Vienna, Austria’s capital, is increasingly becoming a popular destination for digital nomads and freelancers. With its blend of rich culture, excellent quality of life, and reliable infrastructure, Vienna is a great city for remote workers who are looking to balance work and leisure. The city’s robust Wi-Fi infrastructure, the growing number of co-working spaces, and its vibrant expat community make it an attractive option for freelancers seeking a productive yet fulfilling environment.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything a digital nomad needs to know about living and working in Vienna, including the best co-working spaces, finding short-term accommodation, networking opportunities with other nomads, and visa and tax considerations for freelancers.
Co-working Spaces and Remote Work Culture
As remote work grows in popularity, Vienna has responded with a thriving co-working scene that caters to freelancers, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads. With an increasing number of tech startups and a growing freelancing economy, Vienna’s co-working culture is vibrant and welcoming. Co-working spaces provide a professional yet flexible working environment with the added bonus of networking opportunities.
1. Popular Co-working Spaces in Vienna
Vienna has numerous co-working spaces designed to accommodate different needs and work styles, from tech startups to creative freelancers. Here are some of the most popular co-working spaces in the city:
a. Impact Hub Vienna
Impact Hub Vienna is one of the most well-known co-working spaces in the city, offering an inspiring environment for social innovators and entrepreneurs. It focuses on fostering a community of change-makers, with a global network of hubs in more than 50 countries. The space offers flexible memberships, meeting rooms, event spaces, and networking opportunities for those in creative and social industries.
- Location: Lindengasse 56, 1070 Vienna
- Membership options: Day passes start at €25, and monthly memberships range from €90 (part-time) to €330 (full-time).
b. Talent Garden Vienna
Talent Garden Vienna is part of a Europe-wide network of co-working spaces with a focus on tech and digital professionals. It’s a great option for digital nomads working in technology, digital marketing, or startups. Talent Garden offers a variety of workspaces, from open desks to private offices, and also hosts workshops, events, and courses for the digital community.
- Location: Liechtensteinstraße 111-115, 1090 Vienna
- Membership options: Flexible plans range from €200 per month for part-time access to €350 per month for full-time memberships.
c. Sektor5
Sektor5 is a vibrant co-working space in the 5th district, catering primarily to startups, freelancers, and remote workers in Vienna’s creative and tech scenes. It offers a relaxed, collaborative environment with plenty of opportunities to network with like-minded professionals. Sektor5 also hosts startup events and conferences.
- Location: Siebenbrunnengasse 44, 1050 Vienna
- Membership options: Day passes start at €18, with monthly memberships starting at €180.
d. Loffice Vienna
Loffice combines an artistic atmosphere with a functional co-working space, making it a popular choice for freelancers in the creative industries. With unique decor and a range of flexible working spaces, it offers an inspiring setting for professionals. Loffice also provides event space for exhibitions, workshops, and business meetings.
- Location: Schottenfeldgasse 85, 1070 Vienna
- Membership options: Day passes cost €20, and monthly plans range from €150 to €290 depending on desk type and space usage.
2. Vienna’s Remote Work Culture
Vienna has embraced remote work, with many companies offering flexible working conditions. As a digital nomad, you’ll find that cafés, co-working spaces, and libraries are great places to work. The city’s high-speed Wi-Fi and efficient public transport system make it easy to stay connected and get around, allowing you to be productive while enjoying the benefits of city life.
- Café work culture: Vienna’s famous café culture also extends to digital nomads. Many cafés in the city, such as Café Phil and CoffeePirates, offer free Wi-Fi and a relaxed atmosphere, allowing you to get some work done while enjoying great coffee.
Short-term Accommodation Tips
Finding suitable accommodation in Vienna as a digital nomad can be straightforward if you know where to look. Vienna offers a wide range of short-term accommodation options, from serviced apartments to affordable co-living spaces. The key is to find a place that fits your budget, preferences, and work needs.
