Change of https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-austria

Change description : 2025-11-19 15:31:00: Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. [Guidance and regulationForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office]

Showing diff : 2025-06-18 09:59:10.405566068 +00:00..2025-11-19 15:32:03.798541712 +00:00

Guidance

Living in Austria

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To help prove you are nonow longer living in Austria,the UK, de-register with your:

  • local registration office (‘Gemeindeamt’(Gemeindeamt or ‘Magistrat’)Magistrat)
  • health insurance provider (‘Krankenkasse’)(Krankenkasse)
  • bank and local service providers

Disclaimer

To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre and your local social insurance organisation (in German).

WeIf provideyou thisget informationhealthcare asin aAustria guidethrough only. the ForS1 definitiveform, information,you must contact the AustrianOverseas authorities.Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999 and your local social insurance organisation to make sure your S1 is cancelled at the right time.

Read ourthe consularguidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information disclaimeron, amongst other things, bringing family members, tax and access to services.

Useful information

Support for British nationals abroad: a guide. sets out how to stay safe abroad, and explains how the FCDO can support you if you get into difficulty.

Updates to this page

Published 10 May 2013
Last updated 1918 NovemberJune 2025 + show all updates
  1. Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.

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Update history

2025-11-19 15:31
Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.

2025-06-18 10:58
Updated section on visas and residency if you were living in Austria before 1 January 2021 to include more detail on Article 50 card applications.

2024-10-24 10:05
Updated section on EU Entry/Exit System (EES), following the announcement that the EES will be delayed.

2024-05-13 12:21
Added information on EU Entry/Exit System (EES) from autumn 2024. UK nationals who are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement (those who were lawfully resident in the EU before 1 January 2021) will be exempt from registration in EES, provided they hold the correct documentation.

2023-10-16 11:32
Added link to complain to the EU if your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement are not being respected. Added line to confirm that Austria does not offer a special visa for “digital nomads”.

2023-07-11 09:48
Reviewed corona virus information

2022-12-19 09:53
Added information on Church Tax

2022-08-02 12:53
Added information about reduced Article 50 card fees for under 16s (now €26.30) and how to apply for a partial refund if you have paid the full adult fee. The reduced fee applies retrospectively from 1 Jan 2021.

2022-07-15 10:54
Added line on property purchase for Article 50 card holders: “If you have an Article 50 card, you should be treated the same as an Austrian national when purchasing property.”

2022-06-15 13:01
Added information for Article 50 residency card holders who become parents after 1 January 2022.

2022-04-29 11:22
Added information on Article 50 card eligibility for parents of children born on or after 1 January 2022.

2022-04-27 16:08
Updated information on passport stamping at borders.

2022-03-11 09:28
Important information in the Working in Austria, and National insurance sections if you work in Austria, even it if it is for an employer based in the UK.

2022-01-01 07:00
Visas and residency guidance updated, following the 31 December 2021 residency deadline for people with rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

2021-12-06 12:32
Added information on applying for an Article 50 card during lockdown. UK nationals living in Austria before 1 January 2021 have until 31 December 2021 to apply for an Article 50 card and secure their residency rights.

2021-03-01 09:54
Driving section update: additional information on importing vehicles from the UK

2021-02-15 13:10
Benefits section updated on access to Austrian benefits.

2020-09-08 10:30
Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021

2020-07-03 11:02
Added a link to embassy Q&A events, before an online Q&A on Monday 6 July 2020. You can ask questions from midday – 2pm Austrian time on the embassy's facebook page www.facebook.com/ukinaustria.

2020-01-23 11:31
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.

2019-10-18 12:17
Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement

2019-09-03 17:02
Brexit update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.

2019-08-27 12:07
Brexit update: Added guidance to “Passports and travel after Brexit” section for UK nationals travelling from Austria before Brexit and returning afterwards. Added information to the Visas & Residency section: “If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, British nationals must apply for a new residence permit within 6 months of Brexit.”

2019-04-16 10:35
EU Exit update: updated “Passports and Travel after the UK leaves the EU” and “Returning to the UK” sections