Austrian Visas and Work Permits
Our tax guide for freelance contractors working in Austria
Citizens of the old EU member States (before the enlargement on 1 May 2004) as well as citizens from the new EU member States Cyprus and Malta do not need a work permit to take up employment in Austria.
For citizens of the following eight new EU member States (Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia) and Bulgaria and Romania who joined the EU in January 2007, a restricted work permit (Beschäftigungsbewilligung) still needs to be applied for by the employer. After a year of legal employment, their freedom of movement will be confirmed by the Labour Market Service. The freedom of movement expires if they leave Austria for more than just a short period.