Austria Recruiting Workers for 110 New Occupations Added to Skill Shortage List for 2025
Austria has made significant waves in the world of immigration policy with a bold expansion to its skill shortage occupation list. In November 2024, the Austrian Immigration Department released a groundbreaking update that highlights the country’s urgent need for skilled labor.
This expansion not only signifies Austria’s commitment to filling workforce gaps but also comes with enticing benefits such as competitive salaries and streamlined visa processes for prospective applicants in 2025.
A Fresh Take on Filling the Skills Gap
With its pristine Alpine landscapes and rich cultural heritage, Austria has always been an attractive destination for professionals seeking a high quality of life. Yet, beyond the picturesque cities and charming villages, there’s a more pressing concern driving policy changes—Austria’s severe shortage of skilled workers across various sectors.
To combat this, the Austrian government has expanded its skill shortage list to an impressive 110 occupations. This strategic move signals a push to attract talent globally with an easier pathway for visa approvals and lucrative salary packages.
Whereas, Austria’s push to attract skilled third-country nationals is paying off, with 3,200 Red-White-Red Card applications approved in the first four months of 2024—a 35% increase from 2023. Labour Minister Martin Kocher (ÖVP) projects this figure could rise to 10,000 by year-end, with further growth expected in 2025, potentially reaching 13,500 approvals.
Major Changes Announced in November 2024 by Austrian Immigration Department
In November 2024, the Austrian Immigration Department made headlines by unveiling updates that promise to reshape the labor market landscape for 2025. Notably, the country’s list of shortage occupations grew significantly to include both traditional and newly recognized roles. These changes accompany amendments to the Employment of Foreign Nationals Act and the Settlement and Residence Act, facilitating the entry of workers in pivotal industries such as healthcare, engineering, education, and transportation.
Key sectors seeing expansion include:
- Healthcare: Midwives, nurses, dietitians.
- Transport: Train and bus drivers, conductors.
- Engineering: Mechanical and electrical engineers, data processing experts.
- Education: Childcare workers and social workers.
- Creative and Service Roles: Hairdressers, cosmeticians, chefs, and florists.
What Are Red-White-Red Cards and Blue Cards EU?
Austria’s immigration framework offers two primary types of work permits for skilled professionals:
- Red-White-Red Card: Tailored for third-country nationals in shortage occupations, this permit grants residence and work rights in Austria. To qualify, applicants must meet a minimum points threshold based on education, experience, language skills, and other factors.
- Blue Card EU: This residence permit caters to highly skilled non-EU professionals. As of 2024, the minimum annual gross salary requirement for the EU Blue Card is set at EUR 47,855, highlighting Austria’s competitive pay scale.
Implications for 2025 Applicants Due to New Changes
With these changes, 2025 promises to be a favorable year for applicants who possess skills aligned with Austria’s workforce needs. The expanded list and facilitated processes are expected to attract a diverse pool of international talent, ensuring smoother integration into Austria’s economic fabric. These revisions not only make the application process more accessible but also underscore Austria’s proactive approach to workforce development (New Changes Ref).
Average Salaries in Austria and Job Search Resources in 2025
Austria is known for offering attractive salaries to skilled professionals. While salaries vary based on industry and experience, here are average salary estimates for select roles:
- Engineers: EUR 50,000–70,000 per year.
- Healthcare Workers (e.g., nurses, midwives): EUR 40,000–60,000 annually.
- Bus and Train Drivers: EUR 35,000–50,000 per year.
- Cosmeticians and Hairdressers: EUR 25,000–35,000 annually.
- Chefs and Culinary Experts: EUR 30,000–45,000 per year.
Those looking to secure employment in these roles can explore opportunities through reputable job portals such as AMS (Austrian Public Employment Service – https://www.ams.at/organisation/public-employment-service-austria) and other European job boards like (EURES – https://europa.eu/eures/portal/jv-se/home?lang=en_US&app=4.7.1-build-0&pageCode=find_a_job), which cater specifically to international job seekers.
110 New Occupations in Austria’s Skill Shortage List (November 2024)
To provide an idea of the breadth of this expansion, here is a shuffled list of some key roles now officially recognized as shortage occupations:
- Engineers for data processing
- Midwives
- Bus drivers
- Hairdressers and make-up artists
- Social scientists, economists, and statisticians
- Dieticians
- Mechanical engineers
- Ophthalmic opticians
- Restaurant chefs
- Educators
- Florists and flower arrangers
- Technicians for civil engineering
- Childcare workers
- Confectioners
- Professional truck drivers (passenger transport)
- Construction joiners
- Insurance agents
- Stone masons
- Cosmeticians and manicurists
- Track layers
- Graduate mechanical engineers
- Metal turners
- Social workers
- Toolmakers
- Warehouse experts
- Payroll accountants
- Medical technology specialists
- Carpenters
- Certified public accountants
- Beauticians and pedicurists
(Full list available through official Austrian immigration resource here https://www.migration.gv.at/en/types-of-immigration/permanent-immigration/austria-wide-shortage-occupations/)
References
- https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/austria-economy-minister-kocher-head-austrian-central-bank-apa-reports-2024-08-06/
- https://schengen.news/over-3200-applications-approved-for-austrias-red-white-red-card-in-first-4-months-of-2024/.
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