Austria (AT)

Valid passport required for entry, registration (Meldezettel), bank accounts, and all official dealings. Must be valid for the duration of your stay. Carry a copy at all times.

The official proof of address registration in Austria, issued by the Meldeamt or Magistrat after completing the Anmeldung. Required for almost everything: bank accounts, health insurance, tax registration, residence permits. Must be obtained within 3 days of moving into your accommodation.

Required for family reunification, marriage registration, school enrolment, and citizenship applications. Foreign documents must be apostilled and translated by a sworn translator (beeideter Übersetzer).

Required for spouse visa, family registration, and tax purposes. Must be apostilled and translated into German by a sworn translator if issued abroad.

EU/EEA citizens can enter and reside in Austria using their national ID card or passport. No separate residence permit required — rights derive from EU free movement.

Non-EU/EEA citizens must apply for a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) at the relevant authority (MA 35 in Vienna, BH in other states). Types include: Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte (Red-White-Red Card), Niederlassungsbewilligung, Aufenthaltserlaubnis, and others.

The Austrian health insurance card issued by ÖGK (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse). Replaces the old Krankenschein. Must be presented at every doctor visit. Received by post after health insurance registration. Acts as the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for travel in the EU.

A unique 10-digit social insurance number assigned at first employment or registration. Printed on the e-Card. Used for all interactions with social insurance (ÖGK, PVA, AUVA). Permanent — never changes.

Required for regulated professions and the Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte (Red-White-Red Card) applications. Non-Austrian degrees may require Nostrifikation (equivalency assessment) through the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF) or the relevant university. Regulated professions have dedicated chambers: Österreichische Ärztekammer (ÖÄK) for medicine, Rechtsanwaltskammer for law, etc. OeAD (Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation) can advise on the recognition process. Austria is a Hague Apostille member; apostille and certified German translation by a beeideter Übersetzer required.

Required for immigration applications, some jobs, and naturalisation. Austrian police clearance: obtained from the Magistrat or online. Foreign police clearances: must be apostilled and translated.

Needed for residence permit applications, bank account opening, and health insurance registration. Must include start date, salary, and employer details.

Required for Meldezettel registration. Landlord must also sign the Meldezettel form confirming your tenancy. Must state your address clearly.

Austrian vehicle registration document. Foreign vehicles must be re-registered within one month of establishing residency. Required for car insurance and annual Pickerl (§57a inspection).

Foreign EU driving licences are valid in Austria without exchange. Non-EU licences must be exchanged within 6 months at the Führerscheinstelle. Some countries have bilateral agreements for simplified exchange.