Seasonal work in Austria for Ukrainians: how to obtain a work permit and visa

Ukrainians who want to work seasonally in Austria must obtain a work permit and, in some cases, an entry visa if the period of work exceeds 90 days or if they do not have a biometric passport.

The Austrian system of employment of seasonal workers is regulated by annual quotas set by the government. Special quotas are provided for the following sectors:

• tourism and hotel and restaurant business,
  
• agriculture,
  
• and harvesting.

How can Ukrainians apply for seasonal work in Austria?

In order to start official seasonal employment in Austria, the employer must apply for a permit to the Austrian Employment Service (Arbeitsmarktservice - AMS).

The main stages of the application process are:

1. The employer applies for a work permit at the AMS.

2. Waiting for the application to be processed and checked for compliance with quotas.

3. Upon approval, the employer receives a work permit.

4. The Ukrainian applies for a visa (if necessary) at the Austrian embassy or consulate in Ukraine.

5. In case of extension of the work permit, a visa extension application should be submitted to the relevant Landespolizeidirektion (LPD).

Documents required to obtain a work permit in Austria

In order to obtain a seasonal work permit in Austria, you must meet the following conditions:

• The AMS (Arbeitsmarktprüfung) labor market check must show that there are no local Austrian candidates for the vacancy.
  
• There is a vacancy in the quota set by the government.
  
• The employer's compliance with the terms of payment and labor, in accordance with Austrian standards.
  
• Availability of housing that meets local standards, provided by the employer.

Additional documents are required to obtain a visa:

• A valid work permit issued by the AMS.
  
• Documents confirming financial solvency.
  
• Health insurance covering the entire period of stay.

Validity of the work permit and seasonal visa

The validity of a work permit for seasonal workers is up to 6 months.

Within 12 months, employees can be employed under a quota for up to 9 months, after which they must leave the territory of Austria.

What kind of visa is issued for seasonal work?

• If the period of work is up to 6 months, a category C (short-term) visa is issued.
  
• If the period of work exceeds 6 months, a category D visa (long-term national visa) is required.

Benefits of seasonal work in Austria for Ukrainians

• Legal employment with all social guarantees.
  
• Competitive salary in accordance with the industry standard.
  
• Possibility to extend the contract or switch to long-term work.
  
• Free or discounted housing provided by the employer.

Where can Ukrainians apply for a visa for seasonal work in Austria?

Documents can be submitted at the following institutions:

- Embassy of Austria in Ukraine (Kyiv)

- Austrian visa centers located in other cities of Ukraine

Before submitting documents, you should make an appointment and prepare a full package of documents to speed up the application process.

How much does it cost to obtain a permit and a seasonal visa for Austria?

Approximate cost of registration:

150 euros - obtaining a work permit,

80 euros - applying for a category C visa,

120 euros for a category D visa.

The total cost may also include the cost of health insurance and housing.

Legal assistance for Ukrainians for seasonal work in Austria

Visit Ukraine provides legal support to Ukrainians who are planning to work seasonally in Austria, helping with:

1. Preparation of documents for obtaining a work permit.

2. Consultations on the requirements and conditions of registration.

3. Support at all stages of visa application.

Contact us to get professional assistance and ensure successful employment in Austria.

Frequently asked questions about seasonal work in Austria

1. Can I extend my work permit?

Yes, you can extend your work permit if there are vacancies in the quota. The application for an extension must be submitted through the AMS.

2. Can I change my employer?

No, a seasonal work permit is issued only for a specific employer.

3. Can I bring my family with me?

No, a seasonal work permit does not provide for family reunification.

4. What level of salary can I expect?

The average salary for seasonal workers in Austria in 2025 is approximately EUR 1,700 - 1,900 gross per month, depending on the field of work and qualifications.

Unskilled workers, such as harvesters or hotel and restaurant workers, can expect a gross salary of between EUR 1,600 and EUR 1,800, which amounts to around EUR 1,400 net after taxes.

In areas with higher qualifications (e.g., maintenance, hotel management), the salary can reach 2,000 euros gross or more.

Important! Salaries may depend on the region, the specific employer, and the terms of the contract. Some employers also offer free accommodation and meals, which significantly reduces the employee's expenses.

Company name and address

For the development of any business in a foreign market, the name and address of the company are of great importance. When choosing a company name in Austria, pay attention to the type of partnership (general or limited) and corporation (private or public company). You can also seek advice from the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber regarding your company name.

The company incorporation process in Austria will not be complete without a proper address. Various institutions will deliver all official correspondence (e.g. insurance, tax, social security payments, etc.) to this registered address.

Taxation

The Austrian government offers affordable taxation regimes for foreign companies operating in the country. Your tax requirements for doing business in Austria will include the following:

• Corporate tax of 25% is levied on the total income and net profit of the company. 3,500 euros is the minimum amount for limited liability legal entities, while for joint stock companies this amount is reduced to 1,750 euros.
  
• 20% VAT (value added tax)
  
• Individual entrepreneurs earning EUR 30,000 or less are entitled to pay income tax at a rate of 23% to 50%.
  
• A personal income tax of 25% is levied on interest income. This also applies to income from securities.
  

Entrepreneurial capital

The authorized capital is vital for the establishment of an offshore company in Austria. It is the minimum investment you must make to start a business in Austria. This cost depends on the type of legal business structure. For general or limited partnerships, there are no authorized minimum investments.

