Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Moving to Austria means entering a country where mountains and baroque palaces coexist with a surprisingly diverse religious landscape. For an expatriate, understanding this spiritual framework—its rules, customs, and sensitivities—is essential to avoid missteps and to integrate fully into society. Religion no longer dominates public life as it once did, but it still structures the calendar, education, part of social life… and even some administrative procedures.
A country officially neutral but culturally Catholic
Austria is legally a secular and neutral state in religious matters. The Constitution and several historical laws clearly guarantee freedom of conscience and worship. As early as the end of the 18th century, Joseph II’s Toleration Patents laid the first foundations for this freedom, later reinforced by the Basic Law of 1867 on the General Rights of Nationals, the Treaty of Saint-Germain (1919), and the European Convention on Human Rights.
In practice, this means for an expatriate that freedom of belief is fully guaranteed, whether you belong to a recognized religious community, another denomination… or none. The state does not claim any religion, its missions are secular, and communities of believers are considered equal partners.
Although the institutional dominance of the Church has waned, Austrian culture remains deeply marked by Catholicism. This heritage, forged under the Habsburg monarchy which defended the Catholic faith and repressed Protestants, manifests today in Catholic holidays, processions, crosses in buildings, greetings like “Grüß Gott,” and the central role of parishes in local life.
The figures clearly illustrate this mix of religious heritage and gradual secularization. In 1951, nearly 89% of the population was still Catholic; in 2021, about 55% declared themselves members of the Catholic Church, and 2024 statistics indicate that for the first time, less than half of residents are officially registered as Catholics. At the same time, the share of people with no religious affiliation rose from 4% in the early 1970s to over 22% today.
Percentage of the population affiliated with a Christian church, making Christianity the majority religion.
Legally recognized religious communities
To understand local practices, it is useful to know that Austria distinguishes between two legal levels: “legally recognized churches and religious societies” and “registered denominational communities.” The former enjoy a very protective public law status; the latter can, under certain conditions of duration and size, hope to achieve this status after about twenty years of existence.
Among the recognized communities are notably: indigenous peoples, ethnic minorities, linguistic groups, and religious communities.
| Type of community | Examples of recognized religions |
|---|---|
| Christian | Catholic Church, Protestant churches (Augsburg, Helvetic), Orthodox churches (Greek, Serbian, Romanian, Russian, Bulgarian), Old Catholic Church, Methodist Church, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, New Apostolic Church, Free Evangelical Churches (Freikirchen) |
| Non-Christian | Israelite Religious Community, Islamic Religious Community, Alevi Community, Austrian Buddhist Society, Jehovah’s Witnesses |
This status grants very concrete rights: organization of public worship, internal autonomy, management of their assets, the ability to found recognized private schools, and above all, state-funded denominational religious instruction in public schools. For an expatriate, this translates into an environment where religion can appear in children’s daily school life, without the public school itself being denominational.
Where and how is religion practiced in daily life?
Religious practice varies greatly by region and generation. The countryside generally remains more attached to Catholic traditions, while large cities, and especially Vienna, display greater religious diversity… and a high proportion of people with no religion.
In 2021, the capital stood out with a very different distribution from the rest of the country:
| Region | Christians | Muslims | No religion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vienna | 49.0% | 14.8% | 34.1% |
| Tyrol | 73.2% | 8.7% | 17.8% |
| Burgenland | 80.3% | 2.2% | 16.8% |
For an expatriate, this means that religious life will be very different depending on where you live. In Vienna, you can easily come across mosques, synagogues, Sikh gurdwaras, Hindu temples, or Buddhist centers, while in an Alpine village, the Catholic parish often remains the only visible religious structure.
The discreet but real weight of the church contribution
One surprising aspect for many foreigners is the “Kirchenbeitrag,” the mandatory church contribution for registered Christians (mainly Catholics and Protestants). It amounts to approximately 1% of income and is collected as a church tax. Expatriates or naturalized citizens who were baptized Catholic may be asked to pay this contribution, even if they do not practice: only a formal process of leaving the church (Kirchenaustritt) allows one to avoid it.
In Germany, the church tax (Kirchensteuer) funds an extensive network of parishes, schools, daycare centers, and social services. For residents, it is not a privilege but a way to finance institutions embedded in the social fabric. For an expatriate, it is crucial to understand this mechanism to anticipate its impact on the tax return and avoid any surprises.
Education, children, and religion: what an expat parent needs to know
In Austria, the relationship between children, parents, and religion is highly regulated. The law on the religious education of children sets precise age thresholds. Until age 10, parents decide on the religious affiliation of the child. Between 10 and 12, they must consult the child before any decision. From 12 to 14, one cannot change one’s religion against one’s will, and from age 14, each young person is considered “religiously of age” and freely chooses their denomination, independently of their parents’.
In public schools, students belonging to a recognized religious community are entitled to a religion class in their denomination, funded by the state. Other students can either not take a religion class or, depending on local offerings, take an ethics class.
Expat families choosing a private Catholic school should know that this right also extends to these institutions: a Muslim student can receive Islamic religion classes if the number of students allows it. Many parents, regardless of their religion, choose these schools for their reputation for academic rigor and sensitivity to spiritual matters rather than doctrinal conviction.
Adapting to codes of conduct in places of worship
Whether you are a believer or simply curious, visiting a baroque church, a mosque, or a synagogue is almost inevitable in Austria. But these places are not mere monuments: they are living spaces of prayer. A few implicit rules help to respect local sensitivities.
Dress code: modesty rather than rigidity
In daily life, attire is rather casual, although Austrians tend to dress neatly and quite conservatively. However, as soon as you step through the door of a religious building, one principle applies: sobriety and respect.
In churches and cathedrals, the codes are similar to those in the rest of Europe:
| Garment item | General recommendation in churches |
|---|---|
| Shoulders | Cover (avoid tank tops, thin straps) |
| Knees | Cover (short shorts, miniskirts not recommended) |
| Neckline / stomach | Avoid very low-cut clothes or crop tops |
| Shoes | Clean, avoid beach flip-flops |
| Hat (men) | Remove indoors |
| Headscarf (women, Orthodox) | Sometimes recommended, rarely mandatory |
Austria is generally a bit less strict than Italy or Spain in enforcing these rules, but showing up in beach attire inside a church is still highly frowned upon. Keeping a light scarf or shawl in your bag to cover your shoulders when needed is a habit many expats adopt after a few weeks.
In mosques, you must cover shoulders and legs (women must also cover their hair in the prayer hall) and remove shoes before entering. In synagogues, men must cover their heads (kippah, cap, or hat) and rules for women depend on the branch (Orthodox, Reform…). Security checks are common, especially in major European synagogues.
Attitude inside: silence as a common language
Once inside, the golden rule in all places of worship is the same: put reverence before tourism. In practical terms, this means speaking very softly, putting your phone on silent, not walking in front of someone who is praying, and avoiding moving through the center of the nave during a service. It is more discreet to use the side aisles.
Many churches in Austria are open during the day but close briefly at noon. During religious services (often Sunday morning and some weekday evenings), visitors are tolerated if they sit quietly at the back or wait outside until the ceremony ends.
Two typical expat mistakes stem from a misunderstanding of rituals:
– In Catholic churches, approaching the altar during Communion to receive the host when not Catholic or not a regular practitioner: officially, Communion is reserved for Catholics in a state of grace. A non-Catholic can remain seated or step forward with arms crossed over the chest to simply receive a blessing, if this custom exists in the parish;
– Taking photos during a service or using flash on frescoes: flash is almost always prohibited to protect the artwork, and many places of worship ban all photography during services.
Visitors are not required to venerate icons (kissing, lighting candles) but should avoid standing directly in front of the main icons while the faithful circulate. It is also advisable not to sit with crossed legs facing the altar, a gesture considered impolite in some traditions.
In mosques, men and women sometimes have separate spaces. Observing prayer from the back of the hall is generally accepted, as long as you remain still and silent. During Friday prayer or major festivals like Eid, tourist access may be restricted.
Donations, candles, and small gestures
Austrian churches that do not charge an entrance fee appreciate small contributions dropped into a collection box: electricity, heating, and restoration of baroque organs are costly. Lighting a votive candle is a very common gesture, accessible to visitors of any faith; it usually comes with a modest coin (often between €0.50 and €2).
