Working Conditions in Austria

Work Permits

Austria is part of the EU. Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland do not require work permits to work in Austria. However, for third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA), specific visa requirements apply. These may include a work visa (e.g., Visa D) or a Red-White-Red Card, depending on the duration and nature of the project. It is essential to clarify the visa status of all foreign crew members before the production starts.

Social Security Contributions

All employees working for an Austrian production company must be registered with the Austrian social security system. This includes health insurance, accident insurance, pension contributions, and unemployment insurance. These contributions are generally handled by the employer (production company).

Collective Agreements (Kollektivvertrag)

Austrian labor law mandates the use of collective agreements for the film industry, which define minimum wages, overtime regulations, and working conditions. The "Kollektivvertrag für Filmschaffende" is binding for most crew roles.

Working Hours

• 40 hour week / 5 days a week (Mon-Fri) / 8 hours a day or
• 60 hour week / 5 days a week / 12 hours a day or
• 60 hour week / 6 days a week / 10 hours a day
• The lunch break must be at least 30 minutes and at most 60 minutes, and it must begin before the end of the sixth working hour
• The turnaround time must be at least 11 hours
• The weekend rest period must be at least 36 consecutive hours.
• Children under the age 16 are allowed no more than 8 hours on set and 25 hours of work per week (5 per day). Weekend needs to last for at least 48 hours, turnaround 14 hours. Shooting can take place between 8 am and 8 pm.

Overtime

(Official regulations as defined in the 'Kollektivvertrag' (the Austrian wage agreement:)

• 40 hour week: First two hours overtime are 50%, after that 100%
• 60 hour week: 100%
• working hours between 22:00h and 6:00h are officially 100%
• Only 40 hour week: Working hours on Saturday after the 5th hour or after 15:00h are 100%
• Sundays and Holidays are 100% + 1 additional paid extraday
• individual agreements are possible!
• Any violation of rest periods is subject to compensation at triple the standard hourly rate, as defined in the collective agreement

Rates

Please refer to the attached Excel sheet.

In the 40h/week-table as well as in 60h/week-table, we would recommend to take the "inkl. SZ und Urlaubsersatzleistung" column. In Austria, it's common that employees get paid 14 monthly salaries, a double salary in June and one in December. This is called "SZ" (Sonderzahlungen). Furthermore, every employee is entitled to get at least 5 weeks of paid holidays per year. Since there is no opportunity to go on holidays during a tight production-schedule, film crew members get paid for non-consumed holidays. This is meant by "Urlaubsersatzleistung" (refers to compensation for unused holiday entitlement).

In some cases (e.g. ACs, electrical) rates may be up to 20% higher than those listed.

Fringes

All of the crew members stated in the "Kollektivvertrag" have to be employed by the production company. Freelance agreements are only allowed with "contracts for specific work" (e.g. Production Designers). Since payroll accounting in Austria is kind of a science, a 26% flat-rate for fringes is an approximation but alright for budgeting purposes.

Allowances

Inside Autria:

Travel allowance (for more than 3 hours work outside the office but in the same town where the company is based) is € 14,- (+10% VAT = € 15,40) for work outside the city, but in Austria € 24,-(+10% VAT = € 26,40).

On shooting days with an "appropriate" catering (2 meals, at least one hot) is provided, there are no allowances.

Typically, a full catering service is provided on shooting days. The cost for this is generally around €42 per person per day.

These allowances are standard for productions under Austrian labor laws and are aimed at covering additional expenses incurred by crew members during work outside of the main office or filming location.

Outside Autria:

For travel allowances in a specific country see list.

If food/catering is provided the allowance will be reduced with following percentages:

• 15% for breakfast
• 30% for lunch
• 25% for dinner

That also means that in every case a minimum allowance of 30% of the listed amount has to be paid.

Compensation for traveling with a private car is €0.42 per kilometer up to 15,000 km; beyond this, it is €0.395 per kilometer (rates will be raised in 2025).

Actors Wages

For feature films in average € 2.000 up to € 4.000 (in some cases even higher) + fringes

Extras

€ 80,- to € 100,- (for 10 hours) + € 15 to € 20,- each for wardrobe or make up fittings etc. Specials (special selected/featured/special ability/doubles): € 110,- to 150,- (for 10 hours) incl. fringes (only if booked through an agency)

Local Expertise

It is highly recommended to partner with an Austrian production company early in the process. They can help navigate local regulations, secure funding opportunities, and manage logistical and legal requirements.

Funding

Austria's new funding programs, ÖFI+ and FISA+

Austria's new funding programs, ÖFI+ (Austrian Film Institute Plus) and FISA+ (Film Industry Support Austria Plus), are particularly appealing for international co-productions.

Austria’s ÖFI+ funding program includes a component that functions like a production incentive, making it particularly attractive for international projects. Production parts carried out in Austria can be funded with up to 60% of eligible costs. This approach aims to boost Austria's appeal as a competitive film location by providing significant financial backing for international co-productions, particularly for projects that utilize Austrian locations, services, or creative talent.

FISA+ extends support for both international and Austrian projects in cinema (Service-productions), television, and streaming. It provides up to 35% funding for eligible Austrian production costs, including partial productions of international projects.

Funding opportunities

Austrian Film Institute (National Cinema Fund)
www.filminstitut.at

Film Industry Support Austria (FISA) – (comparable to “Incentive”: ca. 30% to 35% of Austrian Spend)
www.filmstandort-austria.at

List of all regional Funds:
www.filminstitut.at/foerderstellen

Important Addresses

Austrian Film Institute (ÖFI)
The official page for national funding programs, including ÖFI+ and the application process for co-productions.
Austrian Film Institute

Film Industry Support Austria (FISA+)
Information on the FISA+ program, which offers financial incentives for international co-productions in Austria.
Film Industry Support Austria (FISA)

Austrian Film Commission
A key resource for information on Austrian film locations, services, and the co-production process.
Austrian Film Commission

Wirtschaftskammer Österreich (Austrian Chamber of Commerce)
Provides guidance on the legal and economic framework for the film industry in Austria, including labor regulations.
Austrian Chamber of Commerce – Film & Audiovisual Industry

Austrian Directors Association
A professional organization for directors, offering resources for filmmakers working in Austria.
Austrian Directors Association

Location Austria
Offers information about filming locations, production services, and locations in Austria.
Location Austria

Association of Austrian Film Producers
The official body for film producers in Austria, offering resources for co-productions and funding.
Association of Austrian Film Producers

Austrian Filmmakers Association
An association offering resources for film professionals and creatives in Austria.
Austrian Filmmakers Association

Austrian Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs
Government body overseeing various regulations, including visas and labor laws for foreign workers in Austria.
Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs