‹ Back to space software jobs

Working abroad · as of 1 October 2026

Internship abroad: what you really need in each country

In the EU, as an Austrian citizen you need neither a visa nor a work permit, only a registration after a certain length of stay126. For space jobs in the USA you need a Green Card or US citizenship131. This page shows the steps, deadlines and costs for each country, every rule with a source.

EU: no visaUSA: 3 legal routes17 countries and topics
Countries at a glanceRoute to the USA

Free, no sign-up. Not legal advice: check the linked authority before you move.

Main control room at ESOC, Darmstadt: an ESA workplace in the EUImage: ESA/J. Mai · CC BY 4.0

01 · Overview

Which permit you need where

The table sums up what an Austrian citizen needs for work or an internship. A click leads to the steps with sources.

What an Austrian citizen needs, country by country
CountryWork permitDetails
AustriaAustrian citizen: no permit needed.See the steps
GermanyEU free movement: no work permit needed.See the steps
FranceEU free movement: no work permit needed.See the steps
ItalyEU free movement: no work permit needed.See the steps
NetherlandsEU free movement: no work permit needed.See the steps
LuxembourgEU free movement: no work permit needed.See the steps
SpainEU free movement: no work permit needed.See the steps
Czech RepublicEU free movement: no work permit needed.See the steps
SwitzerlandEU/EFTA free movementSee the steps
ESACitizens of ESA member states, including Austria, may apply. ESA itself handles residence and work at its sites.See the steps
United KingdomSince Brexit, EU citizens need a visa. The youth visa (Youth Mobility) does not cover EU countries; the route is a work visa with a sponsoring company or via ESA (ECSAT site, Harwell).See the steps
USAWorking requires a US visa or a Green Card. Space jobs subject to export control (ITAR) require a US person: citizenship, Green Card, recognised refugee or asylum status.See the steps
CanadaInternational Experience Canada (IEC)See the steps
New ZealandWorking holiday visa for Austrians aged 18 to 30See the steps
JapanAustria has a working holiday programme with Japan for 18- to 30-year-olds.See the steps

02 · Before you leave

4 steps for every internship in the EU

  1. Check your ID

    A valid passport or national ID card is enough for work and registration in any EU country.

  2. Get a contract or offer

    To register locally you usually need an employment contract or a signed job offer.

  3. Take your e-card

    Its back is the European Health Insurance Card. It covers necessary treatment in the public system, but not repatriation: travel insurance is worth it for that.

  4. Register on time

    Germany within 2 weeks of moving in, the Netherlands within 5 days for stays over 4 months, elsewhere usually from 3 months. Details for each country below.

Taxes and social insurance are usually handled in the country where you work. Sources: Your Europe: working abroad, Your Europe: health cover, accessed 1 October 2026.

03 · Austria

In Austria: rules under 18 and minimum pay

Internships at home follow fixed rules too. The tables show the minimum pay from 3 collective agreements that often apply at space and IT companies.

Permit: Austrian citizen: no permit needed.

  1. Under 18 (KJBG): at most 8 hours a day and 40 a week, at least a 30-minute break after 4.5 hours, no work between 20:00 and 6:00, Sundays and public holidays off, 2 days off a week.KJBG §§ 3, 11, 15–19, version of 1 Oct 2026 · accessed 1 October 2026
  2. Every job advert must state the minimum pay under the collective agreement and say whether more is paid.Equal Treatment Act (GlBG) § 9(2) · accessed 1 October 2026
  3. Family allowance: your own income (holiday job, internship) does not count at all up to and including the calendar year in which you turn 19. From the year of your 20th birthday a limit of €17,212 taxable income a year applies (excluding 13th/14th salary); above it, only the excess is repaid.oesterreich.gv.at, family allowance earnings limit · accessed 1 October 2026
IT collective agreement 2026 (valid from 1 Jan 2026)
CaseAmountNote
Compulsory internship (school curriculum)960 € gross a month= apprentice pay in the 1st year, from the 7th month €1,210
Holiday worker, software work (grade ST1)1,633.50 € gross a month50% of entry grade ST1 (€3,267), at most 4 months a year
Starting job after HTL, software development (ST1, entry grade)3,267 € gross a month, 14 times a yearup to 5% less possible in the first year of work: €3,104
Standard working hours38.50 hours/week13th and 14th salary (Christmas bonus, holiday bonus) under § 13

Source: IT collective agreement 2026 (valid from 1 Jan 2026) · accessed 1 October 2026

Collective agreement for the electrical and electronics industry, salaried employees (valid from 1 May 2026)
CaseAmountNote
Compulsory HTL internship1,163.46 € gross a month38.5 hours; no 13th/14th salary
Holiday internship, first time, without school-leaving exam875.49 € gross a monthotherwise without Matura €1,163.46, with Matura €1,163.46 or €1,572.44
Starting job after HTL (job group E)3,449.08 € gross a month, 14 times a yearup to 5% less in the first 18 months without work experience
Standard working hours38.50 hours/week

Source: Collective agreement for the electrical and electronics industry, salaried employees (valid from 1 May 2026) · accessed 1 October 2026

Collective agreement for salaried employees in the metal trades 2026/2027
CaseAmountNote
Compulsory HTL internship after passing year 4 (= apprentice pay in the 3rd year)1,472.14 € gross a month from 1 Jan 20272026: €1,443.27; after year 3: €1,119.93 (2027)
Holiday worker 85% of the minimum basic salary of the applicable job group§ 19d

Source: Collective agreement for salaried employees in the metal trades 2026/2027 · accessed 1 October 2026

04 · EU and Switzerland

In the EU: no visa, with registration

Permit: As an EU citizen you may work and live in any EU country without a work permit; for working conditions and tax you are treated like a local.

  1. Working in another EU country: no work permit needed, same rights as locals. Social security and tax are usually handled in the country where you work.Your Europe (European Commission) · accessed 1 October 2026
  2. Staying 3 months or longer: register your address with the authority (usually the municipality); all you need is a valid ID card or passport and confirmation of employment or a job offer. You receive a registration certificate.Your Europe, Residence rights for workers · accessed 1 October 2026
  3. The European Health Insurance Card (back of the e-card) covers necessary treatment in the public system during a temporary stay (including study or internship), just like for locals; not private doctors, planned treatment or repatriation.Your Europe, Temporary stays · accessed 1 October 2026

Germany

Permit: EU free movement: no work permit needed.

  1. Statutory minimum wage €13.90 an hour since 1 Jan 2026, €14.60 from 1 Jan 2027.German federal government, questions and answers on the minimum wage · accessed 1 October 2026
  2. No minimum wage for compulsory internships (school, university), for orientation internships up to 3 months or alongside training, or for young people under 18 without vocational training.German Minimum Wage Act § 22 · accessed 1 October 2026
  3. Moved into a flat: register with the registration office within 2 weeks of moving in.German Federal Registration Act § 17 · accessed 1 October 2026

France

Permit: EU free movement: no work permit needed.

  1. Internships over 308 hours in the same academic year: pay at least €4.50 an hour since 1 Jan 2026 (15% of the social security hourly ceiling), about €680 a month at 35 hours a week.Service-Public.fr (French government) · accessed 1 October 2026
  2. EU citizens do not need a residence permit for stays over 3 months; a valid ID card or passport is enough.Service-Public.fr, F39 · accessed 1 October 2026

Italy

Permit: EU free movement: no work permit needed.

  1. Internship outside a course (tirocinio extracurricolare): the region sets the minimum pay. Lazio (Rome, Frascati, Colleferro): €800 gross a month with at least 70% attendance.Regione Lazio, DGR 576/2019 · accessed 1 October 2026
  2. Piedmont (Turin): at least €600 gross for up to 40 hours a week, €300 for 20 hours; duration 2–6 months.Regione Piemonte · accessed 1 October 2026
  3. Lombardy (Fino Mornasco, Milan): at least €500 gross, €400 with meal vouchers or canteen. uncertainRegione Lombardia, DGR X/7763 (2018), according to Assolombarda · accessed 1 October 2026
  4. Tax number (codice fiscale) for EU citizens: form AA4/8 with ID in person (appointment) at an Agenzia delle Entrate office.Agenzia delle Entrate · accessed 1 October 2026
  5. Staying over 3 months: register at the municipal registry office (iscrizione anagrafica, Legislative Decree 30/2007 Art. 9) with passport, codice fiscale and proof of work; you receive a certificate.Roma Capitale, registry office for EU citizens · accessed 1 October 2026

Netherlands

Permit: EU free movement: no work permit needed.

  1. Staying over 4 months: register with the municipality (BRP) within 5 days of arrival; you receive the citizen service number (BSN) for work, tax and health straight away.Government.nl · accessed 1 October 2026

Luxembourg

Permit: EU free movement: no work permit needed.

  1. Staying over 90 days: 2 steps at the municipality where you live — declare your arrival and register within 3 months. Needed: ID card or passport and an employment contract under Luxembourg law or a signed job offer. A side job under 10 hours a week is not enough. The certificate is issued at once and does not expire.Guichet.lu · accessed 1 October 2026

Spain

Permit: EU free movement: no work permit needed.

  1. Staying over 3 months: register in person within 3 months (form EX-18, fee Modelo 790-012) with your employment contract; the green certificate contains the NIE number.Policía Nacional, EU registration certificate · accessed 1 October 2026

Czech Republic

Permit: EU free movement: no work permit needed.

  1. Staying over 30 days: report your address to the foreign police within 30 days (not needed if you stay in a hotel/dormitory, which reports for you); registration certificate from 3 months is optional.Czech public administration portal · accessed 1 October 2026

Switzerland

Permit: EU/EFTA free movement: work up to 3 months without a permit but you must report it; 3–12 months permit L, from 12 months permit B. Register with your municipality within 14 days of arrival and show your employment contract.

Source: Working in Switzerland for EU/EFTA citizens · accessed 1 October 2026

05 · ESA

At ESA: its own rules, tax-free salary

The European Space Agency has sites in several countries and regulates residence, taxes and insurance for its staff itself. Austria is a member state.

Permit: Citizens of ESA member states, including Austria, may apply. ESA itself handles residence and work at its sites.

  1. Salaries are free of national income tax; ESA deducts an internal tax and social security. 12 salaries a year, usually adjusted annually.ESA, Salaries by grade and country 2026 · accessed 1 October 2026
  2. ESA's own social security (illness, maternity, accident, invalidity), annual medical check-up, pension, relocation help, expatriation allowance for non-locals.ESA, What we offer · accessed 1 October 2026
  3. Student internships: 3–6 months, only during university (master's preferred), unpaid with a monthly allowance; the intern arranges her own health and accident insurance. Advertised in November on jobs.esa.int, at most 2 applications per round, only 1 internship per person.ESA, Student Internships · accessed 1 October 2026
  4. Internship allowance €800 (home more than 50 km away) or €500 a month — figure from Eurodesk Luxembourg, not published by ESA; confirm via ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int. uncertainEurodesk Luxembourg (secondary source) · accessed 1 October 2026
ESA salaries 2026, net a month, first step
CaseAmountNote
ESA Graduate Trainee (F1), Germany, with expatriation allowance3,340.26 € net a month, 12 times a yearwithout expatriation allowance €2,986.50; Netherlands €3,329.52, Italy €2,634.21 (with allowance)
Technical post G2 (from 4 years' experience), Germany3,726.12 € net a month, 12 times a yearNetherlands €3,415.27, Italy €2,467.40; allowances on top
Specialist A1 (under 4 years' experience after a master's), Germany4,977.50 € net a month, 12 times a yearNetherlands €4,961.50, Italy €3,925.39

Source: ESA salaries 2026, net a month, first step · accessed 1 October 2026

06 · USA

To the USA: 3 legal routes to SpaceX, NASA and others

Space jobs in the USA usually fall under the ITAR export controls. A “U.S. person” for this purpose is a US citizen or Green Card holder131. You do not have to give up Austrian citizenship for it.

Permit: Working requires a US visa or a Green Card. Space jobs subject to export control (ITAR) require a US person: citizenship, Green Card, recognised refugee or asylum status.

  1. Export control ITAR: “U.S. persons” include holders of a Green Card (lawful permanent resident). SpaceX states this in every internship advert.22 CFR § 120.62 (Cornell LII) · accessed 1 October 2026
  2. Route 1 — Green Card via the Diversity Visa lottery: up to 55,000 visas a year, registration every October/November only at dvprogram.state.gov, free of charge, 1 entry per person (beware of scam sites). Requirement: Matura or 2 years' work experience.US Embassy Finland, DV Program Instructions · accessed 1 October 2026
  3. Route 2 — internship with a J-1 visa (BridgeUSA): for students at a university outside the USA or graduates up to 12 months after graduating; apply through an approved exchange organisation (sponsor search on j1visa.state.gov). Not enough for ITAR positions, but fine for other US companies.BridgeUSA (US State Department), Intern programme · accessed 1 October 2026
  4. Route 3 — positions without an export clause or without relocating: SpaceXAI offers “AI Tutor” tasks remotely worldwide, also as a freelancer, without a visa.SpaceXAI, job advert · accessed 1 October 2026
  5. Current status: on 23 Dec 2025 the US State Department suspended issuing these visas; after a court ruling (Medani et al. v. Trump) they have been issued again since 28 Aug 2026 (law firm Pryor Cashman, 11 Sep 2026). The firm also mentions an ongoing pause in immigrant visa interviews without saying which countries are affected. Dates for the next registration round have not been announced yet — check dvprogram.state.gov from October. uncertainPryor Cashman (US law firm, secondary source); travel.state.gov behind a bot check on 1 Oct 2026 · accessed 1 October 2026
  6. J-1 health insurance (required for the whole programme): at least $100,000 per accident or illness, $25,000 repatriation of remains, $50,000 medical evacuation home, deductible at most $500. The sponsor organisation checks this.22 CFR § 62.14 · accessed 1 October 2026

Dual citizenship Austria and USA

  1. Anyone who acquires a foreign citizenship at their own request loses Austrian citizenship — unless retention was approved BEFOREHAND.Austrian Citizenship Act § 27(1) · accessed 1 October 2026
  2. Retention (§ 28): written application, if it is in the interest of the Republic because of achievements made and expected, or for a reason deserving special consideration, and the foreign state agrees; the permit is valid if the foreign citizenship is acquired within 2 years. Responsible: the provincial government of your main residence (Carinthia).Austrian Citizenship Act § 28 · accessed 1 October 2026
  3. For SpaceX, Blue Origin and other US export-controlled positions a Green Card (lawful permanent resident) is enough — it is a right of residence, not citizenship, and does not affect Austrian citizenship. US naturalisation generally only after 5 years with a Green Card.USCIS; 22 CFR § 120.62 · accessed 1 October 2026

United Kingdom

Permit: Since Brexit, EU citizens need a visa. The youth visa (Youth Mobility) does not cover EU countries; the route is a work visa with a sponsoring company or via ESA (ECSAT site, Harwell).

  1. Youth Mobility Scheme: eligible countries include Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Uruguay, Hong Kong, Taiwan — no EU country.gov.uk · accessed 1 October 2026

07 · Worldwide

Working Holiday: work and travel from 18 to 30

With a Working Holiday visa you may live in some countries for up to 12 months and work for limited periods. Especially interesting for space: New Zealand, where Rocket Lab in Auckland accepts EU citizens as interns.

New Zealand

Permit: Working holiday visa for Austrians aged 18 to 30: up to 6 months, 100 places a year, from NZD 770, at least NZD 2,250 in savings, online application in English (80% decided within 2 weeks). Temporary jobs only.

Source: Austria Working Holiday Visa · accessed 1 October 2026

Canada

Permit: International Experience Canada (IEC): for a computer science internship only “Working Holiday” (18–30) fits. The internship route (Co-op) is open to Austrians only in forestry, agriculture and tourism.

  1. Working holiday: Austrian citizenship and a passport valid for the whole stay, aged 18–30, up to 12 months, at least CAD 2,500, health insurance for the whole stay, return ticket or money for it, fees. Each category once.Canada.ca, IEC Eligibility by country · accessed 1 October 2026
  2. Young Professionals (18–35, up to 12 months): only with permanent employment at an Austrian company and a posting to its partner, parent or subsidiary in Canada.Canada.ca, IEC · accessed 1 October 2026
  3. International Co-op (18–35, up to 6 months): only for training or graduates (≤ 12 months) in forestry, agriculture or tourism — not usable for computer science.Canada.ca, IEC · accessed 1 October 2026

Japan

Permit: Austria has a working holiday programme with Japan for 18- to 30-year-olds.

  1. Austria's working holiday programmes: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, India, New Zealand, South Korea, Taipei, USA; aged 18–30, up to 12 months (check the duration with each partner country).Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs · accessed 1 October 2026
  2. Working holiday visa Japan: aged 18–30, up to 12 months; apply at the Japanese Embassy in Vienna (documents there).Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs · accessed 1 October 2026

Money for your stay abroad

Erasmus+, Marshall Plan and Fulbright pay for internships and research abroad. All programmes with a step-by-step application.

See scholarshipsEmployers
‹ Back to space software jobs
Buy Teddy a Coffee Back to top