TEACH ENGLISH IN AUSTRIA

Everything you need to know to get a job teaching English in Austria

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About Teaching English in Austria

To get hired to teach English in Austria, you will need a 4-year college degree and a TEFL certificate. Native English proficiency is also expected to find an ESL teaching job. The average salary for an English teacher in Austria is about $1,800-$2,500 per month.

A bastion of unrivaled culture and history, Austria is not a large job market for teaching English but there are still opportunities. Austria’s ESL market can be a tough one for non-EU citizens to break into unless teachers participate through the Fulbright assistantship program for Americans (aka the USTA Program) or the SWAP Austria program for International Exchange program for Canadians. There are also some opportunities for non-EU and EU citizens to teach children in summer camps or short-term programs for a couple of months throughout Austria. 

a group of English teachers in Austria Two International TEFL Academy Staff members in Vienna, Austria

For those who are able to legally work in Austria, face to face interviews with private language schools are essential during the peak hiring months of September and January. Working freelance for multiple schools to fill your schedule is also not uncommon, as the cost of living in Austria (especially in the bigger cities of Vienna or Salzburg) is quite high. Schools in Austria tend to have similar requirements to Germany; many are looking for teachers with some business background to effectively teach business professionals. A four-year degree is almost always needed, as well as TEFL certification, and often times prior teaching experience is highly preferred.

How to Teach English in Austria: Requirements

TEFL Certification for Austria

A TEFL certification is required to teach English in Austria. You do not need professional teaching experience but earning your TEFL certification will provide you with the training and qualification you do need to get hired. 

Teachers typically interview for jobs in-person in Austria. Therefore, it is most common for students to take one of our TEFL course options listed below.

Native English-Speaking Proficiency

You do not need to be a native English speaker to teach English in Austria, however, you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level to be considered for teaching jobs.  

Degree Requirements

English teachers need a bachelor's degree to teach English in Austria. Please note, your bachelor's degree does not need to be in education, it can be in any field.

How to Find English Teaching Jobs in Austria

TEFL Jobs Austria

The most common teaching jobs in Austria consist of:

  • Teaching adults in foreign language schools.
  • Teaching school children as part of the USTA Government Program.
  • Teaching Business English to adults.
  • Private one-on-one tutoring.
  • Summer Camps (limited opportunities).
  • Teaching English Online.

TEFL Jobs in Austria: Hiring & Visa

Austria represents a more challenging job market for any teacher who does not already have citizenship from a qualified European Union (EU) nation or working rights in Austria.  We highly suggest to not count on getting a legal work permit to teach in Austria if you are not an EU citizen. 

  • EU CITIZENS
    English teachers in Austria can expect to find jobs during the peak hiring months of September and January with an expected downtime in August and from Christmas through the second week of January. Interviews are conducted face-to-face, meaning you will need to be in Austria to interview for your teaching job.

  • AMERICAN CITIZENS
    Americans can gain visa sponsorship through the USTA Government Program (US Teaching Assistantships at Austrian Secondary Schools). Interviews for this program are conducted in advance from your home country.

English Teacher Jobs Austria: Hours

Schools in Austria offer approximately 20 to 30 hours of classroom work per week plus additional hours for prep time. This allows for plenty of time to travel and explore. 

Teaching Austrian Students

It is most common that your students will be adult business professionals or high school-aged children if you are part of the USTA Government Program.  

TEFL Austria Salary & Cost of Living

Start-up Costs

Start-up costs will range from $2,550 - $3,800 USD (2,300 – 3,400 Euro). These are expenses you will incur from your arrival in Austria until you receive your first paycheck and may include things like rent, apartment supplies, transport, groceries, getting your new local cell phone number set up, etc. 

English Teacher Salary in Austria

A solid salary enables teachers the opportunity to live a comfortable lifestyle while in Austria. English teachers in Austria can expect to make $1,800 - $2,500 USD per month (1,600 - 2,200 Euro).

There are no flight or housing benefits/stipends provided so you will need to remember to account for accommodation or temporary housing for your first few weeks in your start-up costs until you find an apartment to rent.

Cost of Living & Savings

How much does it cost to live in Austria?

The average monthly cost of living ranges from around $1,700 - $2,500 USD per month (1,500 - 2,200 Euro).

English teachers in Austria can expect to break even month over month. This means you can cover your rent and bills, support yourself, live comfortably, and enjoy your life abroad to the fullest, but you should not expect to save money at the end of the month. If you are hustling and taking on private tutoring lessons and/or teaching English online in addition to your regular teaching schedule, you may increase your ability to save.

