Financial support for job seekers

Caution

These rules also apply to all EU citizens in Austria.

Unemployment allowance

To be eligible for unemployment allowance, an applicant must have fulfilled the employment eligibility requirement (Anwartschaft - this is the minimum required amount of employment subject to mandatory unemployment insurance over a given period).

Generally, when first claiming unemployment allowance, the applicant will need to have completed 52 weeks of employment subject to mandatory unemployment insurance within the previous two years.

However, when youths under 25 years of age claim unemployment allowance for the first time, a total of 26 weeks of employment subject to mandatory unemployment insurance is sufficient as a basis for eligibility for unemployment allowance.

Detailed information about unemployment allowance can also be found at oesterreich.gv.at.

Other financial benefits

If a person has drawn unemployment allowance and has exhausted the potential eligibility period, there may under certain conditions be an entitlement to emergency assistance.

Detailed information about the support services of the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) for job seekers can also be found at oesterreich.gv.at.

Online guide and calculator

Legal basis

 Sections 14, 33 to 38 of the Arbeitslosenversicherungsgesetz (AlVG)

Translated by the European Commission
Last update: 19 April 2024

Responsible for the content: Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy