Study Visit Vienna: learning from the Austrian capital on talent attraction and retention services
On 20 and 21 May 2026, an Emilia-Romagna delegation travelled to Vienna for a study visit focused on talent attraction, international welcome services and career support for researchers and highly qualified professionals. The visit offered an opportunity to observe first-hand how one of Europe’s most internationally competitive cities manages the full cycle of talent — from arrival and settlement to career development and long-term retention.
The first day opened at the Vienna Business Agency – Expat Center (Schmerlingplatz 3), with a welcoming session followed by an in-depth presentation of the services offered to international professionals in Vienna, including those provided by the Expat Center and the Business Immigration Office. The delegation then heard from StartWien, the City of Vienna’s programme for new residents, designed by the Municipal Department for Integration and Diversity to support newcomers in their first steps in the city.
The morning continued with a session on the City & Science collaboration: a structured partnership between the City of Vienna and its universities, covering cooperation frameworks, dedicated services for academic institutions and initiatives to support international mobility. The WWTF – Vienna Science and Technology Fund presented its role and programmes, with particular attention to its Dual Career Service — a key tool for attracting researchers whose partners also need support in finding professional opportunities in the city. The afternoon brought the delegation to the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna (MUK), for a visit focused on internationalisation and campus development.
The second day was dedicated to the university system. At the University of Vienna, the delegation met with the Research Services and Career Development department, exploring how the university supports PhDs, postdocs and early career researchers. The Career Service for Bachelor’s and Master’s students was also presented. In parallel, part of the delegation visited the mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, with a focus on its Career Center for students and graduates in the arts.
The afternoon brought the group to the Technische Universität Wien (TUW), where a rich programme introduced the support units dedicated to early career researchers: the International Welcome and Engagement Center, the Doctoral Center, HR Development and Dual Career, and the Career Center — followed by a World Café networking activity. The visit concluded with an internal discussion among the delegation on takeaways and next steps.
The Vienna study visit is part of Emilia-Romagna’s ongoing effort to benchmark its talent policies against European best practices and strengthen the regional ecosystem for attracting and retaining international talent.
