The first weeks in a new country are exciting — and full of paperwork. This guide gives you practical orientation for your start in Austria: from registering your address to health insurance, finding a home and settling into everyday life. For binding information, always check with the official bodies.
Key takeaways
- You must register your address at the local registration office (Meldeamt) within a few days of moving in.
- As an employed nurse you are usually covered by statutory health insurance automatically — this includes the e-card.
- When looking for a flat, a deposit and (sometimes) an agent fee are common costs; budget for them from the start.
- You will need an Austrian bank account early on for your salary and rent.
First steps after arriving
Right after you arrive there are a few formalities. The most important is registering your address: in Austria you must register at the competent registration office (Meldeamt) within a few days of moving in. You receive a registration confirmation (the "Meldezettel"), which you will need for almost every official errand and to open a bank account.
- 1
Sort out accommodation
You need an address in Austria — temporary lodging or your employer’s staff residence counts too.
- 2
Fill in the Meldezettel
The form is available at the registration office and online. Your landlord or host has to sign it.
- 3
Register at the Meldeamt
Submit the Meldezettel with your passport at the registration office (in the municipal or city administration) within the deadline.
- 4
Keep an eye on your residence permit
Clarify early which residence title applies to you and what deadlines and documents come with it.
Residence permit
As a third-country national you usually need a residence title for work and stay (e.g. the Red-White-Red Card). Which one fits and which deadlines apply depends on your case — inform yourself in good time via oesterreich.gv.at and the competent authority.
Health insurance and the e-card
Once you are employed, your employer registers you with social insurance — so you are usually covered by statutory health insurance automatically. The contributions are deducted directly from your salary. Shortly after registration you receive your e-card: the chip card you present at every doctor or hospital visit.
- The e-card is your proof of insurance — take it to doctor and outpatient visits.
- You usually choose a general practitioner (Hausarzt) as your first point of contact.
- Co-insurance may be possible for family members (e.g. children) — ask your health insurer.
Just ask
If your e-card has not arrived yet or you are unsure whether your registration has gone through, ask your employer’s HR office or your health insurer directly. They can give you binding information about your insurance status.
Finding a place to live
Many nurses start out in temporary lodging or a staff residence and look for their own flat or a shared room from there without pressure. A shared flat (WG, Wohngemeinschaft) is often cheaper at the start and a good way to meet people and practise your German.
- Online property portals and shared-flat platforms for the search
- Notices and social-media groups, including from colleagues
- Cooperative and municipal housing (often with their own requirements)
- Tips from your employer — some help arrange housing or contacts
Budget realistically for the deposit and costs
For a rental flat you usually pay a deposit (several months’ rent) and, in some cases, an agent fee — plus the running operating costs. The exact amount depends on the city, the flat and the contract. Ask for all costs in writing before signing, and never sign anything you do not understand.
Money and daily life: account and cost of living
For your salary and most recurring payments you need an Austrian bank account (Girokonto). Sort it out early: to open one you usually need your passport and Meldezettel, and depending on the bank your residence title too. Feel free to compare the terms of several banks.
The cost of living differs noticeably depending on the city and your lifestyle: in Vienna and larger cities rents in particular tend to be higher than in smaller places. Keep a buffer for the first few weeks, until your first salary arrives and you know your actual expenses.
Do not rely on fixed figures from the internet
Prices and rents change constantly and depend heavily on the location. For your budget, rely on current, concrete offers (flat listings, bank terms) rather than on blanket averages.
Settling into everyday life
After the formalities comes settling in. Austrian cities usually have well-developed public transport — a weekly, monthly or annual pass is often worthwhile. It generally gets you to work and around in your free time without trouble.
- Public transport: time passes (week/month/year) are usually cheaper than single tickets.
- German in daily life: every small exchange while shopping or with colleagues moves you forward — and the Austrian dialect grows more familiar over time.
- Finding connection: colleagues, clubs, language tandems and communities from your home country all help you settle in.
Be patient with yourself
Settling into a new country takes time. Take the official errands step by step, ask when in doubt — colleagues, the HR office or official bodies — and give yourself breaks to arrive properly.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly do I have to register in Austria?
You must register your address at the registration office within a few days of moving in. Your Meldeamt or oesterreich.gv.at can tell you the exact deadline and which documents you need.
Am I automatically insured as a nurse?
As an employed nurse your employer registers you with social insurance — so you are usually covered by statutory health insurance automatically and receive an e-card. Your health insurer confirms your exact status.
What is the e-card?
The e-card is your personal chip card for statutory health insurance. You present it at every doctor or hospital visit. It is sent to you after you are registered with social insurance.
Do I need an Austrian bank account?
Yes — you need an Austrian current account (Girokonto) for your salary and most recurring payments. To open one you usually need your passport and Meldezettel, and depending on the bank your residence title too.
