how2vienna

Non-EU student guide · Vienna

Your journey to Vienna starts here.

9 essential steps — from visa applications at home to thriving in the city.

Phase 01

Before arrival

The paperwork starts before you pack. Sort these out at home — they cannot be done from Vienna.

Residence permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung Student)

Before arrival
  • Apply before you travel. Non-EU students staying more than 6 months must apply for the Aufenthaltsbewilligung Student at the Austrian embassy or consulate in their home country — you generally cannot apply after arrival.
  • Apply at least 3 months early. Processing times vary; allow extra time for translations and legalisation of documents.
  • Required documents (general): valid passport, university acceptance letter, proof of finances (€722.58/month if under 24; €1,308.39/month if 24+), health insurance proof, rental or accommodation confirmation.
  • Health insurance for the application: travel insurance is accepted temporarily. After arrival, switch to ÖGK Studierendenselbstversicherung (€78.84/month in 2026).
  • After graduation: the permit can be extended for 12 months to seek work or start a business.
  • Visa-free nationals (check your country on the OEAD list) may apply from within Austria.
OEAD: Residence permit OEAD: FAQ entry & residence Work in Austria: Immigration guide

Student accommodation & contracts

Before / on arrival
  • Book early — months in advance. OeAD student housing allocates on a first-come, first-served basis. Rooms start from ~€435/month.
  • OeAD student housing is Austria's largest non-profit student housing provider, offering dorms across Vienna. Email: housing@oead.at
  • Other options: ÖJAB (14 dorms in Vienna), Akademikerhilfe, STUWO (13 homes in Vienna), and Viennabase (1,600 units for students).
  • Contracts: minimum rental period at OeAD is typically one full semester. Read cancellation policies carefully — deposits are usually 2 months' rent.
  • Your landlord must sign your Meldezettel form — secure a signed accommodation agreement or landlord signature before you try to register your address.
  • Private market: platforms like WG-gesucht.de and willhaben.at are common. Know your rights under Austrian tenancy law (MRG).
OeAD student housing OEAD: Accommodation overview

Phase 02

First week

You've landed. Clock's ticking — these have hard deadlines or long queues.

Meldezettel (address registration)

Within 3 working days
  • Register within 3 working days of arrival — required by Austrian law. Failure can result in a fine.
  • Go to any Meldeservicestelle (Residence Registration Service Centre) in Vienna — you do not need to use the one in your own district. There are 19 across Vienna.
  • What to bring: completed Meldezettel form (downloadable from wien.gv.at), your passport, and the form signed by your landlord or main tenant.
  • The service is free. Book an appointment online via wien.gv.at to avoid waiting — walk-ins are possible but queues can be long.
  • Important: leave the religion field blank if you do not wish to pay church tax (Kirchensteuer).
  • The Meldezettel unlocks everything else: bank account, ÖGK health insurance, gym membership, and ID Austria.
wien.gv.at: Registration wien.gv.at: Meldeservice locations

Bank account

First week
  • Get your Meldezettel first — it is the primary proof of address required by most Austrian banks for non-EU students.
  • Required documents (typical): passport, Meldezettel, university enrollment confirmation, residence permit.
  • Student accounts at most Austrian banks are free until age 27 (e.g. Erste Bank, Bank Austria, Raiffeisen). Erste Bank is widely recommended for internationals and has English-language support.
  • Basiskonto (basic payment account): available to all EU residents including non-EU visa holders — a fallback option with minimal requirements.
  • Digital interim option: while waiting for documents, Wise or Revolut can be opened from abroad and used immediately for EUR transactions.
  • Without a bank account you cannot set up rent payments, utilities, or internet contracts — prioritise this in your first week.
Work in Austria: Relocation guide

ID Austria

First week
  • ID Austria is Austria's digital identity system, replacing the old Handy-Signatur. It lets you access government services, sign documents digitally, and use e-government portals.
  • You must register in person at a government office (Behörde) for identity verification. Download the "ID Austria" app on your smartphone first.
  • At the office: bring your passport and smartphone with the app installed. The official sends a one-time TAN to your app to activate registration.
  • Basic vs full function: basic registration gives limited access; full function requires in-person verification and enables digital signatures.
  • ID Austria is required to use oesterreich.gv.at services — including online address changes, tax filings, and many permit renewals.
  • Registration offices: MA 35 (foreigners authority), district offices (Magistratische Bezirksämter), and other government offices in Vienna.
id-austria.gv.at oesterreich.gv.at: Manage ID Austria government.wien: ID Austria

Phase 03

Ongoing

No hard deadline, but don't sleep on these. Stay ahead and it stays manageable.

