Exporting Vietnamese labor to Austria: Potential, current situation and opportunities 2025

Globalization Trends and the New Choice Called “Austria”

In the context of increasingly deep globalization, the international labor market is witnessing a strong transformation in both the occupational structure and the geographical distribution of labor migration flows. Developed countries – which are facing an aging population and a severe labor shortage in a number of essential occupations – are gradually opening up to immigrant workers, creating unprecedented opportunities for labor exporting countries like Vietnam.

In Vietnam, labor export (XKLĐ) is one of the important pillars in the socio-economic development strategy, especially for rural areas where domestic employment opportunities are limited. According to statistics from the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, the European market is emerging as a new trend, especially when countries such as Germany, Poland, Hungary, and recently the Republic of Austria have begun to express an increasingly clear need to receive Vietnamese workers.

Austria, as a country with a developed economy, high quality of life and one of the best social welfare systems in Europe, is facing a serious challenge in human resources due to population aging. According to the 2022 report of the Austrian Statistical Office (Statistik Austria), the country needs at least 75,000 more care and health workers by 2030 to meet the needs of the elderly population. In addition, sectors such as tourism – hospitality, construction, technology and light industry are also facing difficulties in recruiting.

In this situation, Austria is easing its skilled immigration policy, especially for non-EU countries with young, trained and ready-to-integrate workers – in which Vietnam is considered a potential partner. This article will analyze in more detail the Austrian labor market, the current situation of Vietnamese labor export to Austria, as well as the actual opportunities opening up for Vietnamese workers, with the aim of providing a complete, accurate and strategically oriented picture.

Vietnam Manpower Supply Group (VMS Group) – Leading company in the field of labor supply in Vietnam

Austrian Labor Market: High Demand – Real Shortage

Austria is a federal state in Central Europe with a population of approximately 9 million (2024), and is a member of the European Union (EU) and the Schengen Area. With a GDP per capita of $55,000 in 2023, Austria is among the wealthiest countries in Europe and has the highest quality of life.

1. Population aging and pressure on human resources

Austria’s population is aging rapidly. According to the Vienna Demographic Institute, by 2035, about 25% of the Austrian population will be over 65 years old. This not only puts great pressure on the social security system, but also leads to a serious shortage of workers in sectors such as:

• Healthcare, nursing: need to add at least 30,000 nurses in the next 5 years.

• Social services and elderly care: lack of at least 15,000 workers per year.

• Hotels and restaurants: lack of more than 20,000 positions, especially in tourist areas such as Salzburg, Tyrol.

• Construction, mechanics, industrial assembly: need 10,000 – 15,000 workers/year.

• IT and digital: according to the Austrian Technology Council, the country is short of more than 24,000 software engineers and data experts.

2. Policy to attract foreign workers

To address the shortage of workers, Austria is implementing the Red-White-Red Card, a long-term work visa for skilled workers from non-EU countries. The Austrian government also encourages bilateral training programs, especially in the nursing and engineering sectors, where Vietnamese workers are starting to gain attention.

In 2023, the Austrian Ministry of Labor signed a memorandum of understanding with a number of Asian regional organizations to recruit and train nurses, with Vietnam as one of the priority countries. One of the goals is to receive at least 5,000 nursing workers from Vietnam in the period 2024–2028.

Current status of Vietnamese labor export to Austria: First steps

Compared to traditional markets such as Japan or Taiwan, the number of Vietnamese workers in Austria is currently relatively modest, mainly concentrated in big cities such as Vienna, Linz, Graz and partly in tourist areas such as Innsbruck and Salzburg.

1. Number and form of labor export

According to unofficial statistics from the Vietnamese Embassy in Austria, by early 2024, there will be about 3,500 – 4,000 Vietnamese people working legally in Austria, including:

• 60% are workers in the nursing and elderly care industries.

• 25% work in the restaurant, hotel and tourism services industry.

• 10% are highly skilled workers (IT, mechanics, engineers).

• The rest are groups that have converted from international students to workers or work through marriage and settlement.

