Vienna City Guide

City Guide: Vienna

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The information contained in this publication is provided by Dwellworks GmbH and its affiliated entities (the “Company”) as a service to relocating employees and should be used for general informational purposes only. This publication contains a considerable amount of information – addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses – and our inclusion of lists of any service providers is intended as a courtesy and not a guarantee or endorsement of those individuals. Please also note we can take no responsibility for the lines or contents of the links. While the Company undertakes measures to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information in this publication, the Company cannot assure its accuracy or completeness and does not commit that it will maintain updated information. This publication, in its entirety, is the sole copyrighted property of the Company and may not be modified, reproduced, sold, or otherwise distributed without the express written consent of the Company.

Dear Assignee, The Dwellworks GmbH head office in Frankfurt and your local Dwellworks Destination Services Consultant in Vienna warmly welcome you to Austria. We hope this Welcome Package provides you with useful and interesting information about your new destination Vienna. We suggest you take the time to look through the information and to familiarise yourself with the topics in this guide. We hope the information helps you settle down to life in Austria. Some topics will not be completely relevant to your situation, but make interesting reading nonetheless. Please note that the information in this booklet is a guide only. Regulations and requirements are subject to change. According to German law Dwellworks is not allowed to give legal advice. Therefore, information given in this guide is based on our longstanding experience. We wish you a successful and rewarding time in Austria .

Your Dwellworks Team

Provided by Dwellworks GmbH Head Office: Dreieichstraße 59, 60594 Frankfurt/Main, Germany

Tel. +49 69 61 09 47 0 Fax: +49 69 61 09 47 40 E-Mail: info@dwellworks.de Website: www.dwellworks.com

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Contents Facts About Austria ..................................................................................4 City Profile ................................................................................................6 History of Vienna ......................................................................................7 Immigration and Settling-In .......................................................................8 Housing in Austria...................................................................................11 Health and Insurance..............................................................................16 Medical and Emergency Information.......................................................18 Education................................................................................................20 Everyday Shopping.................................................................................22 Driving in Austria.....................................................................................24 Public Transportation..............................................................................29 Money and Banking ................................................................................31 Postal Services .......................................................................................32 Pets ........................................................................................................33 Cultural and Social Life ...........................................................................35 Annual Events and Highlights .................................................................45 Austrian Public Holidays .........................................................................46 Conversions............................................................................................47 Important Telephone Numbers and Useful Websites ..............................48

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Facts About Austria + Official Country Name: The Republic of Austria ( Osterreich ) + Capital City: Vienna ( Wien )

+ Official Language: German; nearly identical with the German spoken in Germany, apart from some differences in vocabulary and dialect. English is the first foreign language in Austria and is generally taught from the first grade of elementary school; however, please be aware many Austrians, particularly elderly citizens, do not speak a foreign language + Official Religion: The majority of Austrians practice Catholicism (approx. two- thirds), whilst a small percentage practice Protestantism + Currency: Euro, € + International Calling Code: (+43); the internet top level domain is “.at” + Time Zone: CET (Central European Time), which is UTC +1 hour; in spring, clocks are advanced one hour to DST (Daylight Saving Time) Geographic Overview The Republic of Austria is surrounded by eight countries, namely the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland. The country covers an area of 83,870 square kilometers, measuring 575 kilometers from west to east and 294 kilometers from north to south. Its population is about 8.48 million, of which approximately 11% do not hold Austrian citizenship. Austria consists of nine autonomous federal states with their own capitals: State Capital Vienna Vienna Vorarlberg Bregenz Tyrol Innsbruck Styria Graz Salzburg Salzburg Upper Austria Linz Lower Austria St. Pölten Carinthia Klagenfurt Burgenland Eisenstadt Climate Austria is a mountainous country with more than half of its area being dominated by the Alps and thus an alpine climate is prevalent in these parts. Austria’s greater part lies in a typical temperate climate zone with four distinct seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter), the winters being rather cold and the summer relatively warm. Winter temperatures may well drop below 0°C/32°F and summer temperatures reach from 20°C/68°F to 30°C/86°F.

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Government Austria is a parliamentary republic with the Federal President (“Bundespräsident”) as the head of state and the Federal Chancellor (“Bundeskanzler”) as the head of the government. Austria’s Parliament consists of two chambers: the so-called “Nationalrat” (National Council) and “Bundesrat” (Federal Council). Each Austrian 16 years or older can elect the members of the National Council for a term of five years. The Federal Council’s members are elected by the legislatures of each of Austria’s nine federal states for a term of four to six years. Since 1955 Austria is a member of the United Nations and since 1995 a member of the European Union.

