Working in Austria/Germany

[Sycamore]

Hi All,

As a bit of backstory, I'm 22, work as a Design Engineer for a large Austrian company in the UK.

There are often vacancies popping up within Austria and Germany (Mostly Austria), which I feel I'm qualified for and would enjoy.

I'm currently learning German, but not for career reasons, more so just to try better myself.

I often toy with the idea of applying, but making the large leap puts me off, especially as I don't speak fantastic German.

Does anyone have any experience in working in Austria/Germany, or emigrating for work?

Thanks all.

[Gargamel]

Sycamore said:

Hi All,

As a bit of backstory, I'm 22, work as a Design Engineer for a large Austrian company in the UK.

There are often vacancies popping up within Austria and Germany (Mostly Austria), which I feel I'm qualified for and would enjoy.

I'm currently learning German, but not for career reasons, more so just to try better myself.

I often toy with the idea of applying, but making the large leap puts me off, especially as I don't speak fantastic German.

Does anyone have any experience in working in Austria/Germany, or emigrating for work?

Thanks all.

Hi I moved to Switzerland with a new role, pretty much everyone speaks English, but it is extremely helpful to have enough to get by in Restaurants, to be polite, order and ask for simple things and Frauline's phone numbers..

Its a well ordered and structured society, you need to think more as a collective than an individual, people are polite, friendly but a little insular. You will meet people, but it is hard to get very close, they are quite private.

[rog007]

Worked in Germany and spent a lot of time in Austria. They're a few of the places I could actually quite happily emigrate to.

If you haven't already, spend some time there on holiday and judge for yourself.

Good luck!

[Yipper]

It is like the Home Counties, but with more sausages.

Everyone speaks great English and southern Germany and northern Austria are very affluent, safe and friendly. Munich has one of the best standards of living on Earth, with good food, weather, lakes, mountains and sea within easy reach.

Keep in mind that Brexit may scupper your plans or make it harder to achieve. So if you're gonna do It, best to do it now, while the borders and bureaucracy are still fairly open.

[kurt535]

Did Berlin et al with the services;

Frankfurt as a civvie

I'd go without hesitation at your age; and with the advent of brexit.

[Shay HTFC]

Do it. Im 30 now and have just started applying for jobs over there (I'm half German though and have some basic German skills down), but I wish I'd have done it sooner.

Everyone speaks enough English to make you feel comfortable, and you're young so you'll pick up the German in no time out of necessity (wanting to get involved with locals doing their thing)

On top of that, its a great culture (especially southern Germany / Austria which is more affluent and 'German') and having experience across cultures is always a good thing for future employability!

[krallicious]

Go for it. I left a good few years ago and do not regret it.

The standard of living that I have is better than the UK but be aware that you are responsible for your medical cover etc if you are not working. Since 2013, it has been illegal to have no cover in Germany.

Not everyone speaks English and learning the language is essential but it will come quickly if you practise everyday.

Austria is lovely and would be my choice over Bayern.

[HantsRat]

Do you work for voestalpine?

[anonymous-user]

Been here a few years and hate it; it's just the UK with more rules / regulations / tax, everything is a massive effort and requires correspondence by post.

If you move with a certain timeframe / aim in mind then go for it, but ensure you leave yourself a route home.

I would do it again as it's allowed me to buy a nice car and pay a load off the mortgage, but I stopped enjoying it after 12 months.

Bremen is quite nice, I got robbed in Hamburg, Munich is huge, really expensive but nice, I have only been to Vienna for a short period of time so don't feel qualified to speak about it.

Most Germans speak English, willingly, which can really inhibit you learning German (try and start before you move), it's much more difficult with the local authorities / DVLA equivalent / most utility companies as they tend to be the lower paid jobs and not as many speak English especially on the phone. If you are phonetically just a tiny bit 'off' no one can understand you, I have spoken to a few Germans about this and as there are a limited number of accents (excluding Bavaria) their ears are 'tuned' to Hoch-Deutsch (especially around Hannover to which I am rather close.

Summary, learn German before you leave to at least B2 level, i struggle as I work away mainly so am hardly here to actually practise, taxes are ridiculous (Germany) and you must have health cover, which your company should cover,

[anonymous-user]

If you are going to have to speak German as part of a technical role it could be challenging. A friend who speaks decent German tried when he was younger, but found the technical German side really hard. He worked in a planning/built environment type role I think.

[dcb]

Gargamel said:

Its a well ordered and structured society, you need to think more as a collective than an individual, people are polite, friendly but a little insular. You will meet people, but it is hard to get very close, they are quite private.

+1 based on about 30 years experience of the Germans and Austrians.

Understanding Touristen Hoch Deutsch enough to get by is one level,
understanding the culture behind it is the next level.

Being a German, or to a lesser extent an Austrian, is a serious business.
Making friends (essentially moving from the Sie to Du level) isn't as easy
as in the UK, USA or some other cultures.

Mind you, Germany is probably the most petrolhead nation on earth,
and the beer is world class. Go to the Deutsches Museum in Munich
and one could easily form the opinion that almost everything in the modern
world was invented by a German, usually in a shed somewhere.

Alps nearby is a big bonus, too. Just don't mention their love of papers and forms ;->

[ATG]

If you're trying to learn a new language, there is no substitute for immersing yourself in it. At your age, just do it. It'll be valuable experience whatever the outcome. With luck you'll enjoy it, learn a language and have something impressive to stick on your CV. If it doesn't go well, worst case, you come back to the UK and need to look for a new job. Hardly the end of the world given you're likely to be working for the next fifty years.

[Pickled Piper]

OP, I have worked extensively in Germany, but not Austria.

At you age, go for it.

[Robertj21a]

I haven't worked in those areas but have travelled around them a good many times and, like others, attempted to use my poor German - it doesn't work because they quickly help you out, in English......

Some very pleasant people, happy and enjoying life - quite possibly better than here in the UK.

At just 22 I'd be off there like a shot.