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Services for Internationals
Local essentials
Upper Austria offers great places to live, work and study. To settle in well, it helps to know the best neighborhoods, local customs, and how to use public transport. This website gives you quick tips on everyday life, making your stay easier and more enjoyable.
Evelyn Hetzinger
Housing
If you're searching for a home or would like guidance on the steps required to get settled, we recommend checking the points below. Should you have any questions regarding a specific location in Upper Austria, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us — we’ll be happy to assist you.
Austria has a well-regulated and diverse housing market, with a large share of people living in rental apartments, especially in urban areas like Vienna, Linz, and Graz. The private housing system includes both rented and owner-occupied properties. Housing can be found via:
- Advertising platforms like willhaben.at or ImmoScout24
- Daily newspapers like nachrichten.at
- Austrian real estate platform like immodirekt.at or REMAX
- Online platform Build and Live wohnnet.at
- Student accommodation / shared accommodation studium.at
Estate agents help with targeted searches for property and have a good overview of the market. They guide the client from completion of the contract to the hand-over of the keys. It is important to note that agents receive a commission, which is dependent on the length of rental with a maximum of two months’ worth of gross rent plus sales taxes.
The Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer) provides a commission calculator: arbeiterkammer.at
A list of all estate agents in Upper Austria can be found at firmen.wko.at
Non-profit housing associations offer affordable housing and are mainly oriented towards socially disadvantaged people. Depending on the association, there are different requirements for eligibility, for example an upper limit on salary. The registration to join a housing association can be subject to a fee, and the waiting time for accommodation is usually several years.
All of the important rental terms are defined and regulated in the rental contract. Additional agreements, arrangements or declarations should be made in writing. Rental contracts have a minimum Duration of 3 years, whereby a shorter duration is not permitted due to rental legislation. After the first year, the rental agreement can be ended with a three month notice period. Special agreements can also be made regarding ending of the contract. Rental contracts found on the internet are usually inadequate, as they must be adjusted to suit the property.
Rental agreements can usually be terminated with a three-month notice period. Special agreements can also be made regarding termination of the contract.
One-time fees for the purchase of a property comprise the land transfer tax, a fee for registration in the land register, legal and notary expenses as well as commissions (not in the case of private purchases). These fees have to be paid in addition to the purchase price and should be budgeted at around 10 % of the purchase price. Details on requirements and the necessary steps can be found at the checklist (www.oesterreich.gv.at)
To find a suitable short-term residence from a private operator, the website kurzzeitwohnen.com is recommended:
- For students, the International Student Center Linz (Julius Raab Heim) may be suitable accommodation. www.studentenwerk.at
- Other student accommodations can be found at: www.studium.at
- Also, many guest houses, bed and breakfasts and hotels offer cheap living opportunities as a temporary solution until you find the right rental accommodation.
Accommodation in Austria is typically unfurnished. In exceptional cases, a kitchen can be bought from the previous owners. Sanitary appliances like a bath, shower and toilets are usually present. However, depending on the previous tenant or owner, the accommodation may still be offered furnished or partly furnished.
Costs
A deposit of 3–6 months’ gross rent is common and covers potential damages or unpaid rent. It’s refundable within about two weeks after the contract ends and the flat is returned in good condition. A rental contract fee (approx. 1% of total rent for up to 3 years) must also be paid to the tax office.
If you rent through a real estate agent, a commission fee applies. For internationals, agents can be helpful in finding suitable housing.
The overall costs (monthly fixed costs) consist of the net rent plus service charges. The net rent is the cost of the accommodation (‘cold’), and service charges include public services like water, sewage, garbage collection, possible management charges and further heating costs. The latter is dependent on use and is calculated quarterly, half-yearly or yearly.
Cold costs for your accommodation means that your expenses for heating and electricity are charged separately. These fixed costs are due at the beginning of the month and payable in advance.
Additionally, the following costs are payable:
- Electricity
- Household insurance
- Parking fees
- Telephone and internet Services
- Television and radio license fees (ORF)
- Waste disposal or recycling fees (if not included in operating costs)
- Heating costs (if not included in operating costs)
- Mino repairs or consumables (sometimes tenants are responsible for small upkeep costs)
Your average living costs will, of course, depend on your lifestyle. However, here is a very general example of how an average Upper Austrian spends a monthly salary.
This overview does not include expenses such as the cost of owning a car, local taxes, money for leisure activities, membership fees, expenses for pets, alcoholic drinks or smoking.
