Can I work from home (telework) in Austria?
Only by mutual agreement — there's no unilateral right. Since 1 January 2025 the Telework Act has replaced the old "home office"; the term is now telework and covers more than just the home. Telework must be agreed between employer and employee — neither side can impose or demand it. The telework flat-rate is tax-free up to €3 per telework day, for at most 100 days a year (up to €300). A written telework agreement is required. Since 2025 telework can be done not only at home but also at relatives' homes, in a coworking space or an internet café. In short: yes, but only by agreement.
📋 The rules
- Since 2025: Telework Act replaces home office
- No unilateral right — agree mutually
- Telework flat-rate: €3/day, max 100 days
- Tax-free up to €300 a year
- A written telework agreement is required
🔓 Exceptions
- Accident insurance: narrower vs. wider telework concept
- Days above 100 are no longer flat-rate privileged
- A works agreement can frame, not force, telework
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Core figures: tax-free telework flat-rate up to €3/day × max 100 days = €300/year; the Telework Act has applied since 1 January 2025. This is a labour and tax framework, not a fine regime — without a proper agreement you mainly risk losing the tax privilege and an unclear insurance status. Beware a myth: "I have a legal right to work from home / my boss can order it" is false — telework in Austria is purely consensual; it can be neither demanded by the employee nor unilaterally imposed by the employer. Tip: set the days, places and cost reimbursement in writing in the telework agreement.
📎 Official sources
- oesterreich.gv.at · telework & flat-rate →
- WKO · telework →
- Finance Ministry · home-office/telework flat-rate →
❓ Frequently asked
Do I have a right to work from home?
No. In Austria there's no unilateral right to telework. It must be agreed mutually between employer and employee. Neither can the employee demand telework nor the employer impose it unilaterally. The basis is the Telework Act since 1 January 2025.
What is the telework flat-rate?
The telework flat-rate is a tax-free cost reimbursement from the employer of up to €3 per telework day for at most 100 days a year, that is up to €300 annually. It's meant to cover the extra costs of working outside the workplace and requires an agreement.
Where may I do telework?
Since 2025, telework is no longer only possible at your residence but also at the home of relatives or partners, in a coworking space or even an internet café. The chosen telework location should be recorded in the telework agreement.
Am I covered for accidents at home?
Yes, but the scope depends on the category. For telework in the narrower sense, such as your own home or a relative's home or a coworking space, there's full cover including the commuting routes. For telework in the wider sense, such as a café or park, the cover is narrower.
Do I need a written agreement?
Yes. For the tax benefits and to define the work locations, a written telework agreement is required. It should set out the telework days, the permitted places and the cost reimbursement, so the flat-rate and insurance cover are clear.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “home office right austria”
- “telework act 2025”
- “telework flat-rate 3 euro 100 days”
- “home office agreement required”
- “telework accident insurance”
- “home office order employer”