Summer jobs in Austria, known as Ferialjobs, are temporary jobs usually taken by school pupils and university students during the holidays. They are a common way to earn money, gain work experience and get a first look at a sector before applying for a longer-term role.
But if you (or your kids) are hoping to get one this summer, you may already be later than ideal. As reported by ORF Styria, the Chamber of Labour (AK) said people looking for a summer job should apply quickly, since many larger companies start recruiting as early as December and January.
That does not mean it is too late. But it does mean applicants should be realistic about where they look and move fast.
What is a summer job in Austria?
A Ferialjob is a short-term employment relationship during school or university holidays. It is still a proper job under Austrian labour law, even if it may seem more casual from the outside.
The job length does not have to cover the full holiday period. The employer and worker can agree on how long it lasts and how many hours per week are involved.
These jobs are especially common in the summer months, which is why many seasonal workers in cafés, shops and tourism jobs are students. But the key point is that this is not informal pocket-money work. It is regulated, and the person doing it has rights.
Young people can usually take a holiday job from age 15, once they have completed compulsory schooling.
READ ALSO: Ferialjob: What you need to know about 'holiday jobs' in Austria
Why should you apply now?
The main reason is simple: many employers do not wait until early summer to start hiring.
Barbara Huber, who heads the youth and apprenticeship department at the Styrian Chamber of Labour, said applicants should move quickly and keep checking online portals, company pages, social media and newspapers. She also stressed the importance of the so-called “speculative applications”, or contacting employers even if no job ad is currently visible.
That fits with the way the market seems to be changing. ORF reported that applications are increasingly handled online, often through dedicated portals rather than older in-person or walk-in systems.
The Public Employment Service, or AMS, also said personal networks still matter. Helge Röder from AMS told ORF that people should use their contacts and show initiative.
READ ALSO: FACT CHECK: Can you work in Austria without signing a job contract?
What should you check before accepting a job?
One of the most important things is the contract.
The Chamber of Labour said young people could make an appointment to have their employment contract checked before signing. It also recommended that parents look over it as well. A written contract is the safer option. Even if a summer job is temporary or seems straightforward, it still needs to follow the same basic legal rules as other forms of employment.
What are you entitled to?
Summer workers are entitled to pay, and that pay should follow the collective agreement for the relevant sector.
Holiday workers can also be entitled to proportional special payments such as holiday and Christmas bonuses, depending on the sector rules. These do not depend on staying until December or for a year. They can be paid in proportion to the period worked.
You may also be entitled to insurance contributions and paid holidays. If earnings are above the lower earnings limit, workers are covered by health, accident, pension and unemployment insurance. When it comes to paid holidays, the amount workers get is proportional to how long they work for. If someone works a five-day week, they build up two days of holiday per month worked. If they do not take that leave, they should receive compensation with their final pay slip.
READ ALSO: How do I get a student visa for Austria, and what does it let me do?
What about working hours?
Austria has specific rules here, especially for under-18s.
According to the Chamber of Labour, young people under 18 may work a maximum of eight hours a day and 40 hours over five days a week, although weekly hours may be distributed differently in some sectors, such as hospitality. They are entitled to a break of at least 30 minutes if they work more than 4.5 hours in a day.
Workers over 18 must take a half-hour break after six hours at the latest.
The Chamber of Labour also advised people to keep their own record of working hours, breaks and tasks, and not to sign incorrect working-time records.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: How to find a summer job in Austria?
Key vocabulary
Ferialjob – summer or holiday job, usually taken by students during school or university breaks
Arbeiterkammer – Chamber of Labour
AMS – Austria’s Public Employment Service
Kollektivvertrag – collective agreement setting sector pay and conditions
Lohnabrechnung – payslip or wage statement
Initiativbewerbung – speculative application sent even when no job is advertised
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