Monthly budget example for a single-person household
- living, operating costs and public transport (regular monthly costs): 53,6%
- clothes, furniture, health, social and cultural participation (irregular monthly costs): 19,7%
- food and household expenditures (monthly costs): 26,7%
The example presented on this page was calculated on the basis of a single-person household. The exact figures for rent, food et cetera as well as calculation examples for other types of house - holds such as couples or families with children can be found at:
If you want to know how much you have to pay for renting a flat, for a cappuccino, a fitness club, childcare or a taxi, visit Numbeo.
Cars and driving
Driving in Austria is generally safe and straightforward, with well-maintained roads and clear traffic rules. International licenses are accepted for a limited time, though an International Driving Permit may be required. Key things to note include toll stickers (vignettes) for highways, strict drink-driving laws, and mandatory winter tires in colder months. With proper preparation, driving is a great way to explore Austria’s scenic landscapes and historic towns.
More important facts:
- Right-hand traffic
- Mind the speed limits on highways, main roads and in towns
- Tire regulations for summer and winter
- Vignette for driving on highways required
- In a traffic jam on the highway, always make room for an emergency lane
130 km/h on the highway
100 km/h on the main road
50 km/h in towns (or as marked by road signs)
Independent of weather conditions, it is compulsory to fit winter tires from November 1st until April 15th of the following year. Plus, if the car is not equipped with winter tires, the insurance does not accept liability for damages anyway.
A so-called Vignette is required for the use of motorways. There is a yearly Vignette and also a Vignette for shorter periods. A yearly Vignette must be renewed at the beginning of each year. The Vignette is available from automobile associations (ARBÖ, ÖAMTC, VCÖ), gas stations, tobacconists and ASFINAG toll locations. There is also the possibility of buying a digital Vignette:
Driving licenses which have been issued in EU or EEA countries are recognised in Austria and can be voluntarily transcribed. For driving licenses issued outside the EEA, i.e. in a third country, transcription is compulsory in order to be permitted to drive. The transcription must be applied for within six months of residing in Austria, whereby a minimum age of 18 is also required. If the driving license is not in German, it is only valid in combination with an international driving license or a certified translation. Translations of driving licenses can be made by court interpreters: www.gerichtsdolmetscher.at/Verzeichnis
International driving licenses can be issued by the following automobile associations:
After the transcription to an Austrian permit, a European credit card-sized driving license is issued.
As part of the transcription, a practical driving test must be taken, and the participant must provide a suitable vehicle according to the class of driving license. The driving school for the practical test can be freely chosen:
Driving schools in Austria
All driving license holders from third countries are required to have their driving license transcribed, but citizens of the following countries are exempt from taking a practical driving test:
All classes: Andorra, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Japan, Jersey, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Switzerland, Serbia
Class B: Australia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hong Kong, Israel, Canada, New Zealand, Northern Macedonia, South Africa, South Korea (date of issue from 1997), United States of America, United Arab Emirates
The application for transcription is submitted to the local body responsible for the chosen driving school: the district authority, the driving license department of the state police headquarters in Linz, or the respective police department in Steyr or Wels. If no practical driving test needs to be taken, the location for the transcription application can be chosen freely. Further information, including the required documents, can be found at:
To get your first class B driving license, there is a minimum age of 17 (L17: for a certain period, driving is only allowed in the presence of an authorized person), or you must be 18 years of age or older. A medical report is also needed, along with a first aid certificate.
After attending a theory course at a driving school of your choice, a theory test must be taken. It is possible to simultaneously driving and take the driving test once you have passed the theory test.
If all requirements are met, an application for a driving license can be filed at the local district authority responsible for the driving school, or at the driving license department of the state police headquarters if the driving school is located in Linz. This credit card-sized license is valid across Europe and elsewhere.
Car
Persons with their main residence in Austria are allowed to drive a car with foreign number plates for one month after entry of the vehicle into Austria. After this period, the registration certificate and foreign number plates must be handed to the relevant local body: either the district authorities, the state police headquarters in Linz, or the respective police department in Steyr or Wels. Vehicles with an EU operating license do not require individual approval.
These require an individual approval, along with registration in an approval database. The bodies responsible for the approval are the technical test centres of the Upper Austrian State Government.
Regardless of whether the car is imported from the EU or from a third country, the so-called standardised consumption tax (Normverbrauchsabgabe/ NoVA) is payable to the local tax authority.
Before a newly purchased car can be used on public roads, official registration is required at the relevant local body. A prerequisite is the purchase of liability insurance. If you bring your own car (or other motor vehicle such as a motorcycle or bus) from abroad, you must officially register it with the local authorities at your place of residence. After registration, you get a new local number plate for your car. Please also consider the information in the box when importing a car from abroad.
