Austria for high earners 2026: Vienna vs Kitzbühel after tax

Austria, for a high earner.

2 addresses in Austria on the Patrician.ch board, ranked by what a $1M earner keeps. Vienna leads at 48%.

In short, current to October 2026

Vienna ranks first in Austria, at 48% on $1,000,000 and ahead on the engine score (safety, schools, sun, beauty, cost and ease of entry). Kitzbühel is the alternative.
A resident pays about 28% on a capital gain in Austria.
No address in Austria carries an annual wealth tax.
Inheritance: No inheritance tax. Austria abolished inheritance and gift tax in 2008. A real estate transfer tax still applies when Austrian property passes.

Official sources: Austrian Federal Law (RIS), Austrian Government, Migration, Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance. Checked against them between 22 October 2026 and 28 October 2026.

Source: the Patrician.ch board, an original ranking of 100 residence addresses across 47 countries and territories. Tax rates, thresholds and routes are sourced. Cost, safety, schools, sun and beauty are Patrician.ch editorial indices. Figures current to October 2026. Updated 5 November 2026. Cite as: Patrician.ch, Austria for high earners 2026: Vienna vs Kitzbühel after tax, patrician.ch/countries/austria/, October 2026.

Ranked

2 addresses in Austria, by what a $1M earner keeps.

Vienna 🇦🇹 Austriakeeps $519K of $1M, gains 28%, safety 9 of 10, schools 9 of 10

48%

Kitzbühel 🇦🇹 Austriakeeps $519K of $1M, gains 28%, safety 10 of 10, schools 7 of 10

48%

Address	Tax on $1M	Kept after tax	Gains	Wealth tax	Heirs	Cost
Vienna	48%	$519K	28%	None	No inheritance tax	74
Kitzbühel	48%	$519K	28%	None	No inheritance tax	100

Simplified marginal model, indicative 2026 brackets, non-US single filer. Wealth tax is the top rate. Cost is the Patrician.ch index where Zurich is 100.

The route into Austria.

EU nationals register on arrival. Others need the Red-White-Red card, with a job offer, as a key worker, or as a self employed key worker whose business brings Austria a wider economic benefit, such as at least €100,000 of investment capital or new jobs. The financially independent can apply for the quota limited settlement permit for people who will not work in Austria. No golden visa.

Founder & talent · 2 of 2

Questions

The short answers.

Where should a high earner live in Austria?

Vienna ranks first in Austria, at 48% on $1,000,000 and ahead on the engine score (safety, schools, sun, beauty, cost and ease of entry). Kitzbühel is the alternative.

Ties on tax are broken by the Patrician.ch engine score at its default weights (safety, schools, sun, beauty, cost and ease of entry). Your own income and passports can reorder the list.

How much income tax does a $1M earner pay in Austria?

48% effective across the 2 addresses on the Patrician.ch 2026 model, single filer, before social contributions.

Does Austria tax capital gains?

Yes.

A resident pays about 28% on a capital gain in Austria, about $275K on a $1,000,000 gain.

Does Austria have a wealth tax?

No. None of the 2 addresses in Austria carries an annual wealth tax on the Patrician.ch model.

Does Austria have an inheritance tax?

No inheritance tax in Austria. Austria abolished inheritance and gift tax in 2008. A real estate transfer tax still applies when Austrian property passes.

Source: Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance, current to October 2026.

How does a foreigner get residence in Austria?

EU nationals register on arrival.

Others need the Red-White-Red card, with a job offer, as a key worker, or as a self employed key worker whose business brings Austria a wider economic benefit, such as at least €100,000 of investment capital or new jobs. The financially independent can apply for the quota limited settlement permit for people who will not work in Austria. No golden visa. Routes that matter for money: Founder & talent.

The Dossier: your top 3, on your numbers.A written report on the 3 places that rank first for you, compared line by line on your income, a sale, your passports and your family. 10 chapters, written the moment you pay. Every tax figure carries its official source and the date it was last checked. The Dossier is $500. The founding price, $250, holds until 30 November. Refunded in full within 7 days of delivery, no reason needed.

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Austria, for a high earner.