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LIVING IN AUSTRIA

11 Austrian life hacks that will make you feel like a local

Austria can be a tricky country to figure out - especially outside of the main cities with different dialects and regional cultures. But there are ways to fit in and live like a local in Austria. Here’s how.

Published: 12 August 2021 16:34 CEST
Updated: 22 January 2023 09:38 CET
11 Austrian life hacks that will make you feel like a local
Cash is incredibly important to the Austrians - and to much of German-speaking Europe. Take it wherever you go. Photo: Pixabay.

In Austria, fitting in is about more than just language.

Here are 11 ‘life hacks’ that will make you feel like a local wherever you might live in Austria. 

1. Use the 24-hour clock and tell time the “German” way

While in English this is largely limited to the military, in Austria, people use the 24-hour clock to tell the time.

This means 2pm is 14:00 and 8pm is 20:00. If you book a table at a restaurant or organise to meet a friend, telling them you’ll meet them at “14” or “20” is completely normal. 

This is how you say 7:30pm in Austria. Photo by Lucas Santos on Unsplash

But that’s not all. There is also a “German” way to tell the time – as in how to tell the time in the German language.

For example, in German, saying half three (halb drei) means 2.30, not 3.30. It’s half way to three, not half an hour past two.

This is confusing for English-speakers at first, but once mastered it makes life so much easier – especially when booking appointments or arranging to meet friends.

2. Say hello to people

This tip probably applies more to people living in the countryside than Vienna, but it’s well worth mentioning.

Basically, in smaller places, people will expect a greeting, such as “Hallo”, “Servus” or “Griaß di” – even if you don’t know them.

READ MORE: The 10 biggest culture shocks experienced by foreigners in Austria

In fact, failure to greet others could have you labelled as unfriendly, arrogant or badly educated, at least according to the Kurier. The article might be five years old, but the advice definitely still applies today.

3. Always carry cash

Austrians love cash. They always have and probably always will.

Even though card payments and digital banking are gaining in popularity in Austria, there are some places that will still only accept cash. Or the staff will grudgingly dust off the card reader so someone can pay by card.

READ MORE: Why is cash so important to Austrians?

So, to avoid feeling like a tourist that is inconveniencing someone, always carry cash.

4. Fall in love with the mountains

Austria is famous for the Alps in the west of the country and there is an ongoing love affair between the locals and the mountains.

Even people that live in the cities will regularly visit the mountains for skiing in the winter or hiking in the summer.

And for people that live in the Alps, exploring the mountains is a big part of the lifestyle.

**Actual footage of you falling in love with the mountains.

5. Look people in the eye during “Prost”

“Prost” is the Austrian version of “cheers”. 

If you have a drink with a group of friends, you should expect to toast with “prost” – and to make eye contact with each person.

FOR MEMBERS: Six ways you might be annoying your neighbours (and not realising it) in Austria

Not only is it considered polite, but failure to lock eyes could result in bad luck. At least according to some locals.

6. Don’t cross the road when the light is red

In the UK, it’s acceptable to cross the road at a zebra crossing (Schutzweg) or junction when the light is still red. As long as the road is clear.

But in Austria, people wait until the pedestrian light has turned green – even if it means waiting on the side of the road without any cars going past.

This is because there are fines for jaywalking in Austria and people follow the rules.

A pedestrian traffic light sign in Vienna. Image: Wikicommons.

7. Learn some dialect

Austria is officially a German-speaking country, but few people speak high German (Hochdeutsch).

Instead, most regions have their own dialect, although there is no exact number for how many different dialects exist in Austria.

READ MORE: The best words in Austrian German

For international residents, this makes learning the language even harder because even though high German is taught in language schools across the country, most locals don’t speak it.

The best way to tackle it is to learn a few dialect words in the area where you live, to really make you feel like a local.

8. Don’t be late

In the German-speaking world, punctuality is highly rated and lateness is considered rude.

To really fit in, the best advice is to just be on time for meetings. But if you are going to be late, it’s recommended to call or text the person to let them know in advance.

The alternative is to turn up late without warning, which won’t win you any brownie points.

‘The pleasure of punctuality’: Why are the Swiss so obsessed with being on time?

9. Embrace a healthier work-life balance

Austria has a family-friendly culture and a healthy work-life balance is highly valued.

This is why a lunch break is an important part of the working day and many people finish work at midday on Friday.

READ MORE: Nine things you might be surprised are actually Austrian

For people from places like the UK and the USA where presenteeism is endemic in the workplace, slowing down can be hard to get used to.

But the benefits are well-worth it, and there’s no better way to feel like a local than by clocking off early on a Friday afternoon.

10. Avoid small talk with strangers

In many English-speaking cultures, small talk is a guaranteed conversation starter and a way to avoid awkward silences.

