Costs & Funding - Study in Austria

Costs & Funding for Studying in Austria

Here's the headline: EU/EEA students pay no tuition at Austrian public universities, and non-EU students pay just EUR 726.72 per semester — one of the lowest rates in Europe. But tuition-free or low-tuition doesn't mean cost-free. Rent, food, health insurance, and daily expenses add up, and non-EU students need to prove they can cover them for their residence permit. This guide breaks down every cost and shows you how to fund your studies.

Tuition and Semester Fees

Public universities

Compare that to what you'd pay elsewhere:

A full three-year Bachelor's degree in Austria costs non-EU students under EUR 4,500 in total tuition — less than a single year at many universities in the UK, US, or Australia.

Fachhochschulen

Most public FH programs follow the same fee structure as universities. Some FH programs designated as "fee-paying" (particularly part-time/berufsbegleitend programs) may charge additional tuition of EUR 363/semester.

Private universities

Private universities set their own tuition, typically ranging from EUR 5,000-15,000 per year. Some programs (like MBA or specialized professional programs) charge more.

Monthly Living Costs

Your biggest expenses as a student in Austria are rent, food, and health insurance. Here's a detailed breakdown:

Detailed monthly budget

Rent — your biggest cost

Housing costs vary significantly by city and type:

Student dormitories (Studentenheim) are managed by organizations like OeAD Housing and Akademikerhilfe. Apply early — waiting lists are long, especially in Vienna.

Food costs

Austria has affordable supermarkets:

• Discount supermarkets (Hofer/Aldi, Lidl, Penny) — weekly shop EUR 30-50
• Standard supermarkets (Billa, Spar, Merkur/BILLA PLUS) — slightly higher prices
• University cafeterias (Mensa) — full meals for EUR 3-7
• Monthly budget: EUR 200-350 depending on eating habits

Transport

• Vienna semester ticket: About EUR 75/semester (Wiener Linien semester ticket for under-26, or about EUR 150/semester for over-26)
• Graz, Innsbruck, Salzburg: Local transport discounts for students; monthly passes EUR 30-50
• Klimaticket: EUR 1,095/year for unlimited public transport across all of Austria (trains, buses, trams) — excellent value if you travel between cities
• ÖBB Vorteilscard Jugend: EUR 19/year (under 26) for 50% off all ÖBB trains

Health Insurance

Health insurance is mandatory for all students in Austria. You cannot enrol at a university without proof of coverage.

Options for different student types

The ÖGK student self-insurance covers doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, dental basics, and more. It's comprehensive and affordable.

Compare student health insurance options for Austria →

Proof of Financial Resources

Non-EU students need to prove they can support themselves when applying for a residence permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung):

You can prove this through:

• Bank statements showing sufficient funds
• Scholarship letters
• Parental declaration of support with proof of their income/savings
• Employment contract (if you have a student job lined up)

Scholarships for International Students

Austria offers several scholarship opportunities through the OeAD (Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation):

OeAD scholarships

The OeAD manages most Austrian government scholarships for international students. Search the full database at grants.at.

University-specific scholarships

Many Austrian universities offer their own scholarships:

• University of Vienna — merit-based excellence scholarships and need-based support
• TU Wien — research scholarships and teaching assistant positions
• WU Vienna — scholarships for international Master's students, including need and merit-based
• Various FHs — industry-sponsored scholarships, particularly in engineering and technology

Other funding sources

• Your home country's government — many countries offer study-abroad scholarships; check your national education ministry
• Erasmus+ — for EU/EEA students doing exchange semesters in Austria
• Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) — limited scholarships for specific groups
• Private foundations — various Austrian foundations offer grants for specific fields or nationalities

Working While Studying

Supplementing your budget through part-time work is common and practical:

At 20 hours/week and EUR 13/hour, you'd earn about EUR 1,040/month — enough to cover a significant portion of living costs.

For more details on student jobs, Werkstudent positions, and career planning, see our Work & Career guide.

Sample Annual Budget

Here's what a year of studying in Austria actually costs:

For EU students, subtract the tuition, reducing the total by EUR 1,453/year.

Common Cost Mistakes to Avoid

1. Underestimating Vienna rent — housing is the biggest variable; start your search early and consider areas outside the city centre
2. Forgetting health insurance — it's mandatory and costs about EUR 65/month; budget for it from day one
3. Not applying for the semester ticket — the student transport discount saves hundreds per year
4. Ignoring the Langzeitstudiengebühr — even EU students pay if they exceed standard study duration
5. Not exploring scholarship options — many students miss out simply because they don't search grants.at or their home country's offerings
6. Overspending in the first months — set up a budget before arrival and stick to it

Next Steps

• Prepare for your visa — understand visa requirements and financial proof
• Find housing and settle in — practical guide to student life in Austria
• Explore work options — supplement your budget with part-time work
• Choose your program — find the right program for your goals