Life in Austria: advantages and disadvantages, average duration, level

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:55

The Republic of Austria is one of the most economically developed countries in Europe. She is the owner of a mild temperate climate and beautiful alpine landscapes.

Our compatriots consider Austria a country of prosperity, high culture, picturesque nature, wide opportunities for education and business organization. That is why many residents of Russia and the CIS countries seek to move to Austria for permanent residence. In addition, the standard of living here is really high. According to this indicator, Austria is included in the list of 15 world leaders.

Geography

Austria needs no introduction. The magnificent landscapes of this country fell in love with Europeans as early as the 18th century. The relief of the territory of Austria is mostly mountainous, and its area is 83,859 square meters. km.

The state has common borders in the west with Switzerland and Liechtenstein, in the north with Slovakia and Germany, in the east with Hungary, and in the south with Slovenia and Germany.

Ifconsider the Republic of Austria on a map, then in its shape it is a bit like a pear. The entire territory of the country is divided into three different geographical regions. The largest of them are the Alps. Mountain ranges are located on 62% of the entire area. In the eastern part there is a zone of the Middle Danube lowland. The country's third major geographic region is the Bohemian Forest. It occupies 10% of the territory of Austria and is located in its northern part. The famous Danube flows there.

Population

How many people are there in this country? Based on the fact that Austria occupies a very small area, and the population in it is not numerous. This is only 8.5 million people. Of these, the indigenous inhabitants of Austria make up approximately 88%. They are German-speaking Austrians. The rest of the country's population is from other countries. The most numerous diasporas are Romanian, Hungarian and German. Slightly fewer immigrants from Russia, Turkey and Serbia.

According to statistics, in Austria there is a negative trend in population growth. To make up for this shortcoming, the country accepts immigrants. In addition, Austria has a fairly high average life expectancy. She is 81 years old. And this is an additional tax burden on the able-bodied population. This fact also makes it necessary to accept able-bodied immigrants.

Economy

The high standard of living in Austria is ensured by the good development of industry, an intensive agricultural sector, an extensive transport system, a decent level of tourism and servicesand trade.

The country's economy is distinguished by relatively low unemployment and inflation. In addition, the Austrian market is considered one of the most capacious in all of Europe. The main industries in the country are metallurgy and mechanical engineering, as well as woodworking, chemical, light and food industries.

Based on available indicators, Austria is experiencing strong economic growth. Its main prerequisite is an increase in production volumes with a qualitative improvement of all its factors. And this becomes possible by improving the skills of employees, improving the objects of labor, as well as organizational structures.

The predominant direction of the Austrian economy is the service sector. It accounts for almost 2/3 of the gross value added. Approximately 30% of GVA is occupied by production. And only about 2% of Austria's economic system is forestry and agriculture.

Most of the workers employed in the manufacturing sector work in industry and construction. The service sector in the Austrian economy is represented by sales, utilities, medicine and education.

Employment

The country is one of the most stable and successful representatives of the European Union in economic terms. For their further and steady development, the largest enterprises in Austria, as well as companies of medium and small scale, are recruiting qualified specialists. Almost all sectors of the social and economic sphere are represented on the labor market. However, the most active of them aremachine tool and mechanical engineering, non-ferrous and ferrous metallurgy, as well as equipment manufacturing.

At present, there is an active growth in the forestry and textile, woodworking and other industries. Tourism deserves special attention among applicants for vacant positions, as well as innovative technologies, which, in particular, include the IT sector.

Austria, like most modern developed countries, derives most of its income from a well-developed service sector. In the economy of this Alpine country, this area is about 65%. Industry is in second place, and agriculture is in third place.

Tourism-related vacancies account for a significant share of the labor market. This is work in ski resorts, as well as in the entertainment and shopping sectors, represented in large cities.

As of 2017, the most in-demand occupations in Austria are:

• Engineers with higher education in the field of metallurgy, energy and mechanical engineering.
• Professionals with experience in the construction industry.
• Junior medical staff.
• Social workers caring for the elderly and the sick, with experience and certification.
• Service workers for catering and industrial facilities.

Those who left Russia for Austria are given the opportunity to work in IT companies. The tourism sector is also open to our compatriots. Here themlooking for a job as a guide, instructor at a ski resort, maid, bartender or waiter at a restaurant or hotel.

Language aspect

A person who dreams of moving to Austria from Russia, even before looking for a job in this country, should pay attention to one of the most important points. You can get a decent job here if you know the official German language, which is the state language.

English is also required. It is actively used in the country as an international language. Only with such knowledge can the applicant become competitive. This is especially true for someone who strives for career growth and has serious ambitions.

Work without knowing the language

How to get a job in Austria without learning English or German? You can find work in Austria without knowing the language. However, the proposed vacancies will only apply to professions with low qualifications. Most often, this is a nanny or a housekeeper in a Russian family. Just keep in mind that the level of salary in this case will approach the minimum.

Seasonal work is also very popular. Within its framework, you can find a job in ski resorts as attendants or in agriculture during the harvest of fruits and grapes. However, it should be borne in mind that in this case the employer is obliged to adhere to the quota principle. That is, first of all, to employ citizens of the European Union. At the same time, the share of foreigners should be 9%.of the total number of employees.

Cities for employment

The largest number of vacancies are placed by enterprises located in the capital of Austria - Vienna. By the way, almost a quarter of the country's urban residents live here.

