Words explained simply

80 words

AMS

The public employment service. It helps you find a job and pays, for example, unemployment benefit. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Registration certificate

Documents the right of residence of EEA and Swiss citizens who stay in Austria for more than three months. Official source · retrieved on 08/10/2026

Apostille

A confirmation on or attached to a document that it is genuine. It makes the document recognised in many other countries. Official source · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Chamber of Labour (AK)

The statutory body representing employees. Members get free advice there, for example on employment law. Official source · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Employee tax assessment

The “tax equalisation”: the tax office recalculates a year’s wage tax. You often get money back. Official source · retrieved on 17/10/2026

Unemployment benefit

Money from the AMS when you have lost your job and worked with insurance for long enough before. You have to apply for it yourself. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Residence card

A document for family members of EEA citizens who come from a third country themselves. It confirms their right to live in Austria. Official source · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Residence permit

Permission for third-country nationals to stay in Austria for a specific purpose. It is temporary or permanent and must be renewed in time. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Certification (Beglaubigung)

An official confirmation that a signature is genuine or that a copy matches the original exactly. A court or a notary can do this, for example. Official source · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Disability pass

An ID card confirming a disability of a certain degree or more. It can get you discounts, for example. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Official decision (Bescheid)

A written, binding decision of an authority in your case. It usually ends with how and by when you can challenge it. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Permanent residence certificate

Confirms the permanent right of residence of EEA and Swiss citizens after a longer lawful stay. Official source · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Appeal (Beschwerde)

A letter in which you challenge an official decision. How and by when you can do this is stated at the end of the decision, in the information on legal remedies. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Running costs (Betriebskosten)

Costs for the building that you pay on top of the rent, for example water, waste collection or cleaning. Once a year you get a statement for them. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

EU Blue Card

Residence permit for third-country nationals with a degree and a well-paid job in Austria. Official source · retrieved on 17/10/2026

Written statement of employment

A sheet from your employer with the key points of your job, for example start date, working hours and pay. Official source · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Differential payment

If Austrian family allowance is higher than the benefit in the responsible EU country, Austria pays the difference. Official source · retrieved on 17/10/2026

Third-country nationals

People who are not citizens of an EU or EEA country or of Switzerland. Separate rules on residence and work apply to them. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

e-card

Your social insurance card. It shows doctors and pharmacies that you are insured. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Objection (Einspruch)

This is how you challenge a penalty notice, for example for wrong parking. The deadline is written on the letter. Official source · retrieved on 10/10/2026

EHIC (European Health Insurance Card)

On the back of the e-card. With it you are treated by contracted providers during short stays in other EU countries. Official source · retrieved on 17/10/2026

EEA

The common economic area of all EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Switzerland is not part of it but is often treated the same way. Official source · retrieved on 08/10/2026

Family allowance

Money from the state that helps parents with the costs of their child. After moving to Austria you have to apply for it. Official source · retrieved on 12/10/2026

Tax office (Finanzamt)

The authority for taxes. The Finanzamt Österreich also handles, for example, family allowance. Official source · retrieved on 12/10/2026

FinanzOnline

The online portal of the tax administration. There you can, for example, apply for family allowance electronically. Official source · retrieved on 12/10/2026

Fonds Soziales Wien (FSW)

An institution of the City of Vienna that helps, for example, with care and support, disability and homelessness. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Free and regulated trade

A free trade can be registered without special proof of qualification. A regulated trade requires proof of qualification. Official source · retrieved on 08/10/2026

Deadlines with authorities

A deadline is the time within which you must do something, for example apply or challenge a decision. When it starts and ends is stated in the letter or the office tells you. Official source · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Fees and federal fees

Money you pay for a service of an authority, for example a passport. Federal fees are set by the federal government; an administrative charge may be added. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Birth certificate

The certificate of your birth with name, date, place and parents. The registry office issues it. Official source · retrieved on 12/10/2026

Municipal housing (Gemeindebau)

Residential buildings owned by the City of Vienna. Wiener Wohnen rents out the flats. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Marginal employment

A small job with low pay below a limit set each year. Then you are often only insured against accidents, but you can take out health and pension insurance yourself. Official source · retrieved on 10/10/2026

GISA

The Austrian trade information system. Trades are registered and trade data is kept there. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Main tenancy and subtenancy

In a main tenancy you rent the flat directly from the owner. In a subtenancy you rent from someone who is a tenant themselves. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Main residence

The residence where the centre of your life is. Any other residences are secondary residences. Official source · retrieved on 09/10/2026

Main residence confirmation for homeless people

For people without a home: it confirms that you live in Vienna. You need a contact point you visit regularly and must have lived only in Vienna for at least one month. It is free; you apply at any registration service. Official source · retrieved on 17/10/2026

ID Austria

Electronic identity used to prove who you are online with authorities and to sign documents electronically. Official source · retrieved on 08/10/2026

Integration agreement

A duty for certain third-country nationals to prove German and basic knowledge of Austria. Module 1 is German at level A2, module 2 at level B1. Official source · retrieved on 17/10/2026

Leave (Karenz)

Unpaid time off work, for example after the birth of a child or to care for relatives. Leave and childcare benefit are two different things. Official source · retrieved on 08/10/2026

Rental deposit (Kaution)

