Workation in Austria
Combining work and vacation is becoming increasingly popular, especially in the age of digital working. One option is so-called "workation" in which employees temporarily live and work in another country.
Austria, with its impressive landscape and cultural diversity, is an attractive destination for workation enthusiasts. In this article we will give you an overview of workation in Austria and inform you about the important aspects you should consider for planning.
Difference between mobile working and home office
Before we dive into the topic of workation in Austria, it is important to understand the difference between mobile working and home office. Both concepts allow employees to work outside of the traditional office:
Mobile working refers to the ability to work from a variety of locations, whether it's from home, a coffee shop, or another location. However, there is no time limit for being in a particular place.
Home office, on the other hand, refers to working from home, usually for an extended period of time.
How well does workation and work & travel work in Austria?
Austria offers a good infrastructure for digital working. The country has a reliable Internet connection in most regions and offers a wide range of coworking spaces and cafés with Wi-Fi access. Cities like Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck also have many cultural events and activities to enrich your stay.
Work & Travel is also very doable in Austria. The country offers a variety of recreational opportunities, from hiking in the Alps to cultural city explorations. With the right planning, you can combine your work with exciting adventures and explorations.
What should be considered when planning?
Careful planning in advance will make your workation stay easier:
- Visa and residence title: Check the visa and residence title requirements for your home country to ensure you have the necessary documents to legally work and live in Austria. Among other things, a visa-ready rental agreement is important. This is included with all apartments through KURZZEitmiete.
- Finances: Make sure that you have sufficient financial means to finance your stay in Austria. Consider not only the cost of accommodation and food, but also transportation and leisure activities.
- Working environment: choose accommodation or a coworking space that offers a pleasant working environment. Make sure you have a good internet connection and a quiet atmosphere to be able to work in a concentrated manner.
- Cultural differences: Find out about the Austrian culture and way of working to avoid misunderstandings. Take the time to get to know the local culture.
Agreement between company and employee
Before you start your workation, it is important to have a clear agreement between you and your employer. This agreement should specify various points to avoid misunderstandings.
This creates transparency and allows both parties to meet expectations:
- Reachability: Determine together how and when you need to be reachable during your workation. Clarify whether there are fixed times when you should be online or whether flexible working is possible.
- Working hours: Agree on clear working hours to ensure that your workload is distributed appropriately during your stay. Also take into account the time difference between your home country and Austria.
- Hardware and equipment: Discuss with your employer whether you should take the necessary hardware and equipment for your work with you or whether this will be provided on site. Also clarify who is responsible for any repairs or replacements.
Austrian Social Security during Workation
If you are an employee working in Austria during your workation, you have to deal with the Law on General Health Insurance. As a rule, you should continue to be covered by your insurance in your home country, as the workation is usually temporary. It is important to check the exact regulations and agreements between the two countries.
Also consider other insurances, such as travel insurance or general coverage for damages abroad.
Residence and employment titles in third countries
For citizens from non-EU countries planning to work in Austria, it is important to find out about the required residence and employment titles. Depending on the duration and purpose of your stay, various permits may be required. It is advisable to contact the Austrian authorities at an early stage to clarify the necessary documents and requirements.
Which places are suitable for workation?
Austria offers a variety of ideal locations. The classics are:
- Innsbruck: The capital of Tyrol is located in the midst of impressive Alpine scenery (including skiing in winter) and offers a unique mix of urban life and nature experiences. Innsbruck has many coworking spaces and, like every provincial capital in Austria, has well-developed internet.
- Salzburg: The birthplace of Mozart is not only known for its cultural significance, but also offers a picturesque old town and a lively artist scene. In addition to classic coworking spaces, Salzburg offers various opportunities to work in cafés.
- Vienna: The Austrian capital full of culture, history and modern life. With its impressive palaces, museums and parks, Vienna offers an inspiring work environment.
The perfect accommodation
Whether a hotel, a vacation apartment for a few weeks or an apartment for a month and more. The perfect accommodation depends on your intention. Here are some tips to help you decide:
- Internet connection: Make sure your accommodation has a reliable and fast internet connection. This is crucial to be able to work productively.
- Workspace: make sure your accommodation has a suitable workspace, whether it's a desk in your room or a shared workspace.
- Flexibility: Consider whether you prefer a short-term stay (e.g. in a hotel), which can be flexibly adapted to your plans, or to move into an apartment for a month or more and explore the country and its people from there. KURZZEiTmiete.at offers fully furnished apartments with best internet between 1 and 6 months.
FAQ
Mobile working refers to the ability to work from different locations, while home office describes working from home for an extended period of time.
Visa and residence permit, finances, work environment and cultural differences should be considered when planning a workation in Austria.
This information is to be understood as a non-binding service and represents only a general orientation aid and in no way legal advice. The information provided on this website cannot substitute for individual, case-by-case advice. No liability of any kind whatsoever is assumed for the content and accuracy.