Many people working in Austria as domestic helpers, cleaners, or 24-hour caregivers learned a trade or even earned a degree in their home country. However, a degree as a nurse, teacher, accountant, or engineer often doesn’t automatically count here—and so their actual profession remains out of reach, even though Austria is desperately seeking skilled workers in many industries.
The good news: The path back to your trained profession is feasible. In most cases, it involves two steps—the recognition or nostrification of your degree and a level of German proficiency appropriate for the profession (usually B2 for healthcare professions). Those who tackle both of these steps often end up working under a collective bargaining agreement, with a 13th and 14th month’s salary, vacation entitlement, and significantly higher earnings.
In these guides, you’ll find specific figures, step-by-step instructions, and the official contact points—free of charge and without registration.
Foreign Degrees: Recognition & Nostrification
Who is responsible, what does it cost, and how long does it take? A comprehensive overview for degrees from EU and non-EU countries.
Go to the guideFrom 24-Hour Care to a Permanent Position
Salary comparison, recognition of your nursing diploma, and the path to working in a nursing home or hospital—step by step.
Go to the guideGerman B2 for Caregivers
Why B2 is the key qualification, how long it really takes, and how you can learn faster using your own professional texts.
Go to the guideHousekeeping Jobs in Vienna
Hourly wages, legal registration, service checks—and why your job as a domestic helper doesn’t have to be just a stepping stone.
Go to the guide