1. Short-Term Rentals and Apartments
For digital nomads staying in Vienna for a few weeks or months, short-term rentals are an ideal option. Platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Flatio offer a range of furnished apartments in various neighborhoods across the city. Many of these rentals come with high-speed internet, which is essential for remote work.
a. Flatio
Flatio is an excellent option for digital nomads seeking mid-term accommodation. It specializes in rentals that range from a few weeks to several months, making it perfect for freelancers who need more flexibility than traditional long-term rentals offer. Most Flatio properties come fully furnished and are designed to cater to remote workers, with fast internet and workspace setups.
- Prices: Prices vary by neighborhood, but expect to pay between €800 and €1,500 per month for a one-bedroom apartment.
b. Airbnb
Airbnb remains a popular choice for digital nomads seeking short-term accommodation in Vienna. Many hosts offer discounts for extended stays (a month or longer), and the platform provides a range of options from budget-friendly studio apartments to luxury flats.
- Prices: Expect to pay €1,000 to €2,000 per month, depending on the apartment size and location.
2. Co-living Spaces
Co-living spaces are gaining popularity in Vienna, especially among younger digital nomads and freelancers. Co-living allows you to share communal areas like kitchens and lounges while having your own private bedroom. These spaces often cater to professionals who value community, networking, and flexibility.
a. The Social Hub (formerly The Student Hotel)
The Social Hub offers a modern co-living experience in Vienna. It’s a hybrid between a hotel, student housing, and co-living space, designed for people who want a flexible living situation with the ability to connect with others. With on-site amenities like a gym, lounge areas, and communal workspaces, it’s perfect for digital nomads.
- Prices: Monthly rates start at around €1,200 for a private room with access to shared facilities.
b. Roof Top Co-living
Roof Top Co-living offers a boutique co-living experience in the heart of Vienna. The property provides private rooms with shared kitchens and living spaces, perfect for digital nomads looking to stay for a few weeks or months while connecting with a community of like-minded people.
- Prices: Rooms typically cost between €900 and €1,500 per month, depending on the length of stay.
3. Budget Accommodation Options
If you’re on a tight budget, Vienna also offers budget accommodation options like hostels and budget hotels that cater to digital nomads and long-term travelers.
- Hostel Ruthensteiner: A popular, well-rated hostel offering affordable dorms and private rooms, ideal for short stays.
- Wombats City Hostel: Another budget-friendly option, Wombats has co-working areas and reliable Wi-Fi, making it suitable for short-term stays for nomads on a budget.
How to Network with Other Nomads
One of the best aspects of being a digital nomad is the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals around the world. Vienna has a growing community of digital nomads, freelancers, and expats, and there are numerous opportunities to network with other professionals in the city.
1. Join Expat and Digital Nomad Communities
Vienna is home to several expat and digital nomad communities that regularly host meetups and networking events. These communities can help you meet people, exchange ideas, and even find collaborative projects or job opportunities.
a. InterNations Vienna
InterNations is one of the largest expat communities in the world, and the Vienna chapter is particularly active. They organize regular networking events, workshops, and social gatherings for digital nomads and expats living in Vienna. These events are a great way to meet new people and expand your professional network.
- Events: Monthly social mixers, business networking events, and themed dinners.
b. Meetup.com
Meetup.com is a popular platform where people create or join groups based on shared interests. In Vienna, you can find several groups dedicated to digital nomads, freelancers, or specific professional industries such as tech, design, or writing. Attending a digital nomad meetup or a professional networking event is an excellent way to meet locals and other travelers in your field.
- Popular Groups: Vienna Digital Nomads, Entrepreneurs & Startups Vienna, and Vienna Expat Coffee Club.
2. Attend Co-working Space Events
Most co-working spaces in Vienna regularly host networking events, workshops, and social gatherings designed to help freelancers and digital nomads connect. Attending these events can help you meet people from different industries, exchange ideas, and stay up-to-date with local business opportunities.
- Events at Impact Hub Vienna: Workshops on social entrepreneurship, skill-sharing sessions, and networking breakfasts.
- Talent Garden Vienna: Regular events focused on tech, digital marketing, and innovation, offering chances to meet fellow digital professionals.