The biggest parties that dominate Austrian political life are: ÖVP – Österreichische Volkspartei (Christian Democrats) SPÖ – Sozialdemokratische Partei Österreichs (Social Democrats) FPÖ – Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs (National Conservatives) Die Grünen – Die Grünen – Die Grüne Alternative (Green party) BZÖ – Bündnis Zukunft Österreich (National Conservatives)

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City Profile Vienna, Austria’s federal capital and biggest city, is the most densely populated province of Austria with a population of 1.75 million people and approximately 4,230 residents per square kilometer. It is Austria’s political, economic, and cultural centre. The city of Vienna is divided into 23 municipal districts (the so-called “Bezirke”). 1. Innere Stadt 13. Hietzing 2. Leopoldstadt 14. Penzing 3. Landstraße 15. Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus 4. Wieden 16. Ottakring 5. Margareten 17. Hernals 6. Mariahilf 18. Währing 7. Neubau 19. Döbling 8. Josefstadt 20. Brigittenau 9. Alsergrund 21. Floridsdorf 10. Favoriten 22. Donaustadt 11. Simmering 23. Liesing 12. Meidling The second and third digits of the four-digit postal code reveal in which district the given address is located, e.g. 1010 Wien with the second and third digits 0 and 1 denoting the first district, 1190 Wien with the second and third digits 1 and 9 denoting the 19 th district. Vienna’s telephone area code is 01. The first district (“Innere Stadt”) within the so-called Ringstraße around the inner city is Vienna’s heart and historical city centre. Vienna has numerous museums, galleries, theatres, cinemas, historical buildings and a multitude of other attractions. In terms of cultural entertainment, the imperial palaces Hofburg and Schönbrunn, the Opera (“Wiener Staatsoper”), and the traditional Spanish Riding School (“Spanische Hofreitschule”) with its Lipizzaner horses are not to be missed. Vienna also offers a wide range of different cafés, bars and clubs. There are also leisure activities for the whole family like the zoo (“Tiergarten Schönbrunn”), the amusement park “Prater” with its famous Ferris wheel (“Riesenrad”) and other municipal parks. Many international organizations, such as the OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, the UN (United Nations) and the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe), maintain their or one of their headquarters in Vienna. In 2001, Vienna’s historic city centre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The consulting company Mercer’s 2012 quality of living survey ranks Vienna as number one worldwide for overall quality of living – for the fourth time in a row.

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History of Vienna Vienna, originally a Celtic settlement, became an important frontier city (called Vindobona at that time) at the border of the Roman Empire in the second century AD. In 1156, Austria was officially raised to the status of a duchy and made residence of the Babenberg Dynasty. It became the residence of the Habsburg Empire in 1440 AD and then grew to become the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. As residence of the Holy Roman Emperors, Vienna was a target of the expanding Ottoman Empire, leading to two futile sieges of the city by the Ottoman armies (Siege of Vienna in 1529 and Battle of Vienna in 1683). In the following period of prosperity building activity increased – as did the city’s population (with a break only due to two plague epidemics in the late 17 th and early 18 th centuries). First factories and a sewage system were built. The city blossomed and grew to be an important European cultural centre, being home to famous composers Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven, as well as to Biedermeier art in painting and furniture making. In 1804, Vienna became the capital of the Austrian Empire. Vienna continued to play an important role in Europe, hosting the Congress of Vienna in 1815 which aimed at rearranging the political circumstances in Europe. Vienna’s population grew dramatically with the beginning of the industrialization in the middle of the 19 th century and former suburbs were incorporated into the city. During the latter half of the 19 th century the city developed stately buildings along Ringstraße, a major prestige object. Vienna’s imperial past is still visible today in monumental structures and buildings such as the Imperial Palace (Hofburg), the Schönbrunn Palace, the buildings along Ringstraße, and many other sites throughout the city. On the other hand, there were major social changes: as a result, from immigration from other parts of the Empire, the working class grew and with increasing poverty, social democratic tendencies were on the rise. After World War I, Vienna became the capital of the First Austrian republic in 1918 and in 1922, the city became an autonomous federal province. During the 1920s and 1930s it was a bastion of Socialism, and became known as “rotes Wien” (Red Vienna), with the Social Democrats pursuing extensive social policies in particular regarding housing as well as social and youth policies in general. In 1938, Adolf Hitler annexed Austria to the Third Reich. Austria ceased to exist as a state, became part of Hitler’s Germany, with Vienna losing its status as a capital to Berlin. In 1945, Vienna was liberated by Soviet troops during the so-called Vienna Offensive. After World War II, Vienna was occupied by the Allied Forces for 10 years, and it was only with the Austrian State Treaty signed in 1955 that Austria regained its independence as a sovereign country. During the Cold War, Vienna continued to build on its international role: It was chosen as headquarters for the OSCE and in 1979 it became host city to the United Nations.

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Immigration and Settling-In Visa Application

All Non-EU citizens (except citizens from e.g. USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Japan, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland, South Korea) who want to live and work in Austria have to apply for a visa at least three months prior to their arrival in Austria at the nearest Austrian consulate general or embassy at their current residence. Each accompanying family member must obtain a visa. In case the Non-EU citizen receives a local Austrian work contract, the application needs to be filed with the local Austrian authorities by the employer. Once the residence and work permit has been approved in Austria, the authorities will inform the Austrian embassy/consulate in the home country of the applicant. The applicant will receive a visa to enter Austria and may then pick up his residence and work permit in Austria. The visa application must state clearly that the applicant intends to work in Austria (this does not apply for accompanying family members). In case of failure to mention this fact, a business or tourist visa might be issued and the applicant will not be permitted to take up employment in Austria. In order to apply for a visa, the applicant usually needs the following documents: + A valid passport (valid at least for 6 more months) + Up to four recent biometric passport photos + Possibly the work/assignment contract (translated into German) + University degree/diploma (translated into German; English is usually accepted) + Birth certificate (translated into German; English is usually accepted) + Marriage certificate (translated into German; English is usually accepted) + Certificate of good conduct (translated into German; English is usually accepted) In addition, applicants have to submit a letter issued by his/her company which states name, date of birth, nationality, medical insurance, length of work contract, position, salary and a detailed job description. The application form for visas can be downloaded from the Austrian embassy’s website. Requirements may change, therefore it is strongly recommended to contact the embassy/consulate beforehand and to clarify the individual application. It facilitates the embassy’s work when all documents are handed in at the same time. Usually a visa application procedure takes approximately three to four months. The authorities are very strict and sometimes involve further authorities or ask for further documents, depending on nationality and personal qualifications. In this case the above mentioned procedure can be delayed by several weeks. Non-EU citizens who may enter Austria without a visa (see above) may apply for a residence and work permit upon entering Austria at the respective Austrian authorities. The application process may be started before entering Austria if a representative, e.g. the relocation agency, submits the application on behalf of the hiring company/employee.

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Registration at the Place of Residence Everyone in Austria, whether Austrian or foreign resident, has to register at the place of residence. This must be done within three days after moving to Austria or moving house within Austria. Required documents are: + Registration form, completed and signed by the tenant and the landlord, available at the municipality (“Magistrat”) + Passport(s) (no copies accepted) The registration office (“Meldeamt”) registers the form and issues another printed form with the personal data which is the so-called “Meldezettel” (confirmation of the registration at the place of residence). The “Meldezettel” is to be kept with one’s personal files. In case household goods are shipped from abroad to Austria, a copy of the “Meldezettel” is required; it is therefore recommended to give a copy to the moving company. Residence Permit After arriving in Austria and registering at the new place of residence, all Non-EU-citizens have to apply for a residence title at the local foreign office or pick up the residence title if it has been applied for beforehand, e.g. within the visa application process. Usually, proof of adequate accommodation has to be presented at this stage at the latest, e.g. by submitting a rental contract. If applicable, the residence title will be combined with a work permit and only one permit including both the residence and the work permit will be issued. Work Permit Non-EU members and members from the 'new' EU countries Bulgaria and Romania need a work permit. Depending on nationality a Non-EU member needs to apply for a visa before entering the country. This visa process can take up to three to four months. Working is not allowed without a valid work permit. All foreigners requiring a work permit will need to be specialized and qualified, need a sufficient salary (comparable to an Austrian employee for this position), health insurance and a place of residence. They should have a university or comparable diploma or at least a very qualified job history and special working experience. In case the foreigner shall be employed by the Austrian company with a local employment contract, it might have to be proved that no Austrian citizen is available for this specific position. The work permit will have to be applied for at the employment office in advance. This also applies to spouses who want to work. For the application of a work permit it is normally necessary to supply: + Employment contract + Application letter (statement from the company with a detailed job description) + Application form + University diploma (translated into German; English is usually accepted) + Curriculum vitae + Passport

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Please note that the whole application process can take approx. 4-6 weeks or longer. Work permits are usually linked to the employer and the location. Should the employer change, the work permit will need to be re-applied for. It is also important to note that residence and work permits have to be renewed around four to six weeks before expiry date. Working without a valid permit is illegal. EU citizens (with the exception of Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania) do not need a work permit. Registration with the ‘MA 35’ Authority EEA citizens (European Economic Area, i.e. EU member states and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and citizens from Switzerland will have to register with the Foreign Office (in Vienna it is the so-called ‘MA 35’ authority) within four months after they have first registered at the place of residence in Vienna. Required documents are: + ID card or passport + Proof of sufficient health insurance coverage + Proof of sufficient financial means (e.g. employment contract etc.) + Birth certificate + For spouse: marriage certificate Child Benefit Everyone who is a resident in Austria may claim child benefit (called “Familienbeihilfe”). This allowance is paid for children living in Austria and who have not yet completed the age of 18. Under certain conditions, one can continue to receive child benefits for children between the ages of 18 and 25. The allowance is payable to one person for each eligible child. An application for the child benefit must be submitted in order to receive these benefits. The application can be made up to five years after the birth of the child, in which case the payment is also made retroactively. Applications need to be filed at the local tax office in charge of the district you live in (“Wohnsitzfinanzamt”). The authority will then decide in each individual case whether child benefit will be granted. For the application, the following documents will usually be required: + Application form + Work permit/residence permit (if applicable)

+ Marriage certificate (notarized translation into English or German) + Copy of the registration at the place of residence (“Meldezettel”)

+ Confirmation of employment from your employer + Residence permit of the child(ren) (if applicable)

+ Birth certificate of the child(ren) (notarized translation into English or German) + Bank details of the applicant (Bank name, bank code, account number) All documents can be copies of the respective original. Depending on the authority’s processing time, the application process takes between two weeks and four months.

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Housing in Austria Housing Situation

Depending on your home country, you may be accustomed to spacious, detached houses surrounded by gardens, which can be bought or rented for a moderate price. Please be prepared that the housing situation in Austria may be quite different. Houses and apartments in Austria are much smaller and offer less amenities such as built-in furnishings at a comparable higher price than in many other countries. Most foreigners moving to Austria choose to rent their accommodation rather than to buy a property for various reasons, i.e. limited period of assignment or the cost. Austrians tend to buy houses for life, and not buying now and upgrading later. There is little fluctuation in the real-estate market, although the demand for choice locations remains high. It is not unusual for would-be owners to take up to two years to find their home. The rate of ownership in Austria is low. The overall figure is only approximately 56%, representing the one of the lowest rates in the European Union. Good properties are not on the market for very long. This situation means that there is usually not much time and room for negotiate the lease terms and that a speedy, sometimes even immediate decision is required if one decides to rent a particular property. The multiple listing system does exist in Austria. Therefore, please be aware that if a property was presented to you (private research) and Dwellworks on behalf of you at any time by two different estate agents they will both be entitled to charge their full commission. Please note that realtor/estate agents do not usually work on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as landlords/-ladies may not agree to viewing appointments on weekends. Estate agents are not the only option when looking for housing. Occasionally, private offers can be found directly from landlords through newspaper advertisements and the internet. This has the advantage that no estate agent fees need to be paid. However, most properties are only available via estate agents and not all landlords would be able to negotiate lease terms in English, as required my most expat tenants. In Austria, apartments and houses are in most cases empty on new occupation. This means that there are no lamps to take over, curtains and built-in cupboards are seldom found, the kitchen will have a sink but no other equipment such as oven, refrigerator or dishwasher, unless the apartment has a built-in kitchen. Therefore, people moving into an empty property may need to either bring complete fittings and furnishings with them, or buy everything new. Sometimes properties do come with a fitted kitchen or the tenant is requested to pay a sum to take over the kitchen from the previous tenant or the landlord. It is advisable to check regarding compatible electric equipment before transporting such items to Austria, e.g. US washing machines. Occasionally items can be purchased from the previous tenant. However, the new tenant must be careful that this situation is not exploited. Negotiations on the take-over of fittings should, where possible, be conducted with the previous tenant and not with the landlord or estate agent. Details on take-over should be done in writing. A complete list of items to be taken over with their individual prices should be signed by both parties. This take-over agreement is not part of the rental contract. Fittings in Apartments and Houses Unfurnished Properties

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Partly Furnished Accommodation The situation is different when fittings belong to the landlord. It may be the case that the landlord installs a kitchen at the tenant’s cost and increases the rent accordingly or a built-in kitchen is already reflected in the rent. Such an agreement should be part of the rental contract; a precise list of items (walk-through protocol) is required. The same applies when buying a property. Furnished Accommodation In Austria, the letting of furnished property is not as common as it is in some other countries, even less so for large apartments or houses. Please note that the furniture is sometimes of poor quality and old-fashioned. When a satisfactorily furnished property is found, one must expect a rent 10 - 20 percent higher than for an empty property. Rental Prices in Vienna In general, rental prices in Vienna are rising. The inner districts of Vienna (districts 1 to 9) and the so-called green districts to the north/northwest of the city centre (districts 13, 18, 19 and partly 17) are the favourite areas and thus also the most expensive. The location, size, layout and fittings in an apartment determine the price. They have to be in balance with each other. An apartment in an expensive neighbourhood with spacious layout and state-of-the-art fittings is not available for an inexpensive rent. Furnished apartments are less available and more expensive than unfurnished apartments. Unspecified duration – The contract can usually be cancelled by both parties with a termination period of three months to the end of a calendar month if not agreed otherwise in the contract. Specified duration – A rental contract that is valid for at least three years (or more) can be cancelled after one year with a three months’ notice to the end of a calendar month. Moreover, a so called company clause/diplomatic clause may be negotiated which says that the tenant may cancel the lease with a three months’ notice at any time but only if the tenant has to move to another city for professional reasons. Fees to the Inland Revenue Office (Tax) According to Austrian law, any costs relating to the lease contract which are incurred with the Inland Revenue Office are at the expense of the tenant. If the landlord/property management is directed to pay any such costs, the tenant must reimburse him/them upon presentation thereof. In general, the basis for the calculation of the amount is the triple annual gross rent. The amount which needs to be paid to the Inland Revenue Office is 1% of the triple annual gross rent. Basic Know-How for Tenants Duration of Rental Contract There are normally two types of rental agreements:

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Other Important Rental Information + The standard lease form is a limited contract, for either three or five years and with a maximum of ten years. An option to renew the lease can be negotiated. Rental contracts concluded for an unlimited period of time have become more common recently. + Three months’ rent, regardless of whether the property concerned is furnished or unfurnished, is the standard amount required for the deposit. For highly exclusive properties, security deposits in the amount of six months’ rent are not unusual. + When renting the landlord requires the first month’s rent and the deposit to be paid before handing over the keys. The deposit is usually put into a savings account and will be returned to the tenant when moving out plus interest - as long as no claims are open against the tenant. + Real estate fees depend on the length of the contract and are legally fixed to a maximum of two months’ gross rent (plus an additional 20% VAT). + A landlord/landlady has to receive the cancellation letter the latest on the last day of the month. Day of entry is mandatory, not the day of sending the letter. + Associated lease costs are usually paid on top of the net rent. They are paid monthly as a pre-payment to the landlord. Once a year the landlord will compile a list of the actual costs and the tenant will either have to pay on top of the already paid costs or will receive a refund. + Heating and warm water is often not included in the associated lease costs, nor is electricity and/or gas. These will be paid directly to the suppliers. Generally speaking, the costs for heating and electricity are rising. + If you rent a house in Austria, you are required by law to provide for snow and ice removal of the sidewalk in front of your house for the duration of your lease. If the tenant is required to be responsible for snow removal during the winter, then he is liable for any damage which may be caused by his neglect to remove the snow. + Many landlords are unfavorably disposed towards pets, particularly with regard to well-furnished apartments. + It is possible, but very difficult, to rent apartments for a shorter period of six months - when circumstances absolutely require it. Apartment hotels or serviced apartments are comparably easier to find for such short periods. The local public utility company (“Wien Energie”) needs to be informed of the date of move- in and of the meter numbers. Online registration is also possible. Approximately ten days later, you will receive the contract. The easiest forms of payment are either direct debit from your bank account or bank transfer. The amounts paid will be compared to and totaled with your actual consumption once a year. Wien Energie GmbH Thomas-Klestil-Platz 14 1030 Wien Phone: 0800 500 800 www.wienenergie.at (in English also) E-mail: office@wienenergie.at Utility and Telecommunication Providers Electricity and Gas

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Telephone and Mobile phone registration There are a number of offers and prices change constantly. Therefore, we cannot state any telephone fees or recommend any telephone rates or contracts with certain telephone companies. It is advisable to refer to consumer advice centres or the internet (www.billiger- telefonieren.at) in order to find the best possible offer. You should analyse your telephone habits and individual needs before deciding: Do you often make long-distance calls or do you phone mainly on weekends and in the evenings? Do you often use the Internet? Is a flat rate advisable? Most providers offer flat rate packages, including DSL, mobile phone tariffs or broadband mobile internet connections. Whether landline connections or mobile phones are concerned, contracts are mostly concluded for a fixed period and cancellations before the expiry date are hardly ever possible. Offers for flat fees are introduced and competition increases. Please carefully check before signing if the conditions of a contract suit your individual situation. In general, please be aware that it may take several days until phone and internet systems are established and fully functioning. The popularity of mobile phones/cell phones has increased rapidly in Austria. The providers offer different packages and services. However, the market is exploding here as well with new providers. The selection should be made carefully focusing on the individual needs of the user. Here are some of the various telecommunications providers in Austria: + A1: www.a1.net + UPC: www.upc.at + Tele2: www.tele2.at + T-Mobile Austria: www.t-mobile.at + Tele-ring: www.telering.at + 3: www.drei.at For the telephone and mobile phone registration, the following documents are usually required: + Passport (no copies) + Completed telephone registration form + Bank account information (the fees will have to be paid via direct debit) TV / Radio Registration In Austria all TVs and radios, including those in company cars, have to be registered with the public radio/TV registration office (“Rundfunkamt”) called GIS and a monthly fee has to be paid to the authorities. The monthly fee for a TV incl. radio is € 24.88 and € 7.18 for only a radio. Registration forms for the GIS can be obtained from all post offices. Online registration is also possible at www.gis.at/service/.

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Garbage Collection and Garbage Separation Garbage collection If you live in a rented property, the landlord will arrange for garbage collection and will pass on these costs to you (as part of the associated lease costs). Garbage separation Household Garbage: When renting a house or an apartment the landlord usually provides his tenant with a various number of garbage containers for his household. One garbage cart is for disposing of regular waste/household garbage only. Usually, a waste paper container, a waste plastics container and a container for organic waste are provided as well. The following items can be recycled and therefore have to be disposed of separately. The respective containers can be found throughout the city: Waste Paper Container: Please dispose newspapers, magazines, brochures, books, letters, cardboard boxes etc. in the waste paper containers. Please do not leave e.g. tissue, dirty or greasy paper or milk/beverage cartons. Glass Containers: Glass – sorted according to colour – has to be disposed of in the glass containers. There are two separate containers: one for clear glass and one for coloured glass. Any non-glass parts of bottles (e.g. metal caps) have to be disposed of in the regular waste/household garbage or metal/can container. Metals/Cans Container: Please dispose e.g. food/beverage cans, metal foils and tubes, metal cooking ware and fittings, pipes, metal caps of bottles, cables and wires in the containers for metals/cans. Please do not leave e.g. spray/aerosol cans. Waste Plastics Container: Please dispose e.g. empty PET bottles, empty bottles for cleaning agents, shampoo, plastic materials etc. Organic Waste Container: Organic waste containers must be used for organic waste (e.g. fruit and vegetable scraps, bread, indoor plants, yard trimmings such as potting soil, cut grass, weeds, leaves) only. Please do not leave e.g. meat, bones and greasy food leftovers. Hazardous Waste: Hazardous waste is e.g. old pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, aerosol cans, batteries, cleaning agents, paint, pesticides, small electronic devices etc. In some communities hazardous waste is collected regularly. In other communities you need to take your hazardous waste to particular facilities. Bulky Waste: Bulky waste that does not fit into the regular waste containers (e.g. furniture, bigger household devices) has to be collected separately. Used clothing: Used, clean clothes, bed linen and blankets should be disposed of in containers that are provided throughout the city by charity organizations.

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Health and Insurance Mandatory and Recommended Insurances

As in every country, being well-insured is very important in Austria. It is advisable to get advice by an independent insurance company or insurance broker before deciding on your individual insurance package. Some insurances are compulsory, others are optional, depending on the level of security the individual person needs. A health Insurance and liability insurance (for the car) are mandatory, whereas personal liability insurance, household insurance and legal insurance are recommendable to have.

Types of Insurances Personal Liability Insurance

Personal liability insurance covers injury or damage unintentionally caused to other persons, their property or assets, worldwide. You are covered whether the negligence was yours or that of a family member. This insurance is optional, but highly recommended and provides protection against possibly important claims against yourself and your family. Many landlords will demand proof of a liability insurance before or after signing a lease contract, since it covers cases of liability for injury or damage to other persons or their property. Household Insurance Household Insurance, which covers for example the contents of one’s home against fire, tap water damage, house-breaking, robbery, storm, glass breakage, and hail is recommendable, and some landlords insist on it. It is always recommended to check the individual insurance policy as to which items and events are covered by the insurance. Legal Insurance Legal insurance can be taken out for different purposes, depending on what you wish to cover - such as for the entire family, employment, traffic infractions or the lease of your home. Health Complementary Insurance Complementary insurance is available to improve public health coverage. You may, amongst other things, increase your dental coverage, secure single-bed accommodation in hospital, etc. Travel Health Insurance Travel health insurance is valid worldwide and covers urgent medical help and return journeys to your place of residence in case of illness or death. Private Accident Insurance Depending on the individual policy, defined monetary compensation (plus monthly rent), depending on the degree of injury, will be received. Private accident insurance may even pay in the cases of death, of cosmetic surgery, and of urgency services. Lesser injuries, such as a broken arm or leg are usually not covered. Private Disability Insurance Private disability insurance provides protection in case of work incapacity due to a serious illness or damage to your senses or body.

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Car Insurance Car insurance is a compulsory third party liability insurance. When registering your car in Austria, proof of insurance coverage needs to be provided. Accident-free drivers may be rewarded by a steady reduction of their premiums if no claims are made. Comprehensive cover and roadside insurance may also be included. Life Insurance Life insurance policies pay tax-free or tax-reduced death benefits to surviving family members or other beneficiaries. They can be fund-based and/or offer benefits in case of critical illnesses. Other complementary polices such as private disability insurance may be included. Vaccinations There are no mandatory vaccinations in Austria. However, the usually recommended vaccinations for adults are the following: tetanus, diphtheria, polio and whooping cough. These are only general recommendations and are not specific for your individual case. For children, there are some more vaccinations recommended. Please ask your general practitioner or pediatrician.

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Medical and Emergency Information Hospitals Allgemeines Krankenhaus (AKH) – Medizinischer Universtiätscampus (Vienna General Hospital – University Hospital)

Währinger Gürtel 18-20 1090 Wien Phone: +43 1 404 00 0 www.akhwien.at

Hanusch Krankenhaus

Heinrich-Collin-Str. 30 1140 Wien Phone: +43 1 910 21 hkh.aerztl.dion@wgkk.at www.hanusch-krankenhaus.at Wolkersbergenstr. 1 1130 Wien Phone: +43 1 801 10 11 khr@wienkav.at www.wienkav.at/kav/khr/ kar.post@wienkav.at Phone: +43 1 711 65 0 www.wienkav.at/kav/kar/ Wielemansgasse 28 1180 Wien Phone: +43 1 476 11 0 ger@wienkav.at www.wienkav.at/kav/ger/ Baumgartner Höhe 1 1145 Wien Phone: +43 1 910 60 0 ows@wienkav.at www.wienkav.at/kav/ows/ Langobardenstr. 122 1220 Wien Phone: +43 1 288 02 0 dsp.kzl@wienkav.at www.wienkav.at/kav/dsp/ Kundratstr. 3 1100 Wien Phone: +43 1 601 91 0 kfj.post@wienkav.at www.wienkav.at/kav/kfj/ Schrankenberggasse 31 1100 Wien Phone: +43 1 601 13 0 Kundratstr. 37 1120 Wien Phone: +43 1 601 50 0 umv@auva.at www.auva.at/ukhmeidling Juchgasse 25 1030 Wien

Krankenhaus Hietzing

Krankenanstalt Rudolfstiftung

Orthopädisches Krankenhaus Gersthof (Orthopedic Hospital)

Sozialmedizinisches Zentrum Baumgartner Höhe – Otto-Wagner-Spital (Neurological and Psychiatric Hospital)

Sozialmedizinisches Zentrum Ost – Donauspital

Sozialmedizinisches Zentrum Süd – Kaiser- Franz-Josef-Spital incl. Gottfried von Preyer'schem Kinderspital (Pediatric Hospital)

Unfallkrankenhaus Meidling (Emergency Hospital)

