Studying in Austria as an international student: costs, visa and work rules (2026)
In Austria, tuition at a public university is €1,453 / yr for a master’s. For the student visa you must show €1,308.39 / mo, you can work 20 h / wk while studying, and you can stay 12 months after graduating.
✓ Last checked against official sources: 14 Oct 2026. Every figure links to the government body or university that sets it. No school pays to appear here.
Costs
| Item | Master’s (2 years) | Bachelor’s (3 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, public university | €1,453 / yr€726.72 a semester, non-EU rate | €1,453 / yr€726.72 a semester, non-EU rate |
| Tuition, private or top-ranked | €10k to €20kPrivate universities, est. | €10k to €20kPrivate universities, est. |
| Money to show for the visa | €1,308.39 / moFrom age 24; €722.58 under 24 (2026) | |
| Health insurance | About €900 a year (estimate) | |
| Visa and permit fees | About €200, once (estimate) | |
| Total* | ≈ €36,500 | ≈ €54,700 |
*Diplonaut estimate at a public university: the lower tuition figure + the money you must show for the visa (a floor for living costs, not a budget) + health insurance, for the whole degree, plus visa fees once. Post-graduation job-seeking permit: official page still to be linked. Private university fees are estimates.
Visa and entry
| Your passport | What you need |
|---|---|
| EU, EEA or Swiss | No visa: register your address |
| United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, South Koreaand some other passports | Residence permit: apply at an embassy, or in Austria during your visa-free stay |
| Most other countries | Residence permit ‘Student’, applied for at an Austrian embassy |
Work rights
- While studying: 20 h / wk (Employer needs a work permit).
- After graduating: 12 months (Job-seeking extension).
Will my degree from Austria be recognized?
Public universities and universities of applied sciences award state-recognized degrees. A private university must be accredited by AQ Austria, the national accreditation agency, to award recognized degrees.
Check an institution: AQ Austria: accredited institutions
For a bachelor’s: Only a few bachelor’s are taught in English, so German (usually B2 to C1) is often required, and supplementary exams may be needed depending on your school certificate.
By field of study
- No field yet (undecided): You enrol in a specific programme, which starts with an introductory phase (STEOP); failing it ends your admission to that programme.
- Medicine or dentistry: Everyone takes the MedAT admission test. Non-EU applicants get at most 5% of human-medicine places.
- Nursing or health: Nursing is studied at universities of applied sciences, in German (B2, sometimes C1).
- Art, design or music: Admission is by entrance exam; at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna no school-leaving certificate is needed, except for architecture and art teaching.
Recent official changes for Austria
- No rule change for Austria has been tracked in the last months. See all changes by country.
Compare Austria
See Austria next to the other destinations, adjusted to your passport, degree level and field.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study in Austria?
Tuition at a public university is €1,453 / yr a year for a master’s. With the money you must show for the visa and health insurance, a 2-year master’s comes to about €36,500 in total (Diplonaut estimate).
How much money do I need to show for a student visa in Austria?
€1,308.39 / mo (From age 24; €722.58 under 24 (2026)).
Can I work while studying in Austria?
Yes: 20 h / wk (Employer needs a work permit).
Can I stay in Austria after graduating?
12 months (Job-seeking extension).
Other destinations
Official sources
- OeAD (Austrian agency for international students): residence permit and funds
- Austrian government (oesterreich.gv.at): 2026 reference rate, €1,308.39
- Study in Austria (OeAD): tuition fees
- Work in Austria (Austrian Business Agency): students
- Study in Austria: admission
- Study in Austria: application and admission FAQ
- AQ Austria: accredited institutions
- University of Vienna: introductory and orientation period (STEOP)
- MedAT: places and quota rules
- FH Campus Wien: selection process
- Academy of Fine Arts Vienna: application FAQ
Information, not legal or immigration advice.