MOVING TO AUSTRIA

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KEY FACTS

Official Name: Republic of Austria

Capital City: Vienna

Type of Government: Federal Republic

Official Languages: German

Area: 83,855 sq. km/32,367 sq. mi

Population: 8.2 million

Religion: Roman Catholic

Currency: Euro (€)

Number of Time Zones: 1

Greenwich Mean Time plus 1 hr.; Eastern Standard Time plus 6 hrs. Daylight Saving Time observed: first Sunday in April through first Sunday in October

Weights and Measures: Metric system

Country Domain: .at

Country Tel Code: 43

AT A GLANCE

Austria has one of the highest standards of living in the world and a highly developed social system. Austrian cities are clean and safe. The pace of life is stimulating, but without the stress present in other industrialized nations. The culture is enriched with magnificent music and art, and the countryside is breathtakingly beautiful. The Austrian people hold fiercely to their own identity. They are an independent, proud people.

For expatriates living in Austria, there is much to see and do. The daily lifestyle is conducive to family life. Visitors will feel welcomed by a people genuinely interested in learning about other cultures.

Politics

Since 1955, Austria has been an independent Federal Republic made up of nine Länder, or states. The executive branch consists of a federal president, a largely ceremonial elected position lasting six years (with a maximum of two terms); a federal chancellor, designated by the president and confirmed by the legislature, usually the leader of the party with the majority in the legislature; and the chancellor’s cabinet. Legislative power rests with a bicameral Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung). The Federal Council or Bundesrat has 64 members elected by the states to five- or six-year terms; the National Council or Nationalrat of 183 members, elected for four years by popular vote.

There are currently five major political parties, the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPOe) controlling 68 council seats.

Geography and post-war international politics have made Austria a bridge between East and West. Many large international corporations, especially those of Central and Eastern Europe, have offices in Vienna, as does the United Nations. A member of the European Union (EU) since 1995, Austria is a willing and eager partner in nurturing European commerce and social solutions. At the same time, it is a natural portal to the emerging strength of the Eastern bloc. EU membership has opened trade to all of Europe.

In early 2000, Austria’s relationship with the EU became strained, when a political party many considered to be right-wing extremist (FPO) became a part of the governing coalition. To convey their disapproval, the EU countries imposed diplomatic sanctions against Austria, and countries such as the United States and Israel limited contacts. Sanctions were later lifted, but in 2003 the ruling OVP reinstated ties with the FPO. Eventually the FPO suffered from internal strife that caused many of its members to depart for the newly formed Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ), currently holding a minority 7 council seats.

In December of 2007, Austria and the other EU member states ratified the Lisbon Treaty, providing the members with a legal framework within which to meet the challenges of a changing membership and evolving environment.

Economy

The Austrian economy operates on essentially free-enterprise principles, but with a pervasive state presence. Many of the larger enterprises have been government controlled since the early postwar period, when they were nationalized to protect them from being taken over during war reparations. Although state-owned, they have continued to operate as private businesses.

A consensus-seeking approach to most issues – which brings together extremes of left and right, government and private-sector interests, and management and labor to work out compromise solutions – has greatly assisted Austrian achievement. This social partnership has virtually eliminated strikes from the Austrian scene, but it also has had the effect of inhibiting necessary structural changes. Some of the biggest state-owned operations have been slow to deal with over-capacity and inefficiencies. As a result, they have been running at losses, which the government has had to cover with subsidies.

In 2004, the economy grew at nearly 2.5%, with a dip slightly below 2% in 2005 and a rebound to 3.3% 2006. Predictions through 2008 are for growth just under 3%.

In accordance with the guidelines of the EU, the government has made considerable effort to reduce the budget deficit, reform the tax system, and follow the international trend toward deregulation and privatization.

UNDERSTANDING THE PEOPLE

Necessary to an understanding of the Austrian pysche is the knowledge that Austrians justifiably lay claim to some of the world’s greatest contributions to the arts. They have grown to expect the best and to respect those that produce it.

Although they speak German, their personalities are apt to be more Balkan or Latin. Family is revered and relationships are treasured. Persistent and conciliatory, they are the world’s best diplomats. Nonaggressive and thoughtful, they are quiet, uncomplaining and predictable.

Austria’s nearly eight million residents have a very pleasant and tolerant demeanor, due in large part to a very high standard of living, and low rate of crime.

They are however, very serious about maintaining their lifestyles and about their environment and education. Persons of artistic, professional and academic status are held in high regard, and the arts, especially music, are a huge part of the culture.

Austrians may appear formal to North Americans, but they are basically friendly and courteous. They are very proper in greeting others, even if they already know them personally, just as a way of being polite. They are hardworking, clean and orderly, but perhaps a bit more relaxed than some of their neighbors. They enjoy city life and appreciate visiting in cafés with friends, eating Austria’s famous pastries and drinking good coffee, while engaging in lively discussions.

It is important to remember that although Austrians speak German, they are not German. Austrians are fiercely proud of their own separate heritage, and do not appreciate being confused with Germans, although they do speak the language.

Most of the population resides in the eastern lowlands because of the steep terrain and less moderate climate of the mountains. Fifty-eight percent live in urban areas: the capital city Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck and Salzburg.

Ethnic makeup

Although the Austrian government makes it clear that it supports the rights of all minorities, and protects the civil liberties of all its citizens, Austria’s population remains quite homogeneous. Ninety-nine percent of the population are native German-speakers. The tiny remaining minorities consist of Slovenes in south-central Carinthia and Croatians in Burgenland, on the Hungarian border. Austria is also home to some 200,000 foreign workers, primarily from Turkey and from the new republics that made up Yugoslavia.

Recent population growth is largely attributable to a large migration of Bosnian and Croatian refugees.

Cultural traditions

Art and music are paramount in the Austrian culture, as they have been for centuries. There is great national pride in the creations of Austrian artists, especially musicians, and great respect is expected to be paid to them.

The opera and symphony seasons are important to urban life, and accompanied by many other social events.

Both public and private observances and celebrations are built upon musical tradition. Nearly every town has an orchestra, or at least a brass band. Theater has been an important part of the culture for centuries, and folk music and dance are widely performed.

Religion

Most Austrians observe the Christian religion. Some 78 percent of the population is Roman Catholic. The Protestant 5 percent is mainly Lutheran and lives primarily in the Vienna vicinity. About 4.5 percent percent belongs to other groups, including Jewish. The remaining nine percent is nondenominational, with 3.5 percent not recorded.

Language

Austria’s official language is High German, although there are many dialects spoken in various parts of the country. Croatian is spoken in southern Austria by a minority group.

English is a required language in high school, and is, therefore, widely spoken, particularly by younger Austrians.

Austrian attitudes

Educators, artists and persons with professional degrees are considered the elite of Austria and those who are well-educated are socially accepted.

Toward women

Although a few women have made some inroads in Austria’s paternalistic business hierarchy, they are very much the exception. Women executives are rare. Women representatives of foreign companies will, however, be accorded respect and consideration.

A woman can expect to be addressed as “Mrs.” regardless of whether or not she uses her husband’s name.

Generally speaking, in the local workforce, women are secretaries, assistants, and low- to middle-level government workers.

Toward foreigners

Austrians are accustomed to dealing with people of many nationalities in both business and social situations, and welcome foreigners who have come to do business.

Relationships will take some time to build in Austria, and the aura of politeness may temporarily mask an emerging friendship. Your attempt at speaking their language will help greatly to show your interest.

Toward work

Austrian workers are hard workers and are respected for their craft. The Austrian economy has a highly skilled labor force, with salaries protected by union agreements. The social system is highly developed and protects the rights of all workers.

Having said this, it is important to note that Austrians also like to play. They do not stay late at the office and they often begin their weekends at noon on Friday.

Toward human rights

The basic rights of all citizens are protected by the government, including the right to free speech and assembly, but in truth there are few minorities in the country.

CITIES

Graz

Austria’s second largest city, population 292,000, is a well-preserved medieval city situated in country setting where the pace is a bit slower than in Vienna.

Three universities, including the Technical University, contribute to the cultural life, and many businesses now reside here in “green Styria,” which for centuries was a resort retreat for the aristocracy.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck, population 118,000, is one of the most popular winter and health resort areas of central Europe and the only major city in the Alps. Located in the western part of the country, Innsbruck, which is the capital of Tirol, was a market town as early as 1180. Its rapid development is due to its position at the crossroads of trade between Italy, Germany, and Switzerland at the Brenner Pass.

The name Innsbruck comes from the bridge/bruke over the river Inn – the thoroughfare that carried much of the trade. Its early history was as a possession of the Hapsburgs, while the 19th century saw it ceded to Bavaria by Napoleon. The War of Liberation against the Bavarians and the French in 1809 gave the city back to the Tirol.

Although an important rail and market center, Innsbruck’s economy is largely tourism-based and winter sports are now challenged in popularity by summer sports such as hiking and rock climbing. It has the distinct international flavor of a world renowned sports resort.

Salzburg

Salzburg, population 150,000, is Mozart’s home town. It is a charming, beautiful old city in both its physical characteristics and its ambience, a popular tourist destination, a mecca for music lovers, and the site of the annual Salzburg Festival, begun in 1917. Located in central Austria, and capital of the Bundesland of the same name, Salzburg sits on both sides of the Salzach River, abutting the northern foothills of the Alps and Bavaria in Germany.

Salzburg’s manufacturing base consists of large breweries and the production of musical instruments, hardware, textiles, and leather.

The new section of town may not look new at first glance. And indeed it is not. Many of the churches and other buildings are 17th- and 18th-century.

The university is in the new town, too. Although reestablished in 1964, its origins date back to 1623, flourishing until 1810.

Many Salzburgers wear the traditional Austrian dress, or trachten. Men’s hats festooned with pins and brushes, smartly tailored, similarly accoutered jackets, and loden garments are not at all uncommon. As is evidenced by their dress, Salzburgers tend toward tradition and formality in their business and social dealings.

Business is concentrated in the newer town, as are shopping and restaurants.

Vienna

Known as the “third United Nations Headquarters,” the city of Vienna is host to many UN agencies and other international organizations and temporary home to thousands of expatriates. The pace, amenities and size of Vienna, population 1.7 million, make it a very comfortable city.

This once imperial capital, which dates back to the 13th century, today has nearly 300,000 fewer people than when it was at its height of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is today imperial only in its architecture and mannerisms. Located in the northeastern part of the country on the never really blue Danube, this grand old city is still an international center, albeit a shadow of its former glory. It is compact and easy to get to know, due to the system of ring roads and an efficient public transportation system. Everybody rides streetcars, and there is a new U-bahn/subway.

The Inner Stadt, city center, is Vienna’s heart. It lies within the confines of the Ringstrasse/Ring Road which used to be the city’s wall and is now lined with hotels and former palaces. This is the business, shopping, and cultural center of the city. Here you will find the stock exchange, the university, the opera, famous coffee houses, and the Rathaus, or City Hall. Most of the area is a pedestrian zone.

In concentric circles around the Ringstrasse is a system of more ring roads, actually half circles, which eventually reach the Vienna Woods at the foothills of the Alps.

The Graben is one of the most notable streets and is lined with bookstores and cafes. Other major streets are Kärntnerstrasse and Stephensplatz, both near St. Stephen’s cathedral.

Today, Vienna’s international flavor is even greater with the opening of Eastern Europe. Businessmen are just as likely to commute to Budapest, just three to four hours by train, as to anywhere else.

A somewhat provincial air pervades Vienna, but don’t let that mislead you: the Viennese are savvy and highly competent businesspeople.

Traditional Austrian garb is not uncommon, nor is the traditional greeting, “Grüf Gott” or “God’s greetings”.

Though German is Vienna’s language, the Viennese dialect can be difficult to understand – even for those whose German is good.

The business climate in the city is tradition-bound but bending in the contemporary international tradewinds. Banking is the primary industry.

CLIMATE

Located at about the same latitude as the U.S. state of Maine, Austria is an Alpine country with generally moderate climate and distinct seasons. The climate varies greatly by altitude, averaging temperatures 3 F lower for each 1,000 feet of elevation.

Vienna’s weather is comparable to that of Boston or Edinburgh, unpredictable and with wide seasonal variations.

The mountainous terrain has a profound influence on precipitation which increases with altitude. It is generally warm and sunny from May to October, although rain is possible, especially in the lowlands. Summer thunderstorms can bring heavy rain and above 6,500 feet, snow.

The prevailing winds are from the west and northwest, bringing occasional hot summer days in the valleys, with temperatures reaching 100 F.

Snow above 8,500 feet is permanent and snow cover in the valleys lasts from November through May.

Information provided in association with Living Abroad