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Unfallkrankenhaus Wien Lorenz Böhler (Emergency Hospital)

Donaueschingenstr. 13 1200 Wien Phone: +43 1 331 10 0 ubv@auva.at www.auva.at/ukhboehler Montleartstr. 37 1160 Wien Phone: +43 1 491 50 0 wil@wienkav.at www.wienkav.at/kav/wil/ Johannes von Gott Platz 1 1020 Wien Phone: +43 1 211 21 0 www.barmherzige-brueder.at Lazarettgasse 16-18 1090 Wien Phone: +43 1 401 11 0 www.goldenes-kreuz.at Baumgasse 20A 1030 Wien Phone: +43 1 712 26 84 0 office@kh-herzjesu.at www.kh-herzjesu.at Heiligenstädter Str. 55-63 1190 Wien Phone: +43 1 360 66 0 privatklinik@pkd.at www.privatklinik-doebling.at

Wilhelminenspital

Private Hospitals Barmherzige Brüder Krankenhaus Wien

Goldenes Kreuz

Herz Jesu Krankenhaus

Privatklinik Döbling

Rudolfinerhaus

Billrothstr. 78 1190 Wien

Phone: +43 1 360 36 0 info@rudolfinerhaus.at www.rudolfinerhaus.at/ Kinderspitalgasse 6A 1090 Wien Phone: +43 1 401 70 Auhofstr. 189 1130 Wien Phone: +43 1 878 44 0 office@sjk-wien.at www.sjk-wien.at/ pr@stanna.at www.stanna.at

St. Anna Kinderspital (Pediatric Hospital)

St. Josef Krankenhaus

Wiener Privatklinik

Pelikangasse 15 1090 Wien Phone: +43 1 401 80 0 office@wpk.at www.wiener-privatklinik.com

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Vienna City Guide

Education Kindergarten

Most children in Austria go to kindergarten between the ages of three and six, although kindergarten is not mandatory. Children under the age of three may go to a nursery (“Kinderkrippe”). Finding a place in a nursery and a kindergarten, however, can be quite difficult. Viennese nurseries and kindergartens are free of charge for people with their main residence in Vienna; only a monthly contribution for food needs to be paid. Private nurseries and kindergartens are available. Monthly fees do apply. Finding a place may be difficult, too. Therefore, we recommend flexibility when choosing a private kindergarten. It may not be possible to send one’s child(ren) to the one nearest the residence. Further information may be obtained at the respective Viennese authority (‘MA 10’): Wiener Kindergärten (MA 10) Thomas-Klestil-Platz 10 1030 Wien Phone: +43 1 4000 90309 (Monday to Friday 7:30 AM to 3:30 p.m.) post@ma10.wien.gv.at www.wien.gv.at/english/social/childcare/index.htm Schools Children who have reached the age of six are required to attend school, e.g. an Austrian primary school (“Volksschule”). Children attend primary school for four years and usually go to the school that is nearest to their residence. Bilingual schools (English/German) are also available, e.g. as follows: Volksschule Selma-Lagerlöf-Gasse Selma Lagerlöf Gasse 20 1100 Wien Phone: +43 1 688 23 66 vs10selm020k@m56ssr.wien.at http://selma-lagerloef.schule.wien.at/ Vienna Bilingual School Grinzinger Str.88 Grinzinger Str. 88 1190 Wien Phone: +43 1 370 11 49 vs19grin088k@m56ssr.wien.at www.vbsgrinzing.at VBS Keplerplatz Keplerplatz 7 1100 Wien

Volksschule Meissnergasse Meisnergasse 1 1220 Wien Phone: +43 1 203 21 31 vs22meis001k@m56ssr.wien.at www.meissnergasse.com

Phone: +43 1 604 15 36 111 vs10kepl007k@m56ssr.wien.at www.vbs-keplerplatz.schulweb.at/1001 ,,,2.html

Marie Jahoda Schule Herbststr. 96 1160 Wien Phone: +43 1 492 43 23 111 vs16herb086k@m56ssr.wien.at http://herbst2.nev-hilft.de

Volksschule Donau-City Leonard-Bernstein-Str. 2 1220 Wien Phone: +43 1 263 66 36

vs22leon002k@m56ssr.wien.at http://vs-donaucity.schule.wien.at/

VBS Scheibenbergstr. Scheibenbergstr. 63 1180 Wien Phone: +43 1 470 63 69

vs18sche063k@m56ssr.wien.at http://scheibenberg.schule.wien.at/

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Compulsory education is from the age of six (usually starting from September 1 following the child’s sixth birthday) for a period of nine years. All children that stay in Austria for longer than one semester have to attend school. After primary school children can attend different types of secondary schools: general secondary school, (“Hauptschule”), middle schol (“Mittelschule”) or lower level of an academic secondary school (“Allgemeinbildende höhere Schule”, AHS) (class 5 to 8). From class 9 on four different types of school can be attended: lower level of an academic secondary school (AHS; class 9-12), vocational secondary school (“Berufsbildende höhere Schule”, BHS; class 9-13), vocational middle school (“Berufsbildende mittlere Schule”, BMS; class 9-12) or Polytechnic school (“Polytechnische Schule”; class 9) with a subsequent vocational school (class 10-12). By successfully completing both AHS and BHS, children obtain the “Matura”, the school leaving certificate which allows admission to university/college. International Schools There are the following private international schools in Vienna and the surrounding area: Amadeus International School Vienna Bastiengasse 36-38, House 3 1180 Wien Phone: +43 1 470 30 370-0 admissions@amadeus-vienna.com www.amadeus-vienna.com American International School Vienna Salmannsdorfer Str. 47 1190 Wien Phone: +43 1 401 32-0 info@ais.at www.ais.at

