Nursing glossary for Austria
The key terms around recognition, training, residence and salary — explained briefly and clearly.
28 terms
Nostrifikation
The recognition of a diploma obtained outside the EU/EEA as equivalent in Austria. For nurses from third countries it is usually the precondition for being allowed to work in the profession.
Anerkennung
The professional recognition of a qualification obtained abroad. For EU/EEA qualifications it is usually more straightforward than Nostrifikation for third countries.
DGKP
Diplomierte Gesundheits- und Krankenpflege
The higher, diploma-level of nursing with the broadest and most autonomous scope of practice, including independent planning of the nursing process.
Pflegeassistenz
PA
The assistant level of nursing with shorter training and a supportive scope of practice. It works on instruction from and under the supervision of the higher-level service.
Pflegefachassistenz
PFA
A specialist assistant with longer training and a broader scope than the Pflegeassistenz. It may carry out more tasks more independently.
GuKG
Gesundheits- und Krankenpflegegesetz
The Austrian federal law governing the nursing professions, their scopes of practice and their training. It also forms the basis for recognising foreign qualifications.
Gesundheitsberuferegister
The public register you must be entered in to practise certain health professions – such as nursing – in Austria. Registration requires a recognised qualification.
Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte
RWR-Karte
A combined residence and work permit for skilled workers from third countries. It grants the right to reside and to work, usually for a specific employer.
Mangelberuf
An occupation with a recognised shortage of skilled workers in Austria, kept on an official list. Nursing professions are included, which can ease access to the Red-White-Red card.
Kollektivvertrag
KV
An agreement negotiated between employers and employees that sets minimum pay and working conditions for a sector. Which KV applies depends on the operator.
Einstufung
Your placement in a pay grade within the applicable salary scheme, which largely determines your salary. It depends, among other things, on qualifications and creditable prior service.
Vordienstzeiten
Prior relevant periods of employment that may be credited, wholly or partly, towards your grading. This can raise your starting salary.
Träger
The legal entity or operator of a facility – for example public, church-affiliated (e.g. Caritas, Diakonie) or private. The operator determines, among other things, which collective agreement applies.
Sonderzahlungen
13./14. Gehalt
Additional payments on top of regular salary, usually as a 13th and 14th salary (holiday and Christmas pay). In Austria they receive favourable tax treatment.
Sozialversicherung
The statutory social insurance (including health, pension and accident cover), whose contributions are deducted from gross pay. It provides for healthcare and pension, among other things.
e-card
The electronic card of the Austrian health insurance, which you present at medical appointments. It documents your insurance coverage.
Meldezettel / Anmeldung
Registering your place of residence with the responsible authority, to be done within a legal deadline after arriving. The Meldezettel often serves as proof of address.
ÖSD / telc / ÖIF
Recognised providers of German-language exams and certificates. Recognition and employment usually require certificates from such bodies.
Deutschniveau (B1/B2)
The classification of German skills according to the Common European Framework of Reference (e.g. B1, B2). Nursing usually requires at least B2.
Ergänzungsprüfung
A supplementary examination used to make up for gaps identified during the recognition procedure. Its scope and content depend on your individual decision.
Anpassungslehrgang
A course that, as an alternative or complement to an exam, provides missing training content in practice. It is specified in the recognition decision.
Sonderausbildung
Specialist training for particular fields, such as intensive care or anaesthesia. It builds on the higher-level service (DGKP).
Zulagen
Allowances for demanding or unsocial working hours, such as night, weekend or public-holiday shifts. Their amount usually follows from the collective agreement.
Betriebsrat
The elected body that represents employees' interests towards the employer. It has a say in many workplace decisions.
Kündigungsfrist
The notice period that must be observed when terminating an employment relationship. Its length follows from the law, the collective agreement or the employment contract.
Dienstzeugnis
A written reference about the employment relationship, to which you are entitled when leaving. It usually confirms the type and duration of the work.
Bundesland
One of Austria's nine federal states. Responsibilities, providers and conditions in nursing can differ from state to state.
Brutto / Netto
The difference between the agreed gross salary and the net amount paid out after social insurance and income tax are deducted. The net is accordingly lower than the gross.
Learn more
All guides for your nursing career in Austria.