Your guide to being an expatriate in Austria

Demographics of Austria:

Religion Overview

Austria is predominantly Catholic with over 70% of the population adhering to this faith. Austrian Catholics form the largest religious group in the country, followed by Protestants and Orthodox Christians in smaller numbers.

Major Religions

Climate

Austria has a diverse climate, ranging from alpine in the western mountain regions to continental in the east and southeast. The country experiences cold winters and hot summers, with an average temperature of 8°C (46°F) in January and 20°C (68°F) in July. Rainfall is moderately distributed throughout the year, with the heaviest precipitation occurring in June and July.

Economy Overview

Austria has a prosperous economy that is ranked 52nd worldwide in terms of nominal GDP. The country's GDP (nominal) was estimated at $474 billion in 2021, with a per capita GDP of $56,000. The top sectors contributing to Austria's economy include manufacturing, services, and agriculture. Some of the major companies headquartered in Austria include Raiffeisen International Banking Group, OMV AG, and ERSTE Group.

Key Industries

• Manufacturing
• Services
• Agriculture
• Construction
• Trade

Major Companies

• Erste Group Bank AG
• BAWAG PSK
• Wiener Stadtwerke
• Kapsch
• TBA

Culture and Language Overview

Austria's rich cultural heritage is reflected in its music, art, and architecture. The country is known for its famous composers such as Mozart, Strauss, and Haydn, as well as its contributions to classical music. Vienna, in particular, is renowned for its art scene, with world-renowned museums and art galleries that house the works of famous artists like Klimt and Schiele. Other cultural highlights in Austria include its popular music festivals, folk traditions, and stunning architecture.

Cultural Highlights

• Mozart's Opera 'The Marriage of Figaro'
• Vienna State Opera
• Wiener Secession
• Schönbrunn Palace
• Belvedere Palace
• Vienna International Music Festival

Geography and Landmarks Overview

Austria has a stunningly diverse landscape comprising mountains, valleys, and lakes. The country's most famous feature is the Alps, which span a large part of the western boundary. Other notable landmarks include the Hofburg Palace complex in Vienna, Melk Abbey, the Heldenberg mountain range, and the Salzkammergut Lakes District. Austria is surrounded by several neighboring countries, including Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, and Liechtenstein.

Notable Landmarks

• Schönbrunn Palace
• Hofburg Palace
• St. Stephen's Cathedral
• Melk Abbey
• Belvedere Palace
• Heldenberg mountain range
• Danube River
• St. Wolfgang Abbey
• Hallstatt

National Holidays

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• Epiphany (January 6)
• Good Friday
• Easter Sunday
• Easter Monday
• Labour Day (May 1)
• Ascension Day (40 days after Easter)
• Corpus Christi
• Day of the Austrian Republic (October 26)
• Christmas Day (December 25)
• St. Stephen's Day (December 26)
• New Year's Eve (December 31)

Political Stability

Austria is considered a politically stable country with a parliamentary democratic system of government. The country has a patterns of periodic peaceful transitions of power, and the rule of law is generally respected. However, some key issues facing Austria include immigration, far-right political activity, and integration of immigrants.