Residence (Austria)
In Austria, the place of residence is defined as the center of one's life. According to the Registration Act, only one main residence, but several secondary residences, is possible in Austria.
A person's main residence is the place of accommodation that is referred to as the center of life relationships. In particular, the following three criteria characterize the center of life relationships:
- Length of stay
- Location of the place of work or the training facility
- Residence of family members (especially of children)
Since it is permissible to have multiple residences, it is possible that these criteria apply to more than one residence. If a person only has one place of residence, this is also the main place of residence, otherwise the place of residence to which the predominantly close relationship exists must be reported as the main place of residence.
The main residence has an important role in the financial equalization between the federal government and the municipalities . Based on the number of residents with main residence determined in the census , the municipality receives funds from the federal budget . Main residences pay off for the municipality in two ways: on the one hand, through the direct payment per capita, and on the other hand, this per capita premium increases when certain thresholds in the number of residents are exceeded. Before censuses, this regularly leads to a competition between the municipalities for residents, sometimes with direct financial support for new settlements. However, municipalities in which citizens register a secondary residence can claim to be given the main residence.
Some rights but also obligations, for example the right to vote in federal elections, but also obligations such as tax liability, are derived from the main residence . However, there are also rights and obligations with the other residences, such as the right to vote in municipal council elections and municipal taxes. With the various housing subsidies, it is necessary that the main residence is located in the subsidized property.
In particular, the municipalities in the vicinity of larger cities suffer financial losses as a result, as many define their place of residence as just another place of residence .
The registration office of the municipal administration or the magistrate is responsible for the proper registration . To confirm you that on any given residence lives that need confirmation of the message that as a replacement of the former only since 1 March 2002 registration form will be issued.