There are two main forms for Vietnamese workers to go to Austria to work:

• Vocational training cooperation program: study German in Vietnam, then go to Austria for vocational training (2–3 years) and transfer to official employment. Partially funded by Austrian enterprises.

• Skilled workers applying for Red-White-Red Card visa: through the dispatching company, apply for a skilled visa based on a point scale, requiring A2–B1 German language level, diploma and labor contract from Austria.

2. Some practical challenges

Despite the great potential, labor export to Austria still faces some barriers:

• Language barrier: German is a mandatory requirement (minimum B1 level according to CEFR framework), while the number of Vietnamese workers meeting the requirements is still low.

• High preparation costs: workers need to learn the language, convert degrees, and prove financial resources.

• Lack of direct support mechanism from the state: most labor export activities to Austria are currently carried out by private enterprises, leading to uneven fees and quality.

• Legal risks and illegal brokerage: There have been some cases of workers being brokered to a third country and then “backdoored” into Austria, leading to illegal labor.

Opportunities and prospects for Vietnamese workers in Austria

Although the number of Vietnamese workers in Austria is still modest, trends in recent years clearly show that this market is opening up many long-term and stable opportunities.

1. Attractive salary and benefits

According to Austrian Labor Law, workers in this country are strictly protected in terms of rights:

• The minimum wage for nursing in 2024 is 2,400 – 3,000 EUR/month (before tax), much higher than in Japan or Korea.

• Working hours: maximum 40 hours/week, with overtime pay and 13th-14th month bonuses.

• Health insurance, social insurance, vacation, maternity leave, and a settlement approval process after 5 years.

2. Support integration and Vietnamese community

The Vietnamese community in Austria, although not large, is growing, mainly concentrated in Vienna. Some spontaneous groups support new immigrants, share legal information, and provide career guidance. In addition, the Vietnamese Embassy also organizes regular consultation sessions on labor rights and legal issues.

3. Opportunity for permanent settlement

A particularly attractive features of the Austrian market is the possibility of settlement:

• After 2 years of stable work and having a labor contract, the employee can apply for a residence card extension.

• After 5 years of continuous residence, they have the right to apply for a long-term residence card – EU.

• After 10 years, they can apply for citizenship if they meet the requirements.

This is a very important factor for young workers who want to find a stable future and build a long-term life in Europe.

Vietnam Manpower Supply Group (VMS Group) – Vietnam’s leading labor supplier

Vietnam Manpower Supply Group (VMS Group) is one of the leading companies in Vietnam in the field of human resource supply. Established with the mission of meeting the labor needs of domestic and foreign enterprises, Vietnam Manpower Supply Group has continuously developed and affirmed its position in the market.

Since its establishment, Vietnam Manpower Supply Group has oriented its operations on the basis of core values ​​including professionalism, prestige and quality. Vietnam Manpower Supply Group’s staff not only has high professional qualifications but also possesses rich experience in providing optimal human resource solutions for customers.

Why cooperate with Vietnam Manpower Supply Group?

• Long-term experience: Vietnam Manpower Supply has many years of experience in the field of human resource supply, serving a variety of industries and international markets.
• Extensive network of partners: With strong relationships with domestic and foreign enterprises, ensuring that human resources are always arranged and allocated effectively.
• Strict selection process: The team of recruitment experts conducts a strict candidate assessment process, ensuring quality and suitability for job requirements.
• Comprehensive services: Not only stopping at human resource supply, Vietnam Manpower Supply Group also provides training solutions, legal support and employee care.
• Reputation and professionalism: Affirmed through many years of operation, VMS Group is a trusted partner of hundreds of businesses worldwide.
• Dedicated support: We always put the interests of customers and employees first, with timely and effective consulting and support services.

Please contact us for more details:
☎ Whatsapp: +84853525085
🌐 Website: vietnammanpower.group
📩 Email: infor@vietnammanpower.group

It’s our pleasure to support you!

The Austrian labor market is emerging as a new potential destination for Vietnamese workers, especially in the context of an aging population, economic development and an open-door policy that is creating favorable conditions for skilled immigrants. Although there are still some barriers such as language and legal procedures, with thorough investment from both the state and businesses, labor export to Austria can completely become a strategic direction in the coming period.