Getting started in Vienna with qualifications in nursing and care

Whether you have just arrived in Vienna or have already been living here for a while – if you have obtained nursing qualifications abroad, the City of Vienna offers you many prospects. Well-trained nursing professionals are more in demand than ever in Vienna, especially in long-term care. Your qualifications can make an important contribution to different fields of work in the healthcare and social sector.

Vienna has been among the cities with the highest quality of life for many years. To help you get settled quickly, we have compiled the most important information for you: tips for your stay, work, the recognition of your qualifications, accommodation, language and support in everyday situations.

Living in Vienna

Vienna offers a high quality of life and good infrastructure that makes everyday life convenient and comfortable. Getting around and running errands is usually quick and easy and public life is well-organised. At the same time, people in Austria highly value respectful interactions and clear rules for living together.

Mobility in Vienna

Vienna is one of the safest cities in the world and offers you an excellent public transport network. By using the underground, tram, bus or rapid transit railway to get around, you will reach all important destinations in a fast, reliable and uncomplicated fashion. Thus, you do not need a car to move around the city. Schedules, routes and ticket information are directly available from Vienna’s public transport provider Wiener Linien.

Austria has right-hand driving. Please make sure to stick to traffic rules – they are strictly followed and also monitored in Austria.

Shopping and opening hours

Most shops are open from Monday to Saturday, often until the evening. On Sundays, shops stay usually closed, so it might be a good idea to plan your shopping accordingly. Exceptions include shops in railway stations or some small grocery stores.

Food, drink and entertainment

Restaurants and cafés are an important part of everyday life in Vienna and are welcoming places to spend some time and enjoy social life. When eating out, a ten percent tip is considered standard. You either round up the bill or state the amount when paying.

Good to know: everyday manners

A new country brings new customs and habits. In Austria, politeness, reliability and clear communication play an important role – both at work and in everyday life.

To greet someone, you usually shake hands and address the other person using “Mr.” or “Mrs.” and the person’s last name. Switch to first names and “du” only after an invitation to do so. Punctuality is particularly important at work. If you are running late, inform others as soon as possible and apologise – this is considered the natural thing to do.

Communication is often straightforward. Saying “yes” just for being polite is uncommon. Asking questions, double checking and making suggestions is appreciated. At the same time, agreements, deadlines and rules are taken seriously – for example regarding working hours, appointments with authorities or in traffic.

Privacy is important to many people. Very private topics are only brought up when people know each other better.

In public life, mutual respect and consideration are valued highly. Smoking is restricted or forbidden in many areas – especially in healthcare facilities and in cafés or restaurants. Look out for signage on site.

Protecting the environment is very important in Vienna. Separating waste is a standard practice which is consistently followed. Information on the proper separation of waste and on everyday climate action is available at:
https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/umweltschutz
https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/muelltrennung

Vienna has distinct seasons. Summers can be hot and winters cold. To stay warm in winter, wear warm clothes in several layers (layering), solid shoes or boots and winterproof jackets. Current weather information is available here:
https://www.geosphere.at/de
https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/wetter

1450 Health Hotline

The 1450 Wien Health Hotline staff are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and provide advice about health issues. You can also call 1450 if you want to use the vaccination services of the City of Vienna. 1450 also directly connects you with Geburtsinfo Wien, the platform for all issues related to pregnancy and childbirth in Vienna.
For more information visit 1450.wien

Emergency numbers

In emergencies call one of the following phone numbers:

  • European Emergency Number: 112
  • Fire brigade: 122
  • Police: 133
  • Out-of-hours doctor service: 141
  • Ambulance: 144

Click here for a complete list of emergency phone numbers:
https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/de/themen/notfaelle_unfaelle_und_kriminalitaet/notrufnummern

Life in Vienna – liveable, safe and diverse

Vienna has been among the most liveable cities in the world for years. The city provides a high quality of life, a safe environment and a wide variety of leisure-time activities. It combines historical architecture and modern urban lifestyle and offers a unique blend of tradition and innovation.

You can enjoy a broad range of cultural activities in Vienna: from classical music, theatres and museums to modern art, festivals and international cuisine. At the same time, Vienna with its many parks, green spaces and recreational areas such as the Danube Island (Donauinsel) or the Vienna Woods (Wienerwald) is the perfect place to spend time outdoors and enjoy nature.

If you want to learn more about Vienna, its attractions and activities, you can get detailed information from the Vienna Tourist Board.

Discover Austria – leisure time, nature and recreation

But Austria has a lot to offer outside of Vienna as well. With its mountains, lakes and charming towns – Austria has great destinations for day or weekend trips or holidays. In summer, there is hiking, cycling and swimming, and in winter, popular activities include skiing and winter sports.

Moreover, Austria is known for its high quality of life, its beautiful nature and its wealth of leisure opportunities. To find some inspiration and ideas for outings and trips, visit Austria’s official tourist websites, for example by clicking here.

Tradition

Austria is rich in traditions, which still play an important role in everyday life. Major cultural events, such as the Vienna New Year’s Concert, the Vienna Opera Ball or the Salzburg Festival are known internationally and shape the country’s cultural identity.