However, for limited liability companies, this amount is EUR 35,000, of which EUR 17,500 (at least) must be deposited in cash with the bank. For joint stock companies, the minimum investment must be EUR 70,000, and 25% of this amount must be paid in cash.

Director/officer

A board of directors is required for the legal operation of joint stock companies. Austrian law also requires at least three supervisory board members. For limited liability companies, at least one managing director and three supervisory board members are required.

Shareholders

Austrian law does not limit the maximum number of shareholders in a company, but there must be at least one shareholder.

In a joint-stock company, shareholders have no personal liability to the company and each shareholder's shares must be registered in the Austrian company register. In a general partnership, however, the shareholders are liable for the profits and losses associated with their assets.

License

To trade in goods in Austria, you must apply to the local authorities and obtain a trade license. To register for this license, you have to provide your basic data, such as name, contact information, company address, name, type of business, etc.

Bank account

To set up an offshore company in Austria, you must register a local bank account to deposit the minimum capital. You also need to obtain a confirmation of account opening as this is mandatory for business registration.

Types of business structures in Austria

Below are the types of legal entities you can set up in Austria:

1. Joint Stock Company (AG)

A joint-stock corporation or partnership is limited to the ownership of shares. The shares can be traded on the stock market. Austrian law requires one supervisory board with a minimum of three members. Joint stock companies are legal entities that can be established by one shareholder or by several shareholders with a minimum initial investment of EUR 70,000.

2. Limited liability company (GmbH)

A limited liability company is one of the most popular organizational and legal forms of doing business. It is popular due to the greater control over corporate law and the possibility of having a smaller share in the authorized capital. The minimum investment for this business structure is 35,000 euros, 50% of which must be deposited with a local bank before registering a company in Austria.

3. General partnership (OG)

In Austria, an open or general partnership occurs when two legal entities (at least) or natural persons unite and act as one entity. In a general partnership, each partner is fully liable, both individually and jointly and severally. A trade license and a certificate of registration in the Austrian Commercial Register are the only two formal requirements necessary to establish a general partnership.

4. Limited partnership (KG)

Establishing a company in a limited partnership is the same as in a general partnership. However, the difference between a KG is that at least one partner must be a general partner who assumes full responsibility for the management of the company, its obligations and rights. The other partners are limited partners who are responsible only for their investments. The formal requirements for a limited partnership are the same as for a general partnership.

5. Silent partnership (stGes)

This structure is very similar to a limited partnership, where only one partner assumes all the liability of the company. The main difference is that a silent partnership does not provide for any liability or management powers for the silent partners.

6. Sole proprietorship

This is the second most popular form of legal business structure in Austria, where the entire company is owned by one person. This type of self-employment provides the owner with freedom of investment, simple accounting, and moderate taxation (although taxation may vary depending on changes in turnover). To start a business in Austria, you will also need a trade license.

Company registration process

• The requirements for company incorporation in Austria are as follows:
  
• Shareholders
  
• Shareholders' agreement or notarized declaration of incorporation
  
• Managing directors
  
• Company name
  
• Certificate of incorporation
  
• Memorandum of association
  
• Minimum authorized capital
  
• Local bank account
  
• Financial statements of the company
  

Registration process:

Once you have collected all the necessary documents, you can start the process of company registration.

1. The first step is to have your company name and activities approved by the Commercial Registry (HRA). For this purpose, you may also need to provide certain personal data.
   
2. The second step is to draft your company's statutory documents and have them notarized.
   
3. The last step is to submit the documents to the Commercial Register to obtain a business license in Austria.
   

Once your company is registered, certain post-registration requirements must be met. These include:

• Applying for tax registration.
  
• Issuing share certificates to the company's shareholders.
  
• Registering employees for social insurance.
  
• Making a company seal.
  

How much does it cost to register a company in Austria?

The cost of registering a company in Austria is about 7400 euros for the first year. This includes the costs of:

• Preparation of legal documents in Austria
  
• Registration of your company, payment of taxes
  
• Registration fees
  
• The annual maintenance costs for the company in the following year can be around 3500 euros. In addition, a fee of EUR 47.30 must be paid to obtain a trade license in Austria.
  

Can foreigners staying in Austria with certain permits start a business in Austria?

To incorporate an offshore company in Austria, you will need to apply for a visa and work permit if you are not an EEA or EU citizen. You need to contact an Austrian embassy to apply for a Red-White-Red Card, a business visa or an EU Blue Card.

State support for companies with foreign capital

The Austrian government attaches great importance to the development of foreign companies in the country. The Austrian government provides attractive tax incentives to attract foreign businesses to the country.

Group corporate taxation

The Austrian government allows two or more business entities to form a tax group to reduce their net taxable value. This group may also include foreign members. However, a prerequisite for the creation of a group is that the parent company must own more than 50% of the shares of the subsidiary, directly or indirectly. Profits and losses of the domestic group, including losses of the foreign subsidiary, are offset. Offsetting taxation is a method that significantly reduces the amount subject to taxation.

Do you need a business visa to Austria?

Ukrainians, as well as citizens of EEA/EU and Schengen countries, as well as countries with visa-free agreements (USA, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Canada, etc.), do not need a business visa to Austria, provided they stay for 90 days within a six-month period.