Welcome to Styria! - International Womens Association of Graz

Welcome 

to Styria! 

Contact 

Team “Location development and management” 

Email: neuland@sfg.at 

Web: http://sfg.at/neuland 

08.2011 | Version 1.0 | Handbook for Expatriates

Contents 

SFG – Styrian Business Promotion Agency 

Handbook MATERIALICA for Expatriates 2000 

1 Styria........................................................................................................................................ 3 

2 Entry and residence ................................................................................................................. 5 

2.1 Right of residence according to Union law for EEA nationals, Swiss nationals, their 

dependents and dependents of Austrians ................................................................................... 5 

2.2 Residence for third-country nationals ............................................................................... 6 

2.3 Visa categories ................................................................................................................ 8 

2.4 Red-White-Red Card ..................................................................................................... 10 

2.5 More detailed information .................................................................................................... 12 

3 Living: seeking accommodation and further information ......................................................... 13 

3.1 Daily newspapers and special supplements .................................................................... 13 

3.2 Online portals ................................................................................................................. 13 

3.3 Further information and contact details ........................................................................... 13 

4 Infrastructure: Private transport, public transport, rail, road, air connections .......................... 15 

4.1 Private transport: the Styrian road network ..................................................................... 15 

4.2 Public transport – an efficient alternative to private transport .......................................... 15 

4.3 Cycling in Styria .............................................................................................................. 19 

4.4 Park&Ride in Styria ......................................................................................................... 19 

4.5 Graz Airport ................................................................................................................... 20 

4.6 Graz is a model region for e-mobility .............................................................................. 20 

5 Education, training, further education: structure, educational institutions, adult education ...... 21 

5.1 Compulsory school attendance ...................................................................................... 21 

5.2 The Austrian education system ....................................................................................... 21 

5.3 Styria – Number One in Education! ................................................................................ 24 

5.4 International educational provision in Graz ..................................................................... 26 

5.5 An overview of Styrian universities and higher education colleges ................................. 27 

5.6 Adult education ............................................................................................................... 27 

6 Health care, hospitals, emergencies ...................................................................................... 28 

6.1 Access to health care through compulsory insurance .................................................... 28 

6.2 In-patient and out-patient provision ................................................................................. 30 

6.3 Emergency calls – Standby services – Hotlines ............................................................. 31 

7 Sport & Leisure ..................................................................................................................... 32 

7.1 Styria: the “green heart” of Austria .................................................................................. 32 

7.2 Graz ............................................................................................................................... 36 

8 Sources .................................................................................................................................. 40 

Page 2 of 40

1 Styria 



N 47.16319 E 14.73828 – that is the heart of Styria in the digital age, right at the heart of Europe. 

Covering an area of 16,000 km², this region is more diverse than many others: from the Alpine 

region in the north to the rolling hills of its southern vineyard country. In the east, the hot springs of 

the spa land, wooded valleys in the west. Economically speaking, Styria is a place of innovation 

within an area of Europe with a future – the region of Alpe-Adria; there are few EU regions that can 

compete with the economic momentum of this area. 1 

In respect of quality of life, Styria is a European leader. People who live and work here are 

captivated by the Mediterranean atmosphere and guests, too, feel the attraction: for Austrians, 

Styria is the most popular holiday region with 90% of them drawn there by the diverse countryside, 

excellent cuisine and the friendliness of its inhabitants. 2 

See the “Sport & Leisure” chapter for more. 

Styria is also peaceful and socially balanced: only three striking days in the past ten years – a 

pinnacle position in Europe. As far as security is concerned, 1,000 leading managers worldwide 

give Austria and its south-eastern province absolutely top marks. 3 


Geography 

Area 16,401 km² 

Inhabitants 1,207,479 (Austria: 8,355,260) 

Provincial capital Graz (253,994 inhabitants) 

Source: Styrian Provincial Statistics, Statistics Austria (2009) 

Economy 

Gross economic value 

added 

Total € 30,661 


Primary sector € 903 

Secondary sector € 11,189 

Tertiary sector € 18,569 

Nominal gross value added in mil. € / source: Styrian Provincial Statistics, Statistics Austria (2009) 

Absolute purchasing power 

Per inhabitant € 16,655 

Gross national average € 2,088 

income* 

Standard & Poor’s Rating AA+ 


* “Median” monthly income for all workers and employees in the workplace, excluding apprentices and civil servants, the self- 

employed and free-lance workers. / Source: Regio Data Research (2007), Federation of Austrian Social Insurance Institutions 

(2007), Standard & Poor’s (2008) 


2 Entry and residence 



2.1 Right of residence according to Union law for EEA nationals, 

Swiss nationals, their dependents and dependents of Austrians 4 

As an EEA national or Swiss national you do not need a visa and have the right to stay on federal 

territory for a period of three months. 

EEA nationals and Swiss nationals have a right according to Union law to stay for more than three 

months if they 

� are in employment or are self-employed in Austria or 

� have sufficient financial means for themselves and their family members and hold 

comprehensive health insurance, or 

� are completing their education in a school or other educational institution and hold 

comprehensive health insurance for themselves and their family members and have 

sufficient financial means at their disposal. 

Dependents of EEA nationals or Swiss nationals who have a right to stay according to Union law or 

of Austrians, who have taken up their right to stay according to Union law and who are EEA 

nationals or Swiss nationals and who do not satisfy the above conditions, have a right to stay 

according to Union law for more than three months if they: 

� are the spouse or registered partner 

� are a relative of the EEA national or Swiss national or their spouse or registered partner, 

and direct-line descendant of the EEA or Swiss national (child, grandchild, greatgrandchild) 

under the age of 21 in so far as they remain dependent on them 

� are a relative of the EEA national or Swiss national or their spouse or registered partner, 

and direct dependent in the ascending line (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents) in 

so far as they remain dependent on them 

� are the registered partner and can show that they are in a durable relationship, or 

� Other dependents are 

� those who were dependent on the EEA national or Swiss national in the state in which 

they formerly lived 

� those who were a member of his/her household in the state in which they formerly 

lived or 

� those who for serious health reasons require personal care by the EEA national or 

Swiss national. 

EEA nationals or Swiss nationals who have a right to stay on federal territory according to Union 

law will receive upon application a confirmation of registration (a relevant application has to be 

made within four months of entry into Austria), and after five years of uninterrupted legal residence 

in Austria a confirmation of permanent residence. In addition, you can apply for the photo ID for 

EEA nationals (that may also be used as an ID document). 




Dependents of EEA nationals or Swiss nationals, or of Austrians who have taken up their right to 

stay according to Union law, who are third-country nationals, will receive upon application a 

“residence card” and after five years of uninterrupted legal residence on federal territory a 

"permanent residence card" (that may also be used as a document of identification). 

The term “dependent” shall mean: 

� spouse or registered partner 

� a relative of the EEA national or Swiss or Austrian national or their spouse or registered 

partner, who is a direct-line descendant under the age of 21 (child, grandchild), in so far as 

they remain dependent on them 

� a relative of the EEA national or Swiss or Austrian national or their spouse or registered 

partner, who is a direct dependent in the ascending line (parents, grandparents) in so far as 

they remain dependent on them 

Attention: Any person taking up residence in Austria has a legal obligation to comply with 

the Registration Act. Any person taking or leaving accommodation in Austria is legally 

bound to give notice of arrival and departure at the relevant office of registration. 

Information: nationals of EEA member states or Switzerland who have been legally 

resident in Austria since January 1, 2006, and who are registered according to the 

Registration Act, are deemed to be legally registered. 