Seasonal celebrations are also considered very important. Especially Christmas and the pre-Christmas season are celebrated festively in many families – by visiting enchanting Christmas markets, enjoying traditional food and practicing traditional customs.

Working in Vienna

Austria offers a variety of opportunities to live and work here and boasts a high quality of living, a stable social system and a well-organised labour market. If you come or plan to come to Austria, you should obtain information about essential issues, such as entering and staying in Austria, working conditions, social security and everyday life as early as possible.

The following information will support you in getting a good overview and getting settled step by step – from the first formal requirements up to entering the labour market and living in your new environment.

Migration.gv.at – Living & working in Austria 
Essential general information on Austria, entry, residence, work, rights and duties.A concise introduction to the labour market, social security, salaries and living conditions.

Public Employment Service Austria (AMS) Brochure „Living and working in Austria“
A concise introduction to the labour market, social security, salaries and living conditions.

Work in Austria / ABA – Services & Immigration Guide
Support for qualified international employees regarding job search, entry, professional recognition and everyday life in Austria.

As an employee in Austria, you have good social security coverage. Institutions like the Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer) offer free advice and assistance regarding labour law, contracts, social security and your rights in your job. Be sure to also inform yourself about the Austrian social security system and important basic principles like gross and net salary.

Special features of labour law and social security in Austria include the 13th and 14th month salary, the option of dependent insurance coverage for spouses and children and a comprehensive basic coverage for insured persons and their families.

Chamber of Labour
Free advice and assistance regarding labour law, contracts, social security and employee rights.

Information on social security

If you have obtained professional qualifications abroad, you might need to have them recognised in Austria. For this purpose, it is important that you obtain information about the necessary steps, responsible authorities and required documents. Different requirements may apply, depending on job and qualifications.

Also make sure that your diplomas and documents are available in German or English. Otherwise, you need to have them translated by a sworn and court-certified translator. In many cases, you also have to submit additional legalised documents.

Recognition guide
The guide provides a general overview of the steps, responsible authorities and documents that are necessary to have your international professional qualifications recognised in Austria.

Certified translation of diplomas by sworn and court-certified translators 
If your diplomas/documents have not been issued in German or English, you need to have them translated into German.

Reliability, initiative and team spirit are very important values at work in Austria. Keep to agreements, be punctual and communicate clearly and transparently – this is what is expected in day-to-day work.

You will notice that feedback is often open and direct. You should, therefore, take feedback objectively: Feeback is usually directed at your work and not at you as a person. If you are ready to take on responsibility, play an active part in your team and deal with feedback constructively, you will quickly settle into your work environment.

International nursing professionals for Vienna

A project of Fonds Soziales Wien (Vienna Social Fund)

In July 2023, the City of Vienna and the Republic of the Philippines signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the recruitment of graduate nursing professionals. This measure is part of a comprehensive package to reduce the shortage of skilled labour in this field and contributes to sustainably securing long-term nursing care in Vienna.

To facilitate the implementation of this agreement, the Fonds Soziales Wien (FSW) has developed a quality-assured process which ensures that recruitment follows high ethical standards. The FSW is responsible for coordinating the process and supports accredited partner organisations, especially in the following tasks:

  • Networking among all stakeholders involved and coordination of interfaces for ongoing optimisation of the overall process
  • Targeted information measures to address candidates for long-term care positions in Vienna
  • Scientific evaluation of the project and development of guidance for successful onboarding and sustainable integration

Direct support for nursing staff includes the development of approaches for housing and language qualifications which help to successfully complete the professional recognition process and meet the related requirements. In addition, connecting newly arrived staff with the Philippine community in Vienna actively promotes their integration in Vienna (also see: Philippine Nurses Association Austria).

Advice & individual support

FSW Bildungsberatung (Educational Counselling)
Free counselling on education and training, professional recognition, qualifications and job prospects in nursing and care.

Recognition of your nursing education

Hochschule Campus Wien – recognition of degrees in healthcare and nursing
Information about the recognition of foreign degrees in healthcare and nursing.

Municipal Department 40 – recognition of qualifications for all healthcare professions and authorisation under Section 34 of the Austrian Healthcare and Nursing Act for graduate healthcare and nursing professionals
Responsible authority for formal recognition of nursing qualifications in Vienna.

FSW Bildungszentrum (Education Centre)
Information for (specialist) care assistants and home helpers.

Funding

Refund of tuition fees for applicants for recognition 
Information about financial support while training for professional recognition.

Funding for professional recognition 
Funding programmes that can cover the cost of courses, exams or training materials.

Funding for careers and further education
The Vienna Employment Promotion Fund (“waff”) offers different grants for careers and further education.

Residence and work permit

Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte or RWR-Karte)
To work in Austria you need an appropriate residence permit, e.g. the Red-White-Red Card. Also inform yourself about other residence permits, as there are different options available depending on your situation.

Arriving & living in Vienna

Startplatz Wien
Temporary accommodation for adults undergoing education or training – perfect for getting started in the city..

Housing in Vienna
Information about issues like rent payments, housing costs (rent, service charges, heating/electricity), registration/residence registration form, equipment such as heating and many more.

Integration & language

ÖIF – Integration Service for Professionals 
Support with getting started and advice and guidance for living in Vienna.

German courses & language support
Examples of German courses, partly online and free of charge: