your start in Kleinwalsertal Welcome to the most beautiful dead end in the world!

According to the Austrian Registration Act, anyone moving into an apartment in Austria for the first time or moving within Austria must register themselves and all minors living in the same household with the relevant registration office. The registration (or deregistration of residence) must be submitted to the registration office within three days before or after the move.

This is how it works:

You can also find the registration form and the supplementary sheet on the website of the municipality of Mittelberg.
To register, send an e-mail with these documents and a copy of your passport or identity card to the registration office of the municipality of Mittelberg.

Please note:

If your stay in the municipality of Mittelberg is longer than 3 months, the application for a registration certificate for EEA citizens must be submitted to the municipal office. The documents for the registration certificate can be found on the website of the municipality of Mittelberg.

Adress:

Registration office of the municipality of Mittelberg
Walserstrasse 52
 A-6991 Riezlern

Contact person:

Florian Felder, flori.felder@gde-mittelberg.at, Tel. +43 (0)5517 5315-220
Erich Schuster, erich.schuster@gde-mittelberg.at, Tel. +43 (0)5517 5315-221

The legal framework for people moving to Kleinwalsertal can vary greatly depending on the individual situation. General statements are therefore only possible to a limited extent - each situation has its own requirements.

The WORK in AUSTRIA service center is the first point of contact for questions regarding legal residence in Austria - especially for EU and EEA citizens (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) as well as Swiss citizens. It offers free advice (German & English) for international skilled workers and their family members - on behalf of the state and with a wealth of experience.

Helpful initial information on EU residence law, registration certificates and deadlines can be found here, for example:

• Right of residence - Austrian Business Agency (ABA)
• Registration certificate, an overview for new arrivals in Austria - Austrian Business Agency (ABA)
• Residence in Austria - Federal Chancellery of Austria

Every life situation is different - this also applies to legal issues relating to entry, residence and employment in Austria. Because the requirements can vary greatly depending on the country of origin, personal background and purpose of residence, individual advice is always recommended.

WORK in AUSTRIA is a helpful point of contact: this official service point offers free information and advice for skilled workers and their families who want to live and work in Austria - including on topics such as visas, residence permits and access to the labor market.

For an initial overview, you can find further information here:

Residence in Austria - Federal Chancellery

If you are a relative of an EU/EEA citizen or a Swiss person, special regulations may apply.

Tip: Find out early on which documents may be required later to extend your residence permit - that way you can keep an eye on everything.

Opening an account with an Austrian bank is recommended for monthly salary transfers. A bank account can be opened at any time on presentation of a valid identity card, driving license or passport.

The following banks are available in Kleinwalsertal:

• Walser Raiffeisen Bank
  Walserstraße 263, A-6992 Hirschegg
  Telefon: +43 55 17 202-01
  Mail: walserraiffeisenbank@raiba.at
  Webseite: www.walserraiffeisenbank.at
• Hypo Vorarlberg Bank AG
  Walserstraße 31, A-6991 Riezlern
  Telefon: +43 50 41 48 000
  Mail: pkriezlern@hypovbg.at
  Webseite: www.hypovbg.at/service/kontakt/filialen-mitarbeiter/filiale/riezlern

Employees in Austria are automatically covered by social insurance. Statutory social insurance includes health insurance, accident insurance, pension insurance and unemployment insurance. Your employing company usually takes care of applying for a social security number and a temporary e-card. Children and (non-working) spouses can also be insured. The e-card is proof of health insurance. You need the e-card when you go to the doctor, for example. 

Austrian Health Insurance Fund Vorarlberg
Service center Hirschegg, Tuesday from 08.30 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 16.00
Walserstrasse 260, A-6992 Hirschegg
Tel.: +43 5 0766-195415, hirschegg@oegk.at

Please note:

Since the beginning of 2020, all newly issued or exchanged e-cards for people aged 14 and over must have a photo.
You can find more information on this in many languages at www.chipkarte.at/foto.