2.2 Residence for third-country nationals 5 

Third-country nationals, that is nationals of states that are not members of the European Union 

(EU), or of the European Economic Area (EEA), who wish to reside in Austria for a period longer 

than six months, require a residence title (provided they have Community law right of residence). 

Nationals of the EU and EEA or Switzerland do not require a residence title. They need to apply for 

confirmation of registration from the relevant office within four months of entry into the territory of 

the Federal Republic. 

Attention: upon entering the Austria labour market, nationals from new EEA member states 

must comply with restrictions 

Information: Switzerland is neither an EU nor EEA member state, and thus classed as a 

third country. However, because Switzerland is affiliated to the EEA through a number of 

bilateral agreements, Swiss nationals are in many instances on equal terms with EEA 

nationals. 

The conditions of the Austrian Aliens Police Act (FPG) apply for residence periods of up to six 

months. If residence is for longer than six months, conditions of the Residence & Settlement of 

Foreigners Act (NAG) apply. 


The following are the different types of residence titles: 

¿ "Residence permit" (temporary limited residence) 

¿ "Red-White-Red Card" (limited settlement with limited labour market access) 



¿ "Red-White-Red Card plus" (limited settlement with unlimited labour market access) 

¿ "Blue Card EU" (limited settlement with limited access to labour market) 

¿ "Settlement permit" (limited settlement with limited access to labour market) 

¿ "Settlement permit – excluding employment" (limited settlement without access to labour 

market) 

¿ "Settlement permit – dependent" (limited settlement without access to labour market) 

¿ "Family member" (limited settlement with unlimited access to labour market) 

¿ "Permanent residence – EC" (unlimited settle with unlimited access to labour market) 

¿ "Permanent residence – family member" (unlimited settlement with unlimited access to 

labour market) 

Residence titles are always issued for a particular purpose (e.g. except for employment). The 

purpose of residence may only be changed during residence in Austria if the conditions for the 

residence title applied for are fulfilled and, where applicable, if the necessary quota is available. 

Attention: The following are not permitted: applications that carry different residence 

purposes, submitting multiple applications at the same time, submitting further applications 

when proceedings are pending. 

Information: Residence titles are issued in card form (bank cheque card format). 

Limited residence titles are always issued for a period of twelve months. But there are exceptions 

as follows: 

� The residence title "Blue Card EU" is issued for a period of two years unless the 

employment contract is for a shorter period (in these cases the residence title will be issued 

for a period of three months longer than the duration of the employment contract). 

� If the residence title applied for is for a shorter period, it will be issued only for the period of 

time applied for. 

� If the passport is valid for less than one year, the residence title will be issued only for the 

period of validity of the passport. 

� If in the case of family reunification, the period of validity of the residence title of the thirdcountry-national 

sponsor is shorter than one year, the residence title of family members will 

be limited to the shorter period. 

� Certain residence titles ("Red-White-Red – Card plus", "Settlement permit", "Settlement 

permit – dependent", "Settlement permit – excluding employment" and residence title 

"Family member") are issued for a period of three years, if the third-country national has 

completed module 1 of the integration agreement and has been settled legally and 

continuously in Austria for the previous two years. 




The residence title "Permanent residence – EC" and "Permanent residence – family member" is 

issued for a five-year period of validity. However, the limit on the validity of the card does not affect 

the right to unlimited residence. 

The period of validity of the residence title begins with the date of issue. If an application for an 

extension of period of residence is made on time and the residence title issued, the person is 

deemed to be legally resident in Austria without interruption. 

2.3 Visa categories 6 

Information: All types of visa can only be issued by Austrian representation agencies 

abroad or in very exceptional cases by some border inspection posts, but never by another 

domestic authority. 

A visa may be extended in the home country only in very clearly defined exceptional 

circumstances. 


Visa category Description Features 

Visa A: 

Visa for flight 

transfer 

Visa C: 

Travel visa 

Visa D: 

Residence visa 

In principle, foreign nationals in 

transit who do not leave the transit 

area or airplane do not require a visa. 

This is the classic tourist visa. Visa C 

may be issued for a total residence 

period of 90 days within a period of 

180 days and entitles the holder to 

enter and reside in the Schengen 

area. 

Visa D entitles the holder to be 

resident for a period from 91 days up 

to six months. It is mostly issued for 

the purpose of taking a course that 

does not fall within the scope of a 

residence title and for a one-off 

bridging period until residence title 

has been granted. However, at the 

time of issue, the granting of the 

residence title must be confirmed and 

constitute a temporary obstacle only. 


MATERIALICA 2000 Handbookfor Expatriates 

Nationals of some countries, third-country nationals, whose travel document has been issued by one of 

these particular countries, and who do not fall within the category of defined exceptions, need a visa A 

for transit via an Austrian airport. (These countries or exceptional cases are to be found on the list of 

visa requirements.) Visa A may not be issued in the home country. Nor, for whatever reason, will it be 

issued at the border. 

Schengen countries: Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Italy, Greece, Latvia, 

Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Slovakia, 

Slovenia, Spain, Czech Republic, Hungary plus the non-EU members Switzerland, Norway and 

Iceland. 

A (national) Visa D issued by Austria or another Schengen state entitles the holder to use this visa and 

a valid travel document to move freely within the sovereign area of the Schengen member states for up 

to three months within a period of six months in so far as the entry requirements are fulfilled in respect 

of Article 5 Paragraph 1, points a, c and e of Regulation (EC) nr. 562/2006 of the European Parliament 

and of the Council of 15 March 2006 establishing a Community Code on the rules governing the 

movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code) and the person is not on the national 

list of alerts of the member state affected. 

Visa D can in principle only be issued by an Austrian representation agency. If Austria is represented in 

another country by another Schengen state, this agency may only issue a Schengen visa. If a Visa D is 

required, you need to apply to the appropriate Austrian representation agency in a neighbouring state. 


2.4 Red-White-Red Card 7 



In order to obtain the Red-White-Red Card (RWR Card), would-be migrants must achieve a certain 

number of points. 

For non-EU 

citizens 

Highly qualified 

professionals 

Definition Especially highly 

qualified migrants, e.g. 

manager, medical 

doctors, IT specialists, 

etc. 

Criteria derived 

from the labour 

market 

Shortage 

occupations 

Will be defined flexibly 

according to need, e.g. 

welders, carers, furriers 

None Shortage occupations to 

be defined by decree 

Other 

key personnel 

Skills areas that cannot 

be filled on the Austrian 

labour market 

Procedure for 

replacement of shortage 

skills must be carried 

out 

Employment offer must be in place 

Defined minimum wage in order to avoid wage 

dumping 

Fundamentals Family reunification immediately after taking up employment 

Source: APA/Sozialpartner 

Comes into effect July 1, 2011 

No quota 

The following is an overview of the points system for the three migration routes (highly qualified 

professionals, shortage occupations, other key personnel) 

Entry criteria for the especially highly qualified 

1. Special Qualification 

Max. 40 creditable points 

Completion of university or University of Applied 

Sciences (UAS) study 

20 points 

The “Habilitation” 40 points 

Previous year’s gross salary in a 

leading position in a listed 

company 

€ 50,000-60,000 20 points 

€ 60,000-70,000 25 points 

over € 70,000 30 points 

Activity in research or innovation (patent applications, 

publications) 

20 points 

Awards (recognised prize-giving bodies) 20 points 


Entry criteria for the especially highly qualified 

2. Professional 

experience 


3. Languages 


4. Age 


5. Studies in Austria 




Professional experience (per year) 2 points 

Six months professional experience in Austria 10 points 

Knowledge of German or English at A1 level 5 points 

Knowledge of German or English at A2 level 10 points 

Up to 35 20 points 



Second stage of study 5 points 

First and second stages of study 10 points 

Total of maximum number of creditable points: 100 / Required minimum number of points: 70 

Entry criteria for specialists in shortage occupations areas 

1. Qualification 



experience appropriate 

to training 


3. Languages 


4. Age 


Completed vocational training in the shortage occupation 20 points 

University entrance level 25 points 

Completion of university or UAS study 30 points 


Professional experience in Austria (per year) 4 points 

German at A1 or English at B1 level 10 points 






Entry criteria for other key personnel 

1. Qualification 



experience appropriate 

to training 


4. Languages 


5. Age 



Completed vocational training or specialised knowledge 

or skills in intended occupation 


20 points 

University entrance level 25 points 

Completion of university or UAS study 30 points 


Professional experience in Austria (per year) 4 points 






2.5 More detailed information 

You will find more detailed information about settlement and residence on the web pages of the 

Bundesministerium für Inneres (Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior): 

http://www.bmi.gv.at/cms/bmi_niederlassung/ and also at 

https://www.help.gv.at/Portal.Node/hlpd/public/en 

If you have queries about visas, please phone the hotline (01/531 26-3557) at the Ministry of the 

Interior, Dept. II/3 between the hours of 8.30 – 15.30. 




3 Living: seeking accommodation and further information 

3.1 Daily newspapers and special supplements 

Regional daily newspapers such as “Kleine Zeitung” (supplement “Mein Zuhause”), “Kronen 

Zeitung”, and also national Austria-wide newspapers such as “Der Standard” or “Die Presse” have 

information or supplements on property in Styria. Their online services are also useful when 

looking for accommodation: 

� Kleine Zeitung: http://www.kleinezeitung.at/allgemein/bauenwohnen/index.do 

� Kronen Zeitung: http://anzeigen.krone.at/anzeigen/immobilien/ 

� Der Standard: http://derstandard.at/Immobilien 

� Die Presse: http://diepresse.com/home/immobilien/index.do 

3.2 Online portals 

� http://www.willhaben.at/iad/immobilien/ 

� http://www.wohnnet.at/ 

� http://www.immobilien.net/ 

� http://www.privatimmobilien.at/ 

3.3 Further information and contact details 

Organisation Description Contact 

Real estate and 

property management 

Wirtschaftskammer 

Steiermark, Sparte 

Information und 

Consulting 

(Styrian Chamber of 

Commerce) 

Mietervereinigung 

Österreich 

(Tenants Association 

Austria) 

Steirische 

Mietervereinigung 

(Styrian Tenants 

Association) 

A specialised section of real 

estate and property 

management offers important 

and interesting information on 

buying, selling and renting. 

Information on ownership and 

tenancy law 

Advice services are tied to 

membership 

Address: Körblergasse 111-113, 

8021 Graz 

Telephone: +43 316 601 511 

Fax: +43 316 601 405 

Internet: http://www.immo707.at 

Address: Feuerbachgasse 1, 


Telephone: +43 316 71 46 42 

Fax: +43 316 71 46 22 

Email: mvoe.stmk@aon.at 

Internet: www.mietervereinigung.at 


Organisation Description Contact 

Mieterschutzverband 

Österreich 

(Austrian Tenant 

Protection Association) 

Mieterschutzverband 

Steiermark 

(Styrian Tenant 

Protection Association) 

ÖMB - Austrian tenants 

and home owners 

federation 

Regional group Styria 

Österreichischer Haus- 

& Grundbesitzerbund 

(Austrian house and 

landowners Assoc.) 

Regional Association 

Styria 

Amt der 

Steiermärkischen 

Landesregierung 

(Office of the State 

Government of Styria) 

Building, living, 

planning 

Stadt Graz 

Bauen + Wohnen 

(City of Graz 

Building + living) 


tenancy law 


membership 


tenancy law 

Initial consultation on housing 

law is free of charge at ÖMB 

(also without membership) 

Representation of interest in 

all aspects of property 

ownership 


membership 

Building and accommodation 

information, accommodation 

databank, online 

accommodation calculator, 

free access to geo-data 

Information on building and 

living 



Address: Sparbersbachgasse 61, 


Telephone: +43 316 38 48 30 

Fax: +43 316 38 48 30 40 

Internet: www.mieterschutzstmk.at/home 

Address: Karmeliterplatz 6, 


Telephone: +43 316 60 74 44 170 

Fax: +43 316 60 74 44 185 

Internet: http://www.mieterbund.at 

Address: Naglergasse 50, 


Telephone: +43 316 82 95 19 

Fax: +43 316 82 95 19 22 

Email: office@hausbesitzer-stmk.at 

Internet: http://www.hausbesitzerstmk.at 

Address: Dietrichsteinplatz 15, 


Telephone: +43 316 87 73 719 

Fax: +43 316 87 73 780 

Email: a15@stmk.gv.at 

Internet: http://www.verwaltung. 

steiermark.at/cms/ziel/10007/DE/ 

Address: Magistrat Graz, 

8010 Graz-Rathaus 

Telephone switchboard: 0316/872-0 

Email: stadtverwaltung@stadt.graz.at 

Internet: 

http://www.graz.at/cms/beitrag/ 

10021027/245643/ 




4 Infrastructure: Private transport, public transport, rail, road, 

air connections 8 

4.1 Private transport: the Styrian road network 

Key 

Road Network 

Motorways 

Motorways tunnel 

Dual-carriageways 

Dual-carriageways tunnel 

Federal Highways 

National roads 

4.2 Public transport – an efficient alternative to private transport 

Public transport is more than just an alternative for those who do not have their own means of 

motorised transport. 

The rail network in Styria 

Fishing Waters 

Running Waters 

District towns 

Provincial Capital 

District Capital 

The entire Styrian rail network currently consists of about 1,000 kilometres of rail track. The railway 

network that carries both passengers and freight and is contained within the network of the 

Austrian federal railways (ÖBB), covers about 550 km on mainline routes, approximately 140 km of 

branch lines, a 100 km stretch of the Styrian Provincial Railway (StLB) and the routes belonging to 

the Graz-Köflacher railway (GKE) - around 90 km. 


Stock: 

Single track 

Station 

Terminal 

Twin track 

Under construction 

or under tender 



Most of the main railway network of the ÖBB is part of Austria’s high capacity rail network (“HL- 

Netz”) and the Trans-European Rail network (TEN) and constitutes a section of international rail 

corridors as well as being signatory to international agreements on fast passenger transport (AGC) 

or combined freight transport (AGTC). 

New southern railway / Pontebbana 

Rail route Summerau-Spielfeld 

Styrian eastern railway 

TEN-V priority project 22 (PP22) 

Western railway corridor (PP17) 

Corridor IV: Berlin-Budapest-Constanta/Thessaloniki/Istanbul (PP22) 

Corridor V: Rijeka/Venice-Budapest-Lvov (PP6) 

Corridor VI: Gdansk-Warsaw-Zilina-Vienna (PP23) 

Corridor X: Salzburg/Graz-Zagreb-Belgrade-Thessaloniki 

TEN and trans-regional rail connections 

Baltic-Adriadic corridor 

Pyhrn-Schober axis 

Southern axis 


The “S-Bahn” in Styria 



The first phase of the “S-Bahn” (city train) has been in operation in Styria since December 2007. 

Thus a milestone has been achieved in Styrian public transport through collaboration with the 

ÖBB, GKE, STLB and the transport association. With its initial provision of 75 additional train 

connections within the greater area of Graz rail provision has been expanded; in December 2008 a 

further 20 connections were added to the "S-Bahn" area. 


