Planning a workation in Innsbruck? Or a business trip to Salzburg or Vienna? Learn the essential information you and your employees need to work safely and compliantly while traveling in Austria, including working conditions, safety and health regulations, tax treaties, social security, and more.
Capital city
Vienna
Telephone code
+34
Official language
German
Currency
Euro
Time zone
CET (UTC+1)
Social security compliance
When working remotely abroad, your employees may become subject to the social security scheme of the destination country, which means you, as an employer, would need to pay social security premiums accordingly.
As part of the European Union, Austria follows regulations that coordinate social security among EU/EEA member states and Switzerland. One key regulation is Regulation (EC) No 883/2004, which ensures that social security systems operate smoothly across borders.
Additionally, Austria has entered into numerous social security treaties with various countries to prevent the payment of double social security premiums or non-insurance (see here)
To ensure your employees remain compliant with these treaties, they must possess a valid A1 certificate (if traveling from another EU country to Austria) or a Certificate of Coverage (CoC) (if traveling from a country outside the EU).
Tax compliance
As a member of the OECD, many of Austria's tax treaties are based on the OECD Model Tax Convention. This framework provides guidelines for structuring tax treaties and covers various types of income, including dividends, interest, royalties, and employment income. In addition to these guidelines, Austria has signed tax treaties with numerous countries, available here.
Despite the existence of many tax treaties and the adoption of the OECD Model Tax Convention, the issue of Permanent Establishment remains a significant compliance concern for employers with employees temporarily working in Austria, whether for a workation or a business trip. If a traveling employee is deemed to constitute a Permanent Establishment in the destination country, the employer may be required to register the company locally, allocate profits to the local business (branch), and file corporate taxes, leading to substantial administrative burdens.
To avoid this scenario, here are some key strategies:
If your employees are traveling for a workation, they should refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during the trip. Additionally, they should avoid visiting clients or any office, including the employer's local office in the destination country. Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risk for the employer related to permanent establishment.
If your employees travel for business, it may be impossible to refrain from the activities above. In this case, please make sure to inform your (tax) compliance department of this matter. If you and your organization are a WorkFlex user, this topic is covered through the WorkFlex platform.
PWD notification obligations for business trips
Under European law, employers are generally required to register their employees’ postings with local labour authorities in the destination country, i.e. to submit a PWD notification. This notification serves several important purposes, including balancing worker mobility with the protection of their rights. PWD notification obligations apply in Austria.
As a consequence, to stay compliant with the PWD obligations, employees traveling to Austria must comply with several local working conditions, notably must receive at least the same pay as local employees in similar roles. Find out more about the PWD notifications in Austria here.
Visa
To work legally while in another country, employees generally need a valid work title. It's important to keep in mind that the consequences of entering without the proper documentation can be significant for both the employee and the employer.
For those planning work-from-anywhere trips to Austria, here’s a quick overview:
- Short-Term Stay: If you’re a citizen or residence permit holder from a Schengen Zone country, you can enjoy a stay in Austria for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without needing a visa. If you're coming from a non-Schengen country, you’ll likely need a Schengen Visa (Type C) for short stays of up to 90 days.
- Long-Term Stay: Planning to stay longer than 90 days? In that case, you’ll probably need to apply for a residence permit or a long-stay visa.
For those planning business trips to Austria, here’s what you need to know:
- Short-Term Trip: If you’re a citizen or a residence permit holder of a Schengen country, you can enter Austria for short business trips without needing a visa, and you can stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. For travelers from non-Schengen countries, you’ll likely need a Schengen Business Visa. This visa allows you to move freely throughout the Schengen Area for your business activities.
- Long-Stay Visa: If your business plans involve staying longer than 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a specific long-stay visa. The requirements can vary based on the nature of your business activities, so it's a good idea to check the specifics in advance.
Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
Working hours
Most employees in Austria work from Monday to Friday, with a standard workweek consisting of 40 hours. The workday is typically running from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a lunch break of 1 hour in between.
To remain compliant during your trip abroad, here are some suggestions to follow:
- Avoid working overtime: Regulations regarding overtime can differ significantly and may be much stricter compared to those in your home country.
- Refrain from working outside regular hours: The rules surrounding working outside regular hours may vary and could be stricter than in your home country.
- Do not work on weekends: If the weekend days differ from those in your home country, please avoid working on both your regular weekend days and the local weekend days.
Public holidays
- January 1: New Year's Day
- January 6: Epiphany*
- Varied date: Easter Monday
- May 1: Labour Day
- Varied date: Ascension Day
- Varied date: Whit Monday
- Varied date: Corpus Christi*
- August 15: Assumption of the Virgin Mary*
- October 26: National Day
- November 1: All Saints' Day*
- December 8: Immaculate Conception*
- December 25: Christmas Day
- December 26: St Stephen's Day
*Observed in specific regions only
Depending on the region you're visiting, there may be additional region-specific public holidays. For more information about these holidays, please check here.
To comply with labor laws, please refrain from working on national or regional holidays during your trip. These days hold significant importance for locals and provide a great opportunity for you to blend in and celebrate with the community.
Working activities
When considering travel for work purposes—whether for a workation or a business trip—it is crucial to understand the implications of Permanent Establishment (PE) and associated tax risks. PE is a significant compliance concern for companies and can become costly due to the administrative burden if the compliance requirements for employees working abroad are not properly managed. To help mitigate these risks, here are a few guidelines to follow.
If you are traveling for a workation, please:
- Refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during your trip.
- Avoid visiting clients or any office, including your employer's local office in the destination country.
Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risks related to Permanent Establishment for your employer.
If you are a business traveler, it may be difficult to avoid the activities mentioned above. In this case, please ensure you inform your employer's compliance department about this matter. If you and your organization are WorkFlex users, this topic is addressed through the WorkFlex platform.
Data protection
Data protection is fundamentally about keeping our information safe from unauthorized access, breaches, theft, or damage. This responsibility is important for everyone, regardless of where they are working.
When employees work temporarily from abroad, data protection involves ensuring continued coverage and compliance with the data protection regulations of both, the home country and the destination country. In addition to adhering to your home country's regulations, it’s important to note that since Austria is a member of the EU, the GDPR will be applicable during your trip.
For WorkFlex users, a comprehensive list of data protection activities is available in the profile, but here are some general data protection guidelines to keep your data safe:
- Adhere to Your Company's Internal Data Policies: Familiarize yourself with and follow your organization’s specific data protection protocols.
- Use Secure Network Connections: Always connect through secure networks, especially when accessing sensitive information.
- Be Aware of Phishing: Stay vigilant against phishing attempts by verifying the authenticity of emails and messages before clicking on any links.
- Utilize Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication: Create complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
- Keep Your Devices in a Secure Location: Always store your devices in safe places to prevent unauthorized access.
- Lock Your Screen Whenever Applicable: Ensure your screen is locked when you're away from your device to protect your information.
Travel health insurance
When traveling to Austria for work—whether for a short business trip or an extended workation—it’s essential to have adequate health insurance coverage to ensure access to medical care.
For business trips, the employer typically arranges the employee's travel health insurance. However, for workations, responsibility can sometimes be less clear. Regardless of whether insurance is provided by the employer or purchased by the employee, international coverage is crucial for a safe and secure trip.
For travelers using WorkFlex:
If you’re traveling with WorkFlex, comprehensive health insurance is automatically included if your employer has activated this feature. For more details, please refer to your trip request on the WorkFlex platform.
For other travelers
- EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) grants access to public healthcare services within Austria’s national health system, covering essential services like doctor visits, hospital treatments, and prescription medications (urgent or necessary medical care to the same extent as for local residents). The EHIC is valid only at public healthcare facilities, so check your private health insurance policy to confirm whether additional coverage is provided for private healthcare services.
- Citizens of other countries: Ensure you have travel health insurance with worldwide coverage, whether for a workation or business trip, so that you can receive adequate medical treatment in case of an emergency.
Urgent safety information
For travelers using WorkFlex:
Please refer to your trip's risk assessment under the "Health and Security" dimension to review any urgent security information relevant to your travel.
For other travelers:
Please visit official authority websites to check for any current threats or urgent security advisories:
Terrorism
While Austria remains a safe destination, the possibility of terrorist incidents cannot be entirely ruled out. An elevated terror alert level has been in place since early October 2023. Austria previously experienced an attack in downtown Vienna in November 2020.
- Please stay aware of the global security advisory and any relevant updates.
Crime
In Austria, petty crimes like pickpocketing and handbag theft are more prevalent in major cities and popular tourist areas, while violent crime remains rare.
- Keep your money, IDs, driver’s license, and other important documents secure, and consider storing electronic copies or photos. This can make it easier to obtain replacements in the event of theft or loss.
- Opt for cashless payments and carry only the cash you need for the day, minimizing the presence of unnecessary valuables.
- Remain especially vigilant in crowded spaces, such as airports, train stations, markets, and on public transport, and always keep an eye on your belongings.
- Be cautious of unusual emails, phone calls, prize notifications, offers, or requests for help from unknown contacts. Avoid sharing personal information; verify the credibility of any suspicious communications, or contact the police if needed.
Austria has a varied climate influenced by its geography, with both alpine and continental elements.
- Northern regions (Vienna, Linz): A temperate continental climate characterized by cold winters and warm summers. Rainfall is fairly distributed throughout the year.
- Southern regions (Graz, Klagenfurt): A mild climate with more Mediterranean influences, featuring hot summers and mild winters.
- Mountainous regions (Tyrol, Salzburg): Alpine climate with heavy snowfall in winter, offering cold temperatures and cool summers.
Potential threats
In winter, avalanches regularly occur in the mountains, and areas, particularly valleys, may be closed off.
Snow and glacier melt can also cause avalanches and landslides in spring. Year-round, there can be rockfalls and landslides as well as debris flows.
- Before engaging in activities in the mountains, inform yourself about the local conditions to assess the risk of sudden weather changes, avoid overestimating your abilities, and set out with adequate clothing and equipment. Information on current weather conditions, especially regarding snow and avalanche situations, is provided by the Austrian Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics.
- Always stay on designated slopes and trails.
- Always observe prohibitions, signs, warnings, and instructions from Austrian authorities.
- Pay attention to regional weather and traffic advisories and act accordingly.
Please make sure you remain aware of local weather conditions and any potential hazards to ensure your safety during their visit.
Airports
Vienna International Airport (VIE)
Location: Vienna, capital of Austria.
When to use: The primary gateway for international flights into Austria and ideal for business travelers, with numerous connections to Europe and beyond.
Salzburg Airport (SZG)
Location: Salzburg, located in the northwest of Austria.
When to use: Convenient for reaching Salzburg and nearby alpine resorts, offering both domestic and international flights.
Innsbruck Airport (INN)
Location: Innsbruck, in the Tyrol region.
When to use: Best for accessing the ski resorts and mountainous areas in Tyrol and for shorter connections to other parts of Austria.
Train stations
Vienna Hauptbahnhof (Vienna Central Station)
The main railway station in Vienna, it serves as a major hub for international and domestic trains.
International connections: Direct trains to cities like Budapest, Prague, and Munich.
Salzburg Hauptbahnhof
Key station for travel to and from Salzburg, offering connections to major European destinations.
International connections: Direct routes to Munich and Zurich.
Ride-hailing services
- Uber: Available in major cities like Vienna and Graz.
- Bolt: A growing service option in Austria.
Public transportation
Trams and Buses
Major cities like Vienna and Graz have extensive tram and bus networks, making it easy to navigate urban areas.
Suburban Trains
ÖBB operates a network of suburban trains connecting Vienna to nearby towns and cities, ideal for daily commutes.
High-Speed Trains
Rail connections between major cities (e.g., Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck) are efficient, with the Railjet trains providing fast service