In Austria however, small talk is not as common and people generally prefer to have meaningful conversations about topics they are interested in.

READ MORE: Five unwritten rules that explain how Austria works

Austrians can also be more reserved around people they are not familiar with and shy away from asking personal questions until they know them better.

The best approach is to avoid small talk with strangers and stick to a simple “hallo”.

11. Get used to staring

In Austria, people stare and it’s not considered to be rude behaviour like in other cultures.

It’s rude to stare, except in Austria where it’s persistently common.

For international residents, this can be uncomfortable at first, but there are two ways to deal with it.

Either get used to it and ignore it, or smile back when someone stares, which will usually put an end to the staring.

REVEALED: What do Austrians think about foreigners?

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LIVING IN AUSTRIA

‘Haushaltsversicherung’: How does Austria’s home insurance work?

'Haushaltsversicherung' is one of Austria's most popular types of insurance. It is not mandatory, but it is certainly worth evaluating, especially as it comes with many possible add-ons.

Published: 2 May 2024 15:22 CEST
'Haushaltsversicherung': How does Austria's home insurance work?

Austrians are certainly obsessed with insurance coverage, and one of the most popular and common ones is known as the “Haushaltsversicherung”—if you don’t have it already, you have certainly heard of it. Here’s what you need to know about household insurance.

Firstly, this insurance covers damages to “all movable objects within your own four walls,” as Austria’s Chamber of Labour (AK) explains. This includes furniture, carpets, and electrical appliances. It would also cover damages caused by fire, storms, water, burglary, and glass breakage. 

Certain types of insurance, such as private liability insurance or mandatory dog liability insurance, are almost always combined with household insurance—another reason why the Haushaltsversicherung is so popular in Austria.

READ ALSO: What kind of insurance do I need to have in Austria?

However, there are enormous differences in premiums and benefits, so experts suggest you check precisely what you need before taking out insurance. The AK also says you should talk to an insurance advisor to learn more about your specific case and needs, particularly if you have any valuables in your home. 

Additionally, they said: “It makes sense to check your policy every few years to ensure that you are properly insured. This guarantees that the sums insured and the risks included are up-to-date and sufficient”.

What should I keep an eye on when reviewing policies?

Of course, different companies have their own offers, and they are often highly customisable to fit your apartment and lifestyle—some things you need to be aware of, though.

Certain policies are tied to the size of your apartment, while others will have a lump sum regardless of the size of your place. Policies also usually differ depending on whether you live in an apartment or a house. 

While most insurance will cover glass breakage (such as when a hail storm breaks your window, for example), some might have it as an add-on (wahlweise mit Glasbruch). 

You may also add other types of insurance to your household insurance, the most common being mandatory dog liability insurance (Hunde-Haftpflicht), legal insurance (Straf-Rechtsschutz), and sports insurance.

READ ALSO: Should I take out insurance before skiing in Austria?

It’s worth it to read each policy, but you should know some common clauses beforehand. For example, insurance often won’t cover burglary costs if your house has not been properly secured and locked. This might seem obvious, but since door knobs don’t open from the outside without the key, people often leave their homes, especially for short errands, and don’t lock the doors all the way. Insurance and safety experts recommend you get in the habit of locking your home doors.

It’s also important to check if your insurance will pay you “Neuwert” or “Zeitwert” in case of damage. 

A Neuwert means the insurance will pay for a replacement object, regardless of how old the stolen or broken one was. However, many insurance policies still contain the so-called “Zeitwert”, something like “current value”, so you wouldn’t receive an amount that could pay for a new product. Instead, a loss of value of around 10 percent per year could be expected for most objects.

What should I do if there is damage to my home?

If you see any damage to your home from burglary, accident or other types, you need to notify your insurer immediately and report the damage you have suffered. 

The insurance conditions usually stipulate a maximum period of three days for reporting a claim in property insurance. The Chamber of Labour also recommends that you send a written notification of the claim (preferably by registered mail, they add).

“Make a list of all items that have been destroyed or lost and enclose it with your report to both the insurer and the security authorities”, they said. And, of course, in the event of fire burglary or robbery, always inform the fire department or police authorities.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: The Austrian insurance for if you get sued – or want to sue someone

How long does the insurance last, and how much does it cost?

The insurance term is usually specified in the counteract. In general, though, you can terminate it after the third year with one month’s notice if the contract has not already expired.

If you move house or move abroad, you can terminate your household insurance contract. You can cancel the insurance the day before the move begins (preferably by registered letter).

If you do not exercise your right of termination, the insurance will remain valid during the move and in the new home.

Regarding prices, they can be as low as a few euros a month (such as insurance specifically tailored to students living in shared flats) to several hundred a month if you have a large place with plenty of valuables or include several add-ons. 

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