How to Get a Job in Austria as a Foreign Worker: A Step-by-Step EU Helpers Guide
Austria pairs a strong, high-wage economy with an exceptional quality of life — Vienna is regularly named the world's most liveable city — and a clearly structured, points-based immigration system that genuinely welcomes skilled talent. For job seekers from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and beyond, getting a job in Austria as a foreign worker is a realistic and achievable goal, especially in the country's shortage occupations.
At EU Helpers, we give applicants one guiding principle: Austria runs on points and shortage lists. The main routes are the points-based Red-White-Red (RWR) Card and the newly accessible EU Blue Card, and knowing your best category is everything. This EU Helpers guide walks through how to get a job the way the system actually works. Thresholds are revised annually, so confirm the current position before acting.
The Facts That Shape Your Search
Points decide your eligibility. The RWR Card awards points for qualifications, experience, age, language (German or English), and salary — so pre-calculating your score is essential.
The shortage list is your friend. If your job is on the Mangelberufsliste, you need fewer points and skip the labour market test.
| What candidates assume | The Austrian reality |
|---|---|
| I need fluent German | Points reward German or English |
| Any job qualifies equally | Shortage-list roles are far easier |
| I always need an offer first | Very highly qualified can use a Job Seeker Visa |
| The salary bar is vague | Clear thresholds apply per category |
Step One: Identify Your Best Route
| Route | Best for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| RWR Card – Shortage Occupation | Roles on the Mangelberufsliste | 55 points; labour-market-test exempt |
| RWR Card – Very Highly Qualified | Senior specialists | 70 points; Job Seeker Visa available |
| EU Blue Card | Degree-holders, well-paid | ~€55,678/year; test exempt; EU mobility |
| RWR Card – Other Key Workers | Other skilled roles | 55 points + salary + labour market test |
If your occupation is on the shortage list, that route is usually easiest. If you are highly qualified and well-paid, the EU Blue Card is excellent. Very highly qualified candidates can even use the Job Seeker Visa to search on the ground.
Step Two: Target Real Demand
| Your profile | Best target |
|---|---|
| Developer, IT specialist | IT — shortage list / Blue Card, English-speaking |
| Engineer | Engineering — shortage list |
| Nurse, doctor | Healthcare — shortage list |
| Skilled tradesperson, chef | Trades and hospitality — shortage list |
| Early childhood educator | Education — shortage list |
Austria's clearest demand is in healthcare, engineering, IT, and skilled trades — most of which feature on the shortage list.
Step Three: Search the Right Channels
From abroad, use the AMS job portal, the official Work in Austria and migration resources, major Austrian job boards, the career pages of tech, engineering, and healthcare employers, LinkedIn, and recruiters specialising in Austria. The IT and international sectors are the most English-friendly.
Because points and salary are decisive, a targeted application to a shortage-occupation role wins. If you would like structured, trustworthy help identifying legitimate roles and preparing strong applications, you can explore job seeker support from EU Helpers.
Step Four: Calculate Your Points and Apply
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Job offer | Secure an offer (or use the Job Seeker Visa for VHQ) |
| 2. Points check | Confirm you meet your category's threshold |
| 3. Application | Employer/you apply for the RWR Card or Blue Card |
| 4. Labour market test | For Other Key Workers (waived for shortage/Blue Card) |
| 5. Decision | Assessed against the points and salary criteria |
| 6. Arrival | Enter Austria; register and collect your card |
Pre-calculate your points before applying, and add German or English language certificates where they boost your score — insufficient points and salary below threshold are the top rejection reasons.
Step Five: Prepare Documents at Home
| Document | Prepare while still at home |
|---|---|
| Passport | Sufficient validity |
| Employment contract | Meeting the salary threshold for your route |
| Qualifications | Recognised; translated where required |
| Language certificates | German or English (for points) |
| Proof of experience | Supports your points score |
Get your qualifications recognised and gather language certificates early — both directly affect your points and are common bottlenecks.
