Austria occupies a unique position in Europe — a small, prosperous, highly stable country at the geographical heart of the continent, with one of the world’s most liveable capital cities, a quality of life that consistently ranks among Europe’s best, and a cultural identity built around music, architecture, mountains and coffee house civilisation. For UK nationals, Austria offers a very high standard of living combined with a cost of living that remains meaningfully lower than London in most categories outside Vienna city centre. Post-Brexit paperwork exists, but the process is well-established and manageable.
Why Londoners Move to Austria
- Vienna’s quality of life — Vienna has topped the Mercer Quality of Living Index and Economist liveability rankings multiple times. Healthcare, public transport, cultural life, safety and green space combine to create an exceptional urban environment
- Music and culture — Austria is the birthplace of Mozart, Schubert, Haydn, Brahms, Mahler, Bruckner and Strauss. The Vienna Philharmonic, Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper), Vienna Boys’ Choir and dozens of concert halls make Vienna the global capital of classical music
- Alpine access — from Vienna, major ski resorts (Salzburg Ski Region, Innsbruck, Kitzbühel, Lech/Zürs) are 2–4 hours by train or car. Salzburg is 2h30 by train. The Alps are not a holiday destination from Austria — they are part of daily life for those outside Vienna
- Cost vs quality — Vienna rents have risen but remain 25–40% lower than London for equivalent quality. Food, public transport and services are substantially cheaper
- Political stability — Austria is one of Europe’s most politically and economically stable countries. Low corruption, strong institutions, reliable public services
Post-Brexit: Visa and Residency for UK Nationals
UK nationals moving to Austria for more than 90 days require a Niederlassungsbewilligung (settlement permit) or a long-stay visa, depending on the purpose of the move.
Niederlassungsbewilligung – Ausnahme — the most common route for those who are self-employed or have independent means. Requires proof of regular sufficient income (minimum approximately €1,200/month for a single person). Apply at the Austrian embassy or consulate in London before travel.
Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte (Red-White-Red Card) — Austria’s skilled worker visa. Points-based system. Categories include: very highly qualified workers, skilled workers in shortage occupations, key staff transferred within companies. The primary route for professionally qualified UK nationals taking up Austrian employment.
Work permit for employed workers — if you have a confirmed employment contract with an Austrian employer, the employer typically initiates the permit process. The permit is tied to the employer.
Apply through the Austrian embassy in London. Allow 8–12 weeks minimum for permit processing.
After arrival:
- Register at your local Magistratisches Bezirksamt (municipal district office) within 3 working days — the Meldezettel (registration confirmation) is required for virtually all subsequent administrative steps
- Apply for your residence permit at the local immigration authority (Magistrat/Bezirkshauptmannschaft) once in Austria
Austria’s Cities and Regions
Vienna (Wien) — Austria’s capital and the destination for approximately 75% of UK nationals moving to Austria. Population 2 million. Finance, technology, diplomacy, culture, music, medicine. The UN Office at Vienna (UNOV) and other international organisations are based here. Excellent public transport (U-Bahn, tram, bus); many Viennese don’t own cars.
Salzburg — second most international city. Music (Mozart, Salzburg Festival), tourism, excellent quality of life. Smaller job market than Vienna. Popular with those seeking the Alpine lifestyle with urban infrastructure.
Graz — Austria’s second largest city, in Styria (Steiermark). University town, technology sector (AVL, Anton Paar, Magna International). More affordable than Vienna. Warmer climate than most of Austria.
Innsbruck — the Tyrolean capital. University city, ski resort access (Innsbruck itself is a ski resort). International winter sports scene. Compact and very high quality of life.
Cost of Moving from London to Austria
| Service type | Estimated cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Part-load (shared) | £500 – £1,000 | Studios, 1-bed flats, personal effects |
| Full-load (dedicated van) | £1,300 – £2,800 | 2-bed+ homes, full households |
| Professional packing add-on | £200 – £600 | Full household packing by our team |
Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, Innsbruck and all Austrian cities and regions covered. Get a free fixed-price quote for your removals to Austria.
London to Austria: Transit Times
| Destination | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|
| Vienna | 4–5 working days |
| Salzburg | 3–4 working days |
| Graz | 4–5 working days |
| Innsbruck | 3–4 working days |
Tips for a Smooth London to Austria Removal
Register immediately (Meldezettel). Austrian law requires registration within 3 working days of moving into a new address. The Meldezettel confirmation is needed for opening a bank account, registering with a GP, applying for your Sozialversicherungsnummer (social insurance number) and most other administrative steps. It is a simple process — take your passport and tenancy agreement to the district office.
German is essential. Unlike the Netherlands or Scandinavia, English is not widely spoken outside Vienna’s tourist areas and international business community. Austria speaks Austrian German (with its own dialect, Wienerisch in Vienna) — learning standard German before arrival makes the transition dramatically easier. Language schools in Vienna are excellent.
Health insurance: Austria has a compulsory social health insurance system. Employees are automatically enrolled through their employer contributions (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse — ÖGK). Self-employed and non-working residents must independently arrange coverage through the same system. The quality of Austrian healthcare is very high.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Moving from London to Austria
What visa do I need to move from London to Austria?
The most common routes are the Niederlassungsbewilligung – Ausnahme (for those with independent income) and the Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte (for qualified workers in Austria). Apply through the Austrian embassy in London. Allow 8–12 weeks for processing.
What is the Meldezettel and do I need it?
The Meldezettel is Austria’s mandatory registration document. You must register at the local Magistratisches Bezirksamt within 3 working days of arriving at a new address. The Meldezettel is required for practically all administrative interactions — bank accounts, health insurance, residence permit applications.
How much does it cost to live in Vienna compared to London?
Vienna is generally 25–40% cheaper than London for comparable quality. Rental costs, public transport, food and services are all significantly lower. Vienna remains one of Europe’s best-value major capital cities relative to the quality of life it offers.
How long does a removal from London to Austria take?
Transit from London typically takes 3–4 working days to Salzburg and Innsbruck, and 4–5 working days to Vienna and Graz.
Does Easy Move handle EU customs documentation for Austria?
Yes. All UK-to-Austria moves include EU customs documentation — Transfer of Residence application and all supporting paperwork — as part of Easy Move’s standard service.
Ready to move? Our team handles the full process: packing, customs and delivery.