Decent work is sure to be found in Baden and Innsbruck, Salzburg and Graz. In resort towns, workers for the hotel industry are most often needed. In Innsbruck and Salzburg, as a rule, Russian-speaking managers, administrators, maids and other staff are needed.

In the resort town of Tyrol, craftsmen serving wooden houses are almost constantly required. For our fellow citizens in Graz there are vacancies for construction and repair. Also in all Austrian cities they are looking for teachers and nannies for children from Russian-speaking families.

It is worth bearing in mind that finding a job in Austria is not easy. However, having a desire, it is quite possible to implement it. After all, you can start even small, and then move towards your goal. Anyone who has diligence and the necessary knowledge, and is also confident in his abilities, is quite capable of fulfilling himself in this country financially and career-wise.

Salary

Employment is an issue faced by any adult Austrian or immigrant seeking citizenship in this country. Those who have already found the right vacancy for themselves may not worry too much. The main rights and obligations of the employer, as well as the employee, are fixed in the Labor Code. This document is no different fromthose adopted in other countries. It provides for, for example, the same 40-hour work week, public holidays and weekends.

What is the average salary in Austria? Compared to neighboring countries, it is quite high here. In terms of wages in the European Union, the average salary in Austria is in the top ten leaders. In 2017, this figure was 2,215 euros after taxes.

What is the minimum amount of money you can receive in Austria? There is no such level of wages in the country. The rates of material remuneration for work are fixed in collective agreements, and are also established for individual industries by government decrees. But on average, wages (EUR per month) by profession range from (amounts are in EUR):

• 3000 for doctors;
• 2500 for architects;
• 2300-2500 for civil engineers;
• 2000-2200 for bank employees and managers;
• 1200-1300 for secretaries, bartenders, chefs and waiters.

Education

In order to better understand what life is like in Austria, it is necessary to consider the system of obtaining knowledge. In general, it is built on the principle familiar to Russians, and includes two levels:

• primary, which children go through during their first four years of school;
• main, or secondary school, where education takes place for 5 or 8 years.

Preschools in Austria have nothing to do with the country's education system. They are equated to the level of nannies.

You can get higher education in Austria in:

• universities;
• colleges;
• practical higher specialized schools.

Preschool education in the country is very similar to Russian. When a child reaches the age of 3 years, parents can send him to a public or private kindergarten. Here, in the older groups, kids are prepared for school, but at the same time they are not taught either writing or reading. As for private institutions, their program may include language learning, music lessons and dancing. All preschool institutions are paid. Children of foreigners can visit special institutions where they learn German in a playful way.

From the age of six, every child starts school. Primary educational institutions in Austria are both public and private. Moreover, they are all divided into three types:

• classic;
• folk;
• for children who need a special program.

At school, children are taught two foreign languages. After graduating from the first four classes, a ten-year-old child continues his education. Parents will need to make a choice about where to send their child. It can be a regular five-year school or a general secondary school, where the child will have to spend 8 years at the desk.

There are also Russian schools in Austria based on the general education system. Non-citizens of the country must pay approximately $100 per year for their education.

In the Austrian systemeducation, academic secondary schools are represented by gymnasiums, among which:

• regular;
• with a focus on science;
• preparing for home care.

After graduating from any of these gymnasiums, the student is given the opportunity to receive profile education in one of the higher secondary schools for 4 years. During this period, the young man is preparing to enter the university of his chosen profile. Only those who have a certificate of complete secondary education in their hands can become an applicant in Austria.

Training in Austrian universities is free. But this applies only to those higher schools that are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Science and Sports of the country. Teaching is free of charge at the Public Universities. Foreign citizens do not need to pay tuition amounts only in cases where they are holders of a scholarship or grant issued by one of the American or European funds created to support students.

Medicine

The country's well-developed he althcare system also testifies to the high standard of living in Austria. All working citizens are issued special insurance. It allows you to get the necessary medical care. Based on the clauses of the contract with the insurance company, the doctor-therapist is engaged in the primary treatment of the patient. If necessary, he directs the patient to narrow-profile specialists. In addition, there are many doctors and private clinics in the country that treat people who have not signed contracts.with insurance companies.

The average life expectancy in Austria speaks about the remarkable work of the country's he alth care system. So, if in the 80s of the 20th century it was 70 years, then by the beginning of the second decade of the 21st century. reached the age of 81.

Experienced Austrian doctors, using modern medical equipment, are always ready to provide qualified assistance to patients.

Prices in Austria

Based on Russian standards, as well as taking into account the current exchange rate, the Alpine country can hardly be called an inexpensive place to live. Nevertheless, Austria continues to be considered an attractive destination for those who decide to settle here. An important issue is the value of real estate. In Austria, housing prices are much lower than in France and the UK. Real estate in this mountainous country can be purchased by investing quite adequate amounts, and then be sure that its value will grow steadily. It is considered inexpensive in Austria and rental housing. For a quite decent apartment, the owners ask 400 euros per month.

The highest prices for living are in Vienna. Although in this case everything is relative. For example, foreign citizens who arrived in Austria from the UK or France believe that prices in the capital of Austria are low. A different opinion is shared by people who came from Russia, Spain and the Netherlands. For them, prices in Austria are higher than in their home country.

The main expense of the citizens of this state is real estate, as well as the education of children if they mastereducational programs in international schools. That part of the family budget that will be allocated for food will be spent mainly on buying fresh fruits and vegetables in winter.