From 1989 - 1994 Alexander Schallenberg studied law at the University of Vienna and at the Université Panthéon-Assas (Paris II).
He joined the diplomatic service of the Republic of Austria in 1997 and completed his training at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs primarily in the Section for EU Affairs. His first posting abroad was as the EU legal advisor to the Permanent Representation of Austria to the EU in Brussels. In December 2005 he became spokesperson to Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik as well as later on to her successor Michael Spindelegger.
In June 2019, he was appointed Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs and Federal Minister for the EU, Arts, Culture and Media at the Federal Chancellery. From January 2020 onwards, Alexander Schallenberg served as Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria. In October 2021 Alexander Schallenberg was appointed as Federal Chancellor of the Repulic of Austria, before becoming Federal Minister for European and International Affairs again in December 2021. In January 2025 he was again appointed Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria.