Cost of Studying in Austria 2026

Austria charges some of the lowest tuition fees in Europe. EU/EEA students pay €363.36 per semester at public universities. Non-EU/EEA students pay €726.72 per semester. That is €1,453.44 per year — a fraction of what the UK, Australia, or the US charge. The real cost of studying in Austria is living expenses. Vienna runs €1,000–1,400 per month. Graz and Salzburg cost €800–1,100. This guide breaks down every cost category so you can plan your budget for 2026.

Tuition Fees at Austrian Public Universities

Austrian public universities charge a flat Studienbeitrag (tuition contribution) set by the federal government. The rate depends on your nationality and whether you complete your degree within the standard study duration plus two tolerance semesters.

Student Category	Per Semester	Per Year	Notes
EU/EEA/Swiss (within time limit)	€363.36	€726.72	Standard rate; free if within Mindeststudiendauer + 2 semesters
EU/EEA/Swiss (over time limit)	€363.36	€726.72	Charged once you exceed the tolerance semesters
Non-EU/EEA	€726.72	€1,453.44	Double rate applies from semester one
ÖH membership fee	€22.70	€45.40	Mandatory for all students; includes accident insurance

The ÖH fee (Österreichische Hochschüler_innenschaft — the Austrian student union) is mandatory and separate from tuition. Every enrolled student pays it. The ÖH fee includes basic accident insurance and access to student services.

When Is Tuition Free?

EU/EEA students enrolled within the Mindeststudiendauer (minimum study duration) plus 2 tolerance semesters pay only the ÖH fee — no tuition. A 6-semester bachelor gives you 8 semesters tuition-free. A 4-semester master gives you 6 semesters. Exceed that, and the €363.36/semester tuition kicks in. Non-EU students always pay €726.72 regardless of study duration.

Fachhochschulen (Universities of Applied Sciences)

Fachhochschulen charge the same rates as public universities for Austrian and EU students. Non-EU students pay €726.72/semester. Some private Fachhochschulen set higher fees — check your specific institution. FH Campus Wien, FH Technikum Wien, and FH Joanneum (Graz) all follow the standard public rates.

Private Universities

Private universities set their own tuition. Expect €3,000–15,000 per semester depending on the program. The Modul University Vienna charges around €6,000/semester. Webster Vienna Private University charges approximately €8,500/semester. The Central European University (CEU) offers generous scholarship packages that offset its higher fees.

Living Costs by City

Your monthly budget depends heavily on which city you choose. Vienna is the most expensive. Smaller university cities like Graz, Linz, and Klagenfurt are 20–30% cheaper.

City	Rent (shared flat)	Rent (dorm)	Total Monthly Budget
Vienna	€450–650	€300–450	€1,000–1,400
Graz	€350–500	€250–380	€800–1,100
Salzburg	€400–600	€280–400	€900–1,200
Innsbruck	€400–580	€280–400	€900–1,200
Linz	€350–480	€250–370	€800–1,100
Klagenfurt	€300–430	€230–350	€750–1,000

A WG-Zimmer (shared flat room) in Vienna's 10th district costs about €450. The same room in the 1st district costs €650+. In Graz-Jakomini, you find rooms for €350. In Salzburg-Nonntal (near the university), expect €420–500.

Accommodation Costs

Student Dormitories (Studentenheime)

The most affordable option. Austria has a well-developed network of student housing organizations. The main providers are OeAD Housing, STUWO, home4students, and MILESTONE.

Provider	Monthly Rent (Vienna)	What's Included
OeAD Housing	€300–450	Furnished, internet, utilities
STUWO	€350–500	Furnished, internet, community spaces
home4students	€320–480	Furnished, laundry, common kitchen
MILESTONE	€550–750	Premium; gym, study rooms, events

Apply early. OeAD Housing fills up by June for the October semester. STUWO opens applications in April. Waiting lists are common in Vienna. In Graz and Linz, you have better chances of getting a room on short notice.

Shared Flats (WG — Wohngemeinschaft)

The most popular student option in Austria. Search on WG-Gesucht.de, willhaben.at, or university Facebook groups. Budget €400–600 in Vienna, €300–450 in Graz. Expect to pay a deposit (Kaution) of 2–3 months' rent plus a real estate agent fee (Maklergebühr) of up to 2 months' rent if applicable.

Private Apartments

A studio apartment in Vienna costs €600–900/month. In Graz, €450–650. Private apartments are better for couples or students who prefer living alone, but they increase your monthly budget significantly. Utility costs (Betriebskosten) add €80–150/month for heating, water, and building fees.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

Here is a realistic monthly budget for a student in Vienna versus Graz.

Category	Vienna	Graz
Rent (shared flat)	€500	€380
Food & groceries	€250–300	€220–270
Public transport	€75 (Semesterticket)	€60 (Semesterticket)
Health insurance (ÖGK)	€70.72	€70.72
Phone & internet	€15–25	€15–25
Study materials	€30–50	€30–50
Leisure & socializing	€100–150	€80–120
Total	€1,040–1,270	€855–995

A Mensa (university canteen) meal costs €4–7. Cooking at home brings food costs down to €200/month. HOFER (Aldi's Austrian brand) and Lidl are the cheapest supermarkets. BILLA and SPAR are mid-range. A weekly grocery shop for one person runs €40–55.

Transport Costs

Austrian cities have excellent public transport. Every university city offers a Semesterticket (semester transport pass) at student rates.

