Moving to Vorarlberg – Registration, Residence & Work Checklist
Your practical relocation checklist for living and working in Vorarlberg (no legal advice).
Your practical relocation checklist for living and working in Vorarlberg (no legal advice).
If you are moving to Vorarlberg for work, study, or a temporary project, this guide helps you navigate every key step of the relocation process. From registering your new address to understanding residence permits, setting up health insurance, opening a bank account, and arranging your daily essentials, it’s designed to make your first weeks in Austria simple and stress-free.
Whether you are arriving from another Austrian region, from an EU or EEA member state, from Switzerland, or from outside the European Union, the process can feel complex at first. This overview brings clarity to the most common questions—what to do first, where to go, and which documents to have ready. It offers a practical, neutral perspective focused on everyday orientation rather than legal interpretation, so you can settle into your new surroundings with confidence and start your professional or academic life in Vorarlberg smoothly.
Before any official registration, make sure you have:
A signed lease (Mietvertrag) and your handover record (Übergabeprotokoll)
A valid passport or national ID
Your employment contract, assignment letter, or study confirmation
Proof of health insurance coverage
Keep both physical and digital copies – you’ll need them for registration, banking, and HR.
In Austria, residents must register their main address within three days of moving in at the local registration office (Meldeamt, Bürgerservice, or Stadtamt).
You’ll typically need:
Passport or ID
Signed lease or landlord confirmation
Completed registration form (Meldezettel)
After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation of registration (Meldebestätigung) – a key document for HR, banking, and residence paperwork.
Your nationality determines what comes next.
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: If you plan to stay longer than three months, apply for an “Anmeldebescheinigung” (confirmation of residence) within four months of arrival.
Non-EU citizens: Check if you need a visa D or residence permit (for example, a Red-White-Red Card). Book appointments early, as processing times vary between cities.
For official information, contact the Bezirkshauptmannschaft (district authority) for Dornbirn, Bregenz, or Bludenz.
In most cases, employees are automatically registered by their employer with the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK).
You’ll receive your insurance number or e-card after onboarding.
Students, freelancers, or dependants should clarify whether they need to register for voluntary statutory or private insurance.
A local account simplifies rent, salary, and deposits. Bring your passport, registration confirmation, and employer letter.
Many banks in Vorarlberg (for example, Hypo, Sparkasse, Raiffeisen) open accounts within a few days.
Set up SEPA transfers for rent and utilities; keep your IBAN handy for HR and housing.
Share your registration details and insurance number with HR.
Ask whether your employer handles income tax (Lohnsteuer) directly.
If you work across borders (for example, Switzerland–Austria), clarify double-taxation rules with HR.
Get a public transport pass from VMOBIL (covering Dornbirn, Feldkirch, and Bludenz).
Arrange bike storage or parking, depending on your House.
Pick a local SIM card for mobile data and online banking logins.
Follow local waste separation and quiet-hour rules; each building provides simple guides.
Since January 2024, Austria uses the ORF household contribution, replacing the former GIS fee. It applies per main residence.
Check with your local registration office if you must register.
Most all-inclusive rents in our Houses already cover electricity, heating, and Wi-Fi; parking and cleaning can be added if needed.
We act as the first point of contact for new employees and relocations in Vorarlberg.
Our role is to:
Explain the order of steps and connect you with official offices
Match you to available furnished apartments and coordinate move-in dates
Provide documents HR and banks often need (rental confirmation, invoice, lease)
Help you settle quickly with Wi-Fi, laundry, parking, waste, and quiet-hour guidelines
Direct you to official immigration or tax authorities if detailed advice is needed
Do I need to register my address?
Yes. All residents must register their main residence within three days at the local registration office. We can help you find the correct one for your city or municipality.
I’m from the EU – do I need a residence certificate?
If you stay longer than three months, yes. Apply for an Anmeldebescheinigung (residence confirmation) within four months of arrival.
I’m from outside the EU – where do I start?
Check which visa or residence permit fits your job or studies and apply early. We can link you to the relevant Bezirkshauptmannschaft.
Which insurance covers me?
Employees are usually registered automatically via their employer at ÖGK. Others must apply directly.
Can my company handle these steps?
We manage housing and onboarding coordination; your employer handles payroll, taxes, and compliance.
Send us your new address to receive official local links (Meldeamt, ORF, ÖGK).
Download our newcomer checklist (PDF).
Book a short relocation orientation call.
