Istanbul at night: Galata Tower and the lights along the water
Guide Turkey → Austria · moving · checked 1 Nov 2026

Moving from Turkey to Austria

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

Photo: Pexels
First: can you move?

You need a permit to live in Austria

Turkey is not in the EU, so living and working in Austria needs a residence permit. Short visits need a Schengen visa.

Job
Red-White-Red CardA points-based work and residence permit for skilled workers.
Uni
StudyA student residence permit to study in Austria.
Fam
FamilyJoining a spouse in Austria; basic German (A1) is usually required first.

Which route fits you: migration.gv.at, the Austrian government's official migration portal. We don't give visa advice.

Before you go

Your checklist in Turkey

  1. Your residence permit or visa approved and a valid passport.
  2. Documents in one folder: birth and marriage certificates, diplomas; certified translations where needed.
  3. Money for the start: a deposit, the first rent and a few weeks of living costs.
  4. German: it helps every day and with officials; for family reunion it is usually required.
  5. Set up your home TV before you go, so it works on day one (how to watch Turkish TV in Austria).
A cosy living room in the evening with a TV and warm shelf lights
Day one in Austria

Home TV, ready when you land

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

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

Your checklist in Austria

  1. Register your address (Meldezettel) within 3 days of moving in, at the town hall.
  2. Health insurance: your employer registers you with social insurance; your e-card follows.
  3. Bank account: everyone has a right to a basic account.
  4. TV fee (ORF-Beitrag): every household pays €15.30 a month, or €18.40 to €20.00 with the state fee in Burgenland, Carinthia, Styria and Tyrol.
  5. Driving: a Turkish licence is valid for 6 months after you register your address; then you must convert it to an Austrian one, which for a Turkish licence means passing a practical driving test.
Quick answers

Questions people ask

Do I need a permit to work in Austria?

Yes. Turkish citizens need a residence and work permit, such as the Red-White-Red Card.

Do I need a visa to visit Austria?

Yes. Turkish citizens need a Schengen visa for short visits.

When do I register my address?

Within 3 days of moving in (Meldezettel).

Is my Turkish driving licence valid in Austria?

For 6 months after you register your address. Then you must convert it to an Austrian licence, which means passing a practical driving test.

Can I watch Turkish TV in Austria?

Yes. Our Turkish TV in Austria guide shows every option.

More for Turkish people in Austria

Guides for you

Turkish TV in AustriaThe Turkish channels live, and how the official options compare.The Turkish community in AustriaHow many, where people live, mosques, Turkish lessons and where people meet online.Moving to AustriaThe visa routes, before you go and your first weeks.
Sources