Danube International School Vienna Josef Gall-Gasse 2 1020 Wien

International Christian School of Vienna Wagramer Str. 175 / Panethgasse 6A 1220 Wien Phone: +43 1 251 22-0 office@icsv.at www.icsv.at

Phone: +43 1 720 31 10 info@danubeschool.com www.danubeschool.com

Mayflower Christian Academy, Inter- national Elementary School of Vienna Van-der-Nüllgasse 29 1110 Wien Phone: +43 1 641 94 95 mca@vienna.at www.mayflower-christian-academy.at

Vienna Elementary School Lacknergasse 75 1180 Wien Phone: +43 1 470 460-0 office@ves.at www.vienna-elementary-school.at/

Vienna International School Straße der Menschenrechte 1 1220 Wien Phone: +43 1 203 55 95 visinfo@vis.ac.at www.vis.ac.at

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Vienna City Guide

Everyday Shopping Opening Hours

Department stores and retail shops in the city centre are usually open Monday to Friday from 9:00 or 9:30 a.m. to between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. Smaller stores in the suburbs often close a bit earlier while major grocery stores are open from 8:00 a.m. to between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. Smaller stores may also close for lunch. Saturday opening hours are generally from 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. An exception are the grocery stores and shops at the main railway station and the airport. They have extended opening hours into the late evening and are also open for business on Sundays. Shops at petrol stations are an expensive choice, should beverages, food or magazines be needed urgently out of business hours. Bakeries are also allowed to open on Sundays, though they usually open for the morning only. Shopping Areas The main shopping area is located in the old town in between Kärntner Straße, Kohlmarkt and Graben with big department stores, clothing shops and various other shops, offering a wide variety of goods. There are also many designer boutiques and exclusive jewellery shops. The city’s longest shopping mile is Mariahilfer Straße with branches of chain stores and many smaller shops of all kinds. Shopping in the suburbs is more leisurely and multicultural with a neighbourly feeling. It is easy to find Turkish, Greek and Italian markets, Thai and Indian shops. Japanese, Korean, Arabian or African produce can also be purchased. At the Naschmarkt (Linke Wienzeile in between Kettenbrückengasse and Naschmarkt) you will find the traditional flea market, where you can get old and new, useful and useless things in a multicultural ambience. It takes place all year round every Saturday from early morning until around 6:00 p.m. At the Spittelberg in the seventh district, there is an arts and crafts market on various weekends from May to October (Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.). Market dates can be checked at www.spittelberg- markt.at/marktkalender.htm. Supermarkets You will find many supermarkets located conveniently all over the city. Spar probably has most branches and a wider choice of brands, whilst for example Merkur, Penny, Billa and Hofer are less expensive and offer their own brands. There are also supermarkets offering organic produce only, such as Basic, Denn’s and Biofeld. People usually bring their own bags for grocery shopping. Bags are not provided free of charge but are available for purchase at around € 0.10 (depending on the size and material). It is common to pack one’s own purchases at the supermarkets. Some supermarkets have begun to offer home delivery services. Groceries can be purchased online and will be delivered to your home, e.g. at www.billa.at or www.merkurdirekt.com.

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Vienna City Guide

Fresh Food Markets Fresh food markets are very popular with the Viennese people. Fresh produce (e.g. fruits, vegetables, bread, meat, cheese, fish etc.), often direct from farmers, is available, as well as regional and international specialties. Sometimes small restaurants border the market area. Here is a small selection of Vienna’s markets: + Brunnenmarkt , 6 th district, Brunnengasse to Yppenplatz: the city’s biggest market with a multicultural atmosphere offering traditional market goods and some small restaurants. Monday to Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. + Freyung , 1 st district, Freyung street: organic produce. Friday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. + Freyung , 1 st district, Freyung street: traditional market goods, ceramics and wickerwork. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. + Karmelitermarkt , 2 nd district, Karmelitermarkt square: traditional market goods and organic produce. Monday to Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. + Mariahilf , 6 th district, in front of the Mariahilf Church, in between Mariahilfer Str. 55 and 57-59: traditional market goods. Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. + Naschmarkt , 6 th district, in between Getreidemarkt and Kettenbrücke: traditional market goods and some small restaurants. Monday to Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The restaurants open Monday to Friday from 6:00 am to 11 p.m. + Nußdorfer Markt , 19 th district, Heiligenstädter street: traditional market goods. Monday to Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. + Sonnbergmarkt , 19 th district, Sonnbergplatz: high-quality traditional market goods. Monday to Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. + Wacquantgasse , 22 nd disctrict, Wacquantgasse: traditional market goods and textiles. Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

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Vienna City Guide