coffee shops, talk with the cashier at your neighborhood’s grocery store, engage with people at the farmer’s market, and so on.
If you want to meet other expats, then online platforms such as InterNations Vienna or Vienna Expats are a great place to start.
Health Insurance
Vienna has an outstanding healthcare system with top-rated hospitals available to all its citizens regardless of their income. If you are relocating with your job to Vienna, then you will benefit from social insurance, which covers health, pension, and accidents.
If you don’t have social insurance, you can purchase an individual health plan, although the costs can be rather high. You will have to pay around 330 euro per month, but you can bring some family members, such as your spouse or children to your plan.
Getting Around
Vienna has one of the best public transportation systems in the world. For 1 euro a day, you can cross the city using its well-connected subways, busses, and trams. Or, you can rent a bike and get around profiting of the city’s modern bike lanes.
Make sure to take the advantage of Vienna’s smart options too. For instance, Qando is an excellent app for getting free access to the city’s public transportation schedules and routes. And, CityBike is a mobile app that will help you find the closest free bike station near your location.
Building a New Life in Vienna
It can be difficult to build a new network of friends in a city whose language you don’t speak. Sure, most Austrians are fluent in English, but they appreciate it when expats are making an effort and trying to learn the language and are eager to help you.
Don’t fall into the expat trap and surround yourself only with people from your cultural background. Of course, it’s comfortable that way, and it provides a sense of security. But, you’ve probably moved to a different country for a reason, so go out there and try to immerse yourself in all that this wonderful city has to offer. Take a German course and learn how to get around and interact with the locals. You can find cheap intensive courses here and here.
Vibrant, affordable, and multicultural, Vienna is an excellent place to start a new life. Hopefully, this article will get you up to speed with what you need to relocate your life to this gorgeous city.