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Mag. Elisabeth Pausz Mobil: +43 699 188 77 083 Referentin für kirchliche Partnerschaft Fax: +43 1 479 15 23 - 330 Evangelische Kirche A. und H.B. in Österreich E-mail: e.pausz@evang.at Severin-Schreiber-Gasse 3, 1180 Wien www.evang.at/ghana

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CONTENT

CONTENT 2

WELCOME TO VIENNA 4

PREFACE 4

INFORMATION ON AUSTRIA 5

IMMIGRATION 8

Immigration, Citizenship and Registry Office 8

Immigration - relevant authority 9

Residence Titles and Documentation 10

Right of Residence - Administrative Fees 13

Integration Agreement 13

PROJECT „S TART WIEN“ 15

Project „Welcome To Vienna“ 15

LIVING IN VIENNA 16

Residence Registration and De-registration 16

Registrations Concerning Change of Residence 17

Other Registrations and De-registrations 18

COMPULSORY SCHOOLING 19

LEARNING GERMAN 20

TRAVELLING IN EUROPE 21

WORKING IN VIENNA 22

Overview Employment 22

Social Insurance 22

Notice of Illness 22

HEALTHCARE 23

E-card 23

Hospitals 23

Pharmacies 23

Emergencies 24

Service disruptions 24

General information 25

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IN VIENNA 26

AUSTRIAN FEDERAL RAILWAY – ÖBB 29

DRIVING A CAR 30

TAXI 31

LIBRARIES 32

HOLIDAYS AND BUSINESS HOURS 33

Religious Holidays 33

National Holidays 33

School Holidays 33

Opening Hours 33

CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES 34

Legally recognised churches and religious communiti es in Austria 34

Officially registered confessional communities in A ustria 35

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PROTESTANT CHURCH IN AUSTRIA 36

LUTHERAN AND REFORMED PROTESTANTS IN AUSTRIA 36

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 37

FACTS AND FIGURES OF THE LUTHERAN AND REFORMED PROT. CHURCH IN AUSTRIA 38

INTERNATIONAL PROTESTANT LUTHERAN AND REFORMED CONGREGATIONS IN AUSTRIA 39

Vienna 40

Salzburg 41

A BRIEF HISTORY 42

From toleration to equal rights 42

WHO TO CONTACT 45

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WELCOME TO VIENNA

PREFACE

Welcome to Vienna and the Protestant Church! Resettling in a new congregation, a new city, a new country and sometimes even a new continent is a challenging quest and can sometimes be quite confusing. This handbook is aiming to help you with your first steps in this new world.

The handbook is divided in three big sections: Information regarding your everyday life, an introduction to Protestantism in Austria and the International Congregations, which you will be part of.

You probably won’t need all the information you find in here, each person comes from a specific background and therefore has to overcome different obstacles and has varying needs. For this specific reason you also won’t be able to find all the information you need. Contact us and together we will find answers to questions and solutions to problems.

At the end of the handbook, in the appendix, you will find various contact numbers. Do not hesitate to use them if you ever need assistance.

According to Mercer 2010 Quality of Living Survey you made it to the most livable city in the whole wide world. Judge for yourself!

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INFORMATION ON AUSTRIA*

Area: Total 83,855 km2

Population: 2011 estimate 8,404,252

Austrian Government: Federal Parliamentary Republic

Capital: Vienna (Wien)

President: Heinz Fischer

Chancellor: Werner Faymann

President of the National Council: Barbara Prammer

Official language: Austrian German

Recognised regional languages: Slovene, Croatian and Hungarian

Ethnic groups (2001) 91.1% Austrians

8.9% foreigners

4% former Yugoslavs

1.6% Turks

2.4% others and unspecified

Federal States: 1. Vienna (Wien)

2. Lower Austria (Niederösterreich)

3. Upper Austria (Oberösterreich)

4. Styria (Steiermark)

5. Tyrol (Tirol)

6. Carinthia (Kärnten)

7. Salzburg

8. Vorarlberg

9. Burgenland

Currency: Euro (€) (EUR)

Time zone: CET (UTC+01)

Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+02)

Calling code: +43

* Taken in parts from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria

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IMMIGRATION*

Very probably your immigration process has already been completed. If not, contact the Church Head Office (Kirchenamt, Severin-Schreiber-Gasse 3, 1180 Wien), there you will find someone to assist you. The process is a complex one and can very quickly become confusing and frustrating, so if you feel overwhelmed, don’t go about it alone.

Contact the Church Head Office especially when you are a minister and in need of a Work Certificate for the Authorities, that validates that you have been sent by your native church and are working for the Protestant Church in Austria. You will need such a certificate annually for the renewal of your visa.

IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP AND REGISTRY OFFICE

Municipal Department 35 - Immigration, Citizenship and Registry Offices (MA 35) is responsible for all matters regarding immigration, Austrian citizenship and for registry offices in Vienna. Whether you need a birth or death certificate, want to get married or acquire Austrian citizenship - Municipal Department 35 provides its services to you throughout your life.

OPENING HOURS AND CONTACT

MA 35 - Main office Dresdner Straße 93, 1200 Vienna Phone: +43 1 4000-3535 Fax: +43 1 4000-99-35010 E-Mail: post@ma35.wien.gv.at

OFFICE HOURS

Monday to Friday 7.30am to 3.30pm Thursday additionally 3.30pm to 5.30pm Closed on bank holidays Good Friday, Christmas Eve (24 December) and New Year's Eve (31 December) 7.30am to 12 noon

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Monday, Tuesday and Friday 8 am to 12 noon Thursday 8 am to 12 noon and 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm Closed on bank holidays, Good Friday, Christmas Eve (24 December) and New Year's Eve (31 December) 8 am to 11 am

NATURALISATION - CITIZENSHIP

Open for the Public: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 am to 12 noon

* Taken from http://www.wien.gv.at/english/administration/civilstatus/immigration

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OBTAINING A CERTIFICATE OF NATIONALITY

Open for the Public: Monday to Friday from 8 am to 12 noon, Thursday also from 3.30 to 5.30 pm Office Hours: Monday to Friday from 8 am to 1 pm Personal interviews with case officers are only possible during opening hours

DIVISION FOR NAME CHANGES

Open for the Public: Monday to Friday from 8 am to 12 noon Office Hours: Monday to Friday from 8 am to 3.30 pm List of all the registry offices: http://www.wien.gv.at/english/administration/civilstatus/wedding/sta.html Please note: A large number of people usually come to the registry offices on Thursday afternoons. Regrettably the office can only offer reduced service during that time and will therefore not be able to keep your waiting time to a minimum.

REGISTRATION OF BIRTH OR MARRIAGE

Monday to Friday from 8am to 12 noon, Thursday also from 3.30 to 5.30pm

OBTAINING A DEATH CERTIFICATE AFTER A DEATH HAS OCCURRED

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 7.30am to 2.30pm, Thursday from 7.30am to 5.30pm

OBTAINING A CERTIFICATE OF NATIONALITY

Monday to Friday from 8am to 2.30pm, Thursday also from 3.30 to 5.30p.m.

CIVIL STATUS DOCUMENTS ISSUED AT A LATER DATE

Monday to Friday from 8am to 2.30pm, Thursday also from 3.30 to 5.30pm

ALL OTHER SERVICES (EXCEPT WEDDINGS)

Monday to Friday from 8am to 12 noon, Thursday also from 3.30 to 5.30pm On the following days, opening hours end at 11am: Good Friday, 24 December, 31 December

PHONE ENQUIRIES ARE ANSWERED DURING OFFICE HOURS

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 7.30am to 3pm, Thursday from 7.30am to 5.30pm

IMMIGRATION - RELEVANT AUTHORITY

Municipal Department 35 does not renew tourist visa. Only embassies are allowed to issue visas (especially categories C or D). In principle, these visas may not be renewed and you must leave Austrian territory once they have expired.

