Whether or not you need an entry and residence permit (and which ones you may need) depends on your citizenship and your position at the JKU.

The respective Austrian district administrative authorities (so-called "Bezirkshauptmannschaften"), or magistrates in your future city of residence, are responsible for issuing and extending residence permits. If you live in Linz, your point of contact is the Department for Residence Law at the Linz Magistrate, opens an external URL in a new window (the site is available in German only).

EU/EEA Nationals

There are no special entry requirements or formalities if you are entering Austria from an EU/EEA country or from Switzerland; a valid passport is sufficient.
You are required to apply for a registration certificate (=Anmeldebescheinigung) within the first 4 months of your stay in Austria at the responsible authorities in Austria responsible for issuing residence permits. Click here, opens an external URL in a new window to learn more.

Third-Country Nationals (Non-EU/Non-EEA Nationals)

Non-EU/EEA nationals (so-called "third-country nationals") must hold a residence permit and a visa (if necessary) in order to legally enter and stay in Austria. The residence title depends on your type of employment at the JKU. In most cases you will be required to apply for a visa and residence permit at the Austrian authority (embassy or consulate) located in your home country.

There is a distinction between the following entry and residence titles:

• Visa C for Gainful Employment, opens an external URL in a new window
• Visa D for Gainful Employment, opens an external URL in a new window
• Residence Permit - Special Cases of Dependent Gainful Employment, opens an external URL in a new window
• Residence Permit - Researcher, opens an external URL in a new window
• The Red-White-Red Card, opens an external URL in a new window

EU/EEA Nationals

EU/EEA nationals (except of Croatia) are permitted to work in Austria without restrictions.

Third-Country Nationals

Third-country nationals hired as general university personnel are subject to the Act Governing the Employment of Foreign Nationals, opens an external URL in a new window and may only be hired by the JKU providing they hold an employment permit, opens an external URL in a new window.
The JKU is required to apply for this permit at the Public Employment Service Linz (AMS). In general, the AMS office will conduct a labor market review of so-called Ersatzkraft-Verfahren, opens an external URL in a new window (Geman only), meaning that the permit will only be issued if the open position in question cannot be filled by an equally qualified Austrian, EU/EEA national, or a person who has fixed-term residency in Austria. If the employment permit is approved, the JKU may hire the specifically requested candidate for the specified position. The employment permit will be issued for a maximum of one year but can be extended for a maximum of one year at a time.

Scientific employees from third countries are exempt from the Act Governing the Employment of Foreign Nationals, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) and may work without an employment permit.

Students who are third-country nationals and hold a residence permit student are subject to the Act Governing the Employment of Foreign Nationals and require an employment permit, opens an external URL in a new window.

Health Insurance

Before entering Austria, third-country nationals are required to show proof of having healthcare insurance. The policy must include Austria and must provide sufficient coverage to cover any incurred medical expenses. Detailed information is available above under additional links in regard to respective residence permits.
 

Social Insurance

A residence permit will only be issued once you can provide proof of having full coverage healthcare insurance.

When starting a new job, those employed and earning an amount exceeding the marginal earning threshold, opens an external URL in a new window will be automatically covered by this type of healthcare insurance as well as accident and pension insurance (= social insurance, opens an external URL in a new window). In Austria, all employees must be insured (once exceeding the marginal earnings threshold).

The Versicherungsanstalt öffentlicher Bediensteter (BVAEB), opens an external URL in a new window (German only) is the healthcare insurance provider for JKU employees. University employees also have an option to purchase supplementary insurance at special rates. Once you have been officially hired at the university, you can access the JKU's intranet site which contains more detailed information.

During the First Few Days

Contact the JKU's Office of Accommodation Services to assist in booking a hotel at a discount rate, either in close proximity to campus, or in the Linz city center. Click here to access a list of accommodation options.
 

During the First Few Weeks / Months

Those looking for more long-term accommodations in close proximity to campus can consider the International Studentenzentrum Julius Raab, opens an external URL in a new window. Locally referred to as "the Raab Heim", there are various types of rooms available at reasonable prices. The JKU's Office of Accommodation Services has details on its homepage.

The Bildungshaus Sankt Magdalena, opens an external URL in a new window also offers rooms to rent on a longer-term basis.
 

Long-Term

More long-term housing can be found online through various real estate sites, such as Willhaben, opens an external URL in a new window (German only), in local newspapers, or by contacting a relocation agent, opens an external URL in a new window, a real estate agent, or housing cooperative, opens an external URL in a new window (scroll down to Housing cooperatives in Linz).