In synagogues, the practice of donations is also common, but it is done more through the community (membership fees, collections) than via visible boxes at the entrance. In mosques, zakat and donations are often managed internally, but a visitor who wants to support the community can inquire with the mosque administration.
The religious calendar: understanding holidays and customs
Nearly all national holidays have a religious origin, even if many Austrians now experience them more as welcome breaks than as feasts of faith. For an expatriate, these dates are important for planning travel, administrative procedures, or social life, since offices and most shops are closed.
Major Catholic dates visible in public life
From New Year to Christmas, the rhythm of the year follows the Christian calendar:
| Feast (origin) | Concrete impact for an expatriate |
|---|---|
| Epiphany (January 6) | Public holiday: children dressed as the Three Kings sing door-to-door, collect donations, and mark houses with “C+M+B”; risk of store closures |
| Easter (March/April) | Holy Week marked by liturgies, occasional closures; Easter Monday off, egg hunts, Easter markets |
| Ascension, Pentecost, Corpus Christi | Thursdays off in spring, often used for long weekends; Corpus Christi processions with priests, banners, and brass bands in traditional costume |
| Assumption (August 15) | Summer public holiday, numerous Marian processions in rural areas |
| All Saints’ Day (November 1) | Flowers on graves, families visiting cemeteries, very quiet atmosphere in the evening |
| Immaculate Conception (December 8) | Religious feast but also a special opening day for shops for Christmas shopping |
| Christmas (December 25-26) | Country almost at a standstill, family life a priority, many restaurants and tourist sites closed |
In addition to these national holidays, there are regional public holidays, linked to patron saints or local history (St. Joseph in Tyrol, St. Florian in Upper Austria, St. Leopold in Vienna and Lower Austria, etc.). Sunday remains largely a day of rest, with stores closed and quieter streets, even in big cities.
Advent, Christmas, and the season of traditions
The Advent season, the four weeks before Christmas, is one of the most culturally significant. Advent wreaths adorn tables with their four candles, a door of the Advent calendar is opened each day, and Christmas markets (Christkindlmärkte) set up in main squares, especially in Vienna, Salzburg, or Innsbruck.
Several traditions mark the Advent season in Germany. “Barbarazweige” are cherry branches cut on December 4, said to bloom by Christmas. On December 6, Saint Nicholas visits children, often accompanied by Krampus, a frightening figure with horns and fur. Finally, the “Peace Light of Bethlehem” is distributed in churches.
On the evening of December 24, called “Heiliger Abend,” the heart of family celebrations takes place: dinner, opening of gifts brought by the Christkind (not Santa Claus), sometimes midnight mass. For an expatriate, this is often a discovery: streets empty very early in the afternoon, public transport runs on a reduced schedule, and the outside atmosphere becomes almost eerily calm.
Other highlights: Carnival, Pentecost, harvests, and autumn
The rest of the year is punctuated by a host of customs, many of which retain an explicit or implicit religious dimension: Carnival (Fasching) between Christmas and the start of Lent, with its parades and filled doughnuts; Holy Week processions; St. John’s fires in mid-June, often interpreted as protection against evil spirits; autumn harvest thanksgiving blessings (Erntedankfest); or the “Almabtriebe,” the decorated descent of livestock from Alpine pastures, sometimes accompanied by a thanksgiving mass.
These festivals are above all community events, not shows for visitors. To be well received, an expatriate should participate with respect: wear appropriate attire, greet locals, and avoid intrusive photography.
Contemporary religious diversity: Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism
While Catholicism provides the cultural backdrop, today’s Austria is far from monolithic. Migration flows over recent decades have profoundly transformed the religious landscape, especially in large cities and certain states.
Islam, the country’s second religion
With more than 745,000 adherents, or just over 8% of the population, Islam is the main religious minority. Austria has a long legal history with Islam: as early as 1912, after the annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Muslim religion was officially recognized by the Islam Law (Islamgesetz). A revised version adopted in 2015 prohibits, among other things, foreign funding of mosques and imams, while guaranteeing certain rights such as access to halal food or Muslim chaplaincy in the military.
The majority of Muslims are Sunni, with large communities of Turkish and Bosnian origin, but also Arabs, Afghans, Kurds, and other groups. The Alevis, some of whom identify both with the Shia heritage and a distinct identity, have had their own recognized religious community since 2013.