If a photo from an official document is available (Austrian passport, identity card, Austrian driving license in credit card format, photo from a document from the Aliens Register), it is automatically used for the e-card. If there is NO photo and you do NOT have Austrian citizenship, the Kleinwalsertal police station will take over the E-Card photo registration.

Kleinwalsertal police station
Walserstrasse 226, A-6992 Hirschegg,
Wednesday from 08.00 - 12.00 and from 13.00 - 16.00
Appointment required under:
Tel. 059133/85-7001, bfa-rd-v-ecard@bmi.gv.at

You must bring the following documents:

• Current passport photo (not older than 6 months, according to the passport photo criteria)
• If available, the old e-card, otherwise your Austrian social security number
• Valid original travel document

In The municipality of Mittelberg will be happy to help you with matters such as various applications, citizen cards, documents such as passports & ID cards and the loss office.

Opening hours:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 07:30 to 12:00
Tuesday and Thursday: 07.30 to 12.00 and 13.30 to 16.00 
Saturday and Sunday: closed

Contact:

Municipality of Mittelberg
Walserstrasse 52
A - 6991 Riezlern
Phone: +43 55 17 53 150
Mail: verwaltung@gde-mittelberg.at

An overview of the doctors in Kleinwalsertal and Oberstdorf, as well as the pharmacy in Kleinwalsertal can be found on the website of the municipality of Mittelberg.

There is currently only one of the four planned GP practice vacancies in Kleinwalsertal. In order to continue to ensure basic medical care in the valley, the Austrian Health Insurance Fund and the Social Insurance Institution for the Self-Employed have decided to extend the cross-border regulation via the S2 form once again.

All information about the S2 form and how to apply for it can be found on the website of the municipality of Mittelberg.

Anyone whose main residence is registered in Austria and who brings their vehicle to Austria from abroad must re-register it within one month of entering the country.
A car insurance provider of your choice will help you with the re-registration:

• 2Plus (Generali)
  Walserstraße 269, A-6992 Hirschegg
  Telefon: +43 5517 6660
  Mail: office@2-plus.at
  Webseite: www.2-plus.at
• Vorarlberger Landes-Versicherung
  Walserstraße 271, A-6992 Hirschegg
  Telefon: +43 5517 5642
  Mail: thomas.hoermann@vlv.at
  Webseite: www.vlv.at
• UNIQA Generalagentur Bastgen
  Walserstraße 237, A-6992 Hirschegg
  Telefon: +43 5517 6700
  Mail: bastian.bastgen@uniqa.at
  Webseite: www.uniqa-bastgen.at
• Allianz Versicherungs AG
  Walserstraße 52, 6992 Hirschegg
  Telefon: +43 5517 5849
  Mail: ralph.zangerl@allianz.at

EEA driving licenses (EU + Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) are recognized in Austria and do not have to be converted.

Driving licenses from non-EEA countries must be converted to an Austrian driving license within six months.

The foreign driving license can be converted at any driving license authority in Austria, for example in Bregenz:

Bezirkshauptmannschaft Bregenz
Bahnhofstraße 41, A-6900 Bregenz
Telephone: +43 5574 4951-0
Mail: bhbregenz@vorarlberg.at

Further information can be found at the digital office Austria.

Mobility card
Together with Markt Oberstdorf, the municipality of Mittelberg has created an attractive solution as an alternative to the citizen card: The mobility card includes all bus lines in Kleinwalsertal as well as in the Oberstdorf municipal area (except mountaineering line no. 8).

• Lower price than the annual package
• there is also a family ticket for 2 adults & all children or 1 adult & all children
• The mobility card is also available at a seasonal price (summer or winter).

PriMa-Card
It is also possible to obtain a PriMa-Card from the company. It contains the same services as the Kleinwalsertal citizen card.
The following services are also included:

• All bus lines in Kleinwalsertal and in the municipality of Oberstdorf (except line 8 - mountaineering line to Trettachtal)
• Mountain railroads summer season 2023 (during operating hours) Kanzelwand, Walmendingerhorn, Ifen, Fellhorn, Nebelhorn, Söllereck, Zaferna,
• Heuberg
• Riezlern outdoor pool
• Outdoor pool Freibergsee
• Moorbad Oberstdorf
• Moorbad Reichenbach
• Oberstdorf local history museum
• Breitachklamm

It's best to contact your employer, they can order the card for you from the Mittelberg municipal office. Some employers also contribute to the costs.