Childcare Services at the JKU

As part of Kidsversity, the JKU offers flexible childcare services for children between the ages of 1 to 12.

Childcare Services in Linz

The city of Linz offers a comprehensive range of childcare facilities, opens an external URL in a new window. There are also internationally-oriented kindergartens.
 

Schools

The Austrian education system, opens an external URL in a new window provides mandatory schooling for children between the ages of six and fifteen. There are different types of schools and areas of focus, depending on the child's age. There are international schools in Linz as well. International schools are often impacted so the earlier you register, the better. Click here, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) for an overview of schools in Linz.

See the city of Linz, opens an external URL in a new window homepage for more information about living in Linz.

Mandatory Registration

Austrian law stipulates that new residents are required to officially register, opens an external URL in a new window with the city office within three days of moving. See oestereich.gv.at, opens an external URL in a new window to find out which city office/magistrate you must register at. If you are moving to Linz, please proceed to the Office for Citizen Services, opens an external URL in a new window in the city of Linz.
You can download the application form (Meldezettel) here, opens a file in a new window (German only/PDF)

Homeowner's Insurance

Obtaining homeowner's insurance, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) is recommended as this not only ensures your household goods but also counts as liability insurance for yourself.

GIS

In Austria, you are required by law to register, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) and purchase a license for all broadcasting reception equipment (radio, television set, and the like).

Internet and Mobile Phone Services

There is a wide variety of internet service rates and cell phone providers in Austria. Take a moment to shop around and compare prices, opens an external URL in a new window (German only). Some providers offer discount rates for students.
 

Bank Account

If you will be staying in Austria for a longer period of time, think about opening an Austrian bank account. Click here, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) to compare prices.

Even if proficiency in German is not required for your job at the JKU, it would still be worthwhile to have a basic understanding of the language as this will make your stay in Austria easier.

Each semester, the JKU's Center for Business Languages and Intercultural Communication offers fee-based German courses for employees and students. 

Other educational and advising institutions and facilities, opens an external URL in a new window (scroll down to Supporting Language Proficiency for Adults) also offer fee-based German language courses in Linz.

See Healthy in Linz, opens an external URL in a new window for everything you need to know about the Austrian healthcare system, insurance companies, doctors' practices, and hospitals in Linz.
 

General Practitioners

If you are feeling unwell and wish to see a physician, contact a general practitioner (=Ärzt*innen für Allgemeinmedizin) first.
 

Specialists

Specialists include dentists, ophthalmologists, dermatologists, orthopaedic doctors, etc. You can either contact them directly for an appointment or get a referral issued by a general practitioner and then make an appointment.

See: Find a Doctor, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) to locate the right doctor in your area and one who may even be able to speak your language. Make sure to check that your health insurance covers your visit so that you are not subject to paying extra for your visit and subsequent treatment you may need.
 

Hospitals in Linz

Click here, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) for an overview of hospitals in Linz and to see where they are located.
Many hospitals only admit, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) patients on certain days and at certain times. If you have an accident, the emergency services clinic at the Unfallkrankenhaus Linz, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) (= Emergency Hospital Linz) is open 24/7.
 

Important Phone Numbers

EU Emergency Number, opens an external URL in a new window: 112
Ambulance: 144
Police: 133
Fire: 122

You can dial emergency numbers free of charge from any telephone in Austria. You can dial the Euro emergency number anywhere in Europe.
 

Emergency Nighttime Pharmacy Services in Linz

Some pharmacies offer emergency night services aside from their regular business hours. These pharmacies rotate according to a schedule. If you need medications, etc., you can find out which pharmacies are open for night services here, opens an external URL in a new window (German only).

Click here, opens an external URL in a new window for important information about driving (insurance, parking, registering your car) and transportation in Linz.
 

Public Transportation

Linz boasts a well connected public transportation system, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) and the city trams and busses can often take you where you want to go without walking a long way. The JKU is located just 15 minutes from the city center using tram lines 1 or 2.

There are various types of tickets and fares, opens an external URL in a new window (German only).
 

Bicycles

In Linz, you can cover longer distances easily by bike, opens an external URL in a new window (German only). The city is working constantly to improve the infrastructure and ensure that an increasing number of areas can be reached via bike paths. At various locations in Linz you can also borrow City Bikes, opens an external URL in a new window.
 

Cars - Driver's Licenses - Parking

Linz boasts a good, efficient public transportation system and purchasing a car is not necessary. However, if you do decide to purchase a car - or import your car from abroad to Austria, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) - there are quite a few things to consider. You should also find out if your driver's license is valid in Austria, opens an external URL in a new window and whether or not your license needs to be switched out for an Austrian license. Don't forget to register, opens an external URL in a new window your car and purchase insurance, opens an external URL in a new window (German only).