Money you give as security when you move in. You get it back with interest after moving out if nothing is still owed. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Core family

Spouse or registered partner and unmarried children under 18. Official source · retrieved on 17/10/2026

Child tax credit (Kinderabsetzbetrag)

Money per child paid together with the family allowance. You do not have to apply for it separately. Official source · retrieved on 17/10/2026

Childcare benefit

Money for parents while they care for their young child. There are different models that you compare before applying. Official source · retrieved on 12/10/2026

Collective agreement

An agreement between employee and employer representatives for a whole sector. It sets, for example, minimum pay, working hours and notice periods. Official source · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Notice period

The time between giving notice and the end of the employment. How long it is depends on the law, the collective agreement or the employment contract. Official source · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Short-term parking zone

An area where you may only park for a limited time and with a parking ticket. With a parking permit you may stay longer in your district. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Annual payslip (Lohnzettel)

An overview from your employer for a whole year: how much you earned and how much tax was deducted. Authorities often ask for it as proof of income. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

District office (Bezirksamt)

An office of the City of Vienna in your district. There you can, for example, apply for a parking permit or register a trade. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Municipal department (MA)

The Vienna city administration is divided into numbered departments, for example MA 35 for immigration and citizenship. “MA” is the abbreviation. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Residence confirmation

Official confirmation from the central register showing that and where you are registered. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Registration form (Meldezettel)

Form used to register, change or deregister a residence. The accommodation provider signs it. Official source · retrieved on 09/10/2026

MieterHilfe (tenant advice)

Free advice from the City of Vienna on tenancy agreements, rent, running costs and other housing questions. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Minimum income

Benefit of the City of Vienna meant to cover living and housing costs when there is no or too little income. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Co-insurance of dependants

Children and sometimes other relatives can be co-insured with an insured person. Then they do not need their own insurance. Official source · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Secondary residence

Any further residence besides your main residence. Some Vienna services, for example the parking permit, are only available with a main residence. Official source · retrieved on 09/10/2026

Emergency assistance

AMS benefit that can be applied for after unemployment benefit ends, if the requirements are met. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Custody (Obsorge)

Care, upbringing, asset management and legal representation of a minor child. Official source · retrieved on 10/10/2026

ÖGK

The Austrian Health Insurance Fund. Most employees have their health insurance there. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

ÖIF (Austrian Integration Fund)

Federal body for German courses, integration exams and advice. Official source · retrieved on 17/10/2026

Parking permit (Parkpickerl)

A permit to park longer in the short-term parking zone of your home district. You only get it with your main residence in that district. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Pension insurance (PV)

The insurance that later pays your pension. For most employees the Pensionsversicherungsanstalt (pension insurance institution) is responsible. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Care allowance

Money for people who need long-term care because of illness or disability. How much depends on how much help is needed. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Trial period

The first short period in a new job, if agreed. During it both sides can end the employment without the usual notice periods. Official source · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Red-White-Red Card

A residence permit for people from third countries who want to work in Austria, for example as skilled workers. Which card you have is written on your document. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

RSa and RSb letters

Registered letters from an authority; you confirm receipt with your signature. An RSa letter is handed only to you in person. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Arbitration board (Schlichtungsstelle)

An office of the City of Vienna that decides rental disputes, for example about the amount of rent or running costs. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Self-insurance

If you are not insured through work or family, you can insure yourself. You pay a contribution every month for it. Official source · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Sozialministeriumservice (federal social office)

A federal office, among other things for people with disabilities. There you apply, for example, for the disability pass. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Social insurance number

Your personal number in the Austrian social insurance system. It is on your e-card, and you need it, for example, to apply at the AMS. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Proof of citizenship

A document showing that you are an Austrian citizen. You need it, for example, for your first passport or to get married. Official source · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Registry office (Standesamt)

The office for births, marriages, partnerships and deaths. It records these events and issues the certificates. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Criminal record certificate

An official confirmation of whether a conviction of yours is recorded in the Austrian criminal register. Some employers and authorities ask for it. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Penalty notice (Strafverfügung)

A penalty from an authority without a prior procedure, for example for wrong parking or speeding. You can pay it or lodge an objection. Official source · retrieved on 10/10/2026

SVS

Social insurance institution for the self-employed. Traders are usually insured there for health, pension and accident. Official source · retrieved on 09/10/2026

Accommodation provider

The person you live with or rent from, for example your landlord. They sign your registration form. Official source · retrieved on 09/10/2026

Power of attorney (Vollmacht)

Permission for another person to do something for you, for example register your car. It usually has to be in writing, and some procedures can only be done in person. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Vienna housing ticket

It lets you register for a subsidised or municipal flat. There are requirements, for example on income. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Chamber of Commerce (WKO)

The statutory body representing businesses. Anyone with a trade licence is usually a member and can get advice there, for example from the start-up service. Official source · retrieved on 12/10/2026

Housing benefit (Wohnbeihilfe)

A contribution from the City of Vienna towards the rent when income is low. Only a person named in the tenancy agreement can apply. Official source · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Delivery and deposit

When a letter counts as delivered can start deadlines. If a letter is deposited at the post office, the deposit itself often counts as delivery. The letter itself is authoritative. Official source · retrieved on 10/10/2026