The current prices and further information can be found on the Mittelberg municipal website.

In Austria, families with children up to the age of 18 (or up to the age of 24 if they are in education or training) are granted a monthly financial allowance in the form of family allowance. Parents who are entitled to family allowance and share their main residence with their child and whose main place of residence is in Austria are also entitled to a childcare allowance.

Responsible for the family allowance:

Austrian tax office
Vorarlberg office
Brielgasse 19
A-6900 Bregenz
Telephone: +43 50 233 700
Appointment required

Responsible for childcare allowance:

Austrian Health Insurance Fund Vorarlberg
Service center Hirschegg
Walserstrasse 260
A-6992 Hirschegg
Phone: +43 50 7661 95415
Mail: hirschegg@oegk.at
Opening hours: Tuesday from 08.30 - 12.00 and 13.00 - 16.00

The Social Welfare Office deals with all social matters such as minimum benefits, pensions, youth and family, care allowances and housing benefits. Other main tasks are kindergartens, care for the elderly and housing allocation. The state of Vorarlberg also offers various financial support options if people get into financial difficulties through no fault of their own. 

Further information can be found at the digital office Austria.

• Health & Social Affairs Department of the municipality of Mittelberg
  Walserstrasse 52, A-6991 Riezlern
  Contact: Konrad Pfeffer, konrad.pfeffer@gde-mittelberg.at, Tel. +43 5517 5315-222
  Contact: Lisa Schuster, lisa.schuster@gde-mittelberg.at, Tel. +43 5517 5351-211
• Ifs - Social Work Kleinwalsertal
  Walserstrasse 260, A-6992 Hirschegg
  The Institute for Social Services (ifs) offers professional and anonymous counselling in all matters relating to mental and social health
  Contact: Ulrike Müller, ulrike.mueller@ifs.at, +43 5517 300-90
  Website: www.ifs.at/gemeinwesenarbeit

Childcare centres are divided into crèches (for children up to the age of three) and kindergartens (for children aged three to six). Attendance at a nursery is compulsory one year before school enrolment.

Registration for a public kindergarten and school place takes place directly via the respective facility.

• Kindergartens & infant care:
  • ‘Walsernest’ infant care centre
  • Riezlern kindergarten
  • Hirschegg kindergarten
• Schools in the surrounding area
• Babysitters & school childcare
  • List of babysitters in Kleinwalsertal
  • Afternoon and holiday care for children from 6 to 12 years in Kleinwalsertal

The Open Youth Work Kleinwalsertal is a service offered by the municipality of Mittelberg in co-operation with the Institute for Social Services (ifs).

• Counselling and mediation services (on topics such as: family, friends, addiction, school, apprenticeships, love...)
• Open youth club (every Monday from 16:00 in the ‘Käfer’ in Hirschegg, Mühleweg 3)
• Leisure and holiday activities (youth programme, children's holiday programme, etc.)
• Support/accompaniment of autonomous youth associations/youth groups (e.g. youth forum, rural youth, Hello...event team)
• Support/co-organisation of youth events

Contact:

Open youth work Kleinwalsertal
Walserstrasse 260, A-6992 Hirschegg
Phone: +43 (0)664 889 10 100
Contact: Simone Rundel, simone.rundel@ifs.at

The youth association ‘Hello...Eventteam’ for everyone aged 14 and over organises events and projects for young people. You can find more information on the website.

The ‘Käfer’ youth forum at Mühleweg 3 in Hirschegg is a meeting place for young people and the young at heart. Further information on opening times and events can be found on the Facebook page.

Sport, music & culture, youth & social affairs, safety - Kleinwalsertal has a colourful and varied club life. You can find an overview of all clubs and contact persons on the website of the municipality of Mittelberg.

