Moving to Austria
With so many relocation companies offering European removal services it can be an ordeal just trying to pick one. Price is likely to be a large deciding factor, but this doesn’t, nor should it, negate quality. At White & Company, we pride ourselves on our ability to deliver on both fronts.
Whether we transport your personal belongings by sea, road or air, we can assure you of their safe and timely arrival. We are very proud to be founder members of the industry’s most prestigious regulators; BAR, FIDI and OMNI. As members of these organisations, we adhere to strict standards and regular auditing, giving you peace of mind should anything unforeseen happen.
From Salford to Salzburg or Inverness to Innsbruck, we have the necessary expertise and skill to make your move stress-free. With competitive pricing and top of the range storage and packing solutions, our door-to-door removals service is hard to beat.
Customs Information
Austria has very strict importation regulations. If you are taking up residency, your household goods and personal belongings may be imported from the UK free of VAT and customs duty. Used personal vehicles are also included, however there are restrictions regarding re-sale after importation. You must be aware that there are serious consequences if regulations are not adhered to.
There are restrictions on importing of items such as:
Replica guns, weapons and ammunition.
All narcotics and some prescribed medication are prohibited.
You must declare all kinds of food to the customs authorities, too. In practice, unless it poses a general health hazard or violates animal health laws, food and drinks usually are ignored.
Plants – certain plant products, fruit, wood, seeds, soil and compost are prohibited.
Any items which are derived from animals, such as skins, ivory, feathers or shells, tropical woods or tortoise shells are prohibited.
This list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure of any items, visit the following web sites for further information before you attempt to import:
• http://www.iamovers.org/files/newimages/member/shippers/austria.pdf
• https://www.export.gov/article?id=Austria-Customs-Regulations
Shipping My Effects to Austria
The whole moving experience can be incredibly stressful, especially so when relocating abroad. White & Company, with its 151 years of experience in the removal industry, can help make the process a lot less traumatic.
White & Company move thousands of families around the globe each year and have branches all over the UK. We can arrange a free no obligation home or virtual survey and quotation. Each survey will be carried out by one of our qualified surveyors, who are able to answer any of the questions and concerns you may have and offer advice where necessary.
The purpose of the survey is to determine the volume of effects you will be shipping. The cost of shipment is based on the space your effects will take up in our vehicle if transportation is by road and in a container if being shipped by sea. Following the visit, you will receive a written quotation.
Export Packing UK To Austria
You will want to know that during your door-to-door service, your possessions are treated with respect and care. Our experienced teams located across the UK will pack and prepare your valuable, fragile and bulky furniture ready for export.
We use a modern range of environmentally friendly, purpose-made packing materials and can pack everything for you prior to your move.
All china and glassware will be wrapped in special paper and then packed in double-thickness cartons. Furniture can be wrapped in bubble blanket for extra protection. Items requiring specialist care, such as antiques, can be packed in made-to-measure wooden crates.
Upon arrival at your residence in Austria, our trusted agents will place boxes and furniture in appropriate rooms as directed. They will unpack your belongings onto flat surfaces and dispose of all packing materials.
Survey
Our experienced surveyor will either visit your home to conduct a pre-move survey or undertake a virtual survey, to ascertain the volume of effects being shipped. This involves him/her walking or viewing the property room by room noting what items are to be exported and recording it on his electronic tablet. A written quotation will follow within 48 hours.
Storage
White & Company has storage facilities at 19 storage locations throughout the UK all providing secure containerised storage in personal dedicated storage containers. Our trusted partners in Austria are also able to offer storage should you require it. All our warehouses are clean, dry, secure and accredited to European standard BS EN 14873.
Packing
When our quotation has been accepted and a move date has been secured, the vehicle and removal team will arrive at residence. The removal team will proceed to pack and wrap all items being shipped and load onto vehicle for delivery to our closest depot or for full loads, directly onward to your home in Austria.
Contacting White & Company
For further information on our removals service to Austria, or any other international destination, contact our international office on 01489 858652. Alternatively complete the form below with your details and we will contact you.
Why Move to Austria?
Austria offers an eclectic mix of the modern and the historical with cities and villages nestled neatly among stunning Alpine mountains and glassy lake landscapes.
