Can I demand a reference (Dienstzeugnis) in Austria?
Yes — you have a legal right. At the end of the employment the employer must issue a service reference (Dienstzeugnis), and you don't have to give a reason. The simple reference must state the duration and type of work — clearly enough to give a true picture of your role. There is no right to a qualified reference (one assessing your performance); the employer may add positive evaluations voluntarily. The reference must contain nothing that hinders your job search (the "no-hindrance" rule) — no hidden negative codes. The final reference is free. In short: yes, free of charge and without disadvantageous wording.
📋 The rules
- Entitlement at the end of employment
- Must state duration and type of work
- No right to a performance assessment
- No-hindrance rule: nothing disadvantageous
- The final reference is free
🔓 Exceptions
- The claim lapses only after 30 years
- An interim reference during the job may be charged
- A faulty reference: right to a corrected one
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There's no fixed fine — you enforce the right if necessary at the labour and social court (suing for issuance or correction). The claim is very long-lived: it lapses only after 30 years, so you can demand a reference long retroactively. Beware a myth: "my boss can write whatever they like, including bad things" is false — the no-hindrance rule bars any open or coded wording that would hinder your job search; you can't demand a performance assessment, but negatives may not be inserted either. Tip: have a reference with suspicious wording checked by the Chamber of Labour.
📎 Official sources
- Chamber of Labour · service reference →
- WKO · service reference →
- oesterreich.gv.at · service reference →
❓ Frequently asked
Am I entitled to a service reference?
Yes. At the end of the employment the employer must issue a service reference, and you don't need to give a reason. The simple reference must describe the duration and type of your work clearly enough that a reader gets a true picture of your role.
Must it include an assessment?
No. You have no legal right to a qualified reference that assesses your performance or conduct. The employer may add positive evaluations voluntarily but isn't obliged to. Only the duration and type of work are mandatory.
Can negatives appear in the reference?
No. The no-hindrance rule bars any wording that makes your job search harder, including hidden or coded negative codes. The reference must stay factual in content and form and be signed by the issuer.
Is the service reference free?
The final reference on termination of the employment is free. For an interim reference that you request during the ongoing employment, the employer may charge a fee.
How long can I demand it?
The right to a service reference lapses only after 30 years. So you can still demand a reference many years after the end of the employment. If the employer issues none, you can enforce it at the labour and social court.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “service reference entitlement austria”
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