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.
Capital: Vienna
Region: Europe
Language: German
Currency: EUR (€)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 72)
Emergency: 112
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Professional Services
Finding lawyers, accountants, doctors and other professionals in Austria.
The Arbeiterkammer (AK) is an underutilised resource for expats — free legal advice, tenant rights support, consumer complaints, and employment law guidance for all employees (AK membership is mandatory and included in your salary deductions). The Wirtschaftskammer (WKO) provides free business advice and startup consulting. Mietervereinigung (Tenants' Association) and Mieterhilfe (Vienna city tenant advice service) offer free or cheap rental dispute support.
Language options: Vienna has a large international professional community — many Steuerberater, Rechtsanwälte, and Notare offer English-language services. For other cities: availability is more limited. The Arbeiterkammer and government authorities are in German only, but many provide information sheets in multiple languages. Google Translate sufficiency varies; for legal matters, always use a professional.
Tax Advisor (Steuerberater)
€150–300/hour; tax return (Steuererklärung): €300–800 (simple); €800–2,000+ (complex, with foreign income, self-employment) How to find: Search the Kammer der Steuerberater und Wirtschaftsprüfer (KSW) member directory at kswwien.at or kwt.or.at. Ask employer HR or expat community for recommendations. Many tax advisors in Vienna offer English-language services.
KWT — Kammer der WirtschaftstreuhänderWKO SteuerberatungTPA Steuerberatung (large firm with English service)ICON Tax (international tax specialists)
💡 Essential for freelancers, self-employed, and those with foreign income or assets. Austria's tax law is complex — a good Steuerberater typically saves more than their fee. Claim tax advisor fees (Steuerberatungskosten) as a deduction on your next return.
Lawyer (Rechtsanwalt)
€200–400/hour (private consultation). Rechtsschutzversicherung (legal expenses insurance) covers up to €75,000 per case. How to find: Austrian Bar Association (Rechtsanwaltskammer) directory at rechtsanwaelte.at — searchable by area of law and language. Many firms in Vienna offer English-language consultations. Ask expat groups for recommendations.
Rechtsanwaltskammer Wien (RAKW)ÖRAK — Österreichischer RechtsanwaltskammertagArbeiterkammer (AK) — free legal advice for workers and employees (included in AK membership)
💡 The Arbeiterkammer (AK) provides free legal advice on employment, consumer rights, and tenancy law for all employees. Always check AK first — it covers most common expat legal questions. For immigration law: seek a specialist in Fremdenrecht (immigration law).
Notary (Notar)
Fees set by law (Notariatstarifgesetz): property purchase ~1–1.5% of property value; GmbH formation: ~€800–2,000; estate proceedings: varies How to find: Austrian Notary Chamber (Österreichische Notariatskammer) directory at notar.at. Book in advance — popular notaries have 4–6 week wait times.
Österreichische NotariatskammerWiener Notariatskammer
💡 Notaries in Austria are required for all property transactions (buying/selling), GmbH formation, marriage contracts, and certain estate matters. The notary acts as an impartial official — not as an advocate for either party. Ask for the contract draft in advance.
Estate Agent (Immobilienmakler)
Since 2023 law reform: maximum agent commission for tenants is 2 months rent (if agent represents both parties) or 0 months (if agent was hired by landlord only — "Bestellerprinzip"). For property purchases: typically 3% + 20% VAT of purchase price (paid by buyer). How to find: Leading platforms: willhaben.at, immowelt.at, immoscout24.at, bazar.at. WKO-registered estate agents at wko.at/immo.
Fachverband der Immobilien- und Vermögenstreuhänder (WKO)
💡 Since the 2023 Wohnimmobilienmaklerprovision reform, many rentals no longer charge a Maklerprovision to tenants. If the agent was exclusively commissioned by the landlord, you pay nothing. Always clarify who commissioned the agent before signing. Beware of properties advertised as "provisionsfrei" (commission-free) — this should now be standard for tenant-side.
Translator / Interpreter (Übersetzer / Dolmetscher)
€40–80 per page for sworn translations; interpretation: €100–200/hour How to find: UNIVERSALDOLMETSCHER (universaldolmetscher.at), GERICHTSDOLMETSCHER.AT (sworn court interpreters), Kammer (jusline.at) listings. For official documents, only beeidete und gerichtlich zertifizierte Dolmetscher (sworn and court-certified translators) are accepted.
ÖVGD (Österreichischer Verband der Gerichtsdolmetscher)UNIVERSALDOLMETSCHER Austria
💡 For all official submissions (immigration, courts, universities), translations must be from a "beeideter Übersetzer" (sworn translator). Keep your originals and get translations certified with the translator's stamp.
Architect / Interior Designer
€60–120/hour for consultations; project fees vary (typically 10–15% of construction cost for full architect services) How to find: Bundeskammer der ZiviltechnikerInnen directory at arching.at. Ask building management for local recommendations.
Bundeskammer der ZiviltechnikerInnen, Architekten und Ingenieurkonsulenten
💡 Required for building permits (Baugenehmigung) in Austria — only ZiviltechnikerInnen (certified engineers and architects) can sign off on building plans. For renovations within an apartment: smaller work often does not require an architect.
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