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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.