If you’re a Filipino dreaming of pursuing a career abroad, then Austria may just be the destination for you. This mountainous country, located in central Europe, offers plenty of job opportunities for foreign workers, including Filipinos, seeking new challenges and personal growth.
As Austria begins to attract a more diverse population, a new route emerged for Filipinos looking to work and live in the country. With its booming tourism and hospitality industry, as well as its strong economy in finance, engineering, healthcare, and technology, it’s no surprise that Austria continues to be an attractive destination for Filipino expats.
Table of Contents
According to GMA news, Austria needs between 60,000 and 75,000 people who work in health care, and there are another 200,000 job openings in all fields. Here are the top 10 jobs for Filipinos in Austria.
1. NURSES
Foreign nurses in Austria must meet certain requirements, such as being recognized by the Federal Ministry for Health and Social Services, registered in the Gesundheitsberuferegister, and being able to speak German at level B2. Austria plans to remove legal barriers for foreign nurses, and people from third-world countries can apply for a 24-month Red-White-Red Card.
2. ENGINEERS
If a foreigner wants to work as an engineer in Austria, they must meet certain requirements. They must have a degree from a university or technical college that is known and show that they can speak German. As skilled workers, they can apply for a Red-White-Red Card. If they have a recognized degree, a job offer in Austria, and a salary of at least EUR 55,200 per year (as of 2021), they can get a Blue Card. You can also work as a freelancer or self-employed engineer in Austria, but this requires a certain level of German and knowledge of Austrian business practices and laws.
3. TECHNICIANS
Foreign nationals who want to work as technicians in Austria must have their credentials recognized by the appropriate authorities there. Workinaustria.com states that to make sure that the credentials or degrees obtained elsewhere (in the EU, EEA, or third countries) are acknowledged as the basis for practising that particular profession, it is crucial to inform the relevant authorities in Austria. According to Expatica.com, foreign nationals from non-EU countries would have to go through the “nostrification” process to have their foreign credentials recognized.
According to betterteam.com, a technician’s duties in Austria typically include maintaining and servicing systems, diagnosing issues with and troubleshooting equipment, conducting tests and compiling reports, updating and improving current systems, and repairing or replacing defective equipment.
4. ROOFERS
Roofers in Austria are in charge of installing, repairing, and keeping up the roofs of homes, businesses, and factories. Foreigners who want to work in Austria’s construction industry and build a successful career should be ready to get the skills, qualifications, and permits they need.
Key responsibilities include checking the condition of roofs, measuring and cutting roofing materials, installing roofing materials, replacing or fixing damaged roofing materials, installing and repairing roof-related parts, following safety rules, and keeping tools and equipment in good shape. Qualifications include finishing a vocational training or apprenticeship program in roofing or a related field, knowing how to install different kinds of roofing materials, being familiar with local building codes and rules, being able to speak German, having a valid work permit, being in good shape, being able to solve problems well, and paying close attention to details.
5. RESTAURANT CHEFS
EURES says that there is a high demand in Neusiedl am See and Oberwart for specialists with mostly vocational qualifications (like chefs and sous-chefs) and compulsory schooling certificates. In general, you need a vocational qualification to get most jobs in Lower Austria. Foreigners who want to work in Austria must have the right work permits and visas.
They must also meet the requirements and qualifications that Austrian employers set for the jobs they want to hire them for. To open a restaurant in Austria, you must be at least 18 years old, have Austrian citizenship or citizenship from another EU or EEA country, and not have any reasons why you can’t, like a criminal record. In Austria, there are rules about how to run a restaurant.
6. MACHINISTS
Foreigners who want to work as machinists in Austria need to go to the regional employment office and ask for approval and a work permit. The criteria for approval depend on the state of the job market and whether or not hiring a foreigner will help it. The qualifications for machinists include a certificate or diploma from a vocational school or training program and proof that the person can go to college. Foreigners should check with the employment office in their area to make sure they have the right qualifications and paperwork.
7. ACCOUNTANTS
According to the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in Austria must have a relevant degree from a university and at least three years of experience as auditors-in-training registered with the KSW. The candidate gets a certificate from KSW after they pass the test and take the professional oath in front of the Ministry of Finance. A search on Glassdoor for accounting jobs in Austria shows that as of May 2023, there are 712 accounting jobs open in Austria.
8. WELDERS
There are welding jobs in Austria, according to the information given. To become a welder in Austria, you must have completed skilled worker training, such as universal welder, machine fitter, or metal technician training, and have worked as a welder for several years with WIG/MAG experience. Foreigners who want to work as welders in Austria should know that, in addition to the training and experience needed, they may also need to be able to speak German if the welding job is in a regulated field, such as a specific trade.
9. CARPENTERS
StandOut CV says that carpenters work in many different types of construction sites, doing skilled work with wood or timber. In the end, they are in charge of fixing or making wooden parts of a building, like doors, stairs, support beams, and custom cabinetry. If you are not from the EU and want to work as a carpenter in Austria, you need a work permit.
Expatica says that foreigners who want to work in Austria must also have either an employment permit, a work permit, or a Red-White-Red Card. It’s also important to know that specific trades, like carpentry, are regulated professions in Austria. According to another article by Expatica, you need to be able to speak German as well as have a degree from a recognized university to work in these fields.
10. CONSTRUCTION WORKERS
Foreigners can find work as a construction worker in Austria. The qualifications and requirements for each job are different. Fully Funded Scholarships says that the type of job is usually full-time and that you don’t need a lot of experience or a lot of knowledge. Glassdoor has a list of current construction jobs in Austria, but most of them require experience and training in the field.
Companies in Austria have to follow the rules about hiring foreigners, and some jobs, like security and childcare, may require a criminal background check.
Video
I found a video that features an OFW who works in Austria. In the video, she talks about the cost of living in Austria.
Summary
For Filipinos looking to work in Austria, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First and foremost, it’s important to research the job market and determine what types of roles are in demand in the Austrian economy. In addition, language skills are often critical for securing employment, so it’s a good idea to brush up on your German. Finally, it’s important to understand the legal requirements for working in Austria, including obtaining the necessary visas and work permits. Though it may require some effort and preparation, working in Austria can be a great opportunity for Filipinos seeking new professional challenges and experiences.