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Where in Austria do all the British residents live?

Latest official figures from Statistik Austria show that 11,529 British people live in Austria. But where are they based?

Where in Austria do all the British residents live?
Where do the Brits live in Austria? Photo: Damien MEYER / AFP

Despite Brexit becoming a reality at the start of this year, there is still a strong community of British people living in Europe – including Austria.

So, what draws people to live in this small alpine country in Central Europe? And which part of Austria have they chosen to make home?

The capital takes the top spot

According to figures from Statistik Austria, Vienna is the most popular location with 4,447 British people living in the city.

As the capital of Austria with a multicultural population and a growing English-speaking community, it’s no surprise that so many British people live there.

READ MORE: How do foreigners feel about living in Austria?

Simon Kelly, a corporate English trainer from London, has been living in Vienna for 24 years after moving to the city for love and to experience living in another European city.

He said: “There are many utilitarian ‘best things’ about Vienna, like the subsidised housing, the public transport, the health and education system, the relative safety compared to other major cities in Europe and the fact that everything seems to work.”

In comparison to his UK life, Simon also said that Vienna is a more affordable place to live – something that has earned Vienna the title of best place to live for many years.

He said: “Vienna has always seemed more affordable than say London, in every respect, and accessing a doctor or dentist here is still easy. 

“One good example might be from a friend who visited last year and observed that nobody really looks poor. 

“It’s a massive generalisation of course but perhaps that best sums it up – nothing really looks that shabby.”

Where else do British people live?

After Vienna, Tyrol is the second most popular location for British people in Austria with 1,682 British residents, many of whom are drawn to the mountains and the outdoor lifestyle.

Salzburgerland is another popular province (1,172 British people) for similar reasons, and is the new home of British freelance writer and English teacher Mairi Bunce.

Mairi relocated with her family from Vienna to Bad Ischgl in the Salzkammergut earlier this year where she is enjoying the fresh air, having more space and living in a similar landscape to her native Scotland.

She said: “My favourite thing is watching the weather change on the mountains. 

“I’m not built to cope with the weeks of 35-degree weather and cloudless skies of summer in Vienna. 

A man with Union Jack shoes sits in Vienna. Photo: ALEXANDER KLEIN / AFP

“I love waking up in a cloud and watching the sky lift as the morning goes on. It’s much more like Scotland and it makes me feel completely at home.”

Elsewhere in Austria, Lower Austria has 1,295 British residents, Styria has 977 and Upper Austria has 827.

The provinces least populated by Brits are Carinthia with 642 British residents, Vorarlberg with 342 and Burgenland with just 145.

Why do British people live in Austria?

Austria might be a land-locked country but it has modern cities, a rich history and easy access to nature – something that many people from the UK are drawn to. 

Mairi, from Scotland, said: “Most of the Brits I know in Austria came here for love or moved for a short time for work and then never got around to leaving – I’m one of the latter. 

“I think people come here for lots of different reasons – it’s a small country, so there’s usually an interesting story about what drew someone to the place. 

“But most people seem to stay for the lifestyle, benefits, and the way it’s so easy to move between the beautiful scenery and the very liveable cities.”

FOR MEMBERS: Nine mistakes everyone makes when they first move to Austria

Mairi said the affordable cost of living is another reason why she has made Austria her home.

She said: “I couldn’t afford the lifestyle I have here in the UK, largely because the cost of childcare and transport here is so affordable.  

“I live in a big Altbau apartment with wooden floors, a balcony and chandeliers. It’s incredible, and I love that I don’t have the pressure to ‘get on the housing ladder’ like I would in the UK because renting in Austria is so secure.”

For Simon in Vienna, Austria represents a safe and stable place with a distinct European flair.

He said: “It may not have the intensity and passion of some other European countries but it somehow manages to combine the best elements of a more Mediterranean mindset with the efficiency and functionality of some of our more northern European neighbours.”

How does Austria compare to other countries in Europe?

According to data from the United Nations, there are 1.3 million British people living in the European Union.

Spain is the most popular country with 302,000 people, followed by Ireland at 293,000 and France at 177,000.

In Germany, there are 99,000 British people that call Deutschland home, and in Italy there are 66,000 Brits.

IN NUMBERS: How many people become Austrian each year – and where do they come from?

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LIVING IN AUSTRIA

Five things you should know if you need a dentist in Austria

While living in Austria, it is easy to find high-quality dental care - but there's a few key things you should know.

Five things you should know if you need a dentist in Austria

Health insurance covers basic things

All Austrian residents receive a personal E-card, the European Health Insurance Card. This card is all you need to make medical appointments in Austria, including visits to the dentist. Visitors in the country can also access dental care, but it is common for them to pay upfront at the clinic and later submit the receipt to their insurance or travel insurance company to claim the cost back.

In Austria, basic dental treatments are covered by state care and include check-ups, x-ray images, amalgam fillings and orthodontic treatments for children. For most other procedures, you will have to pay. Each region in Austria organizes its own health and dental care offerings. This means that for more extensive treatments and specialized care, it can be necessary to travel to bigger cities such as Vienna or Graz.

It may be important to take into consideration that the advertising regulations of the Austrian Dental Association prohibit dentists from publishing prices for services. This means that you will only know how much a treatment costs after an examination by a dentist. In general, this is because every procedure is different and adapted to each individual.

READ ALSO: Six things to know about visiting a doctor in Austria

English-speaking dentists

Most Austrian dentists speak good English, but it is more likely to find one of them in a city, than in the countryside. To make sure that the dentist you visit speaks good English, or maybe another desired language, it is good to look them up online in advance. Searching online make it easy to find dental clinics or individual dentists in your area.

Many clinics list the languages spoken by their employees. Websites like DocFinder or Herold are commonly used in Austria to find this kind of information.

READ ALSO: The vocab you need for a trip to the dentist in Austria

Private dental care

Private dental care in Austria runs separately from the public healthcare system. Choosing private dental care typically comes with more flexibility and you can receive additional services that are not covered by public insurance.

Private dental care often includes a wider range of services compared to basic public coverage. This can include specialized treatment, cosmetic dental care and a more extensive selection of dental procedures. Private care may also offer other advantages such as treatments with the latest technology, advanced forms of treatments and less waiting times to increase comfort.

The cost of private dental care depends on whether you want coverage outside of Austria as well as inside; together with the extent of treatments you wish to cover. In general, private dental care usually includes higher costs, and patients often need to pay for the services out-of-pocket. The costs vary based on the specific treatment and the dentist’s fees.

Spas, pregnancy and contraceptives: What Austrian healthcare covers – and what it does not

Going to Hungary and Romania are popular alternatives

Hungary is the most popular destination for dental tourists from Austria.

Over the last decades, prices for dental care in Western Europe have increased and thereby created a market for high-quality dental care at an affordable price in other places. Hungary is often a cheaper alternative for some dental procedures, even if you include costs for accommodation and travel. The city of Sopron, just across the border from
Austria, has become a dental centre and many Austrian residents travel there for treatments.

Sopron

The border town of Sopron in western Hungary lies within a renowned wine region. But the town itself has plenty of history on offer, including dental tourism. Photo: Pexels, Istvan Balogh

Hungarian dental clinics are known for maintain high standard of quality and expertise. The clinics are attracting patients in search of reliable and professional dental services. The country is known for offering a wide range of treatments, including implantology and cosmetic dentistry.

Many patients travel to Hungary for specific procedures or expertise not yet available in their country.

Lately, Romania is also becoming a more popular destination for Austrian dental tourism. It is mainly common for Austrians to travel to Romania for their expertise in implantology at affordable prices. In Romania, an implant costs around €450, while in Austria, an implant typically costs at least €1,500. Teeth whitening is also said to be way less expensive in Romania.

READ ALSO: Can you travel outside Austria with the KlimaTicket?

Emergency dental care

If you have an emergency problem with your teeth, Austria offers emergency dental assistance all over the country. If you need emergency care, check with local dental practices to inquire about their availability for urgent issues.

Bigger cities often offer specific clinics for emergency dental assistance. In Vienna, for example, the Emergency Clinic of the University Clinic of Dentistry is open every day from 8:00 to 13:00, including weekends and holidays.

The clinic has an agreement with all major insurers in Austria and is thereby covered by your Austrian social security insurance. It is important to take into consideration that many students work in this clinic and that the quality of the treatments can wary.

In critical cases, especially if you experience significant swelling or pain, you can contact the emergency medical services (Rettungsdienst) by calling 144. They will provide guidance and transportation to the hospital if needed.

READ ALSO: Everything foreigners should know about the Austrian healthcare system

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