Work
Study
Live
Services for Internationals
Services for Companies
Services for Internationals
Welcome2 the
Study Guide
Live, learn and work in Upper Austria
This study guide gives you a first taste of what living and studying in Upper Austria could look like for you. It contains important information about all universities and study programs in Upper Austria, first steps to settling in, general living costs, the Austria health system, taxes and finances as well as leisure activities. The guide also shows you possible paths after graduation: how to find your dream job or start your own business.
First Steps
&
Academic
degrees
Banking
&
Health
& insurance
Transportation
& housing
Downloads
& links
Your first steps towards studying in Upper Austria
First steps & requirements
You have decided to study in Upper Austria and now want to know what the next steps are. What documents do you have to submit, and which submission deadlines do you have to observe? With this guide, we wish to give you an overview of the most important steps when coming to Upper Austria to study.
Before you pack your bags, it’s important to inform yourself as early as possible about the visa residence permit requirements and entry requirements of the university you want to apply to. The main language of instruction at universities in Austria is German. To prepare yourself properly, start learning as much German as possible in advance.
Finding your degree course
First and foremost, it is important that you find the courses of study you are interested in. Have a look at the study options page or visit the website of the university of your choice and search for the courses there.
Admission requirements
Once you have opted for a study program, you need to check the closing dates. Please note that different deadlines apply to specific study programs. Inform yourself as early as possible! Tip: Make sure that your application is complete to avoid delays in your application process.
EU/EEA citizens and Swiss nationals do not need a visa to enter Austria, but a valid travel document (passport or identity card). Citizens of Schengen states travelling to Austria must also have a valid travel document on them.
EEA citizens and Swiss nationals are generally allowed to stay in Austria for up to 3 months. A longer stay is possible if the main purpose of the stay is to study and sufficient health insurance and means of subsistence are available. If a stay of more than three months is permitted, a registration certificate must be requested from the settlement authority within four months of entering the country.
Students from non-EU/EEA countries need a valid passport (valid at least 3 months beyond departure) and usually a visa to enter Austria. All visas must be applied for in advance at an Austrian embassy or consulate.
For stays over 6 months, you must apply for a “Residence Permit – Student”, ideally 3–6 months before arrival, also through an Austrian representation abroad. To obtain it, you need proof of sufficient financial means (e.g., bank account/savings book) and valid health insurance in Austria.
Getting a visa involves some bureaucratic effort. Therefore, it is important to check the requirements and start the application procedure well in advance! When applying for a visa or residence permit, you will usually need to visit the nearest Austrian embassy in person. Very useful information about entry and residence for students and researchers can be found on the website of the Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research (OeAD-GmbH) Entry and Residence
If you are planning to do research in Upper Austria and require specific information, we recommend the website of the Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research (OeAD-GmbH). Questions and links will direct you to the information you require Entry and Residence
Check list: Documents required
- Passport, identity card or proof of citizenship in combination with an official identification with photo
- A-levels, high school diploma or equivalent certification
- Transcript with grades from the last school year
- Various filled-out forms:
- Application form for admission
- Registration form
- Statistics form
- Student identification document with attached photograph (“Studentenausweis”)
- Form for continuation
- Second photograph
- Proof of payment of the tuition fee per semester if you are not exempt from payment
Find your academic degree for your studies in Upper Austria
Academic degrees
Bachelor’s degree
Bachelor’s degree programs usually take six semesters (180 ECTS). They must cover all areas required for a solid and professional scientific or humanistic education. Subjects and contents are specified in the respective curricula of the degree programs. Courses are divided into compulsory subjects, elective subjects and free elective subjects.
One or sometimes two bachelor’s theses must be written. You have completed the degree program once you have passed all exams, received a positive assessment of all seminar papers stipulated in the curriculum and your bachelor’s theses have been approbated. Approbations may differ between educational institutions.