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If you have applied for a document authorising your stay in Austria for the very first time (and are not self-employed), please contact the Municipal Department's Division for first-time applications (Erstantragsreferat). It is responsible for most kinds of settlement permits and for residence permits of researchers and employees exempted from the provisions laid down in the Foreign National Employment Act. If you are self-employed, your application is handled by a special division for self-employed applicants (Referat Erwerbstätige) - regardless of whether you have submitted a first-time application or applied for extension of a document already obtained. "Referat Erwerbstätige" is also in charge of first-time applications and extensions of residence permits of delegates of foreign companies, executives of international companies whose assignment involves a job rotation in different countries, artists, employees of foreign media and volunteers of NGOs. If you have already obtained a document authorising your stay in Austria, applications for its extension can be submitted to the district office of Municipal Department 35 which is responsible for your district of residence. The district offices are also responsible for first-time applications and extensions for students, pupils and spouses and children up to 18 years of Austrian citizens. EU and Swiss citizens and their dependants who are third-country nationals please turn to "Referat Grunderwerb & EWR". List of all the immigration offices: http://www.wien.gv.at/advuew/internet/AdvPrSrv.asp?Layout=stelle&Type=K&stellecd=2006060816010398&Hlayout=stelle

RESIDENCE TITLES AND DOCUMENTATION

In Vienna Municipal Department 35 (MA35) is the only place where all kinds of residence titles are issued. With the introduction of the new aliens law (NAG), all kinds of visa for stays up to six months are issued by the embassies, for all kinds of permits over six months Municipal Department 35 is responsible (for people who wish to take residence in Vienna).

INITIAL APPLICATION

To obtain a first residence title, applications must be made from abroad prior to entry into Austria. Persons over 14 years have to apply personally at the Austrian representation agency in charge (such as embassies, general consulates, but not honorary consulates or cultural institutes) of the country where they live. In principle it is not possible to obtain a residence title if you have entered the country with a visa category C (short-term stay or travel visa).

RESIDENCE PERMIT (AUFENTHALTSBEWILLIGUNG)

Residence permits are given for a certain purpose and will not be extended after the purpose is fulfilled. Some kinds of "Aufenthaltsbewilligungen" entitle to bring also spouses, civil partners and underage children, some do not. All kinds of residence

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permits are not limited by quota. The following kinds of residence permits are issued for working purposes:

- "SONDERFÄLLE UNSELBSTSTÄNDIGER ERWERBSTÄTIGKEIT" is meant for a limited number of professions which are exempted from the provisions laid down in the Foreign National Employment Act, for example priests of certain religions and guest researchers at universities. They can bring their families. For this residence permit, the integration agreement (see below) must NOT be met.

- "Betriebsentsandter" is sent by his company as a delegate. A certain work permit is needed, the family cannot join.

- "Rotationsarbeitskraft" is a person who is sent by his international company to work in Vienna and will be sent to different places if his company decides. A certain work permit is needed, the family is allowed to join.

- "Selbstständiger" has a contract to fulfill a certain job for longer than six months. The family cannot join.

- "Künstler" is an artist who is either employed, then he needs a work permit, or self-employed with different contracts to prove that he will earn enough for his living. Artists can bring their families.

- "Forscher" is issued for research workers who work for a certified research institute. There are regulations about which research instiutes are certified and how those institutes have to make the contracts. Researchers can bring their families.

Other kinds of residence permits:

- "Studierender" is a student at a university. If it is a private university, it has to be accreditated. A student can also work if he has a work permit. For an extension of his "Aufenthaltsbewilligung" it is important to proof the success with his studies. He can bring his family.

- "Schüler" is a pupil at a school, which is open for the pubilc. He cannot bring his family.

- "Sozialdienstleistender" is a person who works for a non-profit organisation for educational purposes. This kind of residence permit can only be issued once for up to one year and will not be extended. The family cannot be brought.

SETTLEMENT PERMIT (NIEDERLASSUNGSBEWILLIGUNG)

Third-country nationals (except for EU and EEA citizens) wishing to live in Austria permanently require a settlement permit. People who want to immigrate because they want to work in Austria have to be key personnel ("Schlüsselkräfte"). All kinds of first applications for a "Niederlassungsbewilligung" are limited by quota.

There are quota for:

- key personnel "Schlüsselkraft"

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- "Niederlassungsbewilligung-beschränkt": for people who want to join parents, spouses or civil partners who are already living and working in Austria with a Niederlassungsbewilligung. There is a limit of age: spouses or civil partners have to be at least 21 years old, children have to be underage and unmarried.

- "ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit": for people who want to immigrate but do not intend to work.

- People who already have the permanent residence permit "Daueraufenthalt-EG" from another EU-country can apply for "Niederlassungsbewilligung-ausgenommen Erwerbstätigkeit" or "Niederlassungsbewilligung-beschränkt".

- Family members with "Niederlassungsbewilligung-beschränkt" can get "Niederlassungsbewilligung-unbeschränkt" after one year of residence, if the spouse, civil partner or parent, who is already in Austria, has the permit "Niederlassungsbewilligung-unbeschränkt" or "Daueraufenthalt-EG". With this title they have access to any kind of work and do not need an additional work permit.

- "Angehöriger" can be given quotafree to certain relatives or partners of Austrians, Swiss or EU-citizens under certain conditions. Their maintenance must be proved by signing a document called "Haftungserklärung" with a validity of five years. People who have "Angehöriger" are not allowed to work, but after getting a work permit they can change to "Niederlassungsbewilligung-befristet", if there is a quota place.

RESIDENCE TITLES (AUFENTHALTSTITEL)

- "Familienangehöriger" is a title for spouses, civil partners and underage children of Austrian citizens. With this title they have free access to work and do not need an additional work permit.

- "Daueraufenthalt Familienangehöriger" can be issued after five years of uninterrupted residence and fulfilling the integration agreement. It is issued for five years and grants free acces to work without an additional work permit.

- "Daueraufenthalt-EG" can be applied for after five years of continuous legal settlement and fulfilling the Integration Contract. With this kind of title there is free access to any kind of work, no additional work permit is needed.

All kinds of residence permits and settlement permits have the form of a card and are usually issued for one year. This means if you intend to stay longer in Austria you need to reapply for a permit annually.

DOCUMENTATION

Citizens of the European Union and Switzerland have the right to take residence in Austria, if they - work as employed or self-employed persons - or have a sufficient health-insurance and sufficient financial means

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- or are students or pupils at a university or school (and have a sufficient health insurance and sufficient means).

Before January 1, 2006 they only had to register (with the Meldezettel). Citizens of the EU and Switzerland, who come to Austria after January 1, 2006 and intend to stay longer than three months, have to apply at the Municipal Department for Immigration, Citizenship and Registry Offices (MA35) for a document called "Anmeldebescheinigung". This is a documentation for their right of residence. If they came before January 1, 2006 and registered, they do not need this paper. For their spouses, civil partners, children, parents and parents in law, who are not EU-citizens or Swiss, they have to apply for a document called "Aufenthaltskarte", which is issued for 10 years.

RIGHT OF RESIDENCE - ADMINISTRATIVE FEES

An application for a document authorising your stay in Austria involves the following administrative fees: - Limited residence permits: EUR 100 - Daueraufenthalt-EG and Daueraufenthalt Familiengemeinschaft: EUR 150 - Anmeldebescheinigung (EU-citizens, Swiss): EUR 15 - Daueraufenthaltskarte: EUR 56 - Identifications Document for EU-citizens and Swiss: EUR 56 Residence titles and documentations are only given out after payment of the fees. Fees can be paid in cash, by credit card or by cash card.