If your new place of residence is in the center of Linz and does not include a parking space, under certain conditions you can apply for a residence parking permit, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) and park your car in designated short-term parking zones in Linz.

The JKU has parking on campus. If you drive to campus regularly, you may want to look into purchasing a parking permit for employees.

If you want to borrow a car for individual trips, car sharing, opens an external URL in a new window is a good option. There is also a location on the JKU campus.
 

Heading Out of the City

The surrounding areas outside of Linz, including smaller towns and villages, can be reached easily by bus, opens an external URL in a new window or train. When it comes to train travel, comparing fares can be worthwhile as they can vary greatly depending on the provider. The ÖBB, opens an external URL in a new window has a nationwide rail network while the Westbahn, opens an external URL in a new window is cheaper and only covers the route between Vienna-Innsbruck/Munich via Linz. To purchase discount ÖBB tickets, you can apply for a Vorteilscard, opens an external URL in a new window , opens an external URL in a new window(= advantage card). It can pay for itself even just after purchasing a few train tickets.

If you travel regularly throughout Austria, the Klimaticket, opens an external URL in a new window could be a good option for you. This ticket provides unlimited use of all public transportation systems in Austria for a one-year period. There is a KlimaTicket OÖ, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) for just the regions of Upper Austria as well.

Linz is an exciting city with much to offer and you most certainly won't be bored here! See linztourismus.at, , opens an external URL in a new window as well as the city of Linz, opens an external URL in a new window homepage, to get an idea of what awaits you.
 

What to See in Linz

The Pöstlingberg church atop the hill and fairy-tale grotto, the Mariendom cathedral, the Old Town, the voestalpine World of Steel... If you live in Linz, all of this and more is a must-see, opens an external URL in a new window!
 

Culture

Linz is more than an industrial city. Cultural events abound and in addition to its large, well-known museums, opens an external URL in a new window, such as Ars Electronica Center, the Lentos Art Museum and the Upper Austrian State Museums, there are numerous independent exhibition spaces and cultural associations, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) that offer a multi-layered and varied program.
There is also a lot happening on stage in Linz. Various theaters, opens an external URL in a new window and concert venues of all kinds, opens an external URL in a new window always give multi-faceted performances.

Sports

Whether you want to be active yourself or watch from the stands, those who enjoy sports can come into their own in Linz. Click here, opens an external URL in a new window for an overview of sports facilities, public swimming pools, etc. Information about sporting events is available here, opens an external URL in a new window (German only)
 

The Great Outdoors

You can take a quick break or time out in one of the city's many green spaces in and around Linz. You can enjoy green spaces at the city's many parks, lakes, and hiking trails. Learn more, opens an external URL in a new window.
 

Events

Linz is host to countless events that include the annual Ars Electronica Festival, the Street Artists' Festival, the Crossing Europe Film Festival, and many more. Information about events, exhibitions, etc. is available in the city of Linz' calendar of events, opens an external URL in a new window.

Brochures:

• Study Guide (English, last updated: 2021), opens an external URL in a new window - Guide for studying and living in Upper Austria by Welcome2 Upper Austria
• Welcome to Linz( English, last updated: 2017), opens an external URL in a new window - Book for newcomers to Linz. Also available in English, Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian, French, and Turkish.
• Brochures for International Students (German, last updated 2019), opens an external URL in a new window - brochures for international students written by the Austrian Student Union about residence rights, opens an external URL in a new window, employment, opens an external URL in a new window, administration procedures, opens an external URL in a new window and admission to studies, opens an external URL in a new window.
• Living Together in Austria (German, last updated 2017), opens an external URL in a new window - A book by the Upper Austrian government to facilitate the first steps to residing in Upper Austria.

Checklists:

• Living and Working in Austria for EU/EEA Nationals and Swiss Nationals, opens an external URL in a new window (German only)
• Living and Working in Austria for Third-Country Nationals, opens an external URL in a new window (German only)

Links:

• Welcome2Upper Austria, opens an external URL in a new window - General information and useful tips for your stay in Austria.
• Austrian Government's Platform for Migration, opens an external URL in a new window - Information about moving to and residing in Austria.
• City of Linz website, opens an external URL in a new window - everything you need to know about life in Linz.
• Oead, opens an external URL in a new window - Central service point for European and international mobility and cooperation programs in education, science and research; information about studies, scholarships, entry and residence requirements, etc.
• Willhaben, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) - Private buy/sell platform for furniture, electrical appliances, clothing, housing, and job information.