Austria, for years the perfect country for the Dutch who go on winter sports. Of the European countries, Austria is the top favorite. Many hikers also like to go there in the spring and just like that on holiday, because the country has breathtaking nature reserves. There is so much peace and space to be found in that beautiful nature. It is often these people who ultimately decide to move to Austria. The country is namely a lot bigger than our own frog country and it also has only 8.5 million inhabitants. It is therefore not without reason that you can enjoy all the peace and quiet in the beautiful nature. Are you going emigrate to Austria? Then read on quickly.
Have you plucked up the courage?
Have you already made the decision to emigrate to Austria or are you still searching and doubting a bit? Then this article may help you make the right considerations.
Emigrating to Austria
Moving to Austria for real still sounds a bit scary to many people and this is of course completely understandable. An international move is not nothing and you should think about it very carefully before taking this big step.
The European Union
What is a reassuring thought is that Austria is a country within the European Union (EU). This of course makes everything a bit easier. But hey, you are going to emigrate, so it is wise to think about this carefully despite everything. Despite the fact that emigration within the EU is a lot easier than outside the EU, you still have to do a lot and arrange your affairs properly. Perhaps you can make a kind of handy checklist for yourself and list all the pros and cons.
In this article we have tried to think very carefully about the advantages and disadvantages of emigrating to Austria. However, this is only to give you an idea, because we can of course tell you this, but in the end our advantages can be your disadvantages and vice versa. Are you curious about our list? Then read on quickly.
Moving to Austria: Benefits
We would of course prefer to start with the advantages. After discussing the advantages, we will of course continue with the disadvantages as promised.
The beautiful nature
At number 1 we start with nature in Austria. It is a true paradise for nature lovers. The landscape in Austria is not only very diverse, but also incredibly beautiful. The country has rugged mountains where you can take beautiful walks in the summer and enjoy the snow and skiing in the winter. The beautiful Alps are also a huge boost for your health, because the fresh air in the mountains is very good for your lungs. There are also beautiful hills, many rivers and mountain lakes. In fact, there is something for everyone.
Winter sports
Of the more than 900,000 Dutch people who go on a winter sports holiday every year, according to the CBS, 60% go on a winter sports holiday to Austria. Are you also an avid winter sports enthusiast and can't get enough of the snow and slopes in Austria? Then you have come to the right place in Austria. What is very important for a winter sports holiday is of course a high level of snow certainty and Austria just happens to have this. Furthermore, it is also known worldwide for the best après-ski that Europe has to offer.
The Austrian way of life
You might not think it right away, but Austrians are a lot less rushed than the Dutch. When we mainly fly and run, they take it a lot easier in Austria. In the smaller villages, it is not all that modern and there is also a sense of 'we know each other'. Dutch people who emigrate to Austria like this village feeling. Life is simply a lot less rushed, which means you take more time to enjoy life.
Austrian states
When it comes to Austria, people quickly think of Tyrol. This is a beautiful state where many Dutch people can be found in the winter season. In the summer, however, it is a lot quieter. The great thing about Austria is that it has many more states. If you look a little further than Tyrol, you will also come across other beautiful areas. A good example of this is Carinthia. In this state, we not only have a high season in the winter, but also in the summer. So if you are going to work in Austria, for example in the tourist industry, this will be a great advantage. So take a good look for yourself at which region appeals to you the most.
Moving to Austria: disadvantages
As promised, we will now discuss the disadvantages of living in Austria. Of course, all countries have their own advantages and disadvantages, and Austria is an exception.
The language in Austria
An important aspect of a country is of course the language. Do you speak a little German or have you just completed a German course? Then you will be fine during a holiday in the country, but when you are actually going to emigrate this is a different story. Austrians understand German perfectly, but Austrian-German is different from standard German. They will understand you when you ask things in German and will certainly help you in a friendly manner, but never tell an Austrian that they speak German. There are not only large differences between the two languages, but the local dialects and pronunciations in Austria also differ greatly from each other. That is why it is wise to delve into Austrian-German before you actually move to Austria. Then you can take a course in Austria later. The language is of course very important once you live in Austria.
Building relationships
When you go to live in Austria you will notice that Austrians are different in every area. In the smaller villages you will notice that they are a bit friendlier and warmer, but do you want to live in one of the larger cities? Then you will notice that they are much more distant. Despite the fact that Vienna or Salzburg still have an international character. In general it is the case that Austrians are simply a bit more reserved than us Dutch. They like to wait and see first, which can make them come across as somewhat unfriendly. Don't take this personally and just give them the time to get to know you and you will see that they will warm up to you automatically.
Austrians and Sundays
In Austria, everything is closed on Sundays. Literally locked. To summarize: everything is closed on Sundays. Even in the busy month of December, shops are not open on Sundays. For many foreigners, this is very frustrating, because even the cafes and restaurants are closed on Sundays.
A few years ago, a loophole was discovered that allows smaller kiosks and shops at stations to sometimes be open. To give you an example, in all of Vienna there are only 2 supermarkets that are allowed to be open on Sundays. They are located in a station and are therefore allowed to open their doors on Sundays. However, these two supermarkets are very busy on Sundays and it is often better not to go at all. Do you need something that really cannot wait until Monday? Then you can always go to the gas station. Just like in the Netherlands, they also have other products, but the prices are a lot higher here.
Your new challenge
It is important that you are well prepared before you emigrate to Austria. Immerse yourself in the rules and culture of the country to see for yourself whether you could actually live there. Ultimately, we do not know what your personal situation is in the Netherlands and you of course also have different reasons for emigrating. Your emigration to Austria is something personal and no one but you knows what suits you best.
International moving companies
When moving abroad, you will of course want to take your belongings with you. For this, it is best to look for an international moving company from your region. Such a moving company knows exactly how an international move should be carried out. They also employ movers with the necessary experience and you no longer have to worry about your belongings. They will then deliver your belongings safely and soundly to your new home in Austria.
Moving costs
The moving costs for moving to Austria are very difficult to estimate without a moving company having information about your move. There are many factors that influence the costs of a move. Do you want to know the exact costs for your move? Then it is best to request moving quotes from multiple moving companies.
Free moving quotes
On the internet you have to be very careful when you request quotes. Sometimes you will receive an invoice from the company afterwards because they have drawn up an invoice for you. It also happens that someone unintentionally gets stuck with a contract. Of course you want to avoid these kinds of problems at all costs.
At Moova we have come up with a solution for this. On our website you can now easily request quotes from various moving companies within 2 minutes. This is completely free and without obligation. So you will not be tied to anything.
Best books about emigrating to Austria
Many people are thinking about making their dreams come true in Austria. These books give you super good insight into everything that comes around the corner when emigrating to Austria.
Enjoy reading!
Finally
As you have read, there are several pros and cons regarding moving to Austria and it is best to think carefully for a long time about what exactly you want to achieve with your emigration. We hope that we have been able to help you on your way.
Do you have any questions?
After reading this article, you may still have questions about emigrating to Austria. For example, do you need to apply for a residence permit? What could be possible unforeseen costs when emigrating? How do you arrange your tax affairs in Austria? We answer all these questions and more in various articles on our website. That is why we would also like to refer you to these articles.