City	Semesterticket (6 months)	Monthly Equivalent	Network
Vienna	€75	€12.50	Wiener Linien (U-Bahn, tram, bus)
Graz	€60	€10	Holding Graz (tram, bus)
Salzburg	€60	€10	Salzburg AG (bus, Lokalbahn)
Innsbruck	€60	€10	IVB (tram, bus)
Linz	€60	€10	LINZ AG Linien (tram, bus)

Vienna's Semesterticket at €75 for six months is one of the best public transport deals in Europe. The Klimaticket Österreich (€1,095/year for the whole country) is worth considering if you travel between cities frequently. Students get a discount: €821/year for the Klimaticket Classic.

Food and Groceries

Eating well in Austria does not have to be expensive. Here is what you can expect.

• Mensa meal: €4–7 (subsidized by the ÖH)
• Restaurant meal (mid-range): €12–18
• Kebab or Würstelstand: €4–6
• Coffee in a Kaffeehaus: €3.50–5
• Weekly groceries (one person): €40–55
• Beer (0.5L, bar): €3.50–5

The Mensa at TU Wien serves a full meal for €5.50. In Graz, Uni Graz's Mensa charges €4.80 for the daily menu. Cooking at home with ingredients from HOFER keeps your monthly food bill under €200.

Hidden Costs to Budget For

Beyond rent, food, and transport, several costs catch students off guard.

• Semester tuition and ÖH fee: €386.06–€749.42 every 6 months
• Residence permit fees: €180 initial, €120 renewal (non-EU only)
• ORF Beitrag (broadcasting fee): €18.59/month — exemption available for low-income students via GIS-Befreiung
• Kaution (rental deposit): €600–1,500 one-time
• Textbooks: €100–300/year (many available free at university libraries)
• Laptop: €500–1,000 one-time (essential for online submissions)

Apply for the GIS-Befreiung (broadcasting fee exemption) at your local post office. If your monthly income is below €1,217.96, you qualify. Most students do. This saves you €223/year.

How to Save Money as a Student in Austria

Student Discounts

Your Studierendenausweis (student ID) and ISIC card unlock discounts across Austria. Museums offer 50% off. Cinemas charge €6–8 instead of €12+. Ski passes in Tyrol and Salzburg have student rates. The ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) offers a Vorteilscard Jugend (€19/year for under-26s) giving 50% off train tickets nationwide.

Cooking at Home

Shopping at HOFER and Lidl instead of BILLA Plus saves 25–30% on groceries. Buy seasonal produce at the Naschmarkt (Vienna) or local farmers' markets. A home-cooked Wiener Schnitzel costs about €4 in ingredients. The same dish at a restaurant costs €14–18.

Apply for Financial Aid

Austrian and EU students can apply for Studienbeihilfe (study grants) through the Studienbeihilfenbehörde. Maximum grants reach €923/month for students living away from home. Non-EU students are not eligible for Studienbeihilfe but can apply for OeAD scholarships or university-specific fee waivers.

For more details on scholarships, read our guide to scholarships in Austria 2026. For a full overview of the Austrian education system, visit our Study in Austria country page or the costs and funding guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to study in Austria per year?

EU/EEA students pay €726.72/year in tuition (€363.36/semester) plus the €22.70 ÖH fee. Non-EU students pay €1,453.44/year. Living costs add €9,600–16,800/year depending on your city and lifestyle. Total annual budget: €10,300–18,250.

Is tuition free in Austria for international students?

EU/EEA students pay no tuition if they complete their degree within the standard study duration plus 2 semesters. They only pay the ÖH fee (€22.70/semester). Non-EU students always pay €726.72/semester. Austria's public university fees are among the lowest in Europe for all nationalities.

How much money do I need per month in Vienna?

Budget €1,000–1,400 per month in Vienna. This covers shared flat rent (€450–600), food (€250–300), transport (€12.50 with Semesterticket), insurance (€70.72), and personal spending (€100–150). A student dormitory reduces rent to €300–450.

Is Graz cheaper than Vienna for students?

Yes. Graz costs 20–30% less than Vienna. A shared flat room in Graz averages €380 vs. €500 in Vienna. A monthly Graz budget of €850–1,000 is comfortable. Vienna requires €1,100–1,300 for the same lifestyle. Food and transport prices are similar; rent drives the difference.

What is the ÖH fee and do I have to pay it?

The ÖH-Beitrag (€22.70/semester) is a mandatory student union fee. Every enrolled student pays it, regardless of nationality. It funds student representation, legal advice, accident insurance, and campus services. You pay it together with your tuition during enrollment each semester.

Can I get my tuition waived or reduced?

Several options exist. EU students within time limits already study tuition-free. Non-EU students can apply for Leistungsstipendien (merit scholarships) at their university, which refund the tuition fee. OeAD scholarships cover tuition for recipients. Some bilateral agreements between Austria and specific countries include tuition waivers.

How much does student health insurance cost in Austria?

ÖGK student self-insurance costs €70.72/month. Private alternatives start at €80–150/month. EU/EEA students with an EHIC card may not need ÖGK initially, but most switch after 12 months for better coverage. The ÖGK plan covers all essential medical needs.

Is the Klimaticket worth it for students?

If you stay in one city, the Semesterticket (€60–75/semester) is cheaper. The Klimaticket Classic (€821/year for students) covers all public transport nationwide — trains, buses, trams. Worth it if you travel between cities regularly, visit family in other provinces, or explore Austria on weekends. A single Vienna-to-Salzburg round trip costs €60 without it.