Country card | Austria
Language proficiency: In Austria, having German language skills is important for job seeking, as most positions require proficiency, though some companies offer English language roles.
Important regulations: Guidance on visa and work permit requirements can be found here: Work in Austria, BMEIA. Furthermore, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy provides a comprehensive guide to understanding different employment types.
Networking: Expanding professional networks through LinkedIn and participating in industry events can be an effective strategy for finding job opportunities.
Living in Austria: Vienna – ranked as the world’s second most livable city in 2024 (Mercer study) – offers an excellent quality of life. However, finding the right accommodation requires understanding the local housing market and regulations. Discover everything you need to know about housing and settling into your Austrian home here.
Monthly expenditure: According to the Student Social Survey (2023), the monthly expenditure for an average student stands at €1,224, distributed across key life domains: 38% allocated to housing, 21% to food, 7% to mobility, 9% to leisure activities, 5% to educational expenses, and 20% to miscellaneous costs.
Check out the ZBP website! Whether you’re looking for internships, part-time jobs, or your first full-time position, the ZBP website is packed with amazing opportunities for business and law students (and recent graduates).
The ZBP website also provides valuable insights into successful job applications in Austria: It offers comprehensive guidance on CVs, cover letters, and professional advice. You will also find online keynotes and podcasts on relevant job application topics on the website.
Further career platforms:
karriere.at: one of the biggest job platforms in Austria with full-time and part-time positions
derstandard.at: This platform specifically caters to qualified professionals and university graduates
Work in Austria Talent Hub: platform for international professionals
stepstone.at: strong in corporate and technical job segments
Indeed.com: international platform with extensive job listings
LinkedIn: emphasizes professional connections and global opportunities
The Stepstone salary report for 2025 revealed a median gross annual salary of €55,000 for Austrian full-time employees. Taking a closer look at WU graduates’ starting salaries, statistics show the following patterns: Bachelor’s graduates entered the most popular sectors with monthly earnings of €2,500 to €2,942, while their Master’s counterparts commanded higher starting salaries ranging from €2,828 to €3,392 per month.
The most significant sectors in Austria include trade and crafts, followed by retail, manufacturing, and tourism & hospitality. For business graduates, the leading industries are tax consultancy and auditing, public administration, associations and NGOs, banking and finance, retail, wholesale, FMCG, and consulting.
Austrian internship opportunities are available all year round and typically range from 1 to 12 months, giving students flexibility to align placements with their studies or career goals.
These internships are open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, and they can be structured as either full-time or part-time positions. Many roles are designed to provide hands-on work and research experience.
The main working language is usually German, especially in local companies and public organisations. However, some international firms may also offer roles in English.
Internships in Austria are typically paid, with monthly salaries ranging from around €1,500 to €2,500, depending on the industry, role, and level of experience required.
Students can find internship opportunities through online job platforms, career events, and professional networking, which are all widely used in Austria to connect candidates with employers.
More information can be found on: Quality of life and innovative Companies |WORK in AUSTRIA
WU ZBP Career Center Podcast: open.spotify.com
WU ZBP Career Center: Website