Best working conditions

People can benefit from many advantages in Austria, whether they are working as a local or a foreigner. Employees’ rights are extremely well protected and supported by the labour law. The fact that it has the second lowest strike rate in the world reflects the excellent relations between employees and employers.

Normal working hours and rest periods

Normal working hours in Austria are eight hours per day and 40 hours per week. Additional hours are considered overtime and are paid with a 50 percent additional wage or the right to take compensatory leave.

Since September 2018, up to twelve hours per day and 60 hours per week are now permitted in certain cases. However, the average weekly working hours must not exceed 48 hours per week for a period of four months. In the case of a four-day working week. It is possible to work ten hours per week to reach the prescribed normal working hours of 40 working hours per week. In addition, normal working hours can be extended, for example by spreading the working hours over a certain period of time or in the context of flexible working hours models. However, in some industries, collective agreements specify a reduction in the legally prescribed weekly working hours.

The Austrian Red-White-Red Card provides a residence permit for third-country nationals who want to work as skilled workers in Austria and want to stay in Austria permanently. It grants temporary settlement and employment with a specific employer, but this right can only be granted if the applicant can prove sufficient employment. In order to obtain the Red-White-Red Card, it is necessary to collect enough points (e.g. total points depending on education, work experience, age, language skills) using the points system.

There are six subcategories in total:

Red-White-Red Card for Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations, targets third-country nationals who have received a job offer and have received training or education for certain occupations in the event of a shortage in certain occupations. For this purpose, there is a list of occupations with a shortage of skilled workers, which is updated annually. Austria publishes a list of these critical occupations every year.
Red-White-Red Card for Graduates,The Red-White-Red Card for Graduates is targeted at third-country nationals who have studied at an Austrian university or university of applied sciences within the previous twelve months and have received a suitable job offer. In this case, there is no point system as applied to the Red-White-Red Cards. Furthermore, no labour market test is required.
Red-White-Red Card for Highly Skilled Workers, targets third-country nationals with special qualifications. This may include, for example, long-standing professional experience in senior management positions. As a rule, employees with this qualification can emigrate to Austria faster than other skilled workers.

The Red-White-Red Card for Other Key Workers targets all skilled workers who are not included in the categories but who have nevertheless received an offer of employment as a skilled worker. It targets third-country nationals who have received a job offer in a company in Austria and who have not applied for any other Red-White-Red Card or Blue Card.

The Red-White-Red Card for Self-Employed Key Workers targets third-country nationals who can invest at least €100,000 in a way that will have a positive impact on the economic development of Austria.

The Red-White-Red Card for Start-Up Founders is intended for third-country nationals who can make an investment transfer of at least €30,000 in the future company that is expected to result in an innovative development for the Austrian economy.

Family reunification or immigration is possible with all these residence permits. Family members (husband/wife, civil partner, children) can apply for the Red-White-Red Plus Card, which allows them to freely access the Austrian labor market.

Alva Personal will accept applications for the Red-White-Red Card from the following groups:

1. Highly Qualified Workers
2. Workers in Occupations with Labour Shortages
3. Other Key Professionals

What are the rights offered by the Red-White-Red Card?

1. 1. Card holders are paid 14 salaries per year.

   2. In case of serious problems with your employer or workplace, as a KBK Card holder, you have the right to appeal to institutions that protect the rights and interests of workers, such as UNDOK, the Austrian Federation of Trade Unions, the Labor Court or the Social Security Institution.

   3. KBK Card holders benefit from the same social rights as Austrian citizens.

   4. Employee rights are of great importance in Austria. For this reason, depending on the problem experienced, many institutions are ready to provide professional support and assistance in the event of a possible problem.

   5. Employees receive bonus payments for Christmas and holiday periods.