https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Austria in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Moving to Austria promises great quality of life, but Americans reveal that the road to feeling truly at home is complicated by language, paperwork, and culture. https://www.thelocal.at/20250513/endless-bureaucracy-why-americans-struggle-to-settle-in-austria Tue, 13 May 2025 15:20:26 +0200 endless-bureaucracy-why-americans-struggle-to-settle-in-austria Austria is home to some 1.8 million foreigners: more than 20 percent of the population. While many shy away from becoming Austrian due to the strict rules on holding more than one nationality, others are keen to go through the citizenship process. https://www.thelocal.at/20251211/why-some-foreigners-in-austria-choose-to-get-citizenship-despite-strict-rules Thu, 11 Dec 2025 10:06:17 +0100 why-some-foreigners-in-austria-choose-to-get-citizenship-despite-strict-rules Austria's laissez-faire attitude to public nudity is a culture shock to many foreign residents and visitors to the country. We asked readers to share their thoughts on baring it all. https://www.thelocal.at/20260414/jarring-in-a-park-foreigners-weigh-in-on-austrias-relaxed-attitude-to-public-nudity Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:18:51 +0200 jarring-in-a-park-foreigners-weigh-in-on-austrias-relaxed-attitude-to-public-nudity Foreign residents have reported lots of hurdles when trying to access Austria's digital ID. But when it's set up, is it useful? https://www.thelocal.at/20260225/avoiding-government-offices-is-huge-win-the-benefits-of-id-austria Wed, 25 Feb 2026 16:22:21 +0100 avoiding-government-offices-is-huge-win-the-benefits-of-id-austria Austria is embracing the digital world but many foreign residents still report having difficulties setting up or renewing their Austria ID. Here's what readers had to say. https://www.thelocal.at/20260220/worst-thing-ive-ever-used-foreign-residents-struggle-with-setting-up-id-austria Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:47:11 +0100 worst-thing-ive-ever-used-foreign-residents-struggle-with-setting-up-id-austria Comments by readers of The Local Austria – whether opinions, advice, or tales of life in the country – offer vital insights to others. We’ve gathered some recent contributions that highlight the complexities of building a life in Austria, from the doctor’s office to the immigration bureau. https://www.thelocal.at/20260130/your-views-i-seriously-wish-someone-would-sue-the-austrian-government Fri, 30 Jan 2026 16:37:51 +0100 your-views-i-seriously-wish-someone-would-sue-the-austrian-government Difficult immigration departments, tricky paperwork and language barriers: getting a residence permit in Austria is a feat for many foreigners. We've compiled readers' advice on how to navigate the system. https://www.thelocal.at/20260112/learn-german-the-best-advice-to-get-a-residence-permit-in-austria Mon, 12 Jan 2026 13:41:11 +0100 learn-german-the-best-advice-to-get-a-residence-permit-in-austria From securing digital ID to taking advantage of the public transport, here are the things that make life in Austria that bit more convenient for international residents living here – and what Austria could do better. https://www.thelocal.at/20251217/get-the-id-austria-what-makes-life-in-austria-easier-for-foreigners Wed, 17 Dec 2025 11:08:53 +0100 get-the-id-austria-what-makes-life-in-austria-easier-for-foreigners Dual-national American readers across Europe say they would give up their US passports to stay European if they were forced to, with many citing political disillusionment, fears for safety, and the feeling of belonging to their adopted country. https://www.thelocal.at/20251213/i-feel-alienated-american-dual-nationals-in-europe-ready-to-renounce-citizenship Sat, 13 Dec 2025 12:06:30 +0100 i-feel-alienated-american-dual-nationals-in-europe-ready-to-renounce-citizenship Austria does not have high rates of serious crime, but that doesn't stop some foreign residents from feeling unsafe in certain circumstances. https://www.thelocal.at/20250923/first-time-i-feel-unsafe-how-safe-is-austria-for-foreigners-to-live-in Tue, 23 Sep 2025 19:29:46 +0200 first-time-i-feel-unsafe-how-safe-is-austria-for-foreigners-to-live-in Travelling from Austria to Sweden by train for a work conference might not be the choice of many but Valéria Schörghofer-Queiroz decided to avoid flying and stay on the rails. Although her trip wasn't without its problems. https://www.thelocal.at/20241021/would-you-travel-from-austria-across-europe-by-train-for-work-it-can-be-done Mon, 21 Oct 2024 12:37:01 +0200 would-you-travel-from-austria-across-europe-by-train-for-work-it-can-be-done From work and study opportunities to quality of life and love, we look at the reasons why Americans are choosing to settle in Austria. https://www.thelocal.at/20250825/vienna-is-a-special-place-why-americans-move-to-austria Mon, 25 Aug 2025 17:40:16 +0200 vienna-is-a-special-place-why-americans-move-to-austria For many immigrant parents, moving to a new country like Austria is a complex process, and navigating a different school system makes international schools even more attractive. But they come at a price, so are they worth it? Here's what The Local readers had to say. https://www.thelocal.at/20230106/the-verdict-is-it-worth-enrolling-your-kids-in-one-of-viennas-international-schools Fri, 06 Jan 2023 17:27:06 +0100 the-verdict-is-it-worth-enrolling-your-kids-in-one-of-viennas-international-schools Austria’s immigrant community is dealing with the implications of an far-right FPÖ-led government. While some fear discrimination and policy changes, others see the party’s ascent as a push for reform. https://www.thelocal.at/20250127/im-afraid-to-lose-my-rights-foreigners-in-austria-fear-far-right-taking-power Mon, 27 Jan 2025 17:10:43 +0100 im-afraid-to-lose-my-rights-foreigners-in-austria-fear-far-right-taking-power Dating someone from another culture can be exciting, but also confusing. Here’s what readers of The Local had to say about dating an Austrian. https://www.thelocal.at/20220607/theyre-like-schnitzel-what-to-expect-when-dating-an-austrian Tue, 07 Jun 2022 19:08:07 +0200 theyre-like-schnitzel-what-to-expect-when-dating-an-austrian Every country has a place where all the cliches and stereotypes seem to be on display. We asked readers of The Local to tell us where that is in Austria. https://www.thelocal.at/20230504/cows-with-bells-on-what-to-expect-from-austrias-most-austrian-region Thu, 04 May 2023 11:43:10 +0200 cows-with-bells-on-what-to-expect-from-austrias-most-austrian-region In any country, being self-employed has its rewards and drawbacks, but it helps to know them before starting out, explains Vienna-based freelancer David Everson-Baltas. https://www.thelocal.at/20230915/what-i-wish-i-knew-before-becoming-new-self-employed-in-austria Fri, 15 Sep 2023 15:31:43 +0200 what-i-wish-i-knew-before-becoming-new-self-employed-in-austria Vienna is popular with international residents in Austria, but where is the best place to live in the city? And where should foreigners avoid? Our readers have the verdict. https://www.thelocal.at/20221121/revealed-the-best-and-worst-districts-to-live-in-vienna-as-voted-for-by-you Mon, 21 Nov 2022 13:14:58 +0100 revealed-the-best-and-worst-districts-to-live-in-vienna-as-voted-for-by-you Vienna is often named as the world's most liveable city, but is it a good place for international families in Austria? We put this question to readers of The Local to find out more. https://www.thelocal.at/20220906/living-in-austria-is-vienna-a-family-friendly-city Tue, 06 Sep 2022 14:47:34 +0200 living-in-austria-is-vienna-a-family-friendly-city Austria and the city of Vienna are often ranking low in 'local friendliness' rankings according to foreign residents, we asked our readers for their experiences making friends in Austria. Here are their tried and tested tips. https://www.thelocal.at/20211210/how-to-make-friends-in-austria-from-people-whove-been-there-done-that Fri, 10 Dec 2021 09:25:30 +0100 how-to-make-friends-in-austria-from-people-whove-been-there-done-that