Freedom of establishment, freedom to provide services, and freedom of movement for workers apply within the European Union. Through treaties, these freedoms also apply to countries in the EEA and Switzerland. All EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens are therefore allowed to live and work in other EU/EEA countries and Switzerland, regardless of whether they are self-employed or employed. They therefore have free access to the market and to work, and are free

  • to look for work;
  • to settle in the country concerned for this purpose;
  • to remain there after termination of their employment relationship;
  • to offer cross-border services;
  • to found a company;
  • as an entrepreneur: to post workers.

EU/EEA citizens and Swiss nationals must be treated in Austria in the same way as Austrian nationals with regard to employment and working conditions. However, they are only fully on an equal footing, including with regard to social benefits and tax advantages, after five years of legal residence in Austria.

Example: You are a self-employed dancer from Austria and would like to work on a freelance basis for two months at an opera house in Lisbon. You do not need to apply for a residence or work permit for this. You can work in Lisbon as if you had Portuguese citizenship. 

Example: You are an Austrian gallery owner and would like to settle in Brussels and open a gallery there. All you have to do is register your business in accordance with Belgian law and comply with the relevant local formalities. As an EU citizen, you do not need a work or residence permit. 

How long is your stay?

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen and would like to stay and work in another EU/EEA country or Switzerland for up to three months, you only need a valid identity card or passport.

If you want to stay for more than three months, EU/EEA countries are free to require you to register. This is often linked to certain requirements. Typically, you must fulfil one of the following requirements for your registration certificate (using Austria as an example):

  • You are self-employed or an employee;
  • You have health insurance and can prove that you have sufficient financial resources (for yourself and your dependants) to avoid having to make use of state social assistance benefits;
  • You are looking for a job;
  • You are completing an apprenticeship or internship, are covered by health insurance, and have sufficient financial resources (see point 2).

The exact requirements you need to fulfil depend on the country in question. Find out more on the websites of the respective ministries of the interior or foreign affairs of your destination country.