In Vienna, the Islamic Center, recognizable by its dome and 32-meter minaret, is the most visible mosque. It offers daily prayers, sermons, Quran classes for all ages, and support for new Muslims. The institution publicly states it condemns all extremism and actively promotes interfaith dialogue.
For a Muslim expatriate, Austria offers relative ease of access to worship and halal food, especially in large cities where halal butchers and restaurants are plentiful. However, one must keep in mind certain sensitive laws, such as the ban on covering one’s face in public (targeting burqa and niqab), or recurring political debates around the “headscarf” and Islamic education. Despite these tensions, surveys show that a large majority of Muslims in Austria say they are attached to the country.
Judaism: small community, great symbolic visibility
The Jewish community in Austria experienced a tragic fate in the 20th century. Before World War II, there were over 200,000 Jews, mainly in Vienna; after the Holocaust, only a few thousand remained, most having been murdered or emigrated. Today, the Jewish population is estimated at around 8,000 to 15,000 people, mostly postwar arrivals.
Despite its small size, the Viennese Jewish community is a major cultural and memorial actor. It is structured around the Israelite Community of Vienna (IKG), which manages places of worship, schools, social services, and the cemetery. The Stadttempel, the only large synagogue to survive Kristallnacht, is a heavily secured symbolic site. The Jewish Museum Vienna, across two locations, offers exhibitions and educational programs. Finally, the “Jewish Welcome Service” helps descendants of Austrian Jews and visitors reconnect with this history.
For an expatriate, attending a guided tour of Jewish memorial sites or a service (by registration and after security checks) can help better understand this central chapter of the country’s religious and political history. Security is more visible there than in other places of worship, reflecting both the historical vulnerability of the community and the state’s will to protect it.
Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs: organized and visible minorities
Buddhism was recognized as a religion in 1983, which is relatively early in Europe. Centers of various schools (Tibetan, Theravada, Zen, etc.) exist, especially in Vienna. A Peace Pagoda on the Danube symbolizes this peaceful face of Buddhism. Most practitioners are Austrian, sometimes converts, with a complement of communities from Asia (Vietnam, China).
Hinduism is represented by a registered community, without yet having fully recognized church status. In Vienna, a Hindu temple serves as a gathering point for festivals and rituals. Sikhs have several gurdwaras in the capital, where the langar (free community meal) is open to all, regardless of religion, provided basic rules are followed: cover your head, remove your shoes, and behave respectfully.
These places offer expatriates from South Asia or the English-speaking world an important religious and social anchor. They are often multilingual (conducted in Punjabi, Hindi, or Tamil, with commentary in German or English) and open to the curious, provided you inquire in advance about specific rules.
Vienna: a capital of interfaith dialogue
Vienna does not merely host a mosaic of religious communities; the city is also one of the European centers of interfaith dialogue. Several international organizations are based there, including a center dedicated to dialogue between religions and cultures, and numerous events are regularly organized around the theme of harmony between beliefs.
Austria organizes and supports conferences bringing together various actors (religious figures, diplomats, academics, activists) on topics such as peace and the prevention of extremism. This approach is an integral part of its foreign policy, which also funds exchange programs, residencies for researchers, and mediation training in conflict zones.
For an expatriate, this dynamic translates into an abundance of public lectures, exhibitions, interfaith guided tours, spiritual concerts (gospel, liturgical chant, Sufi music…) and networking initiatives. Participating in these events not only helps one better understand the Austrian context but also to meet other foreigners and locals interested in these topics.
Interfaith relations, tolerance, and tensions: what to keep in mind
Overall, Austrian society describes itself as respectful of different faiths, and the law protects all recognized communities against defamation or disruption of their services. Ecumenical dialogues among Christian churches, Jewish-Christian or Muslim-Christian partnerships, and multireligious platforms demonstrate a real desire for peaceful coexistence.
At the same time, as elsewhere in Europe, tensions exist: debates on immigration, controversies over the visibility of Islam (mosques, headscarf, funding), criticism of the “privileges” of the Catholic Church linked to the church tax and its management of schools, or the rise of neopagan movements that sometimes reject major religions.
For an expatriate, the key is to:
For harmonious interfaith dialogue, it is crucial to recognize the historical sensitivity of certain topics (like the Holocaust, the imperial Catholic legacy, or the Balkan wars), avoid generalizations about a community based on current political debates, respect the private sphere of beliefs by accepting that an interlocutor may not want to discuss their faith, and remain attentive to the specific rules of each place of worship (signs, announcements, indications) to avoid any unintentionally offensive behavior.
Austrians value politeness, punctuality, a certain reserve in conversations, and great respect for “Ruhezeiten” (quiet times) in the evening, on Sundays, and on public holidays. This also applies to religious events: processions or neighborhood festivals are noisy within a specific framework, but the surroundings of cemeteries on All Saints’ Day, for example, remain extremely quiet.
Integrating the religious dimension into your expat life
Understanding Austria’s religious landscape doesn’t necessarily mean becoming a practitioner or attending every service. Rather, it is about perceiving how religion structures certain aspects of society, in order to better navigate daily life.
Professional life and public holidays
In the workplace, major Catholic holidays are naturally days off. Practicing colleagues may take additional leave for Easter, pilgrimages, or spiritual retreats, while Muslim employees may sometimes ask for accommodations for Eid or the start of Ramadan. Austrian laws allow, under certain conditions, taking leave for specific religious holidays, even if they are not national public holidays, but it all depends on agreements with the employer.
As an expat manager, it is recommended to inform yourself about the religious diversity of your team. This allows you to anticipate accommodation needs, particularly for planning and catering during events like seminars or team meals. Consider offering suitable food options (halal, kosher, vegetarian) and plan for the absence of alcohol if necessary.
Children, school, and community
For families, religion often appears through school and extracurricular activities. Religious holidays (St. Nicholas, Easter, Christmas, etc.) are integrated into the school calendar and give rise to workshops, performances, or small ceremonies. Non-Christian expat parents are sometimes surprised to see their child participating in activities related to Christmas or St. Nicholas; depending on the school, these events are presented more as cultural traditions than as faith celebrations.
Parents can usually request an exemption for certain religious aspects (such as attending a service) while allowing the child to participate in festive elements. It is essential to engage in dialogue with the school to find a balance that respects everyone’s beliefs.
Getting involved (or not) in a religious community
Finally, many expats find in a local religious community a place of support and socialization. In Vienna, Salzburg, Linz, or Graz, you can find Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, and other churches offering services in English, Spanish, French, or other languages. Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, or Sikh communities also have multilingual offerings for newcomers.
A few typical examples of services offered in large cities:
| City / Community | Type of services useful to an expatriate |
|---|---|
| International Catholic parishes | Masses in several languages, youth groups, student chaplaincy, spiritual guidance, German courses sometimes linked to the parish |
| Protestant and Evangelical churches | Bilingual services (German/English), home groups, activities for international families |
| Regional Islamic centers | Daily and Friday prayers, language and Quran classes, support for newcomers, interfaith events (open days) |
| Jewish community | Services, cultural activities, educational programs, support for Jewish foreign students, organized visits to the museum and Jewish quarter |
| Buddhist and Hindu centers | Guided meditations, lectures, traditional festivals open to the public, sometimes teaching in English |
Even without religious involvement, these places are often good entry points for better understanding Austrian society and building connections beyond the strictly professional sphere.
In conclusion: attention to detail and respect for sensitivities
Religion in Austria is both everywhere and nowhere. It can be sensed in public holidays, in a “Grüß Gott” greeting, in a procession with banners and brass bands, in the church bells that mark time, in a cemetery covered with candles on All Saints’ Day. But it coexists with a largely secularized society, where nearly a quarter of the population claims no religion and the state aims to be neutral.
For an expatriate, navigating this dimension well mainly requires three attitudes:
To respect local religious practices abroad, it is advisable to observe behaviors in public spaces (like store closures during holidays), inquire with locals or official websites of religious communities, and slightly adapt your habits, for instance by planning modest attire for visits to places of worship or anticipating the impact of religious holidays on your schedule.
In return, Austrian society offers a highly protective legal framework, a diversity of places of worship rarely visible at first glance, and a rich palette of traditions that expats can share, whether they are believers or not. Understanding these local religious practices is not just an exercise in politeness; it is one of the keys to deeply grasping this seemingly discreet country, with its great cultural and symbolic density.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
