Thinking of moving to Austria
 

Hi, a friend of my daughter's has relocated to Vienna and has been living there for over 2 years now, and she absolutely delights in it, as well as availing herself of it's very central location to travel in the area. So, I have decided to look into living there (especially as the rents are much cheaper than in London!): does anyone have any opinions/ advice etc on this and any websites etc to refer me to to investigate this including properties to rent websites. I also need to know about the medical facilities and whether, as an EU (Irish) passport holder I am eligible for free access like the NHS here in Britain. Any cost of living input would be of interest, dangers, support etc - I am an adventurous 60 year old.
Thank you in advance!

The basic rule for practically all State benefits in the EU is that a citizen of another EU country receives that benefit on exactly the same basis as a citizen of the country concerned.

Quite what that basis is gets messy in your case, since the rules affect pensioners differently, and eligibility for state pensions - as well as whether eligibility for "free" medical treatment depends on actually taking a pension, or just being of pensionable age - differs between countries, but remains around 60 for women in many EU countries.

Prior to retirement, a non-Austrian citizen resident in Austria needs to pay Austrian government health insurance to be eligible for "free" or state-subsidised medical care. This differs from the UK system you may have become used to, where virtually all residents get healthcare free at the point of use.

A brief summary, written from a UK point of view, is on the NHS website. http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthc...inAustria.aspx

You might search at www.citizensinformation.ie site for a similar briefing aimed at those who have contributed to the Irish system.

Thank you for your reply flanneruk, I don't receive a state pension here, I have my own income - I have lived most of my life in Zimbabwe and I have an income from there; I shall look into the medical situation in Austria.

So, can I just arrive and rent a flat and start living there in Vienna ad infinitum?

Here's what the UK government advises about moving to Austria

http://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-austria

Thanks PatrickLondon,

I have an Irish passport (EU) so do you have what rather applies to my status - the link you provided mainly refers to British people, not me, being an Irish passport holder: I would appreciate any advice?
Thanks again.

How's your German, esp the Viennese version?

If you don;t have any I would start learning now. Obviously not necessary for a tourist - but for someone living there and dealing with locals for all of life's services will be really necessary.

You may want to adress the Austrian embassy with some of your more detailed legal questions.

As you stress that you are an EU/ROI passport holder, it may also be relevant if you are a citizen of the ROI.
As an EU/ROI CITIZEN it is your right to pick your residence across the EU as you please.

And if you read the links of previous posters, you just have to replace the phrase British citizen with Irish citizen to get a good picture of what you are entitled to or not.
Within the EU it's all the same, regardless if you move to Austria as a British, Swedish, Italian or Irish citizen.


Re. costs of living, Vienna is not that much different from Dublin, i.e. cheaper than London, slightly more expensive than Berlin or Prague.
Costs for dining out may be slightly less expensive than in Dublin or Manchester, grocery shopping more or less the same (except for any alcoholic beverages which are always cheaper)- but if you can afford daily life in Dublin or Manchester, you will be able to afford it in Vienna.

General healthcare is excellent and readily available, and you won't wait weeks to see a specialist or to get a PET scan or hip replacement.
Dentists and any dental "repairs" are only basically covered by health insurance - expect to pay a large share out of your own pocket for inlays, implants, etc. Or get that kind of treatment across the border in Hungary for less.