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DRIVING

Can I use my foreign driving licence in Austria?

The quick answer is usually yes, but for a limited time, depending on where your driving licence was issued. Here’s what you need to know about using a foreign driving licence in Austria.

Published: 25 January 2022 16:12 CET
Updated: 18 January 2023 08:52 CET
Can I use my foreign driving licence in Austria?
A road in the Austrian countryside. Many Austrians are driving less out of climate concerns. Photo by Dimitry Anikin on Unsplash

Most foreign driving licences can be used to drive on Austrian roads for at least six months – just like in most other European countries.

This is great for visitors or for people working in Austria for just a short period of time, but it means many long term international residents eventually have to get an Austrian driving licence.

Here’s an overview of how the system works and how long a foreign driving licence is valid in Austria.

Driving with a foreign licence in Austria

Visitors from most countries can drive on Austrian roads for up to six months as long as they have a valid licence from their country of residence. For some countries, an international driving permit (IDP) is required in addition to their valid licence.

For example, drivers from the UK do not need an IDP in Austria if they have a photocard driving licence issued in the UK, but drivers from the USA do need an IDP, as well as their original licence.

The IDP is an internationally recognised translation of a foreign driving licence and a United Nations regulated travel document. Drivers should apply for an IDP in their country of residence before arriving in Austria.

READ MORE: How half of Austria drove on the left and half on the right – for 20 years

However, driving licences from the following countries are not recognised in Austria: Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burundi, Cameroon, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Indonesia, Kosovo, Libya, Nepal, Nicaragua, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Tonga and Yemen. 

It’s not all bad news though as drivers from these countries might still be able to exchange their licence for an Austrian one.

What are the rules for exchanging an EU or EEA driving licence in Austria?

Driving licences from EU and EEA countries are recognised in Austria and remain valid for up to five years, as long as they don’t expire.

This means they do not have to be exchanged for an Austrian licence after six months, although drivers can choose to do this voluntarily.

If an EU or EEA driving licence has to be exchanged in Austria, the process involves the Austrian driving licence authority submitting a request to the issuing country to verify if an Austrian licence can be issued. 

As long as there are no issues, applicants will be issued with an Austrian driving licence within several weeks.

If a driving licence from an EU or EEA country expires while the holder is a resident in Austria, it will have to be renewed in Austria.

What are the rules for exchanging a non-EU/EEA driving licence in Austria?

People with a non-EU/EEA driving licence have to exchange their licence for an Austrian one after six months of living in Austria, because it loses validity after this, and they need to exchange it earlier if the licence will expire before then.

Most holders of a non-EU/EEA driving licence will have to take a practical driving test in Austria to exchange their licence. This usually takes place in German.

Non-EU/EEA countries that are exempt from the driving test rule (for all categories of licence) are Andorra, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Japan, Jersey, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Switzerland, Serbia, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.

Additionally, people with a driving licence from Australia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hong Kong, Israel, Canada, North Macedonia, New Zealand, Republic of South Africa, Republic of South Korea (if issued after 1 January 1997), USA and United Arab Emirates are exempt from having to take a driving test for a category B licence.

A category B licence allows holders to drive a vehicle with up to eight passengers and a maximum weight of 3,500kg.

READ MORE: What are the post-Brexit rules about UK driving licences in Austria?

For British people, the rules around driving licences in Austria have changed in the past year as a result of Brexit. This means British people that were resident in Austria before December 31st 2020 had to exchange their UK driving licence for an Austrian licence before June 30th 2021. 

British people now moving to Austria (post-Brexit) will have to follow the rules for non-EU/EEA residents when exchanging a driving licence in Austria, although a practical driving test is not required.

How to exchange a driving licence in Austria

Applications for exchanging a licence in Austria take place at a state police department, at LPD Wien (Vienna Police Headquarters) or at the district administration office (Bezirkshauptmannschaft) where you live.

An appointment is usually needed to submit an application, although your local driving licence authority will advise on the correct process.

The documents required for the application are passport, foreign driving licence, one passport photo, medical certificate including an eye test (most doctors will charge for this) and a Meldezettel (compulsory address registration in Austria).

The fee for converting a driving licence in Austria is €60.50.

Applicants are issued with a temporary licence if the original licence is handed in to the authorities. This is valid for four weeks from the date of issue, but only within Austria.

FOR MEMBERS: What happens if you haven’t exchanged your UK driving licence in Austria?

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For members

LIVING IN AUSTRIA

EXPLAINED: What you need to know about therapy in Austria

If you want to see a therapist in Austria, you can choose between going private or waiting for a public appointment. Here's what you need to know.

Published: 11 April 2024 09:28 CEST
EXPLAINED: What you need to know about therapy in Austria

In Austria, you can participate in a wide range of different therapy methods through both public and private practitioners. Here is what you need to know about the different options.

Public Therapy

To access therapy with a public health insurance therapist in Austria, you need a referral from your Hausarzt confirming your need for this kind of service.

The cost of therapy with a public practitioner in Austria can vary depending on factors such as the therapist’s qualifications, location, and your specific insurance fund.

In general, if you are covered by the most common public insurance fund, ÖGK, you can access therapy with a public therapist and receive a reimbursement of around €35 per hourly session. Other funds have different reimbursement scales, and some private healthcare funds may cover more of the cost. It is important for each patient to check with their specific fund.

Regarding availability, it can sometimes be challenging to get an appointment with a public therapist.

Some patients wait for many months, and the waiting time can vary depending on factors such as the urgency of your needs and, of course, the therapist’s availability. If you want to get an appointment as soon as possible, it is a good idea to sign up on the public therapist waiting list. 

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: How the Austrian healthcare system works

Private Therapy

If you are looking for a private therapist, you are likely to receive help sooner. You do not need a referral and can contact the therapist yourself. This may contribute to more effective care, but it also comes with a higher price.

A one-hour session with a therapist costs around 80-150 euros, the price vary depending on factors such as the therapist’s fees and the type of treatment. If you are insured under the Austrian public health insurance system (ÖGK) and choose to see a private therapist, you typically pay for the sessions entirely yourself.

Some private insurance plans might cover the cost of private therapy sessions, which may make it beneficial to sign up for a private healthcare fund. The degree of coverage often depends on each patient’s specific case and insurance package.

Popular private insurance funds in Austria include Allianz and UNIQA, through which you can request more information about possible coverage.

English-Speaking Therapists

There are many English-speaking therapists in Austria, although they are more common in larger towns and cities.

Unfortunately, in more rural regions, it can be difficult to find an English-speaking therapist. However, many mental health practitioners offer their services online via video calls, a trend that increased during the 2020 pandemic.

When you visit your Hausarzt to discuss your therapy plan, you can ask them to refer you to an English-speaking therapist. If you instead prefer private therapy, you can search online for a therapist speaking your desired language.

READ MORE: Everything foreigners need to know about the Austrian healthcare system

Useful links for finding a therapist in Austria

Below are three organisations in Austria responsible for regulating the practice of psychotherapy and maintaining lists of registered therapists on their websites.

European Association for Psychotherapy

ÖBVP – Österreichischer Bundesverband für Psychotherapie

Professional Association of Austrian Psychologists (BÖP)

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