The tramway network in Graz 9 



Graz has 8 tramway lines and 27 bus routes, but also 8 night-bus routes that complement transport 

provision on weekends and before public holidays. 


4.3 Cycling in Styria 



Cycling is an important element in everyday transport. On a bike you travel distances simply and 

easily. In towns and more congested urban areas cycling as an alternative to car travel makes a 

considerable contribution to the quality of life. 

Cycle routes 

Orientation 

Motorway 

Dual-carriageway 

National road 

4.4 Park&Ride in Styria 

Since 2005 Styria has been on the offensive with its "Park&Ride Strategy". Since then the level of 

debate on climate protection has risen sharply and petrol prices have increased massively; this all 

goes to show that the strategy is the right one. 

Park&Ride 

Orientation 


Dual-carriageway 

National road 


4.5 Graz Airport 10 



The hallmark of the Austrian air transport system is its international hub at Vienna Airport and wellintegrated 

regional airports. Graz Airport is a very attractive option for users because it is easily 

accessible and has good connections with Vienna, Frankfurt and Munich. 

Since 2003 Graz Airport has been accessible via the A2 Motorway. Connections from the city are 

very good with both bus and train options. From Monday to Friday there are more than 20 “S- 

Bahn” services and 21 airport bus runs; at the weekend there are fewer services. 

4.6 Graz is a model region for e-mobility 11 

With Eisenstadt and Vienna, the provincial capital of Styria is the third, new e-mobility model 

region. In the next few years the area will acquire 500 electric cars and about 1,200 e-bikes, the 

infrastructure of charging stations will grow accordingly. The additional energy needed will be 

gained from small hydro power stations and photovoltaic systems. The integration of public 

transport is a major part of the concept. 

The overarching objective for e-mobility is a sustainable decrease in CO2 emissions through the 

fast and tenable introduction of electric mobility. The idea of e-mobility in the model region of Graz 

is finely tuned to the city’s particulate pollution problems. 


5 Education, training, further education: structure, 

educational institutions, adult education 

5.1 Compulsory school attendance 12 



All children who stay in Austria for at least one school period of assessment (one semester) are 

obliged to attend school. School begins when the child has reached the age of six, on September 

1, and lasts for nine school years. 

Compulsory education is achieved through attendance at the following different types of school: 

� School years 1 – 4: Elementary school (primary) or special school 

� School years 5 – 8: Secondary school, general secondary school, elementary or special 

school 

� School year 9: polytechnic school, further attendance at an elementary, secondary or 

special school or attendance/continued attendance at a middle or higher school 

Information: Children can opt out of the education system and receive an equivalent 

education (at home), privately on their own, or in organised groups. 

5.2 The Austrian education system 

The Austrian education system is very similar to systems in Switzerland and Germany. A particular 

feature of the Austrian system is four years of primary education followed by a secondary element 

that is divided into two parts. 

This subdivision is in accordance with UNESCO’s ISCED (International Standard Classification of 

Education) classification. 

Elementary stage 

Elementary education (ISCED 0) in Austria has the following institutional provision for children: 

crèche, kindergarten, after-school care and children’s group. In addition there are play groups and 

childminders. Pre-school support for children who are within compulsory school age but not yet 

mature enough to attend is also part of the elementary stage. 

Primary stage 

In Austria compulsory schooling begins when the child has reached the age of 6 and lasts for nine 

years. The primary stage (ISCED 1) comprises 4 years. School provision includes elementary 

school and special schools or integrative/inclusive teaching in a mainstream school. 

Secondary stage I 

After completing four years of primary, the secondary stage I begins (ISCED 2), comprising grades 

5 – 8. Pupils have the following possibilities (different entry conditions): upper grades in the 

elementary school, secondary school, lower school in a general high school (AHS) or special 

education and inclusive provision. 


Secondary stage II 



After completing secondary stage I, pupils start grade 9 in secondary stage II (ISCED 3 & 4). Here 

they have the following opportunities: polytechnic school, vocational school and apprenticeships 

(dual system), medium level secondary schools (BMS), training for health care professions (e.g. 

care, medical massage and therapeutic massage), vocational higher schools (BHS) (without years 

4 and 5), the upper school of a general high school (AHS), a vocational preparation year and 

integrative vocational training. 

The schools and courses for the health care professions in secondary stage II are different in that 

they require a higher entry age. 

Post-secondary and non-university tertiary education 

At level ISCED 4 (non-tertiary post-secondary provision) students can enrol at a school for health 

care and nursing after completing grade 10. Advanced training courses and the school leaving 

certificate are also at ISCED 4 level. 

Following on from this general and vocational provision, students have the opportunity to go on to 

a non-university tertiary stage (ISCED 5 B) by attending a school for specific trades, a college, the 

school for midwifery or medical technology or by qualifying in cardio-technical services. Training 

courses for midwives, higher level medical technical services and general health care and nursing 

may also be completed within the tertiary area on a bachelor programme at a University of Applied 

Sciences (UAS). 

Tertiary education 

After completing this general and vocational period of education, there is the possibility of studying 

at a university, a UAS or teacher training institution. After a first degree at university level students 

can proceed to the highest qualification level, ISCED stage 6, doctorate level. 

Keys for the following diagrams: 

1 Lehrabschlussprüfung (LAP) | Apprenticeship-leave examination 

2 Diplomprüfung | Diploma examination 

3 Abschlussprüfung | Leaving examination 

4 Reifeprüfung | Reifeprüfung 

5 Reife- und Diplomprüfung | Reifeprüfung and diploma examination 

6 Reife- bzw. Diplomprüfung | Reifeprüfung or diploma examination 

Zulassung zu weiterführenden Studien nach Entscheid im Einzelfall | Admission to further studies on case-by- 

a 

case basis 

b Diploma Programme: 8-12 sem. 

Berufliche Erstqualifikation | Initial vocational qualifications 

Allgemeiner Hochschulzugang | General higher education entrance qualifications 

Höhere Berufsqualifikation | Higher-level vocational qualifications 

* Berufsvorbereitungsjahr | Preparatory vocational year 

** GuK Gesundheits- und Krankenpflegeschulen | Educational institutions for nurses 

Ausbildungen für Gesundheitsberufe: MTF, Pflh, MMHm, San, SHD | Education and training for health 

*** 

professions 

ISCED = International Standard Classification of Education 



MATERIALICA 2000 Handbook for Expatriates 


5.3 Styria – Number One in Education! 13 



Education is about developing values that enrich our lives and which are decisive for the future of 

Styria. 

Elementary education 

In Styria there is a great variety of provision for the care and education of our children: 

� Crèches: are for children up to the age of 3. If the child’s third birthday falls within the 

crèche year the child may continue to attend until the end of the year. 

� Kindergartens: these are for children from age 3 on until they reach compulsory school 

age. 

� After-school care: are for children of compulsory school age. 

� Day care for children: for children of all ages, from 18 months until possibly the completion 

of compulsory schooling. 

� Child minders: are people who look after children for remuneration in their own home on a 

regular basis, possibly until completion of compulsory schooling. 

� Kindergarten for special developmental needs: are for children with special educational 

needs who have reached age 3 up till the end of the kindergarten year in which the child 

reaches age 8. 

� After-school care for children with special development needs: are for children of 

compulsory school age with special needs. 

� Groups for all ages: institutions for the general care of children ages 18 months till 

completion of elementary school. 

Education and culture 

Child care and education 

Kindergarten 

After-school care 

Day care 

After-school care 

Lakes 


Dual carriageway 


Rivers 

Districts 


The school system in Styria 



The school system in Styria offers diverse general provision within the compulsory education 

system. Both the large school centres in busy urban areas and the smallest schools in the 

countryside provide the children of Styria with a good basic education. The close-mesh educational 

network consists of elementary schools, secondary schools, polytechnic schools and special 

developmental needs centres or schools. 

Schools 

Primary school 

General secondary school 

New secondary school 

Special school 

Polytechnical school 

Vocational school 

Secondary academic school upper level 

Commercial academy and commercial 

school 

School for commercial professions, 

social care and tourism 

School for technology and trades 

Other schools 

Lakes 


Dual carriageway 


Rivers 

Districts 

For students with a school leaving certificate, Styria offers the following further educational 

opportunities: academic schools, schools for business administration, vocational 

commercial schools, schools for technology and the trades, schools for agriculture and 

forestry management and training institutions for kindergarten education. 

AHS/BHS locations 

Secondary academic school upper level 

Business admin. School upper level 

Business professions school upper level 

Technical and trades school upper level 

Agricultural and forestry school upper level 

Federal Institute for kindergarten teaching 

Percentage of over-15-year-olds 2001 

with AHS or BHS leaving certificate in % 

12.0 or more 

10.0 to less than 12.0 



Up to less than 6.0 


5.4 International educational provision in Graz 

Elementary level 

Max und Moritz 

Kindergarten and crèche 

Bilingual Kindergarten 

Morellenfeld 

JoVi-Garten – Kindergarten 

of the Parish of St. Vinzenz 

and the Hospital of the 

Barmherzigen Brüder 14 

Primary level 


Glacisstraße 11, 


Telephone: +43 316 373758 

Mobile: +43 / 699 / 11601197 

Email: maxund.moritz@gmx.net 

Morellenfeldgasse 42, 


Telephone: +43 316 321200 

http://www.morellenfeld.at 

Georgigasse 89, 


Telephone: +43 664 96 73 522 

Volksschule BIPS-Krones 15 Münzgrabenstraße 18, 


Telephone: +43 316 8726980 

Fax: +43 316 872 6981 

Email: vs.krones@stadt.graz.at 

Internationale Schule Graz 

Opening 2012/2013 16 

Secondary levels I+II 

Graz International 

Bilingual School (GIBS) 17 

Georgigasse, 


Georgigasse 85, 


Telephone: +43 316 77 10 50 

Email: office@gibs.at 


English (English throughout 

kindergarten) 

Yoga for Kindergarten 

children 

English at kindergarten 

Bilingual concept with native 

speakers in English and 

German 

Main focus on Montessori 

education 

VS Krones Graz is the only 

bilingual primary school in 

Styria. Bilingual education and 

integration are the 2 pillars at 

BIPS. 

1 class "really" international 

with teaching mostly in English 

and German as compulsory 

subject 

1 class as bilingual class with 

teaching half in English and 

half in German 

GIBS is a bilingual grammar 

school (Gymnasium) (German 

– English). Teaching is through 

English in the form of 

“enlightened monolingualism” 




5.5 An overview of Styrian universities and higher education colleges 18 

University Address Link 

Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz 

(University of Graz) 

Technische Universität Graz 

(Graz University of Technology) 

Medizinische Universität Graz 

(Medical University of Graz) 

Kunstuniversität Graz 

(University of Music & Performing Arts) 

Montanuniversität Leoben 

(University of Leoben) 

Fachhochschule JOANNEUM 

(University of Applied Sciences, UAS) 

Universitätsplatz 3, 


Rechbauerstraße 12, 


Auenbruggerplatz 2/4, 


Leonhardstraße 15, 


Franz-Josef-Straße 18, 

8700 Leoben 

Alte Poststraße 149, 


WIFI Campus 02 Körblergasse 111, 


Pädagogische Hochschule (PH) 

Graz (teacher training) 

Kirchliche Pädagogische 

Hochschule Graz (teacher training) 

5.6 Adult education 

Hasnerplatz 12, 


Lange Gasse 2, 


http://www.kfunigraz.ac.at/E/ 

http://portal.tugraz.at/portal/page 

/portal/TU_Graz 

http://www.meduni-graz.at/en/ 

http://www.kug.ac.at/en/home.html 

http://www.unileoben.ac.at/ 

index.php?lang=en 

http://www.fhjoanneum.at/aw/~a/home/?lan=en 

http://www.campus02.at/EN/ 

home.aspx 

http://www.phst.at/index. 

php?id=14&L=1 

http://www.kphgraz.at/?id=kphe 

Life-long learning is no longer simply a buzzword these days but a fact and the duty of each and 

every one of us. Our society and the world of work are constantly changing. So it is even more 

important that we go on developing our skills and knowledge. Education is the key! Education does 

not end when you finish school or training but should accompany you on your road through life. 

Adult education is thus your life-long companion. But how on earth are we able to find our way 

through the dense jungle of information? 

� The best thing to do is to start here: http://www.weiterbildung.steiermark.at/ 


6 Health care, hospitals, emergencies 

6.1 Access to health care through compulsory insurance 19 



An important feature of the Austrian health care system is equal and easy access to health 

services for all, regardless of age, domicile, origin or social status and regardless of the type and 

length of services required. This has been achieved largely through solidarity-based financing 

(solidarity principle), which is regulated by social legislation and social security law as well as 

additional agreements (e.g. contracts according to Art.15a of the B-VG Austrian Federal 

Constitutional Act between the federal and state governments). 

The social security system is a supporting pillar of the health service. It comprises health, accident 

and pension insurance and is based on a compulsory health insurance model. Around 98 % of 

people living in Austria are protected by health insurance, thanks to insurance that is enshrined in 

law. In addition to their social health insurance, about one third of Austrians have an additional 

private insurance. 

Compulsory insurance is in principle tied to employment; family members or partners may be 

included in the insurance. Additionally, there are regulations for pensioners and the unemployed. 

Under certain conditions, personal insurance is also possible in the Austrian social security system. 

People without health insurance must pay for health services themselves – except for first aid help. 

Austrian patients have a variety of services at their disposal: 

� In-patient and out-patient provision in hospitals and clinics 

� General and specialist therapies carried out by doctors contracted by the health insurance 

institution (we call these panel doctors) 

� Maternity services 

� Psychotherapy 

� X-ray and medical laboratory services 

� Services within non-medical health care (e.g. medical massage, physiotherapy, 

occupational therapy, speech therapy) 

� Dental treatment 

� Medicines 

� Medical products such as walking frames, wheel chairs or strips for measuring blood 

glucose levels 

� Rescue and ambulance 

� Home-based nursing 

� Precautionary and preventative measures such as immunisation or screening 

� Rehabilitation 

� Long-term nursing 

� Care for the disabled 




Patients have free choice in medical aid. By contrast with many other countries there is no 

obligation to consult a panel doctor or to ask the health insurance institution for permission before 

using most of the specialist medical services or attending as an out-patient. 

Use of some of the above services may be tied to certain conditions (such as age or the type of 

illness) or extra accompanying costs that must be carried by the patient. These costs may be fixed 

(e.g. prescription charge for medicines, 2010: € 5) or be a percentage contribution (e.g. 20% 

excess for the insured person at some health insurance institutions). 

Patients may also experience moderate indirect deductibles for use of services that lie outside the 

services of the social insurance. These include expenditure on prescription-free medicines, day 

costs for hospital stays or the cost of certain dental treatments. When consulting a non-panel 

doctor the attendant costs can be reclaimed on a proportional basis. 

Compulsory insurance 

In order to qualify for compulsory insurance you need to be in employment in Austria, not selfemployed. 

The compulsory insurance and full insurance cover come into force even if the 

employer neglects to register the employee’s compulsory insurance in time. 

