Last updated: April 2026
A destination guide for UK nationals considering a move to Austria, covering the five cities UK expats most commonly settle in, with a comparison table, honest cost context, and the practical steps involved in moving from the UK; including customs, Transfer of Residence relief, and what to expect when belongings arrive.
Austria does not make dramatic promises. It does not need to. The country has ranked among the top two in the world for quality of life for over a decade, and for UK nationals who have made the move, the reality tends to match the expectation more closely than almost anywhere else.
The question is not whether Austria is a good place to live. It is which part of Austria suits you, and what the move actually involves. This guide covers both.
How Austria’s Cities Compare for UK Expats
Austria is a compact country but its cities have distinct characters. Where you settle will depend on why you are moving, what your budget is, and whether you need to be in a major employment centre or are choosing more freely.
City | Population | Average monthly rent (2-bed) | English widely spoken? | Best for |
Vienna | ~2 million | £1,400–£2,000 | Yes, in central areas | Careers, culture, large expat community |
Graz | ~300,000 | £900–£1,300 | Moderate | Affordability, university city, relaxed pace |
Salzburg | ~155,000 | £1,200–£1,700 | Yes, tourist city | Quality of life, music and arts, proximity to mountains |
Linz | ~200,000 | £800–£1,100 | Limited outside work settings | Affordability, growing tech and arts scene |
Innsbruck | ~130,000 | £1,000–£1,500 | Moderate | Outdoor lifestyle, mountains, proximity to Germany and Italy |
*Rent figures are estimates based on 2026 market data and vary by neighbourhood and property type.*
Vienna
Vienna ranks among the world’s top two cities for quality of life in both the Mercer 2024 Quality of Living Survey and the Economist Intelligence Unit 2025 Global Liveability Index. For UK expats, it is the most straightforward city to settle into: the international community is large, English is widely spoken in professional and central residential areas, and the infrastructure, public transport, healthcare, and education is exceptional.
The trade-off is cost. Vienna is the most expensive city in Austria, and while it compares favourably to London on rent and day-to-day living, it is significantly more expensive than Graz or Linz. The public transport system means a car is unnecessary in the city itself, which offsets some costs.
Vienna suits: professionals relocating for work, families who want access to international schools, and those who want a large-city environment without sacrificing quality of life.
Graz
Graz is Austria’s second-largest city and, for many UK expats, the one that surprises them most. It is a university city with a younger population, a compact old town that is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and living costs meaningfully lower than Vienna. The pace is slower; the community feel is stronger.
English is spoken in professional and academic circles, though less widely than in Vienna. For those willing to invest in German, which matters more in everyday Graz life than in central Vienna, the quality of life is high and the cost of achieving it is lower.
Graz suits: academics, remote workers, those relocating for lifestyle rather than career, and families who want a quieter environment within easy reach of Vienna (under three hours by train).
Salzburg
Salzburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and one of the most expensive outside Vienna. It draws a significant number of UK expats, particularly those working in music, the arts, tourism, and hospitality, industries where Salzburg’s international reputation creates opportunities.
For families, the city offers excellent schools and a safe, high-quality environment. The mountains are immediately accessible. English is widely spoken, partly because Salzburg is a major tourist destination year-round.
The housing market is tight. Rental properties in central Salzburg move quickly, and home search should begin well before your moving date.
Salzburg suits: families, arts and culture professionals, those who want a smaller city with an international feel, and anyone who prioritises proximity to the Alps.
Linz
Linz is the most affordable of Austria’s major cities and the least well-known internationally. It has a strong industrial base, particularly in manufacturing and engineering, and a growing technology sector. The Ars Electronica Centre has given Linz a distinct cultural identity, and the city has invested significantly in arts and public spaces over the past decade.
English is less prevalent in everyday life than in Vienna or Salzburg. German will be needed here. For UK expats moving for specific employment, particularly in engineering or manufacturing, Linz can offer an excellent quality of life at a significantly lower cost than the more prominent Austrian cities.
Linz suits: engineers, manufacturing professionals, those seeking affordability, and expats comfortable navigating Austrian life in German.
Innsbruck
Innsbruck is the capital of the Tyrol region and sits surrounded by mountains in a way that has to be seen to be fully understood. The city is small but internationally connected, it borders Germany and is close to Italy, and the outdoor lifestyle is a central part of daily life for residents.
The population is younger than the Austrian average, with a large student community. Rents are moderate by Austrian standards. Employment opportunities are more limited than in Vienna or Graz, so Innsbruck tends to suit remote workers, those with portable careers, and retirees.
Innsbruck suits: outdoor enthusiasts, remote workers, retirees, and anyone who wants mountain life with city infrastructure.
What UK Expats Don’t Expect About Moving to Austria
Austria’s quality of life scores are real, but there are aspects of Austrian life that catch UK movers off guard. Based on what we hear from customers who have made this move:
The language requirement is more significant than expected
Outside Vienna’s international bubble, Austrian daily life runs in German. Austrian German has its own dialect and rhythm that differs from the standard German taught in schools. Healthcare appointments, government offices, and everyday commerce require functional German in most cities. People who underestimate this find the first six to twelve months harder than they anticipated.
Registration (Meldezettel) must happen immediately
All residents in Austria must register their address with local authorities (Gemeindeamt or Magistrat) within three days of moving in. This is not optional and is required before you can open a bank account, register with a GP, or complete most other administrative steps. Without it, other bureaucratic processes stall.
Driving licences require exchanging
UK driving licences are no longer automatically valid in Austria for residents. You will need to exchange your licence for an Austrian one. The process involves submitting your UK licence, an eye test, and first aid certification. Start this early; the processing time varies by city.
The healthcare system requires registration
Austria’s healthcare system is excellent, but you must actively register with the Austrian social insurance system (ÖGK) to access it. This is tied to employment or, for non-employed residents, to a registration fee. It is not automatic on arrival.
Moving Your Belongings from the UK to Austria
Austria is an EU member state. Post-Brexit, UK nationals moving to Austria are entitled to Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief, which allows household goods to be imported without paying import duty or VAT, provided:
- You have lived outside Austria for at least 12 months
- You have owned the goods for at least six months
- You are moving to Austria to take up permanent residence
- The goods arrive within 12 months of your date of arrival in Austria
The documentation for Transfer of Residence relief must be prepared and submitted before your belongings arrive. Your move manager will prepare this paperwork as part of the move, it is not something you need to arrange separately.
**Transit time from the UK to Austria is typically 4–7 days by road freight**, depending on origin in the UK and destination city in Austria. Vienna, Graz, and Linz are straightforward road routes. Salzburg and Innsbruck add a day for routing through the Alpine road network.
When your belongings arrive, Gerson Moving Services’s in-country partner handles customs clearance and local delivery, briefed in full by your move manager. You will have been introduced to the destination partner before your collection date, they are not an unknown third party on delivery day.
Gerson Moving Services is a BAR-accredited mover and an IAM member. IAM membership is what ensures the local partner delivering your belongings in Austria meets the same quality standard as we do on the UK side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to move to Austria as a UK national?
Since Brexit, UK nationals are no longer EU citizens and require a residence permit to live in Austria long-term. Most employed UK nationals apply for a Red-White-Red Card or an EU Blue Card, depending on their role and salary. Retirees and those with sufficient income can apply for a residence permit without the right to work. The application process should begin well before your planned move date.
How long does it take to move belongings from the UK to Austria?
By road freight, the typical transit time is 4–7 days from collection in the UK to delivery in Austria. Your move manager will confirm the specific timeline for your origin and destination cities when you book the survey.
Can I import my car to Austria from the UK?
Yes, but the process involves Austrian customs and, if you are taking up permanent residence, registration in Austria. Vehicles imported by new residents within 12 months of arrival may qualify for Transfer of Residence relief. Your move manager can advise on the specific documentation required.
What is the Meldezettel and why does it matter?
The Meldezettel is the registration form every resident in Austria must complete at their local authority within three days of moving to a new address. It is the administrative foundation for almost everything else, bank accounts, GP registration, social insurance. Register as soon as you have a confirmed address.
Is Austria expensive compared to the UK?
Vienna is comparable to a major UK regional city, more expensive than Leeds or Edinburgh, less expensive than London. Graz and Linz are noticeably more affordable than most UK cities of similar size. Day-to-day costs including groceries, restaurants, and public transport tend to be lower than in the UK, while rent in Vienna and Salzburg is broadly comparable to mid-tier UK cities.
Does Gerson Moving Services move belongings to all Austrian cities?
Yes. We run regular road freight services to Vienna, Graz, Salzburg, Linz, Innsbruck, and surrounding areas. If your destination is outside these cities, your move manager will confirm the route and timeline during your pre-move survey.
