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WORKING IN AUSTRIA

Should I register with Austria’s unemployment agency AMS if I’m out of work?

There are benefits and potential drawbacks of signing up with Austria’s unemployment agency, AMS, and it's worth knowing how it could affect your health cover, residency, and travel plans.

Published: 10 September 2024 15:38 CEST
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Registering with Austria’s unemployment agency (AMS) after you lose your job can provide important benefits, but is it always necessary?

Depending on your situation, it may or may not be worth it. For most people, it’s highly recommended to register, especially if you want to maintain health insurance coverage and ensure there’s no gap that would affect you legal residency status.

However, it might not be as essential if you already have another job lined up and planned to take a break in between.

One of the main reasons to register with the AMS is that it secures your insurance coverage during your period out of work. 

This is crucial for health insurance, pension contributions, and other social benefits. Registering also ensures that your legal residency status is not interrupted, a key factor for non-EU citizens in particular.

However, it’s important to note that once you’ve registered with the AMS, you must stay in Austria. Leaving the country would jeopardise your benefits and coverage. So, if you were planning to travel during unemployment, you might want to reconsider registering immediately.

READ ALSO: Can I go on holiday while receiving unemployment benefits in Austria?

When it may not be necessary

After you become unemployed, there is a six-week “protection period” during which you can still claim benefits in kind, such as doctor visits and medical aid.

If you already have another job lined up within the six-week window after your last working day and want to take a brief holiday before starting, then registering with the AMS may not be essential. In this case, your insurance would still be covered for the six-week grace period without requiring you to stay in the country.

On the other hand, if your job search might take longer or if you are unsure when you will start working again, registering with the AMS is definitely worth it. This will ensure you have a safety net, with insurance coverage and access to unemployment benefits if needed.

Practical steps

To register with the AMS, you will need to visit your local AMS office or complete the registration online. Ensure all necessary documents are ready, including your termination letter, passport, and proof of residence. The process is straightforward, and once registered, you can also access job-search support and other resources provided by the agency.

Whether registering with the AMS is worth it depends on your circumstances. For many, the security and benefits it provides make it a clear choice, while for others with jobs already lined up, it may be less urgent.

READ NEXT: Unemployment benefits in Austria: Who is eligible and how much can you get?

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WORKING IN AUSTRIA

Four steps to take immediately after losing your job in Austria

Losing a job can be a nightmare for a foreigner in Austria. Here’s what you need to do to protect yourself and get back on track as soon as possible.

Published: 17 September 2024 16:39 CEST
Four steps to take immediately after losing your job in Austria

Losing a job in Austria can involve significant challenges, especially for foreigners.

You might worry about whether your residence status is at risk, how difficult it will be to find another position, and how you will support yourself while searching for a new job.

However, in Austria, you can take certain steps to protect yourself until you find your next opportunity.

Know your rights and negotiate your terms

If you get laid off, you have rights you should know.

If the contract is ended by mutual agreement (Einvernehmliche Auflösung), which your employer may offer even if the actual reason is dismissal, no notice period is required.

The contract can be terminated verbally or in writing, though written termination is recommended.

This type of termination allows you to negotiate the notice period and conditions with your employer, and you are expected to express your wishes. 

If you instead are dismissed (Kündigung), which refers to your employer terminating your employment without a specific reason, they need to follow certain deadlines and notice periods.

White-collar workers should receive at least six weeks’ notice in Austria. Meanwhile, blue-collar workers are only required to get at least two weeks’ notice, periods that increase the longer you have worked for an employer.

During the notice time, you can either continue working or be placed on what is known as gardening leave, where you do not have to work but are paid as if you were still working.

Your employer can also terminate your contract immediately (Vorzeitige Entlassung) in cases of very serious violations, but this only happens in special circumstances, such as violating company rules.

If this happens, the employer will  need to calculate a final financial settlement, including any wages until the end of the employment relationship, unused holiday days and over-hours, etc.

In general, what is important to also remember is to check on remaining holiday days and unused overtime to make sure you receive appropriate compensation.

Consulting the Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer) or a work council (Betriebsrat) can help you understand your rights. For example, special rules apply to certain workers, such as parents, pregnant women, and those under 18, so it is a good idea to seek advice from your works council or union if this might affect you.

READ MORE: How to find a job in Austria in three months

Get all the important documents from your employer

Once you get laid off, it is essential to ensure that your company gives you all the necessary documents to move forward.

You are entitled to documents such as a Certificate of Employment (Arbeitsbescheinigung) and a Confirmation of Deregistration with the Health Insurance Provider (Bestätigung über die Abmeldung beim Krankenversicherungsträger).

It is also important to obtain a Confirmation of Work and Salary (Arbeits—und Entgeltbestätigung) and an Employment Reference (Arbeitszeugnis) for future job opportunities.

Sign up at AMS and get your unemployment benefits

Austria has strict rules regarding signing up at the Public Employment Service, AMS, after losing your job.

You must register as unemployed with the AMS no later than the first day of your unemployment. If you register later, gaps in your benefits, as well as in your health and pension insurance, may occur.

These gaps can also happen if you do not give AMS all the necessary information for your unemployment registration.

The unemployment benefits are calculated based on your previous income and personal situation.

Usually, you receive about 55 per cent of your previous net income. This amount can be a little bit adjusted based on your personal circumstances, such as if you have children or a spouse financially depending on you, which may entitle you to some extra payments.

Depending on your residence permit, you might not be able to receive long-term unemployment benefits. However, most employees can get unemployment insurance, which covers part of their previous salary while they search for a new job.

It can be a good idea to check in with AMS to get the details about your specific situation.

It is also important to know that if you receive unemployment benefits, you cannot leave the country, even for vacation. If you do need to travel, you must inform AMS in advance, and you will not receive benefits while you are away.

READ ALSO: Should I register with Austria’s unemployment agency AMS if I’m out of work?

Inform the immigration office 

If you are on a residence permit linked to your job, such as a Blue Card or any work visa, you must inform the immigration office, MA 35, about your situation as soon as possible.

Some permits require you to maintain employment to keep your visa valid. Reporting your job loss helps you avoid potential issues with your residence status and allows you to apply for a different type of permit if necessary.

If you, for example, have a Red-White-Red Card for highly qualified workers in shortage occupations and you lose your job within the first two years of residency in Austria, you must inform the immigration office (MA 35 in Vienna or the local Bezirkshauptmannschaft in other parts o the country) and apply for a new residence permit to avoid losing your right to live and work in the country.

In general, it is a good idea to ask the immigration office about your specific options with your current visa.

READ NEXT: What you should do if you lose your residence permit in Austria

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