INTEGRATION AGREEMENT

OBLIGATION TO ATTEND GERMAN AND INTEGRATION CLASSES

The main purpose of the integration agreement (Integrationsvereinbarung) is to acquire a certain command of German. The issuance or extension of your residence title (Aufenthaltstitel) requires you to fulfil the integration agreement within a period of five years. If you do not manage to fulfil the integration agreement in time, you may file an application for an extension of this period with the competent authorities. The integration agreement consists of two modules. One module focuses on teaching reading and writing skills, while the second module imparts a basic knowledge of German. The aim is to enable you to read simple texts and to make yourself understood in German.

MODULE 1 - LITERACY COURSE

Content: reading and writing Duration: 75 hours Proof of ability: it is sufficient to prove that you can read and write by submitting a school certificate.

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MODULE 2 - COMBINED GERMAN AND INTEGRATION COURSE

Content: basic knowledge of German and ability participate in the social, economic and cultural life in Austria Duration: 300 hours Proof of ability: Module 2 can be fulfilled in the following ways:

- Successfully attending a German integration course at an accredited institute. (New migrants have the possibility to receive financial support with the "Vienna Language Voucher" [http://www.wien.gv.at/english/social/integration/learning-german/language-vouchers.html])

- Presenting a positive school-leaving certificate

- Officially recognised language diploma ("A2" level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) for example Austrian German Diploma (ÖSD)

- University degree

KEY EMPLOYEES (Schlüsselkraft) OR SPECIAL EXECUTIVES AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE NOT

SUBJECT TO THE ABOVE-MENTIONED CRITERIA, as their qualifications are regarded as sufficient proof that they fulfil the integration agreement.

EXEMPTIONS

- The aforementioned provisions do not apply if the integration agreement (as defined in the 1997 Aliens Act (Fremdengesetz)) has already been fulfilled by 1 January 2006 or the person has been exempted from it. The new regulations under the Austrian Law on Residence and Settlement of Foreigners (Niederlassungs- und Aufenthaltsgesetz NAG) do not apply if the person has started to fulfil the integration agreement (attending a course) before 1 January 2006 and has fulfilled it by 31 December 2006 at the latest.

- Persons submitting a written declaration that they do not intend to stay in Austria for more than twelve months within two years. In this case an application for extension cannot be filed in Austria.

- Children up to the age of nine

- Elderly or ill persons are exempted from the obligation to fulfil the integration agreement.

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PROJECT „S TART WIEN“ *

October 1st 2008, the department of Integration and Diversity (MA 17), has initiated the project "Start Wien", to help immigrants starting their new life in Vienna. The Project offers several talks on rules of living together, the structure of the Austrian school and health system, the labour and housing market in Vienna and residency requirements. Every second Saturday of the month an info-day takes place at the community college at the Volkshochschule Favoriten. It is primarily intended for new immigrants, but can also be attended by others. The modules are two-hour information sessions. The visitors can ask questions and receive handouts with key information and addresses in their native languages. The topics are: cohabitation, education, health, employment and housing. The modules "occupation" and "recognition and continuing education" are held at the Vienna Employment Promotion Fund (WAFF) or at "Perspektive".

DATES AND PROGRAM

Please visit http://www.startwien.at/modulangebot/suche for further information

CONTACTS

Volkshochschule Favoriten Arthaberplatz 18, 1100 Wien Tel: +43 1 603 40 30-11 Wiener ArbeitnehmerInnenförderungsfonds Nordbahnstraße 36, 1020 Wien Tel: + 43 1 217 48 Perspektive - Anerkennungs- und Weiterbildungsberatungstelle Nordbahnstraße 36, 1020 Wien Tel: + 43 1 58 58 019

PROJECT „W ELCOME TO VIENNA“

The Municipal Department 35 (MA35) has issued a Folder that is much like the Handbook you are holding in hands right now and offers useful information on living in Vienna. The Welcome Folder is currently available in Bosnian/Croatian, English, German, Turkish and Serbian. You can order the Welcome Folder via E-mail: service@m35.magwien.gv.at or on the telephone at +43 1 4000-3535. It is worth taking a look at!

*Taken in parts from http://www.wien.gv.at/menschen/integration/neuzugewandert/, http://www.startwien.at/

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LIVING IN VIENNA*

RESIDENCE REGISTRATION AND DE-REGISTRATION

Persons establishing their residence in Austria must register to the responsible authority. The following situations require a registration: - First establishment of an accommodation in Austria - House moving within Austria (changing the primary residence [Hauptwohnsitz]) - Establishment of a further residence (primary residence stays the same)

DEADLINES

- Registration: within three days after moving - De-registration: within three days prior to or after moving

RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY

- In the provinces: the residence registration service of the Municipal Offices (Gemeindeamt) or in cities with own statute the Municipal Authority (Magistrat)

- In Vienna: the residence registration service of the Municipal District Office (Magistratisches Bezirksamt)

For the registration of a primary residence (Hauptwohnsitz) in Austria or a further residence: the registry office that is responsible for the new residence: - The Municipal Offices (Gemeindeamt) - In statutory cities: the Magistrate (Magistrat) - In Vienna: the Municipal District Office (Magistratisches Bezirksamt)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

- Public documents that include last name and first name, last name before the first marriage, date of birth, place of birth and citizenship of the resident (e.g. passport or Birth certificate [Geburtsurkunde])

- Optionally Documentary Proof of Academic Degrees (urkundlicher Nachweis akademischer Grade)

- For residents without Austrian citizenship (foreigners): Travel document (e.g. passport)

- For registration of a newborn (at the registry office): Birth certificate of the child

* Taken in parts from http://www.wien.gv.at/english/living-working/registration/

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REGISTRATIONS CONCERNING CHANGE OF RESIDENCE

Moving requires various registrations or de-registrations. Some of the de-registrations have a deadline, which means that those steps should be taken even before the moving.

ENERGY SUPPLY COMPANIES

In order to register or de-register your energy services (gas, electricity, heating service), consult your energy provider (Energieversorger). Generally, a written notice of cancellation is required within the notice period. Inform your energy provider of the status of your meter reading on the day of move out and your new address, so that the energy costs up to the date of moving out can be calculated. In some cases (e.g. Fernwärme Wien) an appointment to read the meter must be arranged with the appropriate company. Please note: If gas and electricity are available in the new apartment and the service is supplied by the same energy provider, registration for energy services in the new apartment can be made in parallel with the cancellation of services for the former apartment. If no gas and electricity service is available in the new apartment, an appointment must be made for it to be switched on. Important: When the energy services in the new apartment are switched on for the first time, the tenant/owner must be present in person or authorize someone (in writing) to be present on this date. The tenant/owner or his/her designated representative must present an official identification with photo (amtlicher Lichtbildausweis). Switching on the energy supply is subject to fees.

RADIO AND TELEVISION (GIS)

In Austria, radios and TV sets must be registered. Registration forms for registering radios and televisions ("Meldung") can be obtained online at the ORF Fee Service, GIS, as well as in all post offices (Postamt), tobacconists (Tabak Trafik) and individual banks, and can also be remitted there. Every change concerning broadcasting reception gadgets (gadgets that make it possible to receive radio or television programs) must be registered in Austria. In order to register or de-register the broadcasting fees, certain forms have to be filled in and sent to GIS. This can also be done online. Printed forms for the registration or de-registration of broadcasting fees can be obtained at GIS (ORF Fee Service) and in all Austrian post offices (Postamt).

TELEPHONE AND INTERNET

If you move, do not forget to de-register and re-register your landline telephone in time or to register a telephone connection at your new address. Detailed information can be obtained from your phone provider. (Some providers offer a special moving service and even moving credits.)

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If you also have an internet connection from the same provider, the transfers of the landline and internet connections normally go hand in hand. In case of a private internet provider consult the individual provider about the procedure. In most cases it is enough to give information on your new address, the customer number and the new telephone number in writing or per fax.

OTHER REGISTRATIONS AND DE-REGISTRATIONS

You may also have to pay attention to the following: - Garbage disposal - Vehicles - Dog licence fee - Cable TV - Kindergarten and school - Parking permission Don’t forget to inform several institutions about your new address!

MAIL FORWARDING

After moving out, it is very comfortable if the post – even if the change of address is not known to the senders yet – finds its way to your new address. Therefore, the Austrian post offices (Postamt) offer a mail forwarding service, meaning that all letters addressed to the old address will be forwarded to the new one. By using the mail forwarding service letters, newspapers and money, info mails or even parcels and EMS-mails can be forwarded to the new address.

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COMPULSORY SCHOOLING*

All children who have been in Austria for at least one evaluation period (one semester) are required to attend school. Compulsory schooling starts on the first of September following the child's sixth birthday, and lasts nine school years.

COMPULSORY SCHOOLING IS FULFILLED BY ATTENDING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF SCHOOLS:

- In the first four school years: by attending a primary school (Volksschule) or a special needs school (Sonderschule)

- In the 5th to the 8th school year: by attending a lower secondary school (Hauptschule), a secondary academic school (allgemeinbildende höhere Schule), a primary school or a special needs school

- In the 9th school year: by the attending a pre-vocational year (Polytechnischer Lehrgang), or by attending a primary school, a lower secondary or secondary academic school, or a special needs school

SCHOOL TYPES IN AUSTRIA

- Primary school (Volksschule) (1st to 4th grade) - Lower secondary school (Hauptschule) (5th to 8th grade) - Model experiment “New secondary school” (Modellversuch “Neue Mittelschule”)

(5th to 8th grade) - Special needs school (Sonderschule) (1st to 4th grade, 5th to 8th grade) - Pre-vocational year (Polytechnische Schule) (9th grade) - Secondary academic school (Allgemeinbildende höhere Schule) (5th to 12th grade) - Vocational school (Berufsschule) (10th to 13th grade) - Secondary technical and vocational school (Berufsbildende mittlere Schule) (9th to

12th grade) - Secondary technical and vocational high school or college (Berufsbildende höhere

Schule) (9th to 13th grade) - Academy for social work (Akademie für Sozialarbeit) (3 years) - Institutes for teacher and educator training (Anstalten der Lehrer- und der

Erzieherbildung)

In addition to the public schools, there are also German-speaking and foreign language private schools (with and without public status).

* Taken from http://www.wien.gv.at/english/education/sulsystem.htm

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LEARNING GERMAN*

The University of Vienna offers an extremely wide range of high-quality German courses, structured in twelve distinct course phases (encompassing all levels from A1/1 through C2/2). Thorough entry-level tests guarantee your placement in the appropriate course level. A wide spectrum of programmes comprise semester and trimester courses at various times of the day and with different course intensities throughout the academic year (October through June), as well as 3-week intensive courses in February. The summer courses are rounded off by a comprehensive leisure time and excursion program. Our extremely motivated, highly educated and vastly experienced team of trainers guarantees maximum learning progress by means of communication-based and student-orientated teaching techniques. Registering online on our website is quick and easy. The German Courses of the University of Vienna are Test Centre of the Austrian Language Diploma ÖSD and of the German Language Certificate.

CONTACT

German Courses of the University of Vienna Campus der Universität Wien Alserstr. 4, 1090 Vienna Hof 1, Zugang 1.16 T: +43/01/4277-24101 For further information please visit http://deutschkurse.univie.ac.at

* Taken from http://deutschkurse.univie.ac.at

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TRAVELLING IN EUROPE

Once you have obtained a residence permit and you want to go see other cities in Europe you have to observe the following:

- If you travel to a Schengen country you do not need to apply for a visa. The 15 Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these countries are members of the European Union except Norway and Iceland.

- For all the other European Union countries you need to get a visa before entering: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, United Kingdom

- Also for all the other European Countries that are not members of the EU a visa is required: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Vatican City State

EUROPEAN UNION

For further information on the EU please visit: http://europa.eu

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WORKING IN VIENNA*

OVERVIEW EMPLOYMENT

In regards to employment contract rights, an employee is one who obligates him/herself to work for an employer by a written or oral employment contract, which is a contract for the performance of a continuing obligation, with the goal to perform efficient work. Significant characteristics of an employer-employee relationship are: - Personal dependence (placement in the organization of the company, being subject

to the directives of the employer, control, disciplinary responsibility, personal public service obligation)

- Economic dependence of the employee - Right of salary Employees enjoy the full protection of the labour laws.

SOCIAL INSURANCE

Prior to the commencement of work, employers are obliged to sign up their employees (including independent contractors exceeding the minimum income limit) for individual or all insurance programs (health, accident, pension, and unemployment insurance) according to the General Social Insurance Act (Allgemeines Sozialversicherungsgesetz [ASVG]). The employees have the right of sickness allowance and enjoy unemployment insurance. According to the General Social Insurance Act (ASVG) an employee is a person who is liable to income tax according to the income tax law of 1988 (Einkommenssteuergesetz [EStG 198]). The employee then receives an e-card which contains the social insurance number and the date of birth. It is recommended that you always carry this card with you.

NOTICE OF ILLNESS

In case of illness, employees must inform the employer immediately about their inability to work (without undue delay). Important: The employer can require that a physician provide verification of your inability to work. This can be required from the first day of inability to work, however, it is only compulsory from the fourth day of the illness. As a rule, the date of the doctor's diagnosis is usually considered the beginning of the inability to work.

* Taken from https://www.help.gv.at/Portal.Node/hlpd/public/content/144/Seite.1440000.html

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HEALTHCARE *

E-CARD

The e-card is an electronic chip card which was distributed to all insured people and their family members during the year 2005 and which replaces the formerly used health insurance voucher for visits to the doctor. This chip card is equipped with the name, title and social insurance number of the card owner and contains information about his/her insurance status (e.g. the responsible insurance institution). A statutory service fee of 10 euro per year is collected from the employer. Please bring your e-card to every doctor’s visit, in case you forget it you will have to deposit a certain amount of money until you show the e-card. You can visit your general practitioner as many times a year as you need, for specialist you need a doctor’s referral and the amounts of visits are limited. You can get further details at your general practitioner’s office.

HOSPITALS

- Allgemeines Krankenhaus der Stadt Wien – Universitätskliniken; Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna; (+43 1) 40400-0

- Wilhelminenspital; Montleartstraße 37, 1160 Vienna; (+43 1) 491 50-0 - Unfallkrankenhaus Lorenz Böhler; Donaueschingerstraße 13, 1200 Vienna; (+43 1)

331 10 - Unfallkrankenhaus Meidling; Kundratstraße 37, 1120 Vienna; (+43 1) 601 50 - Evangelisches Krankenhaus Wien-Währing; Hans-Sachs-Gasse 10-12, 1180

Vienna; (+43 1) 404 22 - Sankt Anna Kinderspital (Children’s hospital); Kinderspitalgasse 6, 1090 Vienna;

(+43 1) 401 70 A list of all the hospitals in Vienna: www.wien.gv.at/english/health/hospital.htm

PHARMACIES

Pharmacies are widely spread throughout Vienna. Should you nevertheless have difficulties finding one, call 1455 or search for a pharmacy near you at http://www.apo.or.at/index.php?bereich=suche Opening hours are: Mo. through Fr. 8am am to 6pm; Sa. 8am to 12pm There are several pharmacies that are open at night; you will find a list at your nearby pharmacy.

* Taken in parts from http://www.chipkarte.at; www.wien.gv.at/english/health/hospital.htm; http://www.apo.or.at

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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY*

If you’re not sure which number to dial, dial 112!

Deaf people can call the fire brigade, police or ambulance via a special emergency text service: by sending a fax or SMS message to the Vienna number 0800 133 133, or an E-mail to gehoerlosennotruf@polizei.gv.at.

EMERGENCIES

Fire brigade 122 24 hrs a day Police 133 24 hrs a day Ambulance service 144 24 hrs a day Emergency Physician 141 weekdays: 7pm to 7am weekends: 7pm public holidays: 24 hours a day European emergency number 112 24 hrs a day Pharmacy number 1455 24 hrs a day In cases of poisoning 01 406 43 43 24 hrs a day Death: coroner service 01 797 75-87890 24 hrs a day Women's emergency helpline 01 717 19 24 hrs a day Psych. emergency counselling 01 313 30 24 hrs a day Gas emergency 128 24 hrs a day Animal welfare helpline 01 4000-8060 24 hrs a day Office for Emergency Measures 01 4000-75222 24 hrs a day Technical emergency hotline 01 4000-8280 24 hrs a day

SERVICE DISRUPTIONS

Road traffic information hotline 01 955 59 7am to 6pm daily In case of blocked toilets or domestic sewers 01 795 14-9300 24 hrs a day Vienna Waterworks hotline 01 599 59-0 24 hrs a day Vienna district heating service disruptions: Hotline for districts 2 and 20-22 01 313 26-52 24 hrs a day Hotline for districts 1, 3-9 a 15-19 01 313 26-51 24 hrs a day Hotline for districts 10-14 and 23 01 313 26-53 24 hrs a day Vienna gas distribution service disruptions: Emergency repairs hotline 01 401 28 - 88 24 hrs a day Vienna electricity network service disruptions: Emergency repairs hotline 0800 500 600 24 hrs a day Public lighting: repairs hotline 0800 33 80 33 24 hrs a day

* Taken from http://www.wien.gv.at/english/contact/emergency.html

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Vienna City Hall 01 4000 24 hrs a day Community Services 01 502 55 + extensions 01-23 for the

individual municipal districts of Vienna

Vienna City Information Bureau 01 525 50 Mondays through Fridays (except public holidays): 8am to 6pm

Tourist Information 01 24 555 9am to 7pm daily

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TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IN VIENNA*

Travelling around Vienna is best done with the public transportation system. It is the cheapest and fastest way to get around town. The metro (U-Bahn) is operated seven days a week, with first trains departing around 5am and last trains leaving the city center around 0.30am. During the day, intervals are typically 5 minutes, with 2-4 minutes during peak hours and 7-8 minutes after 8.30pm. At nights before Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays the metro operates all night, with intervals of approx. 30 minutes. Trams and buses are usually in operation between 5am and 12am. However, some lines may only run until 9pm and not at all on Sundays and holidays. Be sure to check the timetables at the relevant stops. There is a dense network of night buses operating daily between 0.45am and 5am. Regular tickets and travel passes are also valid on the night buses.

Children up to the age of six, travel free of charge on the Vienna public transport network. Children up to the age of 15 travel free on Sundays and public holidays and during the school holidays in Vienna (this includes the week before Easter, July 6th through August 31st, and Dec 23rd through Jan 6th). An ID card may be helpful to prove a child's age.

TICKETS CAN BE BOUGHT FROM:

- Ticket machines at metro stations. There is at least one at every entrance to the station. The offer a variety of tickets.

- Ticket machines in trams and buses. Avoid these! They offer only single tickets and tickets bought from these machines are more expensive than those bought elsewhere.

- Wiener Linien ticket offices. Look for the sign 'Vorverkauf' (advance tickets). They can be found at all major metro stations and some tram stations.

- Most tobacconists (Tabak Trafik). However, not all of them sell tickets.

* Taken in parts from http://www.wienerlinien.at/wl/ep/channelView.do/channelId/-17256/pageTypeId/10220

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Single ticket Advance tickets €1.80 - On tram/bus €2.20 Valid for one journey within one zone. You can change as often as is necessary, but you may not travel on a circular route, go back to your starting point or cross a zone boundary (unless you pay for an additional zone). Also available as strip tickets for 4 journeys.

Half price ticket for short trips, children, dogs and bicycles €1.10 Children: valid for one journey within one zone. Adults: valid for 2 stops on the metro or until the next short trip boundary (Kurzstreckengrenze) on trams and buses. You may not change. A half price ticket is also mandatory if you wish to bring a dog or a bicycle with you.

24/48/72-hour ticket €5.70/€10.00/€13.60 Valid for unlimited travel within zone 100. Valid 24/48/72 hours from the time of validation.

The Vienna Card €18.90 Valid for unlimited travel within zone 100 for 72 hours, plus discounts or benefits at museums, sights, theatres, concerts, shops, restaurants and cafés. For more information visit: http://www.wien.info/en/travel-info/vienna-card 8-day climate ticket €28.80 Is valid for any eight days, not necessarily eight consecutive days. It is a rover ticket, which means, you can travel all around Vienna. You can also use the ticket for several people travelling together: Simply punch one strip for each person in the group. This is not a 24-hour ticket! Careful! Start with validating nr. 1 on the strip!! If you punch nr. 8 first, that means, that all the other nr. Have been validated as well.

Weekly/ Monthly/ Annual travel pass €14.00/€49.50/€458.00 Valid for unlimited travel in zone 100 within the specified calendar week (Mon-Sun)/month/year. Here you find a list of all the tickets available: http://www.wienerlinien.at/wl/ep/channelView.do/channelId/-17005/pageTypeId/9083

The prices for the tickets will change starting Mai 1st 2012!

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AUSTRIAN FEDERAL RAILWAY – ÖBB *

The Österreichischen Bundesbahnen have a fully developed railroad system. You can get almost anywhere in Austria, fast and comfortably.

REDUCTION CARD (VORTEILSCARD)

With the reduction card you travel at least 45 % cheaper. If you purchase your tickets on the Internet or at a ticket vending machine, you will get even a 50 % reduction, no matter where to in Austria and independent of the train type or travel class (with the exception of the Transport Associations’ tariffs in the federal states). As Vorteilscard holder, you can also get particularly good value tickets for travels through many other European countries. With RAILPLUS, you save 25 % on cross-border rail services. With the Vorteilscard Familie, children up to 14 years (= up to the day before their 15th birthday) can travel free of charge accompanied by their parents. At least one of the parents and one child must travel together.

There are always special offers that allow you to enjoy various regions in Austria and Europe for a very cheap price. Often times these tickets include entrances to museums or exhibitions.

For more information go to: www.oebb.at

* Taken from http://www.oebb.at/en/Reduction_cards/VORTEILScard/index.jsp

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DRIVING A CAR *

Driving a car in Austria has become an expensive affair, due to the exorbitant gasoline prices. Furthermore if you are driving in Vienna you will most likely end up in a traffic jam.

- Driving on the right side - Legal alcohol limit: 0,5 per mill - All passengers are required to wear a seatbelt at any time - Talking on the phone while driving is only permitted with a hands free headset or

loud speakers

SPEED LIMIT

Town: 50 km/h Open road: 100 km/h Highway: 130 km/h

COMPULSORY ITEMS IN THE CAR

- Visibility wests - A warning triangle - First aid kit

If you intend to use Austrian motorways and expressways your vehicle must display a motorway tax sticker (Vignette). These stickers, valid for a year, two months or 10 days, can be purchased at many petrol stations close to the border in neighbouring countries, at the frontier in Austria, or at tobacconists (Tabak Trafik).

COSTS FOR A CAR

10 days €7.90 2 months €23.00 Year €76.50

Visibility vests must be worn if walking on a motorway, or anywhere if broken down under a red warning triangle, or on the highway in bad visibility. Visibility vests are now compulsory in Austria. They are also compulsory in Belgium, France, Italy, Norway, Portugal and Spain (and likely to become compulsory throughout the EU). The rules vary from country to country concerning number of vests required and whether they should be carried in the car or boot. Common sense suggests that there should be a vest for every occupant, and that the vests should be carried in the car, and put on before getting out. Do this and you will not have a problem.

* Taken in parts from http://www.oeamtc.at/reise/laender/#ldb-content:1311761980910

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CHILDREN IN CARS

Children under 12 and 1.5 metres in height cannot travel as front or rear passenger unless they use a suitable restraint system.

Always carry your driver’s licence, vehicle registration document, and certificate of motor insurance. If your licence does not incorporate a photograph ensure you carry your passport to validate the licence. If the vehicle is not registered in your name, carry a letter from the registered owner giving you permission to drive.

Winter tyres are required by law from November 1st until April 15th when driving in bad weather - defined as snow, mud or ice.

Daytime running lights are not compulsory anymore (except for motorcycles).

TAXI

Taxicabs can be found in all the major cities. They charge by taximeter. At night between 11 pm and 6 am as well as on Sundays and holidays there is an increased rate and an additional fee.

Cabs from and to the airport charge a all-inclusive price of about €30.00.

www.taxi31300.at/ www.taxi60160.at/

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LIBRARIES *

Libraries in Vienna are a customer-oriented service organization with a vast range of up-to-date quality media to choose from plus specific advisory services for all their users. The libraries were established by the City of Vienna as a major source of information and education and to promote cultural and leisure time activities. They are part of a worldwide network of libraries.

There is a network of 39 branches offering well over 1.7 million media. About 48,000 of the more than 1.3 million books are foreign-language books. Along with books and magazines you may also borrow CDs, CD-ROMs, audio cassettes, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs and console games.

The main library directly above underground station Burggasse - Stadthalle is much more than a borrowing library. Its pleasing design, long opening hours, reading areas and work stations for the different media will make you want to stay a while. Take a break from the books and enjoy splendid views of Vienna from the café on the roof.

Vienna libraries Homepage: http://www.buechereien.wien.at/en

* Taken from http://www.wien.gv.at/english/education-research/libraries/index.html

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HOLIDAYS AND BUSINESS HOURS *

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS

- January 1st (New Year) Neujahr - January 6th (Twelfth Day) Dreikönigstag - Easter Monday Ostermontag - Ascension Day Christi Himmelfahrt - Pentecost Monday Pfingstmontag - Corpus Christi Fronleichnam - Assumption Day Mariä Himmelfahrt - All Saints Allerheiligen - December 8th Immaculate Conception Mariä Empfängnis - December 25th and 26th Christmas Weihnachten

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS

- Mai 1st (Labour Day) Tag der Arbeit - October 26th (National Holiday) Nationalfeiertag

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

- Summer Holidays: July to the beginning of September - Christmas Holidays: December 24th to January 6th - Semester break: in February, varies from state to state; first Vienna and Lower

Austria; then Burgenland, Carinthia, Salzburg, Tyrol and Vorarlberg; then Upper Austria and Styria

- Easter Holidays: The week before Easter and Tuesday after Easter - Pentecost Holidays: Pentecost and Tuesday after

OPENING HOURS

- Banks: generally Mo, Tu, We, Fr 8/9.00am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.00pm, Th 8/9.00am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5.30pm

- Post offices: generally Mo through Fr 8.00am to 12.00pm and 2.00pm to 6.00pm; Sa either closed or open 9.00am to 12.00pm

- Stores: generally Mo through Fr 8/9.00am to 6/7.00pm, Sa 8/9.00am to 12/1pm; sometimes longer on Thursdays.

* Taken from http://www.wien.gv.at/ikt/egov/gesetzliche-feiertage.html

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CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES *

LEGALLY RECOGNISED CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIE S IN AUSTRIA

are public corporations, i.e. they perform functions of public interest. In addition to their religious tasks, this also includes social, societal and cultural functions that benefit the public at large, and are therefore supported by the state:

- Old Catholic Church of Austria (German) - Armenian Apostolic Church in Austria (German) - Bulgarian Orthodox Church of Saint Ivan Rilski (Bulgarian/English/German) - Protestant Church in Austria - Augsburg Confession (German) - Protestant Church in Austria - Helvetic Confessions (German) - United Methodist Church (German/English/Korean) - Greek Oriental (Orthodox) Church in Austria (German) - Greek Oriental Community of Saint George (German/Greek) - Islamic Community in Austria (German) - Jewish Community in Austria (English/German) - Jehovah's Witnesses (German) - Catholic Church (English/German) - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) in Austria (German) - Coptic Orthodox Church in Austria (German) - New Apostolic Church in Austria (German) - Austrian Buddhist Community (German) - Romanian Greek Oriental Church of the Holy Resurrection (German/Romanian) - Russian Orthodox Church of Saint Nicolas (English/German/Russian) - Serbian Orthodox Church of Saint Sava (German/Serbian) - Syrian Orthodox Church in Austria (German)

* Taken from http://www.wien.gv.at/english/culture-history/religion/churches.html; http://www.evang.at/kirche/ueberblick/

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OFFICIALLY REGISTERED CONFESSIONAL COMMUNITIES IN AUSTRIA

have had legal personality since 1998. They have the right to call themselves "officially registered", and may be granted legal recognition after twenty years of existence, of which at least ten years as a legally registered denomination, provided that they meet a number of further conditions. - Bahá´i - Religious Community in Austria (German) - Federation of Baptist Communities in Austria (German) - Federation of Evangelical Communities in Austria (German) - The Christian Community - Movement for Religious Renewal in Austria (German) - ELAIA Christian Community - Free Christians / Pentecostalists (German) - Seventh Day Adventists (German) - Hindu Community in Austria - Islamic Alevitic Religious Community in Austria (IAGÖ) - Mennonite Free Church in Austria (German) - Pentecostal Church of God in Austria (German/Romanian)

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PROTESTANT CHURCH IN AUSTRIA

LUTHERAN AND REFORMED PROTESTANTS IN AUSTRIA*

The Lutheran and the Reformed Protestant Church in Austria formed a body of both churches in order to "safeguard issues of common interest" (Constitution § 5(3)) they instituted the "Evangelische Kirche A. und H.B. in Österreich". The two churches do not act on the basis of a confessional or administrative union. The Lutheran tradition is called Protestant Church A.B. (=Augsburg Confession), the Reformed Tradition is marked by the label H.B. (=Helvetic i.e. Swiss Confession). By signing the Edict of Tolerance Emperor Joseph II brought about toleration of the Protestants, thereby ending their underground existence which had lasted for several decades. At the same time he characterized the two protestant bodies by attaching to them their particular confessional writings. Ever since the labels A.B. and H.B. have been in use to differentiate the two churches.