If you are travelling to Kleinwalsertal with a dog, there are a few important points to bear in mind. Basically, every dog must be registered with the municipality of Mittelberg. This requires a personal visit to the municipal office - ideally directly after moving in.

The following documents are required for registration:

• Proof of dog ownership (e.g. purchase contract or pet passport)
• Confirmation of liability insurance
• Proof of the dog tax
• Possibly proof of training (for dogs with increased risk potential)

Dog tax must also be paid annually - the amount depends on the type and number of dogs kept.

In addition, dogs must be kept on a lead throughout the municipal area and in many cases must be muzzled (e.g. on public transport or in buildings).

Detailed information on registration, keeping, regulations and contact persons can be found on the website of the municipality of Mittelberg.

Please note: If you want to move to Kleinwalsertal with your pet, you should inform yourself in advance about the applicable import regulations.

Please note: If you would like to move to Kleinwalsertal with your pet, you should inform yourself in advance about the applicable import regulations.

Der ORF-Beitrag ist eine Gebühr, die von einem Großteil der österreichischen Haushalte verpflichtend zu bezahlen ist und der Finanzierung des Österreichischen Rundfunks (ORF) dient.

Grundsätzlich ist für jede in Österreich gelegene Adresse, an der zumindest eine volljährige Person mit Hauptwohnsitz im Zentralen Melderegister eingetragen ist, der ORF-Beitrag für jeden Kalendermonat zu entrichten. Die Beitragspflicht im privaten Bereich beginnt am Ersten des Folgemonats, in dem der Hauptwohnsitz im Zentralen Melderegister angemeldet wurde und endet mit Ablauf des Monats, in dem der Hauptwohnsitz abgemeldet wurde.

Ist an einem Hauptwohnsitz noch niemand beim Beitragsservice angemeldet, muss sich pro Hauptwohnsitz-Adresse eine volljährige Person registrieren. Beitragsschuldner ist die im Zentralen Melderegister mit Hauptwohnsitz an der Adresse eingetragene volljährige Person. Die Befreiung von der Beitragspflicht ist bei Vorliegen der gesetzlichen Voraussetzungen auf Antrag möglich.

Weitere und detailliertere Informationen findest Du auf der Webseite der OFR-Beitrags Service GmbH.

The ORF contribution is a fee that is payable by the majority of Austrian households and serves to finance the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF).

In principle, the ORF contribution must be paid for each calendar month for every address in Austria at which at least one person of legal age with a main residence is registered in the Central Register of Residents. The obligation to pay the contribution in the private sector begins on the first day of the month following the month in which the main residence was registered in the Central Register of Residents and ends at the end of the month in which the main residence was deregistered.

If no one is registered with the Contribution Service at a main residence, one adult person must register for each main residence address. The person liable for the contribution is the person of full age registered in the Central Register of Residents with the main residence at the address. Exemption from the obligation to pay contributions is possible on application if the legal requirements are met.

Further and more detailed information can be found on the website of OFR-Beitrags Service GmbH.

As in the whole of Austria, there are a number of public holidays in Kleinwalsertal, on which most shops remain closed and public facilities are only accessible to a limited extent.

Here is an overview of the most important dates in the calendar year:

• 1 January - New Year
• 6 January - Epiphany
• 19 March - St. Joseph's Day (not an official public holiday, but school holidays in Kleinwalsertal)
• Easter Monday - variable (usually in April)
• 1 May - public holiday
• Ascension Day - 40 days after Easter Sunday
• Whit Monday - 50 days after Easter Sunday
• Corpus Christi - 60 days after Easter Sunday
• 15 August - Assumption Day
• 26 October - National holiday
• 1 November - All Saints' Day
• 8 December - Assumption Day
• 25 December - Christmas (Christmas Day)
• 26 December - St. Stephen's Day

Please note: Some of these public holidays fall on a different date each year, as they depend on the date of Easter. Opening hours may therefore vary, especially around Easter and Whitsun.