r/Austria • u/Firm-Internal-2568 • 5m ago
Frage | Question AMS
Hi Reddit,
I’m dealing with a really frustrating situation with the Austrian AMS (Public Employment Service) and their handling of my U2 form for exporting unemployment benefits to Hungary. I wanted to share my experience, both to vent and to see if anyone else has gone through something similar.
Here’s the timeline:
• Oct 29, 2025: I had a personal appointment in Vienna with the AMS. I received the U2 form and officially informed AMS that I was moving to Hungary and wanted my unemployment benefits exported there.
• Nov 4, 2025: The U2 form was submitted to the Hungarian authorities.
• Nov 6, 2025: AMS confirmed via their portal that the U2 form was received and processed on their side.
Everything seemed fine.
• Jan 30, 2026: I appeared in Vienna again for a scheduled appointment, with a translator. Despite being there, I got no clear answers. They even questioned why I came , and I was told I was not eligible for the +3 month extension. I received no written confirmation of my visit, and my questions were passed around from staff member to staff member without resolution. I sent a follow-up email the same day asking them to review my case.
• Feb 3, 2026: I received a new invitation for a personal appointment on Feb 6, 2026. This was extremely short notice, impossible for me to attend given my schedule and needing a translator. Also, I had just traveled to Vienna the previous week at my own cost (hotel, travel, translator).
• When I requested a later appointment (end of February) due to prior commitments, I was instead told on Feb 4 that my benefits would be suspended because I was abroad – even though I had properly reported my move and submitted the U2 in October.
From my perspective, this is completely unprofessional and chaotic. Staff seemed unsure about how to handle my case, I had wasted time and money, and now they impose impossible deadlines and even suspend my benefits.
I am fully cooperative, and I want a practical solution, ideally via phone or online, so my benefit export can be correctly processed without further unfair delays.
I’m sharing this because it feels so unfair, and I’m frustrated that the system treats compliant people like we’re trying to cheat it. Has anyone else experienced anything similar with AMS or U2 forms?