🇦🇹 Austria

Arbeitslosengeld

Unemployment Benefit

Medium 20 min UnemploymentBenefitsAMS

/ What is this form?

Arbeitslosengeld (ALG) is Austria's unemployment insurance benefit, administered by the AMS (Arbeitsmarktservice Österreich — the Public Employment Service). It provides temporary income support to people who have lost their job through no fault of their own and have contributed sufficiently to the unemployment insurance system through prior employment.

The benefit amounts to 55% of your previous net daily income, paid daily (in practice, monthly in arrears). The duration of entitlement depends on how long you have worked: a minimum of 20 weeks for first-time claimants, up to 52 weeks for those with longer contribution histories. Special extended periods apply for older workers.

To receive Arbeitslosengeld, you must actively seek work, accept suitable job offers arranged by the AMS, and attend all AMS appointments. If you refuse a suitable job without a valid reason, your benefit may be suspended for up to six weeks.

/ Who needs this form?

Employees who have been made redundant (gekündigt) or whose contract has ended
People who have quit their job for a justifiable reason (e.g. health, harassment, relocation for a partner)
Workers whose fixed-term contract has expired
People who have returned to Austria after working abroad and are seeking work
Workers on seasonal contracts whose season has ended

/ What you need before you start

Valid Austrian passport or ID card

Social security number (SVNR — Sozialversicherungsnummer)

Austrian IBAN for payment

Employment certificate (Arbeitszeugnis) from your last employer

Certificate of employment end (Abmeldung) from your employer

Details of all employment in the past 2 years

If recently arrived: EU freedom of movement registration or residence permit

/ Step-by-step guide

1 Register at AMS

Register as unemployed at your local Arbeitsmarktservice (AMS) within 3 days of becoming unemployed.

2 Personal Details

Provide your personal data, last employer's details, and reason for unemployment.

3 Work History

Fill in your employment history for the past 2 years. You need at least 52 weeks of contributions to be eligible.

4 Bank Details

Provide your Austrian IBAN for benefit payments.

5 Availability Declaration

Confirm that you are available for and actively seeking work. Failure to do so can result in benefit suspension.

/ Key fields explained

Field	What to enter	Common mistake
Sozialversicherungsnummer (SVNR)	Your 10-digit Austrian social security number, found on your e-card (health insurance card).	Not having the SVNR ready — it's always on your green Austrian e-card.
Letzter Arbeitgeber (Last employer)	Company name, address, and the date your employment ended.	Leaving the end date blank or entering the notice date instead of the actual last working day.
Kündigungsgrund (Reason for unemployment)	Select: Kündigung durch Arbeitgeber (dismissed by employer), Zeitablauf (contract ended), eigene Kündigung (resigned), etc.	Selecting 'resigned voluntarily' when the employer effectively forced resignation — this can affect entitlement.
IBAN	Your Austrian bank IBAN (AT + 18 digits).	Using a foreign IBAN — AMS pays only to Austrian bank accounts.
Verfügbarkeit (Availability)	The hours and types of work you are available for. Must be at least 20 hours per week.	Declaring limited availability (e.g. only 10 hours/week), which can reduce or eliminate benefit entitlement.

/ Common mistakes to avoid

Not registering at AMS within 3 days of becoming unemployed — you lose benefits for each day you delay.

Missing AMS appointments — this can result in benefit suspension.

Refusing a suitable job offer from AMS without a valid reason — leads to a 6-week suspension.

Working while receiving benefits without declaring it — this is fraud and must be repaid.

Travelling abroad without informing AMS — you must be available in Austria while receiving benefits.

Not updating AMS when your situation changes (e.g. starting a course or temporary work).

/ Frequently asked questions

How much is Arbeitslosengeld in Austria?

The benefit is 55% of your previous net daily income. There is a minimum daily amount and a maximum cap. The exact figure is calculated by AMS based on your last salary.

How long can I receive Arbeitslosengeld?

The standard entitlement is 20 weeks (first claim with 52 weeks of contributions). This extends to 30 weeks with 3 years of contributions, 39 weeks with 6 years, and 52 weeks with 9 years. Workers over 40–50 may receive extended periods.

What happens after Arbeitslosengeld runs out?

After ALG expires, you may be eligible for Notstandshilfe (emergency assistance), which is a lower benefit providing continued income support while you seek work.

Can I receive Arbeitslosengeld if I resigned?

Generally no — if you quit voluntarily, you face a 4-week benefit exclusion (Sperrfrist). However, exceptions apply if you had a justifiable reason to quit, such as harassment, health issues, or following a partner who had to relocate.

Can I study or do a course while receiving Arbeitslosengeld?

Yes, in some cases. If AMS approves a training measure (Qualifizierungsmaßnahme), you can participate while receiving benefits. Unauthorized study activity may affect your benefit.