Language barrier

Ongoing
  • German A2 is required for the Integration Agreement (Integrationsvereinbarung) for most non-EU residents. B1 is needed for a permanent residence permit or citizenship.
  • StartWien (City of Vienna) offers free support for newly arrived residents — help choosing courses, funding guidance, and orientation events. Free for those with a first residence permit issued within the last 2 years.
  • ÖIF vouchers (Austrian Integration Fund): subsidise German courses significantly. A voucher can cover up to €750 for 300 teaching units. Valid for 18 months from permit issue date.
  • Vienna Language Voucher (MA 17): additional subsidy available for people with a migration background; up to 50% course cost refund from MA 35 on passing A2.
  • Free "German in the Park" courses run by the VHS (Wiener Volkshochschulen) in summer — no registration required.
  • VHS courses funded by ESF, the Federal Ministry, and MA 17 are available for all levels including literacy.
  • Note: official forms and authority letters are in German. Until you reach conversational level, use DeepL or Google Translate for forms, and ask your university's International Office for help.
StartWien: German learning wien.gv.at: German courses adults wien.gv.at: German in the park

Embassy processes — apostille & PCC

Ongoing
  • Austria is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention — foreign documents need an apostille (not full legalisation) to be recognised here.
  • Police Clearance Certificate (PCC): required for the residence permit application for non-EU nationals aged 14+. Must not be older than 3 months at time of submission.
  • Where to get a PCC: from your home country's issuing authority (e.g. Regional Passport Office or local police). Indian nationals: apply via RPO for direct MEA apostille. UK nationals: ACRO Criminal Records Office. US nationals: FBI or local police department, then US State Dept. apostille.
  • How to get an apostille: apply to the authority that issued the document, or a supervising authority. For most countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs/External Affairs applies the apostille stamp.
  • Documents from non-Hague countries need diplomatic legalisation — the document must first be certified nationally, then by the relevant Austrian embassy in your home country.
  • Austrian police criminal record (for documents required in Austria itself): apply at the Federal Police Directorate Vienna or any mayor's office. Forms available for download via the national police portal.
  • Plan ahead: apostille processes in some countries take 2–8 weeks. Start early — before you even receive your acceptance letter if possible.
Work in Austria: Document verification US Embassy Vienna: Criminal record

Phase 04

Settling in

Vienna is home now. Here's how to make the most of it.

Student entitlements & e-card

Settling in
  • Health insurance (e-card): enrol with ÖGK (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse) for Studierendenselbstversicherung at €78.84/month (2026). Required documents: passport, Meldezettel, university enrollment confirmation. Your e-card arrives by post within 2–3 weeks.
  • Always bring your e-card to doctor visits — it is your gateway to the Austrian public healthcare system. Lost card: call ÖGK e-card Serviceline +43 050 124 33 11.
  • Renew annually: submit a study continuation certificate (Fortsetzungsbestätigung) to ÖGK by 31 December each year.
  • Public transport: Wiener Linien annual youth pass (under 26) costs €300/year for unlimited travel in Vienna. Available in the WienMobil app. Students under 27 with a valid enrollment may also qualify for the semester ticket (check current rules — a new annual youth pass replaced the semester ticket from 2026).
  • ÖBB Vorteilscard: discount card for up to 50% off train tickets nationally. Available at ÖBB ticket counters for ~€20/year (under 26).
  • KlimaTicket: national public transport pass valid on all major services in Austria.
  • Vorteilsclub der Stadt Wien: free city membership offering 20–50% discounts at 750+ venues across Vienna. Register at wien.gv.at.
  • USI sports: university sports institute — affordable courses (yoga, swimming, climbing, football, dance) open to all enrolled students. Register at usi.at each semester.
ÖGK: Student self-insurance OEAD: ÖGK insurance guide Wiener Linien: Student tickets wien.gv.at: Vorteilsclub

Socialising

Settling in
  • USI Vienna (Universitätssportinstitut): over 1,200 courses in 120+ sports — yoga, climbing, basketball, dance, swimming and more. Open to all enrolled students at very low cost. International students are welcome; some courses are in English. Register at usi.at.
  • ÖH Sportreferat: your university's student union sports office — free or cheap weekly football, volleyball, and more. Check your own university's ÖH website.
  • Prater park: free jogging, cycling, rollerblading, and outdoor sports — Vienna's largest park, easily accessible by U2.
  • Donauinsel & Alte Donau: free outdoor swimming, cycling, and beach volleyball in summer.
  • City of Vienna sports clubs directory: find registered clubs for every sport at wien.gv.at/english/leisure.
  • WienMobil Rad: cheap bike hire throughout the city — great for exploring and meeting people on casual rides.
  • OeAD events: OeAD student housing organises social events for residents. Even non-residents can attend some.
  • International Office of your university: most universities run buddy programmes, orientation weeks, and cultural events specifically for international students — sign up at the start of each semester.
USI Vienna: courses wien.gv.at: Pools & leisure WU: Things to do in Vienna