Entry & Residence (VISA)

Whether or not students are allowed to work in Austria depends on their nationality, the kind of work they would like to undertake and – for nationals of third countries – also on their kind of residence title:

1. Nationals of Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden or Switzerland are allowed to work in Austria without an additional permit (e.g. work permit) being required.
2. Croatian nationals still need a work permit for gainful employment due to transitional arrangements until 2020. If students are carrying out a job that is not subject to the regulations of the Austrian Act Governing the Employment of Foreign Nationals, students do not need a work permit. Activities that are not subject to the regulations of the Austrian Act Governing the Employment of Foreign Nationals are for example: activities within the framework of exchange or research programmes of the European Union or activities in academic teaching and research.
3. Students from all other countries (“third countries”) who are in possession of a residence permit for students (“Aufenthaltsbewilligung – Studierender”/ “Residence Permit – Student” ) are allowed to work to a limited extent and in accordance with the regulations set down in the Austrian Act Governing the Employment of Foreign Nationals (Ausländerbeschäftigungsgesetz – AuslBG), which as a rule requires a work permit.  Activities that are not subject to the regulations of the Austrian Act Governing the Employment of Foreign Nationals are activities in academic teaching and research.

Students with a valid “Residence Permit – Student” receive – regardless of whether they are studying for a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree in Austria – a work permit for employment that does not exceed 20 hours per week. This work permit is issued by the competent Labour Market Service (AMS) without a prior labour market examination.

Students from third countries have the opportunity to apply for an extension of the “Residence Permit – Student” for a maximum of twelve months after completing their studies in Austria for the purpose of finding a job.

Further information can be found here