Krakow's Main Market Square at night with the Cloth Hall lit up
Guide Poland → Austria · moving · checked 1 Nov 2026

Moving from Poland to Austria

A plain checklist: what to sort before you go, and your first weeks in Austria.

Photo: Pexels
First, the good news

No visa, inside the EU

Poland and Austria are both in the EU, so you can live and work in Austria without a visa or work permit. A valid ID card or passport is enough.

The key step: register your address (Meldezettel) within 3 days of moving in. If you stay longer than 3 months, apply within 4 months of arriving for the EU registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung).

Before you go

Your checklist in Poland

  1. A valid ID card or passport.
  2. Documents in one folder: birth and marriage certificates, diplomas, work references, driving licence.
  3. Money for the start: a deposit (usually 3 months' rent including running costs; up to 6 months is allowed), the first rent and a few weeks of living costs.
  4. Tell your Polish bank you are moving and keep the app working, so you can pay bills at home.
  5. Set up Polish TV before you go, so it works from day one (how to watch Polish TV in Austria).
A cosy living room in the evening with a TV and warm shelf lights
Day one in Austria

Polish TV, ready from day one

The first weeks abroad are the hardest. The news from home, your series and the kids' cartoons in Polish make the new flat feel like home faster.

How to watch Polish TV in Austria →
Advertisement: almost 400 Polish channels live with VOLTIX →
Photo: Pexels
Your first weeks

Your checklist in Austria

  1. Register your address (Meldezettel) within 3 days of moving in.
  2. EU registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung) if you stay longer than 3 months.
  3. Health insurance: your employer registers you with social insurance, and then you get your e-card.
  4. Bank account: everyone has a right to a basic account.
  5. TV fee (ORF-Beitrag): every household pays €15.30 a month; in Burgenland, Carinthia, Styria and Tyrol a state fee brings it to €18.40 to €20.00.
  6. Driving: a Polish licence is valid in Austria.
Quick answers

Questions people ask

Do I need a visa to work in Austria?

No. As an EU citizen you can live and work in Austria without a visa or work permit.

When do I register my address in Austria?

Within 3 days of moving in (Meldezettel). If you stay longer than 3 months, also apply for the Anmeldebescheinigung within 4 months.

Is there a TV fee in Austria?

Yes. Every household pays the ORF-Beitrag, €15.30 a month; in Burgenland, Carinthia, Styria and Tyrol a state fee brings it to €18.40 to €20.00.

Can I watch Polish TV in Austria?

Yes. Our Polish TV in Austria guide shows every option, from the free TVP Polonia channel to all-in-one subscriptions.

More for Polish people in Austria

Guides for you

Polish TV in AustriaEvery Polish channel, live, and how the official apps compare.The Polish community in AustriaHow many, where people live, Polish Mass and schools, and where people meet online.Moving from Poland to AustriaA plain checklist: before you go and your first weeks.
Sources