ExpatsFirst
Launching in Austria in November 2026

Your way to Austria, from the first step to settling in

From anywhere to Austria. With a personal roadmap, verified experts and real human support, so you always know what comes next.

Join the waitlistStep 1 of 6

What is your name?

No spam, ever. Early sign-ups get preferential benefits.

A young woman smiling at her phone in a city square
First weekStep 2 of 14
  1. DoneFound a flat
  2. Your next stepRegister your address
    DeadlineThree days after you move in
    In chargeMagistrat der Stadt Wien, Meldeservice
    Bring alongPassport, tenancy agreement, signed form
  3. Comes laterApply for your residence permit

An example. Your own journey grows out of your answers.

Backed by

  • FFG
  • LeonTalents
  • Red Global MX
  • build! Gründerzentrum Kärnten
  • Zaloa Languages

Do you recognise yourself in this story?

If even one of these sounds familiar, ExpatsFirst is made for you.

A young woman at a desk, thinking about her next step
  • You want to move to Austria for work, study, research or to join your family, but you do not know where to start.
  • You do not know which lawyers, translators, language schools or advisers you can really trust.
  • You find contradictory information on Google, social media and in forums, and you do not know what really applies to you.
  • You would like someone at your side who moved to Austria themselves and understands your situation.

And you are not alone. Many people face the very same challenges.

The way to Austria should not be this complicated

Today you have to piece together information, providers and steps with the authorities all on your own.

€1,500Lost on average to scamsFake B1 certificates sold on TikTok, hundreds of thousands of them in circulation (DPolG 2025).
12+Different providers for one moveLawyers, translators, doctors, tax advisers, insurers and housing agents, none of them connected.
54%Live in fear of one wrong formOf the professionals we surveyed fear that one bureaucratic mistake could cost them their residence permit.
5Questions everybody asksVisa, housing, work, healthcare and language. Wherever you come from, as the OECD confirms.

Everything for your start in AustriaIn one place

A personal roadmap, verified experts and a Buddy at your side who knows first hand what a new start in Austria feels like.

ExpatsFirst brings orientation, trustworthy services and personal support together in one place.

  1. 1
    Step 1

    Your personal route

    In a few minutes
  2. 2
    Step 2

    Verified marketplace

    Verified providersVerified profiles
  3. 3
    Step 3

    Your personal Buddy

    One to one

Choose your migration path

  • Skilled worker

    Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte

    For qualified professionals with a job offer or skills in demand.

  • Family reunification

    and marriage

    Joining your partner, spouse or family in Austria.

  • Student

    Bachelor, Master or PhD

    Studying in Austria, from your application to your arrival.

  • Nurse

    DGKP recognition

    Getting your nursing qualification from abroad recognised in Austria.

  • Researcher

    Scientific work

    The right path for research and scientific work in Austria.

  • Entrepreneur

    Self-employed

    Starting a business in Austria or building your self-employed work here.

Karen León, founder of ExpatsFirst
The story behind ExpatsFirst

“I moved from Mexico to Austria as a professional. I thought I was prepared. I was not.”

It took me years to understand things that should have been far simpler. I lost money to the wrong providers, missed chances because of bureaucracy and spent countless hours working out what to do next.

Later I walked alongside other international professionals on their way to Austria. Again and again I met the same problems. No orientation, unclear information and the question of whom you can trust.

That is why we are building today what we would have needed back then.

Karen LeónFounder and CEO

Be among the first

Get your personal roadmap as soon as we launch.

Questions people ask us

When will I get access?

From November 2026 we give the first people who signed up access to ExpatsFirst in Austria. Waitlist members come first, in the order they signed up, and early sign-ups get preferential benefits.

Is it free to use?

Access to ExpatsFirst is free at launch. Professional services such as legal advice or translations may come at a cost. Prices are shown openly before you send a request.

Which migration paths do you cover?

At launch we support six paths to Austria. Skilled work, family reunification, study, nursing, research and self-employment. More may follow later.

Which countries?

We are starting in Austria. More countries are to follow later, step by step.

Why do I need ExpatsFirst when there is free information online?

Free information is often general, spread across many sources and not tailored to your situation. ExpatsFirst brings your personal roadmap, verified experts and personal support together in one place.

Is my data safe?

ExpatsFirst is run by an Austrian company and processes personal data in line with the GDPR. Which data we collect, what we use it for and which rights you have is explained in our privacy policy.

What if I have already moved?

Even if you already live in Austria, you can use ExpatsFirst. Many things only begin after you arrive, such as dealing with the authorities, language, insurance or other services.

Ready for an easier start in Austria?

Early sign-ups get preferential benefits.