Austria (AT)
Austria is a landlocked Central European republic of nine federal states (Bundesländer), renowned for its stunning Alpine landscapes, imperial history, world-class classical music, and high standard of living.
Daily Life
Practical day-to-day information for living in Austria.
🛒 Supermarkets
Austrian/German discount chain (Aldi equivalent). Excellent value, limited range. Strong own-brand products. Bakery section. Nationwide.
German discount chain with wide presence in Austria. Good bakery, fresh produce, and weekly special offers (Aktionen). Nationwide.
Austria's largest supermarket chain (part of REWE group). Wide range, good fresh section, own-brand "Clever" for budget items. Every neighbourhood in Vienna.
The full rebranding of all 144 former Merkur stores to Billa Plus was completed on 6 April 2021. Larger format with premium-oriented organic and regional produce, deli counter, in-store bakery, and wide imported range. The "Merkur" name no longer exists in Austria.
Wide coverage in Austria, especially outside Vienna. Good fresh produce and butcher counter in larger stores. Also runs Eurospar (larger) and Interspar (hypermarket).
Larger hypermarket format of Spar. Extensive range including clothing, electronics, and household goods. Usually in shopping centres.
Organic specialist chain. Certified organic and vegan products. Vienna, Graz, Salzburg. Premium pricing.
Opening Hours
Most supermarkets: Monday–Saturday 7am–8pm (some until 9pm). Smaller shops: typically 9am–6pm weekdays, 9am–5pm Saturdays. Shopping centres (Einkaufszentren): 9am–9pm Monday–Saturday. Restaurants: lunch 11:30am–2pm, dinner 6pm–10pm. Coffee houses: 8am–8pm or later. Pharmacies (Apotheken): Monday–Friday 8am–6pm, Saturday 9am–12pm.
Sunday Rules
Most shops are CLOSED on Sundays and public holidays by law (Öffnungszeitengesetz). Exceptions: petrol stations (Tankstellen), selected tourist shops in city centres, bakeries until noon, train station shops (open 7 days). Plan your shopping on Saturday. In Vienna, some 24h convenience shops (Trafik/Tabak, kiosks) operate on Sundays with limited goods.
Recycling
Austria has a comprehensive recycling system. Gelber Sack or Gelbe Tonne (yellow bag/bin) for plastic and metal packaging. Altpapier bin (blue, usually) for paper and cardboard. Glass containers at street collection points separated by colour (Weißglas, Buntglas). Biomüll (brown bin or biodegradable bag) for organic waste. Restmüll (grey/black bin) for non-recyclable residual waste. Pfand (deposit) for glass bottles at supermarkets (€0.10–0.25). Electronic waste at specific collection points or retailers. Hazardous waste (Problemstoffe): free disposal at municipal collection events and Mistplatz (waste depots).
Dining Out
Eating out in Austria ranges from traditional Gasthäuser and Beisln (casual Austrian pubs) to upscale restaurants. Lunch (Mittagsmenu) is typically €8–14 for a two-course meal — the best value dining in Austria. Many restaurants offer a Mittagsmenü weekdays. Coffee houses (Kaffeehäuser) are integral to Viennese culture — the Viennese Kaffeehaus is UNESCO-intangible heritage. Restaurants usually open for lunch (11:30–14:00) and dinner (18:00–22:00). Tipping expected (see above). Tap water (Leitungswasser) in Vienna is world-class — from Alpine springs. Ask for it: "Leitungswasser bitte." Some restaurants may charge for bread.
Utilities & Internet
Electricity and gas supplied by regional providers. In Vienna: Wien Energie. Other states: Energie AG (Upper Austria), EVN (Lower Austria), Energie Steiermark (Styria), Salzburg AG (Salzburg), etc. Average monthly utilities for a 2-person apartment: €120–200 (gas, electricity). Most apartments have central heating (Zentralheizung) with annual Betriebskostenabrechnung. Internet: €30–45/month for 100–500 Mbps. ORF Beitrag (public broadcasting fee): €15.30/month per household, mandatory.
Cultural Tips for Expats
- → Kaffeehauskultur: Vienna's coffee house tradition is unlike anywhere else. Order a Melange (coffee + steamed milk), read a newspaper (provided free), and stay as long as you like over one coffee.
- → Heuriger wine taverns: Viennese Heurigen (wine taverns indicated by a green pine branch) are a unique institution. Bring your own Brettljause or order from the kitchen; drink local Viennese wine in the garden.
- → Gemütlichkeit: Austrians value comfort, cosiness, and a relaxed atmosphere. A social evening in Austria rarely involves rushing.
- → Formality matters: address people by title + surname until invited to use first names. Austrians value politeness and formality more than Germans.
- → Ruhezeiten (quiet hours): weekdays 22:00–06:00, all day Sunday, often 13:00–15:00 as Mittagsruhe. Strict enforcement in residential buildings.
- → Müll (rubbish) etiquette: putting rubbish in the wrong bin or leaving it in communal areas causes serious neighbourly friction.
- → Smoke-free since 2019: Austrian restaurants and bars became fully smoke-free in November 2019 after a long delay. Some outdoor Schanigärten (terraces) may still allow smoking.
Quiet Hours
Austria has strict noise protection rules (Lärmschutz). These are enforced both by law and by Hausordnung (building rules). Violating quiet hours can lead to Abmahnungen (formal warnings) and ultimately lease termination.
All residential buildings; loud music, power tools, shouting prohibited.
Many buildings and municipalities, especially outside major cities. Check your Hausordnung.
No gardening, drilling, or loud DIY work. Even loud housework (vacuuming) is restricted.
Same as Sunday rules apply on all public holidays.
- •Running washing machines or dishwashers after 22:00
- •Drilling or hammering on Sunday mornings
- •Loud parties without warning neighbours
- •Letting children run noisily in apartments after 22:00
- •Using garden power tools at weekends — some municipalities restrict even Saturday afternoons
First offence: verbal or written complaint from neighbours. Repeat offence: Abmahnung (formal warning from landlord). Third offence: risk of lease termination (Kündigung). Ordnungsamt can also issue fines (€50–500).
Postal Services
Österreichische Post (Austrian Post) handles letters and parcels. Post offices (Postamt) in every district, plus Postpartner (post services in supermarkets like Spar, Billa). Post boxes (Briefkasten) are yellow.
Packstationen operated by DHL and the Post's own Postbox network. Register in the Post app (Post.at App) for parcel management and 24/7 pickup at lockers.
RSa (Rückschein) and RSb letters are registered mail requiring signature. If missed: collection notice at post office, valid 2 weeks. Legal documents (court orders, tax notices) are often sent as RSa.
Send as "Einschreiben" for important documents. Add "Rückschein" for proof of delivery. Available at all post offices and Postpartner.
Nachsendeauftrag: set up with Österreichische Post for mail forwarding when moving. Cost: €9.50/month. Set up at Post offices or online at post.at.
- →Register for the Post.at app to manage deliveries, request redelivery, and find nearest Postpartner.
- →Official letters from authorities are often RSa — check your letterbox regularly.
- →If you miss an RSa, collect within 2 weeks or it is returned — reissue can take weeks.
- →Parcels can be redirected to a Postfiliale or Postpartner if delivery fails.