Understanding Austrian Employment Law
Austrian employment law provides broad protection and rights for employees, similar to most members of the European Union. The most important areas of Austrian labor law are codified in a wealth of diversified statutes and in-depth regulations. There is no single statute governing all aspects of individual and collective employment law in Austria.
The Austrian Settlement and Residence Act (Niederlassungs- und Aufenthaltsgesetz) regulates the employment of foreign nationals in Austria. It sets out the conditions for obtaining a work permit, which is required for non-EU citizens to work in Austria. EU citizens do not require a work permit but must register with the authorities.
Austria has a strong tradition of collective bargaining, and many workers are covered by collective agreements that set out their terms and conditions of employment. These agreements are negotiated between employers’ associations and trade unions.
Employment contracts in Austria must be in writing and signed by both parties. The contract must contain certain minimum information, including the job title, start date, duration of the contract, and salary. The contract may be for a fixed term or indefinite, but if it is for a fixed term, it must be for a legitimate reason, such as a specific project or a temporary replacement.
Austrian labor laws provide for a minimum wage, which is adjusted annually. The current minimum wage is €9.60 per hour. Employers must also pay social security contributions and provide health insurance for their employees. Salaries in Austria are paid 14 times a year, with the 13th and 14th months paid at the end of June and November, respectively.
Understanding Austrian employment law is crucial for any employer looking to hire employees in Austria. It is important to comply with the relevant labor laws and regulations, including the Austrian Settlement and Residence Act, and to negotiate collective agreements where applicable.
Hiring Process in Austria
Hiring employees in Austria requires following the country’s employment laws. The process can be quite complex, and there are numerous laws regarding the recruitment process and the payroll/onboarding process in Austria that must be adhered to.
To hire employees in Austria, the employer must first advertise the job opening in all possible media sources, including social networks and job boards. Once the candidates have been shortlisted, the employer must conduct interviews and choose the best candidate for the job.
After the candidate has been selected, the employer must provide them with an employment contract. Employment contracts in Austria are subject to strict regulations, and they must include specific information, such as the job title, salary, working hours, and paid leave entitlements.
The employer must also register the employee with the local entity and report the beginning and end of the employment of the international skilled worker to the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) within three days. If the skilled worker has a Long-Term Resident EU permit, the employer is not required to report the beginning and end of the employment.
In addition, the employer must ensure that the employee is enrolled in the Austrian social security system and that all relevant taxes are paid. By law, salaries in Austria have to be paid 14 times a year. The 13th-month salary is paid at the end of June, and the 14th at the end of November. These salaries are taxed at a very low rate (6%). Paid vacation entitlement depends on the length of employees’ workweek: those working six-day weeks get 30 days off in a year, and those working five-day weeks get 25 days off.
Hiring employees in Austria requires following strict regulations and adhering to the country’s employment laws. Employers must advertise the job opening, conduct interviews, provide an employment contract, register the employee with the local entity, report the beginning and end of the employment to the AMS, and ensure that the employee is enrolled in the Austrian social security system and that all relevant taxes are paid.
Work Permits and Residence Permits
In Austria, employers who wish to hire foreign employees must comply with the Ausländerbeschäftigungsgesetz (Foreign Nationals Employment Act). This act regulates the employment of foreigners in Austria and requires employers to obtain a work permit for their foreign employees.
There are several types of work permits available in Austria, including the Red-White-Red Card and the EU Blue Card. These permits allow skilled international employees from non-EU member states to work in Austria.