The combined membership of the Lutheran and Reformed Protestants in Austria (Lutheran Church approx. 310.000, Reformed Church approx. 14.000) make up close to 4 % of the total Austrian population of more than 8 million people. The Lutheran Church (A.B.) is structured into seven dioceses with a Superintendent at the top of each. The number of parishes totals to 211. The highest percentage of Protestants is to be found in the region of Burgenland (14 %). Strong protestant presence can also be found in Carinthia and Upper Austria. Close to 77.000 Protestants live in Vienna – the highest concentration of Protestants in one particular area. Nine parishes belong to the Reformed Church (H.B.).

Both churches have a rather similar structure. Each has a synod as the highest governing body with a small executive committee, the Consistory (Oberkirchenrat A.B. and Oberkirchenrat H.B.). The highest ecclesiastical representative of the Lutherans is the bishop. For the Reformed Church the Landessuperintendent (Superintendent for all of Austria) holds that position. Both Churches operate within a presbyteral-synodal constitution (i.e. on the level of parishes through presbyteries, on the level of the total church through synods; balance of laymen and clergy, democratic election process).

The Lutheran and Reformed Church in Austria work closely together in many areas. A "General Synod" serves as "parliamentary" instrument of this structure, assisted by the Evangelische Oberkirchenrat A.B. und H.B. as executive committees.

Long before the so called "Leuenberger Konkordie" of 1973 was agreed upon (mutual recognition of ministers and Holy Communion, doctrinal differences no longer considered as separating churches from each other), Lutheran and Reformed Christians in Austria worked together in areas of spiritual as well as of administrative concerns. One of the spiritual backgrounds for this is the fact, that both confessions * Taken from http://www.evang.at/english/evangelicals-in-austria/

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have Lutheran as well as Reformed members. The constitution is based on principles integrated within the confessions of both churches (so-called "confessing church law"). Clergy and laity work together enjoying equal rights. All persons forming one congregation decide on matters relevant to their parish in a direct democratic process or through representatives elected from among them. They elect their minister and persons for other positions of responsibility. In matters pertaining to their parish they are autonomous.

This structure bottom up is continued on other levels of the Protestant Churches. Members of the synodal Executive Committees, as well as the Bishop A.B. (for 12 years, re-election allowed) and the Landessuperintendent H.B. (for 6 years, re-election allowed) are elected by the respective synods, made up by an equal number of clergy and laity. There is no "compulsory voting of lobby groups". Every person in a responsible position within the church is solely bound by his/her conscience (Constitution § 24).

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Apart from the Lutheran and Reformed Church in Austria there exist other Protestant Churches. The United Methodist Church has about 1.500 members which are sectioned in ten congregations; four in Vienna and one each in St. Pölten, Graz, Linz, Ried/I, Salzburg and Bregenz. They also have a charity organization in Linz (Diakonie Zentrum Spattstraße: www.spattstrasse.at).

There are also several Free Churches in Austria. You find some of them in the section “Churches and religious communities” up above.

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FACTS AND FIGURES OF THE LUTHERAN AND REFORMED PROT. CHURCH IN AUSTRIA *

There are 7 dioceses A.B. in 8 Federal States. The Protestants in Vorarlberg pertain to the Church H.B.

CHURCH A.B. CHURCH H.B.

- approx. 310.000 members - approx.14.000 members - 195 congregations - 9 congregations

INTERNATIONAL CONGREGATIONS

- - 12 congregations

The regional spreading of Protestants differs due to historical events.

* Taken from http://www.evang.at/english/facts-figures/; http://www.evang.at/kirche/ueberblick/

Protestant Church A. and H.B.

Protestant

Church A.B.

Augsburg

Confession

Lutheran

Protestant

Church H.B.

Helvetic i.e.

Swiss Confession

Reformed

Combined fields of work

• Religious education and youth work

• Diakonie

• Women’s work • Military chaplaincy et al.

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INTERNATIONAL PROTESTANT LUTHERAN AND REFORMED

CONGREGATIONS IN AUSTRIA

You are a member of one of 12 International Congregations in Austria, so called Protestant Corporate Congregations (Personalgemeinden) which are under the protection of the Lutheran and Reformed Protestant Church in Austria (Evangelische Kirche A. und H.B. in Österreich).

The legal foundation is the Federal Law on the external legal relationships of the Protestant Church (The Act of the Protestant Church), Protestantengesetz 1961, BGBl 182/1961 version BGBl I 92/2009.

[http://www.evang.at/fileadmin/evang.at/doc_rechtsdatenbank/protg.pdf]

Your congregation is in principle liable to the law of the Lutheran and Reformed Protestant Church in Austria (Evangelische Kirche A. und H.B. in Österreich) such as the Church Constitution and other laws.

The legal provisions of the Lutheran and Reformed Protestant Church in Austria apply to your congregation and its members, with the exception of the by-law concerning the church rate and financial compensation (Kirchenbeitrags- und Finanzausgleichsordnung)

The Consistory (Evangelischer Oberkirchenrat A. und H.B.) of Lutheran and Reformed Protestant Church in Austria has recognition-agreements and establishing rights; because of that your congregation is one of 12 recognized Protestant Corporate Congregations under the term as referred to in § 4 BGBl. Pursuant to Section 4 of the Federal Law the Federal Ministry for Education, Arts and Culture (BMUKK, Bundesministerium für Unterricht, Kunst und Kultur) has to know you and your congregation and is to be advised by our Consistory.

Further our Consistory (Oberkirchenrat A. und H.B., via Evangelisches Kirchenamt, Severin Schreiber Gasse 3, 1180 Wien) is obligated to inform and to advise the Federal Ministry BMUKK about changes and representatives (such as the presbyteries). According to the democratic constitution of our church every congregation shall elect a presbytery (i.e. a board of leading members together with the reverend in charge). These representatives must be made known to our Consistory who will then notify the Federal Ministry BMUKK.

Down below you find a list of all the international congregations in Austria.

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VIENNA

EVANGELISCH-KOREANISCHE GEMEINDE IN WIEN

Reverend Hwang-Young Chang Schützengasse 13, 1030 Wien, 01/ 941 17 30 Church Service Sun 11h00

JAPANISCHE EVANGELISCHE GEMEINDE IN WIEN

Reverend Koichi Takagi Blumengasse 4/11, 1180 Wien, 01/267 62 49, koichi.takagi@hotmail.co.jp Church Service Sun 14h30

UNGARISCHE EVANGELISCHE GEMEINDE A.B.

Reverend Dr. Mónika Solymár Capistrangasse 2/15, 1060 Wien, 0650/ 587 77 12, evang-ungarisch@aon.at Church Service 1. Sun every month 11h00 at Kapelle der Auferstehungskirche, Lindengasse 44a, 1070 Wien

SCHWEDISCHE EVANGELISCHE GEMEINDE A.B. IN ÖSTERREICH

Reverend Anna Juhlin Gentzgasse 10, 1180 Wien, 01/479 65 17, wien@svenskakyrkan.se www.svenskakyrkan.se/wien Church Service 1. to 15. every month at 11h00, 6. to the end of the month 18h00

DÄNISCH-LUTHERISCHE AUSLANDSKIRCHE IN ÖSTERREICH

Chairwoman Gunvor Sramek Waldvogelstraße 20/8/1, 1130 Wien, 01/802 64 43, gunvor.sramek@gmail.com Church Service once in the spring, once in the fall in the Lutheran City Church, Dorotheergasse 18, 1010 Wien

FINNISCHE EVANGELISCHE GEMEINDE A.B. IN ÖSTERREICH

Reverend Mag. Ella-Maria Boba Gentzgasse 10, 1180 Wien, 0699/188 77 819, finn.gemeinde@evang.at http://finn-gemeinde.evang.at

GHANAISCHE EVANGELISCHE GEMEINDE

Reverend Timothy Annoh Braunhubergasse 20, 1110 Wien, 01/749 12 04, timannoh@yahoo.com Church Service: 1. Sun every month at 11h00

TAIWANESISCHE EVANGELISCHE GEMEINDE

Reverend Chen Chi-Ying Wielandplatz 7/1, 1100 Wien,01/97 69 66, poehun1109@yahoo.com.tw

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AFRIKAANSSPRACHIGE EVANGELISCHE GEMEINDE IN WIEN

Reverend Dr. DDr. James Alfred Loader Hetzendorferstraße 99/11, 1120 Wien, 01/710 42 65, james-alfred.loader@univie.ac.at

VIENNA COMMUNITY CHURCH (VCC)

Reverend Vladimir Strejcek Schelleingasse 2/6, 1040 Wien, 01/505 52 33, vccoffice@chello.at http://www.viennacommunitychurch.com For further information and times and dates of Bible studies, prayer meetings and other congregational activities please visit http://www.evang-wien.at/index.php?id=33.

SALZBURG

KOREANISCH-EVANGELISCHE GEMEINDE SALZBURG

Reverend Namki Lee Gaswerkgasse 10, 5020 Salzburg, salzburglee@yahoo.de

SALZBURGER INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH (SICC)

Reverend Glynthea Finger Schwarzstraße 25, 5020 Salzburg, 0662/43 43 14, info@salzburgchurch.org

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A BRIEF HISTORY*

Early in the 16th century, at the beginning of Reformation time, future looked good for the protestant cause in Austria. Soon after Martin Luther and others had published in writing the protestant way of thinking through sermons, theses, devotional books and other publications these ideas reached the area of what today is called Austria. As soon as January 12, 1522, Paul Speratus proclaimed protestant principles in Vienna's St. Stephens cathedral. By the end of the 16th century two thirds of the population have been "infected" thereby.

At that time a systematic counter-reformation was started in the area of the Habsburg dynasty. Protestant preachers and teachers had to leave the country, protestant churches were destroyed, books and writings burned. Inhabitants as well as peasants had to choose between emigration or return to the Catholic Church. For more than three generations they had to decide between their faith or their home country. Thousands chose to emigrate, many returned to Catholicism and some took a third position: officially they went back to being Catholics, yet in their heart they stayed Protestants. A "secret Protestantism" was able to survive for decades to come, mainly by withdrawing to the hardly accessible valleys in the mountains of Carinthia and Upper Austria. There people were smart in placing Bibles and Collections of Sermons in many hiding-places. That is how protestant faith was forced into privacy.

During this period of persecution protestant worship services were allowed only in Vienna: Lutherans met in the chapels of the Swedish and Danish Embassy, while Reformed Christians met at the Dutch Embassy.

FROM TOLERATION TO EQUAL RIGHTS

In the course of history three laws gained momentum for Protestants in Austria.

1. THE EDICT OF TOLERANCE

Emperor Joseph II. – a typical personality for the period of enlightenment – did not want to see the "scenes of abominable intolerance" continue in his empire. 1781 he enacted the "Toleranzpatent" (Edict of tolerance), which under certain presuppositions gave official assurance to the protestant way of living. The building of a chapel ("House of Prayer") was granted in places where 100 Protestant families or 500 Protestant individuals could be listed. However, these building were not allowed to be identifiable as churches from the outside. No direct access from the street was permitted. Protestants were granted the right to appoint pastors and teachers. lt meant a great deal to Protestants that from then on they could become masters, gain the rights of citizens and enroll at universities. Between 70.000 and 80.000 people living in the area of today's Austria confessed to be Protestants. The

* Taken from http://www.evang.at/english/a-brief-history/

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former "secret Protestants" turned out to be the basis of the new Protestant Church in Austria.

2. "THE ACT OF THE PROTESTANT CHURCH "

80 years later Emperor Franz Joseph I. granted complete freedom of confession and public practice of religion to Protestants in Austria by signing the "Protestantenpatent" (Deed of Protestants) in 1861. Now Protestants were entitled to govern their matters by themselves and to form associations. They were even allotted a certain annual contribution out of national funds. Protestants in Austria have contributed over centuries to areas like politics, economy, science and culture. For 300 years their share in these fields was way beyond what one would have expected as one looked at their proportion of the total population.

The dramatic decades around the turn of the 19th to the 20th century brought about a rush of new members to the Protestant Church in Austria. Yet the development endangered the existence of the church, both from within as from the outside. Many people left the Catholic Church (so-called "Free from Rom" movement) and joined the Protestant Church. Their motivation, however, was rather meant as an opposition to a political Catholicism than a desire for deeper understanding of the gospel.

Other causes for the increased membership were the union of the Burgenland with Austria in 1921 and the expulsion of Germans from east-European countries after World War II. By way of comparison: in 1900 there were 107.000 Protestants in Austria. Their number increased in 1921 to 195.000, in 1921 to 224.000, in 1938 to 341.000, in 1945 to 332.000 and in 1950 to 411.000. The highest number ever so far was reached in 1962 counting 430.000 members.

Next to this enormous increase of members the ideological trends of the thirties brought about a severe time of testing. "Faith or Home country" became an alternative in a new critical climax. For many and for much it was too late, when they realized that the slogan "Heim ins Reich" by no means meant a return to the motherland of reformation. For sure, there were a few men and women who raised their warning voice and offered resistance, yet the Church as a whole did not follow their way. Only shortly did these experiences of error, guilt and failure during that time bring about public confessions. Before this the Church was rather motivated to withdraw from politics and society. This time the Church was forced into a private ghetto by Protestants themselves and took her stand offside public, social and political life.

3. "LAW FOR PROTESTANTS"

Today the relationship between the State and the Protestant Church is regulated by the "Protestantengesetz" (Law for Protestants), enacted by the Austrian Parliament in 1961. "A free church in a free state" is the motto which ensures unrestricted self-

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independence for both institutions, yet at the same time offers room for good cooperation in many ways.

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WHO TO CONTACT

DIÖZESE WIEN A.B.

Hamburgerstraße 3, 1050 Wien Tel.: +43 1 587 31 41 Fax: +43 1 597 31 41 22 E-mail: wien@evang.at www.evang-wien.at MAG. HANSJÖRG LEIN Superintendent Wien Mobil: +43 699 188 77 701 E-mail: lein@evang.at EVANGELISCHE KIRCHE A.B. Severin-Schreiber-Gasse 3, 1180 Wien MAG. PROF. KARL SCHIEFERMAIR Oberkirchenrat A.B. Tel: +43 1 479 15 23 - 301 Mobil: +43 699 188 77 003 Fax: +43 1 479 15 23 - 330 E-mail: okr-bildung@evang.at www.okr-evang.at/ MAG. ELISABETH PAUSZ Referentin für kirchliche Partnerschaft Tel: +43 1 479 15 23 – 910 Mobil: +43 699 188 77 083 Fax: +43 1 479 15 23 – 330 E-mail: e.pausz@evang.at www.evang.at/ghana

EVANGELISCHE KIRCHE H.B.

Dorotheergasse 16, 1010 Wien Tel.: +43 1 513 65 64 Fax: +43 1 512 44 90 E-Mail: kirche-hb@evang.at www.hb.evang.at MAG. JOHANNES WITTICH Oberkirchenrat H.B. Mobil: +43 699 188 77 057 E-mail: j.wittich@utanet.at EVANGELISCH-METHODISTISCHE KIRCHE Sechshauserstraße 56, 1150 Wien http://emk.at PASTOR LOTHAR PÖLL Superintendent Tel: +43 1 604 53 47 Fax: +43 1 897 58 76 E-mail: superintendent@emk.at