Language: A Realistic Look
German is the official language and important for daily life and many roles, but the points system rewards either German or English, and IT, research, and international companies often operate in English — the clearest English-friendly route. German strengthens both your points and your integration, so learning it broadens your options considerably.
Important Legal Notes
This EU Helpers guide is general information, not legal advice. Austrian rules are set by the authorities and revised annually, including salary thresholds, the shortage list, and points criteria. What applies to you depends on your nationality, employer, occupation, and route. Confirm current requirements through official Austrian sources such as migration.gv.at and AMS, or a qualified professional.
Final Guidance and Next Steps
Getting a job in Austria as a foreign worker is realistic and achievable, especially in its shortage occupations. The strategy is clear: check the shortage list and target a listed role (fewer points, no labour market test), aim for the newly accessible EU Blue Card if you are well-paid and degree-qualified, or — if very highly qualified — use the Job Seeker Visa to search on the ground.
Whatever your route, pre-calculate your points, add German or English certificates to boost your score, ensure your salary meets the threshold, and get your qualifications recognised early. If you would like trustworthy help assessing your options and preparing a competitive application, you can explore job seeker support from EU Helpers. EU Helpers is here to help you take that step with clarity and confidence.
FAQs
Identify your best route, most commonly the points-based Red-White-Red Card or the EU Blue Card, then secure a job offer (or, if very highly qualified, use the Job Seeker Visa to search on the ground). Check whether your occupation is on the shortage list, as listed roles need fewer points and skip the labour market test. Pre-calculate your points, ensure your salary meets the threshold, and prepare recognised qualifications and language certificates before applying.
For many candidates, the Red-White-Red Card Shortage Occupation route is easiest: if your job is on Austria's annual shortage list (Mangelberufsliste), you need only 55 points and are exempt from the labour market test. The list includes nurses, doctors, engineers, IT specialists, educators, and chefs. Alternatively, the EU Blue Card became far more accessible in 2026 with a lower salary threshold, making it an excellent route for well-paid, degree-qualified professionals.
Use the AMS (Public Employment Service) job portal, the official Work in Austria and migration resources, major Austrian job boards, and the career pages of technology, engineering, and healthcare employers, alongside LinkedIn and recruiters specialising in Austria. The IT and international sectors are the most English-friendly and experienced at hiring internationally. Because shortage-occupation roles are the easiest route, targeting employers hiring for listed occupations is the strongest strategy for foreign candidates.
You typically need a valid passport, an employment contract meeting the salary threshold for your route, recognised qualifications (translated where required), language certificates in German or English to support your points, and proof of work experience. Get your qualifications recognised and gather language certificates early, as both directly affect your points score and are common bottlenecks. Pre-calculating your points before applying helps ensure you meet your category's threshold and avoids the most frequent rejection reasons.
German is the official language and important for daily life and many roles, but you do not always need it. The Red-White-Red Card points system rewards either German or English proficiency, so English-speaking candidates can qualify, and IT, research, and international companies often operate in English. However, German strengthens both your points score and your integration, and is important for healthcare and many local roles, so learning it broadens your opportunities considerably.
Pre-calculate your points across qualifications (up to 30, more for a PhD), work experience, age (highest for younger applicants), language skills in German or English, and salary. Very Highly Qualified Workers need 70 of 100 points, while Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations and Other Key Workers need 55. Add language certificates where they boost your score. Checking whether your occupation is on the shortage list, and pre-calculating your points, tells you quickly whether you qualify.
EU Helpers helps international job seekers understand Austria's points-based system and choose the right route, whether a shortage-occupation Red-White-Red Card, the newly accessible EU Blue Card, or the Job Seeker Visa for the very highly qualified. We help you check the shortage list, pre-calculate your points, add language certificates, ensure your salary meets the threshold, and prepare recognised qualifications. Final decisions rest with the Austrian authorities, but EU Helpers helps you approach the process informed and organised.
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