3. Participate in Conferences and Professional Events
Vienna is a hub for international conferences and professional events. Whether you’re in the tech industry, creative arts, or business, there are plenty of events where you can network with both locals and international professionals.
- Pioneers Festival: A major startup and innovation conference held annually in Vienna, attracting entrepreneurs, investors, and tech professionals from around the world.
- Vienna International Business Circle (VIBC): A networking group that hosts events for business professionals and entrepreneurs, providing opportunities to meet investors, business leaders, and fellow digital nomads.
Visa and Tax Considerations for Freelancers
When working remotely from Vienna, digital nomads must be mindful of visa and tax obligations. Austria is part of the European Union, and different visa requirements apply depending on your nationality, how long you intend to stay, and whether you plan to work with local clients.
1. Visa Requirements for Digital Nomads
Visa regulations for digital nomads in Austria vary depending on whether you are an EU/EEA citizen or a non-EU citizen.
a. EU/EEA Citizens
If you are a citizen of an EU/EEA country, you do not need a visa to live or work in Austria. You are free to move to Vienna, work remotely, or seek freelance contracts within the EU. However, if you plan to stay for more than three months, you must register your residence with the local authorities and obtain a Meldezettel (residence registration form).
b. Non-EU Citizens
For non-EU citizens, Austria does not yet offer a specific “digital nomad visa.” However, depending on your circumstances, there are several visa options you can explore.
- Schengen Visa: Non-EU citizens can stay in Austria for up to 90 days within a 180-day period on a Schengen Visa. This is ideal for digital nomads who want to work remotely while traveling within the Schengen Area. Note that this visa does not allow you to take up employment with Austrian companies or clients.
- Freelancer Visa (Red-White-Red Card for Self-Employed Key Workers): If you plan to work with local clients in Austria or want to stay long-term, you can apply for the Red-White-Red Card, which is available for self-employed key workers. To qualify, you need to prove that your work will have a significant economic benefit for Austria. This visa typically requires a business plan and evidence of contracts with Austrian clients.
- Residence Permit for Start-Up Founders: If you’re launching a startup in Vienna, you may be eligible for Austria’s residence permit for founders. This visa is designed for entrepreneurs who want to start innovative businesses in Austria.
2. Tax Considerations for Digital Nomads
Taxation can be complex for digital nomads working across borders. Austria’s tax laws are strict, and it’s important to ensure you comply with both local tax regulations and those in your home country.
a. Income Tax Residency
You are considered a tax resident in Austria if:
- You stay in Austria for more than 183 days in a calendar year, or
- You establish your primary residence in Austria.
If you qualify as a tax resident, you will need to pay Austrian income tax on your worldwide income. Austria’s income tax rates are progressive, with rates ranging from 0% to 55%, depending on your income bracket.
b. Double Taxation Agreements
Austria has double taxation agreements with many countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, to ensure that you do not pay taxes on the same income in both your home country and Austria. If you’re working as a freelancer or digital nomad with clients from multiple countries, you should consult a tax advisor to ensure you’re compliant with tax obligations in both Austria and your home country.
c. Social Security Contributions
If you are self-employed and live in Austria, you may also be required to make contributions to the Austrian social security system. However, EU/EEA citizens may be exempt from paying social security in Austria if they are already contributing in their home country.
3. Hiring a Tax Advisor
Given the complexities of international taxation and Austria’s strict tax regulations, it’s advisable to hire a tax advisor who specializes in expat or freelance taxation. A tax advisor can help you navigate Austria’s tax system, file your tax returns, and ensure you take advantage of any available tax deductions.
Conclusion
Vienna offers an ideal balance of work and lifestyle for digital nomads and freelancers. With its rich cultural scene, efficient public transport, and a growing number of co-working spaces, Vienna provides everything a remote worker needs to thrive.
Whether you’re seeking networking opportunities, exploring short-term accommodation options, or navigating visa and tax considerations, this city has plenty to offer digital nomads looking to build a productive and fulfilling work-life experience.