Master’s degree, diplomas
Master’s degree programs usually take four semesters (120 ECTS). In the Master’s program, knowledge acquired in the bachelor’s program is deepened. As a rule, students can choose from several master’s degree programs after completing a related bachelor’s degree. Completing an adequate bachelor’s degree is therefore a prerequisite for starting a master’s degree program. After passing all the prescribed exams, the program is completed with the approbation of the master’s thesis. In diploma degree program, a diploma thesis must be written, and the degree is completed after passing the diploma examination.
Doctorate, PhD degrees
Doctorate or PhD program usually take a minimum of two years.
Admission is granted on the basis of a completed Austrian diploma or master’s degree.
Your first steps towards studying in Upper Austria
Banking & living costs
Banking & daily life
Many Austrian banks offer free student accounts up to a certain age, complete with online banking and mobile payment options. Popular banks include Oberbank, Raiffeisen, Sparkasse, Volksbank, and VKB. Online banks like ING and Easybank often provide more favorable conditions without physical branches.
Despite the digital age, cash remains surprisingly common in Austria, so always carry some with you. Grocery shopping can be done at numerous supermarket chains, which often include their own organic food lines. Remember that most stores are closed on Sundays and holidays, with exceptions for shops in train stations and gas stations. While debit cards are widely accepted, not all smaller establishments accept credit cards.
Cost of living
As a student in Upper Austria, expect to budget around €800-1000 monthly. This typically breaks down to approximately €669 for housing, €383 for food (if cooking yourself), €165 for study materials, and €150 for leisure activities. Eating at university cafeterias (“Mensa”) offers affordable warm meals. Non-EU students should factor in additional tuition fees of around €726 per semester. The Aktivpass in Linz (available to students with monthly income under €1275) provides valuable discounts for museums, public pools, events, and public transportation.
€ 0.00
1 l of fresh water from the tap
€ 2.50
0.33 l of Coke or Pepsi
€ 2.00
1 kg of white rice
€ 4.00
One cappuccino
€ 1.50
1 l of milk
€ 3.00
12 fresh eggs
€ 3.00
500 g of bread
€ 4.50
0.5 l of domestic beer
€ 2.00
1 kg of apples
Having health insurance is a prerequisite for living for studying in Upper Austria
Health & insurance
Healthcare system
Austria’s healthcare system is among the world’s best, and insurance is compulsory. EU students can use their European Health Insurance Card for medical services. Non-EU students have several options: self-insurance at a preferential rate (currently €58,39 per month) or insurance through part-time employment, where contributions are automatically deducted from your salery.
125 General practitioners
The GP is a general practitioner and first point of contact for illnesses and complaints of all kinds. You can select your GP freely, and many make home visits in the local area if necessary.
The e-card serves as your health insurance proof and must be presented at every medical visit. When seeking medical care, “panel doctors” (“Kassenärzte”) have contracts with insurance providers and bill them directly, meaning no immediate out-of-pocket expenses for you.
To find suitable doctors, visit www.arztsuche.aekooe.at
Getting health insurance
Ways to get insurance as an international student
- Compulsory insurance in your home country
- Part-time job
- Self-insurance
The Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research (OeAD-GmbH) provides a very good overview of your health insurance options. We have briefly summarized the most important information for you.
Health insurance options for students from EU/EAA countries and Switzerland
- European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
- Self-insurance for students with the Austrian Gesundheitskasse (national health insurance provider) after arriving
- Health insurance with a partner of OeAD-GmbH
- Individually organized travel insurance
Health insurance options for non EU/EEA citizens: stays of up to 6 months
- National health insurance provided by your home country for entry to Austria and the duration of your stay
You need to provide a confirmation of this type of health insurance to the Austrian representative authorities when applying for your residence permit. - Individually organised travel insurance for entry to Austria and health insurance with a partner of OeAD-GmbH after entry
- Individually organised travel insurance for entry to Austria and the duration of your visit (not recommended)
Find your stay and your way in and around Upper Austria
Transportation & Housing
Housing options
Finding the right place to live is one of your first priorities when moving to Upper Austria. Student accomodations are ideal for international students, providing an easy start and opportunities to make friends. Check www.studium.at/studentenheime/oberoesterreich for dedicated student housing options. If you prefer more independence, flat shares are popular and can be found through platforms like www.wg-gesucht.de or university boards like www.oeh.jku.at/services/wohnboerse
Rental information
Rental apartments in Austria are typically unfurnished, though sometimes the kitchen can be purchased from the previous tenant. To find suitable apartments, browse websites such as willhaben.at, immowelt.at, or wohnnet.at.
Rental prices vary by location, averaging between €8.75-€12.41 per square meter. Remember that within three days of moving in, you must register your residence (“Meldezettel”) at your local registry office.
Standard rental contracts in Austria have a minimum duration of three years. When signing a contract, you’ll typically pay a deposit of three to six month’s rent, which will be returned after proper handover of the property. Your monthly costs will include the net rent plus service charges covering water, sewage, and garbage collection. Be prepared to pay additional costs separately: electricity, household insurance, internet, and heating. If you’re an EEA national with limite4d income, you may qualify for “Wohnbeihilfe”, a housing subsidy from the government.
Transportation options
ÖBB
The trains of Austrian Railways, a nationally owned organization, are the most widely used form of public transport in the country. The well-developed network of railways offers comfortable commuting by train, along with international connections. Busses are also operated by the ÖBB. For train travel with the ÖBB, tickets must be purchased before boarding, either online of from a ticket machine at the train station. For frequent trips, the purchase of a weekly, monthly or yearly ticket can be cheaper. Alternatively, it is advisable to purchase a so-called ÖBB Vorteilscard, as this can allow you to make substantial savings. The timetables are available on the ÖBB website as well as on the free ÖBB Scotty app, which covers all bus and train connections, stops, delays and more, regardless of the operator www.oebb.at
The Westbahn is a private company offering train travel between Vienna and Salzburg. Upper Austria benefits greatly from this service since it lies between these two states. ÖBB Vorteilscard holders can also travel at reduced rates with the Westbahn. Tickets bought from a ticket machine at railway stations are not valid for travel with the Westbahn since they are only valid on ÖBB trains. Westbahn tickets can be bought on the train directly from the ticket collector, in many tobacconists, with the Westpay app or on the Westbahn website: www.westbahn.at
The Upper Austrian Transport Association fulfills the demand for quantity and quality in public transport for the whole federal state. Its duties include providing information and advice to passengers, issuing and billing free travel for students or apprentices, and charging and provid[1]ing services to customers. The OÖVV website provides timetables, tickets and prices as well as information on tickets for trainees: www.ooevv.at
Driving licenses which have been issued in EU or EEA countries are recognised in Austria and can be voluntarily transcribed. The transcription must be applied for within six months of residing in Austria, whereby a minimum age of 18 is also required. If the driving license is not in German, it is only valid in combination with an international driving license or a translation.
All driving license holders from third countries need to have their driving license transcribed, but the following are excluded from having to take a practical driving test.
As requirements for driving license classes and countries can change once in a while, please also check for the latest information: Foreign driving licences – conversion
Moving your car to Upper Austria What do you have to consider when moving your vehicle to Upper Austria? How long are you allowed to drive with a foreign license plate? There are two cases to consider.
- Main residence outside of Upper Austria If your main place of residence is outside of Austria, you are allowed to use your vehicle with a foreign license plate for a maximum of one year. The one-year period begins when you bring your vehicle to Austria.
- Main residence in Upper Austria If your main place of residence is in Austria, you are allowed to use your vehicle with a foreign license plate for a maximum of one month. The one-month period begins when you bring your vehicle to Austria for the first time
Helpful downloads and documents for your study in Upper Austria
Download & Links