Compulsory insurance 

begins Compulsory insurance begins with the actual day of taking up employment. 

ends Compulsory insurance finishes with the end of the employment. If employment does not 

end at the same time as the end of the claim for payment then it will coincide with the end 

of the claim for payment. 

Insurance protection 20 

Through this system of compulsory insurance there is extensive social security protection for all 

employed and self-employed people living in Austria. Because this includes cover for dependents, 

at any rate, spouses and children, the Styrian regional health insurance authority partners nearly 

three-quarters of all Styrians on health issues. For those who are not automatically compulsorily 

insured there is the opportunity to take out a voluntary insurance. Those actually insured include: 

� employed persons with compulsory insurance (the non-self-employed with an employment 

income above the minimum income threshold) 

� pensioners 

� people in receipt of services according to law governing unemployment insurance (AlVG) 

� other insured persons (e.g. surviving dependents of servicemen or servicewomen, asylum 

seekers, family of conscripts) and the self-insured 


Insurance institutions in Styria 

Steiermärkische Gebietskrankenkasse 

(Styrian regional health fund) 

Pensionsversicherungsanstalt 

(Pension insurance institution) 

Regional Office Graz 

Allgemeine Unfallversicherungsanstalt 

(General accident insurance institution) 

Regional Office Graz 

6.2 In-patient and out-patient provision 



Address: Josef-Pongratz-Platz 1, 8011 Graz 

Telephone: +43 316 80 35-0 

Email: service@stgkk.at 

Address: Eggenberger Straße 3, 8021 Graz 

Telephone: 05 03 03 

Email: pva-lsg@pva.sozvers.at 

Address: Göstinger Straße 26, 8020 Graz 

Telephone: +43 / 316 / 505-0 

Fax: +43 / 316 / 505-2709 

Email: GVR@auva.at 

The hospitals in Styria (LKH = provincial hospitals; LSF = The Sigmund Freud psychiatric hospital) 

LKH Bad Aussee Grundlseerstraße 230, 8990 Bad Aussee 

LKH Bad Radkersburg Dr. Schwaigerstraße 1, 8490 Bad Radkersburg 

LKH Bruck a. d. Mur Tragösserstraße 1, 8600 Bruck 

LKH Deutschlandsberg Radlpassstraße 29, 8530 Deutschlandsberg 

LKH Feldbach Ottokar-Kernstock-Straße 18, 8330 Feldbach 

LKH Fürstenfeld Krankenhausgasse 1, 8280 Fürstenfeld 

LKH-Univ. Klinikum Graz Auenbrugger Platz 1, 8036 Graz 

LSF Graz Wagner Jauregg Platz 1, 8053 Graz 

LKH Graz West Göstinger Straße 22, 8020 Graz 

LKH Hartberg Krankenhausplatz 1, 8230 Hartberg 

LKH Hörgas-Enzenbach Hörgas 68, 8112 Gratwein 

LKH Judenburg-Knittelfeld Oberweggasse 18, 8750 Judenburg 

LKH Leoben-Eisenerz Vordernberger Straße 42, 8700 Leoben 

LKH Mürzzuschlag-Mariazell Grazer Str. 63-65, 8680 Mürzzuschlag 

LKH Rottenmann St. Georgen 2-4, 8786 Rottenmann 

LPH Schwanberg Gressenberger Str. 5, 8541 Schwanberg 

LKH Stolzalpe Stolzalpe 38, 8852 Stolzalpe 

LKH Voitsberg Conrad von Hötzendorf-Str. 31, 8570 Voitsberg 

LKH Wagna Pelzmannstr.18, 8435 Wagna 

LKH Weiz Franz-Pichler-Straße 85, 8160 Weiz 


6.3 Emergency calls – Standby services – Hotlines 21 

Emergency calls 

Fire service 122 

Police 133 

Rescue 144 

Austrian Mountain Rescue Service 140 



Emergency service for poisoning 01 / 406 4343 

Standby services and Hotline 

Pharmacy night service 0316 / 118 18 

Medical air ambulance 01 / 401 440 

Medical emergency service (Graz only) 0316 / 141 

Baby hatch – anonymous births 0800 / 838 383 

Baby hotline 0316 / 385 7450 

Disinfection facility for the city of Graz 0316 / 711 931 

Eating disorder hotline 0810 / 810 400 

Women’s refuge – protection for women and their children 0316 / 429 900 

Women’s emergency number – abuse and rape 0316 / 318 077 

Styria relief organisation 0676 / 824 188 06 

Mobile paediatric emergency service 0316 / 691 512 

MOKIDI – Mobile paediatric nursing service 0316 / 813 181 25 

Helpline for children, young people and adults 0800 / 201 440 

Telephone counselling service 142 

Dental stand-by service 0316 / 818 111 

Dental emergency service 0316 / 385 2248 


7 Sport & Leisure 22 

7.1 Styria: the “green heart” of Austria 



Nature, culinary enjoyment, friendliness and comfort are at the centre of a holiday in Styria. Styria 

is famous for its countryside and nature’s treasures: woods, wine, apples, pumpkins, pure drinking 

water and healthy thermal waters – these are all typically Styrian. The Styrians are known to be a 

humorous, fun-loving, sporty and honest lot, and have a 

great love of their homeland. 

Staying in Styria - things that are especially good: 

� hiking, recreation 

� eating and drinking 

� likeable, charming and friendly local people 

� nature, an unpolluted environment 

� the peace & quiet 

� health/thermal spas 

The province is also family and child-friendly and offers good service. 

In the North of Styria hikers and bikers can enjoy the mountains and alpine meadows including the 

(almost) 3000 m. Dachstein, 800 2,000-m. peaks, numerous alpine pastures and plateaus, 7 

nature parks and 1 national park. 

In the South the 8 thermal spas around the Bad Blumau Hundertwasser 

thermal spa make the province a number one centre for wellness. 

The castle route and apple orchards embellish the green surroundings of 

the Eastern part of Styria. 

To the West enjoy the famously delicious pumpkin seed oil, Styria’s “green 

gold”, and discover the birthplace of the world-renowned Lipizzaner horses. 

Down in the south the sun shines on impressive vineyards producing 

internationally known wines. Not for nothing is Styria often referred to as 

“Austria’s fine foods store”. 

And in the provincial capital of Graz, the birthplace of Arnold 

Schwarzenegger and European cultural capital 2003, the medieval centre, a 

UNESCO world cultural site, throbs with life. The Kunsthaus Graz and the Murinsel set the tone for 

the more contemporary side of the city. 

And in winter? You need to go on a journey of discovery through the white mountains of the north 

and the hot thermal spas in the south. Over 700 km of ski slopes around the world championship 

resort of Schladming with its annual highlight event, the world cup men’s night slalom. 

Snowboarders are in the right place on the Kreischberg, enjoy the nostalgia of learning old skiing 

techniques from the turn of the last century on the Stuhleck and go directly from cross-country 

skiing to the thermal spa in Ausseerland. With its 15 cross-country resorts with quality seal, started 

by the world champion Stadlober, Styrians have become the Nordic ski specialists in Austria. 




The cultural and sports facilities on offer will enable you to reach new heights: from world 

championships and world cup races to exhibitions and festivals – the range of events is 

fantastically diverse. 

