Unemployment Insurance
5.9% of an employee’s gross monthly earnings goes towards unemployment insurance contributions, regardless of the type of employment. The contributions are shared equally between the employer and employee (employer's share: 2.95%, employee's share: 2.95%) and are applicable to both the monthly salary and special payments.
Benefits
Unemployment insurance contributions cover:
- Unemployment benefit
- Emergency unemployment assistance if the entitlement to unemployment benefit or transitional allowance is exhausted and there is an emergency situation
- Advance payment of benefits from pension insurance
- Further education allowance, part-time education allowance, part-time retirement allowance, taking specified incomed limits into consideration.
- transitional allowance
- retraining allowance
In order to receive unemployment benefit, certain requirements must be met, such as availability for a job placement or the ability and willingness to work. In addition to this, at least 52 weeks of employment subject to unemployment insurance contributions within the last two years must be demonstrated. In certain cases, such as for people under the age of 25, shorter periods apply. Unemployment benefit cannot be received, for example, by people who are already abroad or who are receiving disability benefit, a training allowance or part-time education allowance. The amount of unemployment benefit paid out, depends on your previous income.
Unemployment Insurance
If you lose your job, the Austrian Employment Service (AMS) will take over your social insurance contributions until you find new employment. The long-term unemployed and those in need also receive an e-card (social insurance card) and full access to free healthcare.
Further details on the Austrian Employment Service.
Chamber of Labour - Unemployment insurance.
Unemployment insurance for self-employed persons.
