Austria (AT)

Austria is a landlocked Central European republic of nine federal states (Bundesländer), renowned for its stunning Alpine landscapes, imperial history, world-class classical music, and high standard of living.

Capital: Vienna

Region: Europe

Language: German

Currency: EUR (€)

Cost of living: Expensive (index 72)

Emergency: 112

Education & Schools

Schools, universities, and language courses in Austria.

👶 Childcare & Kindergarten

Kinderkrippe (Infant Daycare) €0–350/month (income-based, heavily subsidised in Vienna and most Bundesländer)

Age: 0–3 years

Subsidy available

Most Bundesländer subsidise Krippe places heavily. Vienna (Gratiskindergarten): free from age 2.5 for a half-day. Under 2.5 paid but income-based. Apply through Vienna's Kindertagesheimportal (kinder.wien.gv.at) for municipal places.

Register online through the municipal portal (kinder.wien.gv.at in Vienna) or contact individual facilities directly. Documents: birth certificate, Meldezettel, income proof for fee calculation, e-Card.

⏱️ Apply as early as possible — 6–12 months before desired start date in Vienna. Municipal (Gemeinde Wien) Krippen are in highest demand. Also apply to private providers (Privatkindergärten) and church-run facilities (Pfarrkindergarten).

Kindergarten (Preschool) €0 (free public Kindergarten from age 3 in most states; 4–6h/day)

Age: 3–6 years

Subsidy available

Free Kindergarten (Gratiskindergarten) for all children aged 3–6 for at least 20 hours/week in most Austrian states. Vienna provides free all-day Kindergarten (Ganztagesbetreuung). The final year before school (Vorschulstufe/Kindergartenpflichtjahr, age 5–6) is compulsory in all states.

Apply to municipal or private Kindergarten via local portal or directly. Final year is mandatory — registration via Bezirksamt in Vienna.

⏱️ Most children have a legal entitlement to a place. Demand highest in Vienna — apply through the Kindertagesheimportal. The kindergarten year before primary school (Kindergartenpflichtjahr) is mandatory — notify authorities if not enrolling your child.

Tagesmutter / Tagesvater (Childminder) €400–800/month (varies by hours and provider)

Age: 0–10 years

Subsidy available

Childminders (Tagesmütter/-väter) receive some state support and are regulated. Subsidies available through state social services (MA 10 in Vienna).

Contact childminder directly. Formal contract required. Register with the relevant state authority.

⏱️ More flexible than Krippe. Find registered childminders via the Wiener Kinderbetreuung or WKO Tagesmütter portal.

🏫 Schools

Public Primary School Free

Volksschule

Ages: 6–10 years (years 1–4) · Language: German

Compulsory for all children turning 6 before August 31 of the school year. Enrolment (Schuleinschreibung) takes place in January/February before the September start. Attend the Volksschule in your Schulsprengel (catchment area). Documents: birth certificate, Meldezettel, vaccination record (Impfpass). No entrance exam for public Volksschulen.

Austria's Volksschule emphasises holistic development and play-based learning in years 1–2. No formal marking (grades) in year 1. Children from non-German-speaking families are assessed and provided with DaZ (Deutsch als Zweitsprache) support. A half-day schedule (7:30–12:30) is still common at many schools; after-school care (Hort) available separately for additional cost.

Secondary School — multiple tracks Free

Mittelschule / AHS (Gymnasium)

Ages: 10–14 (lower secondary); 14–18 (upper secondary / AHS-Oberstufe or BHS) · Language: German

After Volksschule, children move to either a Mittelschule (NMS — Neue Mittelschule, all-ability) or an AHS Unterstufe (Gymnasium, academic track). Transition is recommended by the Volksschule teacher, but parents can choose. AHS (Gymnasium) leads to Matura (Abitur equivalent) after year 12 or 13. BHS (berufsbildende höhere Schule — e.g. HTL, HAK, HLUW) combines vocational training with Matura-equivalent qualification. Documents required: Volksschule report, birth certificate, Meldezettel.

The Austrian school system tracks students at age 10 — earlier than most EU countries. Language support (DaZ) available. International students may need a Nostrifikation (recognition of foreign school certificates) to determine which year to enter. Private schools (Privatschulen) offer more flexibility including Montessori and Waldorf.

International Schools

Vienna has a strong international school offering, reflecting its status as a UN city. Key options: Vienna International School (VIS, IB, ages 3–18, ~€22,000–28,000/year), American International School Vienna (AIS, US curriculum, ~€20,000–28,000/year), Danube International School (IB, ~€18,000–25,000/year), French Lycée Français de Vienne (French curriculum), German-speaking international schools. Graz, Salzburg, and Linz each have at least one international school option. Most international schools require early registration — 12–18 months ahead.

University

Tuition fee

Public universities (Universität): free for EU/EEA students (all students pay the ÖH-Beitrag of ~€26.20/semester for 2026/27 — see semesterFee below). Non-EU students: Studienbeitrag of €726.72 per semester (~€1,453/year) in addition to the ÖH-Beitrag. Some professional programmes (Medicine at MedUni, etc.) charge more for non-EU. EU/EEA students who exceed the standard study duration (Toleranzsemester) also begin paying the €726.72/semester fee. Private universities (Privatuniversitäten): €3,000–15,000/year. Universities of Applied Sciences (FH — Fachhochschule): free for EU citizens; nominal fee for non-EU.

Semester fee

~€26.20 per semester (ÖH-Beitrag 2026/27, indexed annually to CPI). Paid at re-registration each semester. Covers Österreichische Hochschüler_innenschaft (ÖH) membership, access to student union services, and a small insurance contribution (~€0.70). All students pay this — EU and non-EU alike, including those exempt from the Studienbeitrag. Note: the ÖH fee is distinct from and much lower than the non-EU Studienbeitrag of €726.72/semester.

Student visa

Non-EU students need an Aufenthaltstitel Studierender (student residence permit). Apply at the Austrian embassy in your home country before arrival. Requirements: university admission letter, proof of funds (~€11,000/year), health insurance, accommodation proof.

Health insurance

Full-time students under 27 (EU) or as specified: covered under parents' ÖGK insurance for free if parents are insured. If not covered: must purchase ÖGK student insurance (~€65/month 2026) or enrol if working. All students should carry their e-Card.

Application process

Public universities: apply directly online (Zulassungsverfahren). Some subjects (Medicine, Psychology, Architecture, Veterinary) have entrance exams (Aufnahmeprüfung) or capacity limits (Numerus Clausus). Deadline: typically June–August for October start. Non-Austrian qualifications: may require Nostrifikation or ANABIN database check for recognition. Uni Wien, TU Wien, WU Wien, and MedUni Wien are the main Viennese universities.

🗣️ Language Courses

Orientierungskurs (Orientation Course) Mandatory

Provider: ÖIF — Österreichischer Integrationsfonds · Duration: 8 hours · Levels: Introductory — Austrian society, laws, values

Free for those on Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte or as required by residence permit conditions. Others: ~€150

Required for certain residence permit holders. Covers Austrian history, democratic values, rights and duties. Check your permit conditions.

Integrationskurs (Integration Course) Mandatory

Provider: ÖIF — Österreichischer Integrationsfonds · Duration: 75 hours (50h German A1 + 25h Werte- und Orientierungskurs) · Levels: A1 German

€300 (subsidised or free depending on permit type and income)

Mandatory for holders of certain residence permits (third-country nationals in integration agreement — Integrationsvereinbarung). Must be completed within 2 years. Failure to complete can affect permit renewal.

Deutsch als Fremd-/Zweitsprache Courses

Provider: ÖIF, VHS (Volkshochschule), private language schools, DaF/DaZ providers · Duration: 60–150 hours per level · Levels: A1 through C2

€200–600 per course (varies; VHS subsidised)

VHS (Volkshochschule) offers the best value courses in every Austrian city. Flexible schedules including evening and weekend courses. AMS-funded courses available for registered job seekers.

German for Citizenship (Einbürgerungskurs)

Provider: Various language schools, VHS, ÖIF · Duration: As needed to reach B1 · Levels: B1 (required for naturalisation)

€300–700

Austrian citizenship requires B1 German and passing the Staatsbürgerschaftsprüfung (citizenship test covering Austrian history, political system, and current affairs).

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