Physical exercise and nature 

Hiking http://www.steiermark.com/en/holiday/exercise-and-nature/hiking 

Cycling http://www.steiermark.com/en/holiday/exercise-and-nature/cycling 

Mountain biking http://www.steiermark.com/en/holiday/exercise-and-nature/mountainbiking 

Golf http://www.steiermark.com/en/holiday/exercise-and-nature/golf 

Alpine skiing http://www.steiermark.com/en/holiday/exercise-and-nature/alpineskiing 

Cross-country skiing http://www.steiermark.com/en/holiday/exercise-and-nature/crosscountry-skiing 

Wellness and health 

Wellness & beauty http://www.steiermark.com/en/holiday/wellness-and-health/wellnessand-beauty 

Alpine Wellness http://www.steiermark.com/en/holiday/wellness-and-health/alpinewellness 

Health http://www.steiermark.com/en/holiday/wellness-and-health/health 

Styria’s thermal spas http://www.steiermark.com/en/holiday/wellness-and-health/styrianspa-country 

Family holidays 

Accommodation http://www.steiermark.com/en/holiday/family/family-hotels 

What family hotels offer http://www.steiermark.com/en/holiday/family/offers 

Child-friendly 

restaurants 

http://www.steiermark.com/de/urlaub/familie/kinderfreundlichegaststaetten 

Weather-proof tips http://www.steiermark.com/en/holiday/family/excursion-destination 


Culture 

Folk culture and 

customs, Events 



http://www.steiermark.com/en/holiday/culture/annual-festivals 

High culture http://www.steiermark.com/en/holiday/culture/universalmuseumjoanneum 

Culinary delights 

Products http://www.steiermark.com/en/holiday/culinary-delights/epicurianregions 

Recipes http://www.steiermark.com/en/holiday/culinary-delights/recipes 

Travel tips http://www.steiermark.com/en/holiday/culinary-delights/culinarydestinations 

Shopping centres in Styria 

Annenpassage Address: Annenpassage Bahnhofgürtel 89, 8020 Graz 

Telephone: +43 1 71180-0 

Internet: http://www.boe.at 

Arkade Liezen Address: Hauptstraße 30 EKZ Arkade, 8940 Liezen 

Telephone: +43 3612 22109 

Fax: +43 3612 24912 

Internet: http://www.arkade-liezen.at 

Center West Address: Weblinger Gürtel 25, 8054 Graz 

Telephone: +43 316 293344 

Fax: +43 316 293344-714000 

Internet: http://www.centerwest.at 

Citypark 

Einkaufszentrum 

ECE Einkaufs-Centrum 

Kapfenberg GmbH 

EKZ-Rathauspassage 

Mürzzuschlag GmbH 

Address: Lazarettgürtel 55, 8020 Graz 

Telephone: 43 316 711580 

Fax: +43 316 711580-14 

Internet: http://www.citypark.at 

Email: citypark@citypark.at 

Address: Wiener Straße 35a, 8605 Kapfenberg 

Telephone: +43 3862 22489-11 

Fax: +43 3862 22297 

Internet: http://www.ece-kapfenberg.at 

Email: office@ece-kapfenberg.at 

Address: Wiener Straße 7, 8680 Mürzzuschlag 

Mobile: +43 664 1022093 


Shopping centres in Styria 

EKZ Shopping Nord 

GmbH 



Address: Wiener Straße 351 / EKZ Shopping Nord, 8051 Graz 

Telephone: +43 316 671309-0 

Fax: +43 316 671309-500 

Internet: http://www.shoppingnord.at 

Email: shopping-nord@kovac.com 

EKZ Weinland Address: Wasserwerkstraße 30D EKZ Weinland, 8430 Leibnitz 

Telephone: +43 3452 76666 

Fax: +43 3452 76666 

Internet: http://www.ekz-weinland.at 

Email: ekz-weinland@aon.at 

Euromarkt - 

Einkaufszentrum 

Kapfenberg-Ost 

Leoben City Shopping 

Errichtungs- u Betriebs 

GmbH 

Murpark Entwicklungs- 

und BetriebsgesmbH 

Address: Siegfried-Marcus-Straße 7-11, 8605 Kapfenberg 

Telephone: +43 3862 33796 

Fax: +43 3862 33796 

Address: Leoben City Shopping Hauptplatz 19, 8700 Leoben 

Telephone: +43 3842 47100 

Internet: http://www.leobencityshopping.at 

Email: office@leobencityshopping.at 

Address: Ostbahnstraße 3, 8041 Graz 

Telephone: +43 316 482710 

Fax: +43 316 482710-200 

Internet: http://www.murpark.at 

Email: office@murpark.at 

Roseggerhaus Address: Annenstraße 23-25, 8020 Graz 

Telephone: +43 316 711993 

Shoppingcity 

Address: Shopping City Seiersberg 1-9, 8055 Seiersberg 

Seiersberg 

Telephone: +43 316 296137-0 

Fax: +43 316 296137-10 

Internet: http://www.shoppingcityseiersberg.at 

Email: office@shoppingcityseiersberg.at 

Steirerhof Address: Jakominiplatz 12, 8010 Graz 

Telephone: +43 1 71180-0 

Internet: http://www.steirerhof-ekz.at 

Email: office@boe.at 

Stibor Center Address: Bahnhofstraße 21, 8230 Hartberg 

Telephone: +43 3332 63415-11 

Fax: +43 3332 63415-42 

Internet: http://www.rabattz.at 

TOP Kauf-Zentrum Address: Gleichenberger Straße 16-20, 8330 Feldbach 

GlanzVermietungsgmbH Telephone: +43 3152 5606 


7.2 Graz 23 

The beautiful life in Graz 



Graz is so colourful and so beautiful that 

you will spend sleepless nights there. 

This self-confident town has done its bit 

for posterity, including whole districts 

such as the old town, ennobled and 

protected as a UNESCO world heritage 

site. The city’s lifeline is the broad River 

Mur which provides the city with a gentle 

and tranquil rhythm. But Graz is above all 

a melting pot of cultures. For centuries, 

architects, designers, actors, musicians 

and literati have set the tone for this 

capital city of culture (2003) in their own 

unconventional and distinctive ways. 

How should you go about exploring this impressive world cultural heritage site? The simple answer 

is to take it easy! The many cultural places are nearly all within reach of elegant coffee houses, fine 

restaurants, colourful farmers’ markets and trendy bars. There is always something new to 

discover in Graz, the overall atmosphere is grandiose but especially in the Landhaushof with its 

arcades, a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance. 

So you won’t have that usual guilty feeling about skipping the usual tourist sights: the Schlossberg, 

Kunsthaus, Murinsel, theatre, opera, cathedral and all the rest – in Graz they are all pure pleasure. 

Starting point for those who want to reach the top 

Every beginning starts on the main plaza in Graz. From here you can reach all the best places in 

town. They are all en route and it’s easy to find your way around the many side streets in the old 

town. The most beautiful square in the country is often bathed in sunshine when the rest of the 

Alpine Republic is being rained on. The mighty city hall sets the tone and the Archduke Johann 

fountain is a tranquil reminder of days long gone by. Small culinary attractions on market stalls 

nearby tempt stressed-out passers-by to satisfy their urge for a little something. 

Your gaze is directed upwards to the traditional landmark 

of the city, the clock tower. You can get there via the 

Schlossberg railway, the glass lift in the Schlossberg or 

you could do the strenuous route via the Felsensteig. 

And those who opt for a leisurely stroll will take the 

romantic route from Karmeliterplatz. 


Shopping and cake 



The city shines like a giant shop window 

offering a gorgeous range of goods. Right 

at the centre of the city there is the 

department store Kastner & Öhler for all 

your general needs. Magnificent buildings 

line the shopping mile in Graz - the 

Herrengasse. Here is everything your 

heart desires: trendy shoes, ceramics, 

clocks, jewellery, cosmetics, household 

articles, home textiles, accessories, 

designer fashion. The many boutiques 

look like colourful galleries for the latest 

fashion trends – you have to be en vogue here. Shopping and relaxing is an attractive combination, 

meet for tea for two at the Operncafé or at the Graz Sacher; this is the place where Austrian café 

culture is at its finest. 

Graz is also the city in Austria with the largest concentration of shopping centres. The shopping 

areas amount to about 300,000 m² 24 or, 96 m² per 100 inhabitants 25 . Addresses and links for 

Styria’s shopping centres are on page 37ff. 

The larder of the south 

In Graz the feel of the south is ever-present. And you really feel that at the Kaiser Josef Markt. 

Nowhere will you find a better selection of fresh meat, cheese, fruit and local vegetables. Local 

farmers present a symphony of fragrances, colours and 

tastes. The range of culinary delights on sale is vast, the 

variety and quality quite simply outstanding. Here you can 

purchase legendary delicacies such as “Styrian pumpkin 

seed oil” and soak up the informal atmosphere, the market 

sellers are always very friendly and visitors quickly pick up 

on the good cheer. The people of Graz are proud of their 

farmers’ market and deservedly so. 

Graz – city of culture 

The Graz opera house is always setting itself new boundaries. You can see classics such as 

“Tosca” by Giacomo Puccini, Sergei Prokofiew’s “Romeo and Juliet”, lighter fare such as “Der 

Rosenkavalier” by Richard Strauss or “Jesus Christ Superstar”, the rock opera. 

The Graz theatre programme is both ambitious and diverse. Nobel prize-winner, Elfriede Jelinek’s 

first play, “What Happened after Nora Left her Husband; or Pillars of Society” was premiered in 

Graz. Elisabeth Gabriel staged “Nora” as a gripping white-collar whodunit and passionate battle of 

the sexes. 


Festivals 



Graz conductor, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, is a pioneering mentor for the “styriarte”, Graz’s summer 

festival. The artistic insights that have made Harnoncourt a world star became the benchmark for 

festival performances. The “styriarte” today allows concert-goers to enjoy encounters with lost 

aspects of our musical heritage; it reflects today’s exciting variety of access to serious music, to 

music from the middle ages through to Romanticism. Every year, the extraordinarily well-preserved 

old town with its famous historic squares and halls, or the modern architecture of the Helmut List 

Halle, provide a truly unforgettable backdrop for the city’s classic festival. 

The Graz festivals are home to the city’s cultural diversity. For instance, on the programme, there’s 

the annual festival of Austrian film, the “Diagonale”, there’s “La Strada” – a street and puppet 

theatre festival, the “Jazzsommer Graz”, and zeitgeist 

festival, the “steirischer herbst”. 

Spectacular architecture 

With Kunsthaus, the new Museum of Contemporary Art, 

star architects, Peter Cook and Colin Fournier, have 

added a new landmark to Graz. Here old meets new in an 

exciting field of tension. Just a few steps away on the 

Mariahilfer square by the Minorite Monastery you can find 

secluded spots of peace and tranquillity. 

Not far from the Kunsthaus there’s a floating platform on the Mur, a 

mussel-shaped island, designed by the American artist, Vito Acconci. 

An encounter between history and modernism, it houses a café and 

multi-use amphitheatre. The Stadthalle and the Helmut List Halle 

constitute another two architecturally exciting, state-of-the art venues 

for events in the cultural life of the town. 

The Graz Liebenau Stadium is the symbol for football afficionados. The 

greenhouses by Volker Giencke in the Botanic Garden have already become modern classics in 

the Graz school of architecture. 

Culinary Graz 

Surely all culinary pleasure-seekers would dream of this: lots of different delicacies out on a long 

table; ten, twenty or more guests together to enjoy a convivial meal. Joie de vivre is in the blood. 

Romantics enjoy whiling away the hours in one of the numerous small restaurants or traditional 

local inns and a weakness for haute cuisine can be satisfied in any of the award-winning local 

restaurants. 

Many guests out and about in Graz want to see beautiful views. Without a doubt, these can be 

enjoyed from the Schlossberg. At the Café Restaurant “Aiola” guests can enjoy chillout-grooves 

whilst taking in the glorious views of the rooftops of Graz, in fine weather the location becomes a 

tasteful outdoor arena. Graz is confident of its fabulous reputation amongst gourmets and curious 

foodies. The best way to enjoy it all is not to read the instruction booklet, but to go on a voyage of 

discovery. 


Long nights in Graz 



In Graz, when darkness falls, it awakens an infectious joie de vivre in everyone. A walk through 

Graz is a walk through a border country of cultures and lifestyles and with every step you are 

drawn further into the irresistible maelstrom of this lively, fascinating young city. There is something 

for everyone there: a creative scene, long-grown traditions and cosmopolitan nightlife. Theatregoers 

and hotel guests, town nomads, prominent people out strolling or literary figures such as 

Peter Handke or Wolfgang Bauer – they all enjoy the exciting late performances and celebrate life 

to the sound of pop, jazz, blues or rock to their heart’s content. 

And for dreams about the dolce vita there is more than enough stuff to be found on Graz’s many 

lovely plazas: Franziskanerplatz, Mehlplatz, Glockenspielplatz, Mariahilferplatz and so on… 

There is no doubt at all about it, Arnold Schwarzenegger was right when he said: “Graz is the most 

beautiful city in the world!” 


8 Sources 



1 

Innovationsscout, p.2-3 

2 

Innovationsscout, p.6 

3 

Innovationsscout, p.7 

4 

http://help.gv.at/Content.Node/12/Seite.120221.html, Status 1.7.2011 

5 


6 


7 

http://www.wirtschaftsblatt.at/home/oesterreich/wirtschaftspolitik/die-rot-weiss-rot-card-duerften-sie-rein- 

450678/index.do, Status 9.12.2010 

8 

http://www.verkehr.steiermark.at/ 

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http://www.gvb.at/home/unsere_dienstleistungen/startseite.php 

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http://www.vie-umwelt.at/jart/prj3/umwelt/umwelt.jart?rel=de&contentid=1174475986790&reserve-mode=activehttp://www.vie-umwelt.at/jart/prj3/umwelt/data/uploads/Umwelt/08%2011%20Umweltbroschuere%20Internet%20basi 

c.pdf 

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http://www.graz.at/cms/beitrag/10157778/2767110/, Status 10.11.2010 

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http://www.menschen.steiermark.at/cms/ziel/32416476/DE/ 

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http://www.barmherzige-brueder.at/content/site/eggenberg/startseite/aktuelles/article/8484.html, 

Status 15.9.2010 

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http://www.bips-krones.com/de/index.php 

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http://www.graz.at/cms/beitrag/10153989/1618648/, Status 16.9.2010 

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http://www.gibs.at/school/about/school-profile/, Status 29.7.2011 

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http://www.verwaltung.steiermark.at/cms/beitrag/10001129/9654/ 

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https://www.gesundheit.gv.at/Portal.Node/ghp/public/content/DasGesundheitswesenimUeberblickt 

ml_LN.html, Status 3.1.2011 

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http://www.stgkk.at/portal27/portal/stgkkportal/channel_content/cmsWindow?action=2&p_menuid= 

4073&p_tabid=4 

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http://www.gesundheit.steiermark.at/cms/ziel/52062690/DE/ 

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http://presse.steiermark.com/upload/pm_entries/162_pdf.pdf 

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http://presse.steiermark.com/upload/pm_entries/282_pdf.pdf 

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http://www.kleinezeitung.at/steiermark/graz/graz/2181684/nagl-tritt-shopping-bremse.story, 

Status 28.10.2009 

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http://www.krone.at/Steiermark/Shopping-Center-Dichte_in_Graz_explodiert-Einkaufswahn- 

Story-94782

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