Teach English in Austria

You can teach English in Austria as a government-funded language assistant in secondary schools, or at private language schools, in business English and at international schools, mainly in Vienna, Graz, Linz, Salzburg and Innsbruck. The language assistant programme pays about €1,487 net a month for around 13 hours a week and suits graduates aged 20 to 35. EU citizens can work freely, while UK, US and other non EU teachers need a residence permit tied to their job. Austria has no statutory minimum wage; pay is set by collective agreements.

Teaching English in Austria at a glance

What is the English language assistant programme in Austria?

Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation (OeAD) places English language assistants in state secondary schools across the country, with UK applicants recruited through the British Council. Assistants support English teachers in class, work about 13 hours a week from 1 October to 31 May, and in 2026/27 receive about €1,487 net a month. Applicants need a UK, Irish, EU, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport, must be aged 20 to 35 on 1 October, and should have at least A2 level German. The residence permit issued for the role does not allow other official work. US citizens apply through a separate US teaching assistantship that requires a completed bachelor’s degree and pays a monthly salary of about €2,012 gross (2025/26 figures).

What other English teaching jobs are there in Austria?

Private language schools. Teach adults and teenagers general, exam and business English, often in the evenings. Much of the work is part time or freelance and paid by the hour.

Business English. Vienna and the industrial cities of Linz and Graz have strong demand for in-company English, which pays the best hourly rates.

International schools. Vienna has several, largely because of its international organisations. They want qualified teachers with a teaching licence and experience.

Summer camps and private students. Intensive summer courses and private lessons are a common way to add income.

How much do English teachers earn in Austria?

Language assistants receive about €1,487 net a month in 2026/27 for around 13 hours a week, which covers living costs outside the most expensive parts of Vienna. Language schools and business English trainers are usually paid by the hour, often on freelance contracts, so check your guaranteed hours. Austria has no statutory minimum wage; instead, collective agreements set minimum pay for most sectors, and international schools pay on their own scales. Compare pay across countries on the TEFL Salary Index, or read how much TEFL teachers make.

What qualifications do you need to teach English in Austria?

Language schools usually want a TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours and native or near native English, and many prefer a degree. The language assistant programme wants university students or graduates with some German, and the US assistantship requires a completed degree. International schools want a teaching qualification such as a PGCE. Business English and exam preparation skills are especially useful. Our Ofqual-regulated Level 5 TEFL course can be verified on the Ofqual register.

Which visa do you need to teach English in Austria?

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, including Irish passport holders, can live and work in Austria freely and register their address after arriving. UK citizens lost that right after Brexit. Language assistants from the UK, US and other non EU countries receive a residence permit for the role, and other non EU teachers usually need a work-based residence permit such as the Red-White-Red Card, which is points based and depends on salary and qualifications. Check current rules with the Austrian embassy and our Visa Desk before you accept an offer.

Where are the English teaching jobs in Austria?

Vienna, the capital, has most language schools, business English work and international schools, and the highest rents. Graz and Linz have large universities and strong industry. Salzburg and Innsbruck offer smaller markets with easy access to the Alps. Language assistants are placed in schools in towns and cities across all nine federal states.

What is it like teaching and living in Austria?

Austria regularly ranks among the best places in the world to live, with excellent public transport, safety and culture, and the Alps on the doorstep. Students are usually motivated and polite. Living costs are high, especially rent in Vienna, so assistants and part-time teachers need to budget carefully. German makes daily life far easier, and Austrian German has its own vocabulary worth learning.

Last updated: 2 October 2026. Pay figures are approximate, not quotes. Language assistant terms and residence rules change each year, so confirm current requirements with the OeAD, the British Council or your employer before you apply.