Salzburg: affordable by EU standards and very safe, real winters

NHS → Local healthcare

Austria's healthcare is delivered through statutory insurance funds (ÖGK for employees, SVS for self-employed). Enrollment is automatic with employment. Quality is excellent — consistently top 10 globally. Very short waits for most care. The system is similar to Germany's (Bismarck model). GHIC covers emergency tourist care only. S1 form gives UK pensioners access to Austrian healthcare. Private insurance (€100–€300/month) offers Wahlarzt (private doctor) access without referral.

Buying property post-Brexit

Austrian banks lend to non-EU residents at 50–70% LTV. Post-Brexit, UK buyers are third-country nationals and may need provincial approval to purchase (Grundverkehrsgesetz varies by Bundesland — Tyrol and Salzburg are restrictive). No foreign-buyer surtax per se, but the approval process adds friction. Transfer tax (Grunderwerbsteuer): 3.5%. Registration fee: 1.1%. Notary fees: 1–3%. Mortgage rates: 3.5–4.5% fixed.

UK pension portability

Austria accepts QROPS transfers to qualifying Austrian pension products. The 25% OTC position is complex post-Brexit. UK state pension is paid in Austria with full annual uprating. Austria's pension system is generous (up to 80% of final salary after 45 years). The UK-Austria totalization agreement combines NI and Austrian contribution periods.

CGT on your UK home

The 5-year non-residence rule applies for UK property. Austria taxes residents on capital gains at a flat 27.5% (KESt) for financial assets. Property gains on Austrian real estate are taxed at 30% (Immobilienertragsteuer). Credit for UK CGT paid. No primary residence exemption exists in Austria for recently acquired property — only for properties owned 2+ years AND used as primary residence.

Double taxation treaty

The UK-Austria Double Taxation Convention covers income, pensions, and gains. UK government pensions: taxed only in the UK. Private pensions: taxable only in Austria once resident. Employment income: taxed where work is performed. Austrian tax rates are progressive (0–55% above €1M income). The treaty provides for mutual agreement and exchange of information.

Getting EU mobility back

After 5 years of continuous legal residence, apply for EU Long-Term Resident status (Daueraufenthalt-EU). Austrian citizenship normally requires 10 years of residence (reduced to 6 with strong integration evidence). Austria generally does NOT allow dual nationality — you'd need to renounce British citizenship. This is a major consideration.