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In general, Austria offers a very generous package of benefits. Employees can expect five weeks of paid leave, excellent maternal benefits and health and dental coverage. In fact, the Austrian social security system is being used as a model system to be incorporated into other countries of the European Union.

Maternity allowance, paternity and parental leave

New mothers can expect excellent benefits in Austria. Mothers may not work eight weeks before and after a birth i.e. there is a paid maternity leave for 16 weeks at 100% pay. Parents are also entitled to take up to two years' parental leave or can be opt for reduced hours, subject to employer's agreement until the child is four. Leave can be transferred once between parents. A state funded flat-rate allowance is available during parental leave.

Source:

• http://www.austria-cafe.com/socsec.htm
• http://www.ssa.gov/policy/
  

Annual paid leave

Apart from the public and bank holidays, every employee in Austria has around five weeks of paid leave per year. It's common to find most people on holiday for the whole month of July or August.