As one of the richest countries in Europe, Austria attracts many expats wanting to benefit from its highly developed economy, safe environment (less than 100 murders a year) and work/life balance. Businesses still close on a Sunday and during August, many organisations close for the whole month.
From mountain climbing and skiing in the Alps to swimming across pristine lakes, Austria boats an enviable outdoors lifestyle with a whole host of leisure activities for all of the family to take part in.
Austria is culturally rich also and a visit to the world-famous Spanish riding school in Vienna is a must. There are also several art museums like the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Albertina, or the Palais Liechtenstein in Vienna, or perhaps the ballet of the Staatsoper.
Austrian social customs and the language barrier — which varies slightly from the German dialect— could prove cumbersome at first but navigate those difficulties and you are likely to be rewarded with a life in a rich and vibrant country with plush surroundings and great economic opportunities.
Working in Austria
Austria benefits from very low unemployment rates. In order for non-EU citizens to legally work in the country, a work permit is required.
With thriving industries, a healthy economy and low unemployment, working in Austria is a perfect destination for expats looking for work.
Some of the skills the country is currently looking for are in the service industry, marketing, tourism and in the information technology sector. Austria also strongly supports entrepreneurs and has become a very easy place to start your own enterprise or venture.
Many expats also praise the excellent working conditions that come with the coveted Angestellt (permanent) working contract and the ‘14 salaries arrangement’. This arrangement means by law you will be paid 14 times a year, most often monthly with two increased salaries for holiday remunerations (one in the Summer and one at Christmas).
For useful tips on how to get work in Austria visit the following web sites:
https://www.justlanded.com/english/Austria
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-austria
https://www.migration.gv.at/en
General Information
Moving to a new country can take some getting used to. Local customs and characteristics of each country can be very different. Learning from those who have already made the transition into Austrian life will prove invaluable.
Each town and city will have an expat community. As well as gleaning lots of information about the cost of living, housing, neighbourhoods etc, it is a great opportunity for you to make new friends.
For some helpful tips and information on settling into life in Austria, it is a good idea to visit some of the many expat forums online.
Property
The property market in Austria has remained buoyant over the past few years despite the pandemic and more recent Russian/Ukraine conflict.
Property prices are very expensive and there has been a high interest in investment from overseas buyers.
There is a wide choice of accommodation in Austria, and it is generally of a good standard. Austrians typically have a preference for purchasing new eco-houses, which means there is the potential to purchase older properties at competitive prices, providing you are willing to put in the work to refurbish.
Most expats are likely to choose the option of renting in the short term, until they are familiar with the area. Expats are advised to invest in the help of a bilingual real estate agent to assist you with your search. Not only do estate agents help expats overcome the language barrier but they have an intimate knowledge of the local property market.
Often as part of an employment package your employer will deal with the task of finding something suitable.
Values will vary depending on which city or town in Austria you decide to settle in with the major cities such as Vienna Salzburg, Innsbruck or Graz attracting higher fees.
Currently, the average cost to purchase an apartment in Austria is €5,386 (£4,683) per square metre close to the city and €3,937 (£3,423) outside of the centre.
If you choose to rent, you can expect to pay approximately €1,345 (£1,170) per month for a 3-bedroom family home close to the centre of the city and €1083 (£947) outside the centre.
Healthcare
You can expect to experience one of the best healthcare systems in Europe when you live in Austria. Expats are entitled to access public healthcare as they pay contributions via their taxes. Their salary determines the amount an individual pays. The public health provision includes dental care as well as access to public hospitals, medication and some specialist consultations.
As such, because of the very high standard of the public health care system, very few people opt for private health insurance. That said, if you have private health insurance as part of your employment package you have access to a greater number of services and can expect shorter waiting times.
For further helpful information regarding healthcare in Austria, please visit the following sites:
• http://www.expatarrivals.com/austria/healthcare-in-austria
• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-austria
White & Company
European Removals since 1871
We recommend a personal visit, or a virtual survey be undertaken by one of our Surveyors for all European moves, so that we can assess your requirements, and the volume of goods to be moved.
Below is a guide to the largest cities in Austria:
Dornbirn
Graz
Innsbruck
Klagenfurt
Linz
Salzburg
Sankt Polten
Vienna
Villach
Wels