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Work · Austria
Updated September 2026

📄 I work without a written contract or off the books — what are my rights?

Direct answer

A contract exists the moment you work for someone under their direction for pay — a written document is proof, not a condition. You have the same rights to the minimum wage, holidays, sick pay and notice as anyone. The employer must give you the written terms within a short deadline (EU rule: essentials within a week). Ask for them in writing. Arbeiterkammer (AK) (0800 22 12 00) inspects undeclared work and the penalties hit the employer, not you; ÖGB — Gewerkschaft (oegb.at) represents you; Österreichische Gesundheitskasse / PVA (050 766 66) can confirm whether you are registered and insured.

Call firstArbeiterkammer (AK)
Report toÖGB — Gewerkschaft
If that failsÖsterreichische Gesundheitskasse / PVA

🗣️ What to say

"I have worked for you since [date] as [role], [hours] per week, at [pay]. I have not received a written statement of my terms. Please provide it within 7 days and confirm that I am registered for social security. I also ask for [unpaid wages / holidays] to be paid."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Collect proof of the workMessages, rosters, payslips or cash records, photos at the workplace, colleagues who will confirm.
  2. Ask for the written termsThe employer must provide them. A refusal is itself a breach.
  3. Check your registration: Österreichische Gesundheitskasse / PVAYour online social-security account shows whether contributions were paid. If not, the employer owes them retroactively.
  4. Report to Arbeiterkammer (AK)Inspectorates enforce registration and pay the worker's back contributions from the employer. You can report anonymously.
  5. Claim what you are owed: ÖGB — GewerkschaftWages, holidays, notice — the labour court accepts proof of work in any form.

📇 All contacts

Arbeiterkammer (AK)Free legal advice and representation for every employeeRight away — the AK sues on your behalf📞 0800 22 12 00🔗 www.arbeiterkammer.at/beratung/arbeitundrecht
ÖGB — GewerkschaftAdvice, legal protection for membersFor collective-agreement questions🔗 www.oegb.at
Österreichische Gesundheitskasse / PVAInsurance, sick pay, pension, clawbacksFor benefit decisions and clawbacks📞 050 766 66🔗 www.gesundheitskasse.at
Arbeits- und SozialgerichtContesting dismissal (2 weeks!), wage claimsWithin 2 weeks of the dismissal🔗 www.justiz.gv.at

❓ Frequently asked

Will I get in trouble for working off the books?

The obligation to register and pay contributions is the employer's. Workers rarely face penalties, and inspectorates protect those who report.

Am I a freelancer or an employee?

If they set your hours, your tasks and your tools, you are an employee whatever the invoice says. False self-employment is reclassified by courts and inspectorates.

I was hurt at work and I am not registered

Report the accident anyway — accident insurance covers unregistered workers in most countries and recovers the cost from the employer.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “working without contract rights Austria”
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  • “not registered social security employer”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

💼Unpaid wages→🩹Accident at work→⚖️Unfair dismissal→🧾Client won't pay→

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