All vehicles must be assessed at regular intervals for roadworthiness and safety. The assessment date depends on the first registration of the vehicle, the month being indicated on the assessment sticker. The tolerance period for the assessment ranges from one month prior to four months after the month indicated. The assessment can be performed by automobile associations, approved freelance civil engineers and garages. Costs can vary according to the chosen assessment location.
The purchase of a car liability insurance is a legal requirement in Austria. This should cover both third parties and the insured and prevent financial ruin.
Transport
If you stay for a longer time in Austria, you should check out the different ticket options you have for the public transportation system. An advantage of the Upper Austrian Transport Association (Oberösterreichischer Verkehrsverbund - OÖVV), which is the public transportation company for Upper Austria, is the free choice of public transport and free alteration between the OÖVV transportation companies along the selected route. Please consider the special arrangements in the central zone (Linz, Wels, Steyr). The OÖVV website provides timetables, tickets and prices as well as information on tickets for trainees.
You can choose between two railway companies
- OEBB – if you book online in advance, check out the „SparSchiene“ tickets, which offer tickets for discounted prices. It is a nationally owned organisation and most widely used form of public transport in the country. Tickets need to be bought before entering the bus online or at a ticket counter.
- WESTBAHN – this railway only operates between the cities Salzburg, Linz and Vienna. It is a private company offering only train travel. Tickets can be bought online or in the train from the ticket-collector.
In any case, do compare the prices. Please also mind that the tickets are not interchangeable between the railway companies!
In Linz, public transport is especially well-developed. The LINZ AG LINIEN operate a dense network of trams, trolleybuses, and city buses. The tram system is the backbone of the city’s transport, offering frequent and reliable service that connects key districts and the main train station with the city center.
In Wels, a well-organized city bus network covers all major areas. These buses are integrated into the OÖVV system, making it easy to combine them with regional trains and other services.
Steyr also has a solid city bus system, which is especially important for commuters. Like in Wels, the buses are part of the OÖVV network, and there are good connections to regional trains.
All three cities are part of the OÖVV, which means that one ticket can often be used across different types of transport—ideal for commuters and travelers. Only exception of this is the Pöstlingberg tram. For this one you need to buy an extra ticket.
The Austrian Railways not only operate trains, but also an extensive bus network. Tickets for ÖBB busses can be purchased in cash from the driver as well as online. For frequent trips, the purchase of a weekly, monthly or yearly ticket can be cheaper.
FlixBus is a German company operating an international long-distance bus network, which offers relatively cheap bus travel within Europe.
Plane and other transport options
The airport in Vienna is the largest and most important Austrian airport. It can be reached directly in less than 2 hours from Linz by ÖBB railjets, which offer the most comfortable way of travelling to the Vienna International Airport. Additionally, the airport can be reached by bus from all railway stations in Vienna.
The airport in Linz is rather small and flies predominantly to large hubs. It is primarily used for business trips. In summer, there are also flights to various holiday destinations.
Living in the south of Upper Austria, the airport in Salzburg may be the best option for flying. Like the airport in Linz, it is primarily used for business trips and for connecting flights to larger hubs.
Another big international airport is Munich Airport. Although it cannot be reached by train as comfortably and directly as Vienna International Airport, it could be a good option for people living in the west of Upper Austria. Munich Airport is best reached by car.
Linz AG lines offer a collective on-call taxi (Anruf-Sammel-Taxi/AST): A taxi running according to a timetable, which is shared with other passengers and is therefore cheaper. The taxi must be ordered at least 30 minutes before the desired departure time as demand is high.
Usually, there are taxi ranks at highly frequented locations in cities. Alternatively, many taxi companies are online. A Google search with “taxi + location” indicates the nearest taxis and their contact information.
Bicycles are also popular for making journeys. Cyclists should note that they must push their bicycle over zebra crossings and are not permitted to cycle on pavements. Additionally, there is also a strict limit on alcohol. For children under 12, a helmet must be worn for safety reasons. Although this is optional from the age of 13 onwards, a helmet is still highly recommended. Please note that you have to pay extra for taking your bicycle with you on public transport.
e-scooters can be rented against payment of a fee, mostly over smartphone apps, and are payed for by credit card or through online payment systems. The minimum age for driving an e-scooter is 12 years, but kids with a bicycle license at the age of 9 or 10 are also allowed to drive. Younger children are only allowed to drive if accompanied by at least one person of at least 16 years of age. Moreover, children under 12 years have to wear a helmet. It is forbidden for two people to drive one e-scooter. In general, the rules for riding a bicycle apply to driving an electric scooter, although hand signals for turning are not allowed as it is too dangerous to steer an electric scooter with only one hand.