What Does Teaching in Austria Look Like?

Check out our blog to read stories from our alumni teaching English in Austria and Europe.

Want more? We've got you covered! Visit our Video Library to watch day-in-the-life videos from our alumni and get a glimpse into what your life as an English teacher in Austria &  Europe could look like!

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Teaching English in Austria FAQs

How do I become an English teacher in Austria?

To teach English in Austria, make sure you understand what is and is not required:

Required:

  • A four-year college degree in any field.
  • A TEFL certification.
  • EU Citizenship (American citizens can apply for the USTA Government Program).
  • Understanding of the types of English teaching jobs that are available.
  • Savings for start-up costs.

Not Required:

  • You do not need to be a native English speaker, but you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level to be considered for teaching jobs. 

How much does an English teacher make in Austria?

English teachers in Austria can expect to make $1,800 - $2,500 USD per month (1,600 - 2,200 Euro). There are no flight or housing benefits/stipends provided so you will need to remember to account for accommodation or temporary housing for your first few weeks in your start-up costs until you find an apartment to rent.

Are English teachers in demand in Austria?

English teachers are in demand in Austria. However, Austria represents a more challenging job market for any teacher who does not already have citizenship from a qualified European Union (EU) nation or working rights in Austria. We highly suggest not counting on getting a legal work permit to teach in Austria if you are not an EU citizen.

English teachers with EU citizenship can expect to find jobs during the peak hiring months of September and January and will need to be present in Austria for face-to-face interviews.

For American citizens applying for the USTA Government Program, applications open from November through January and are completed in advance from your home country. 

Read More: Top 14 Tips for Getting Hired to Teach English in Austria

What type of visa do I need to teach English in Austria?

Austria represents a more challenging job market for any teacher who does not already have citizenship from a qualified European Union (EU) nation or working rights in Austria. We highly suggest to not count on getting a legal work permit to teach in Austria if you are not an EU citizen. 

For American citizens that are accepted into the USTA Government Program, a legal work permit will be granted. 

Recommended TEFL Courses for Teaching English in Austria

Part-Time Online TEFL Course

What's included 👇

  • 170-Hour Online Certification
  • 11 Weeks Part-Time
  • OFQUAL Level 5 Accreditation from TQUK
  • Live Office Hours with Your Instructor & Peer-Participation with Classmates
  • Lifetime Job Search Guidance
  • 20-Hours Live Practice Teaching

Intensive Online TEFL Course

What's included 👇

  • 4 Weeks Full-Time (40+ hours per week) - required class time typically 6-8 hours daily
  • OFQUAL Level 5 Accreditation from TQUK
  • Live Office Hours with Your Instructor & Peer-Participation with Classmates
  • Lifetime Job Search Guidance
  • 10-Hours Live Practice Teaching (Virtual) built into the course
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Reviews From ITA Students Who Now Experience TEFL in Austria

Michelle Hardy

Teaches English in Austria

Michelle Hardy

I chose ITA because of the support they offer alumni with the job search process. I liked the online TEFL course and found it very informative. My instructor was very knowledgeable and also approachable. It helped me to approach my position with confidence. Even though it was my first 'official' teaching position, I felt that I'd already gained enough experience that I wasn't a complete novice. I chose to teach English in Austria in the city of Vienna. It is a metropolis that is known for art and culture, and it is in a German-speaking country. I would highly recommend teaching in Austria, it is like a second home to me!

Isabel Baez

Teaches English in Europe

Isabel Baez

We are currently teaching English online in Lisbon. The culture here is rich and full of life. In the streets of Lisbon you will find many tourists down by the city center. Many people from all over the world are spellbound by the energy of the city. You have artists performing, vendors selling items, children playing in the parks. If you wander around the city you find many coffee shops with other like-minded expats. I am loud when I teach so I prefer to sing my ABCs in the comfort of my apartment where I can't disturb anyone else.

Keith Gissubel

Teaches English in Europe

Keith Gissubel

ITA's support staff was the best at answering my questions and keeping me calm throughout the process of deciding to sign up. When I made the decision, I found that they weren't lying about the amount of support they provide throughout the whole process. My ITA advisor was amazing and got back to me very quickly with answers and solutions to any problems I had. I chose to teach English in Portugal in the city of Braga. I'm also a student at the university here! Teaching here pays you so much more than money can ever buy you, and you will forever be changed.