Student budget in Vienna: monthly costs and tuition fees
Vienna is one of the most affordable cities in Europe in terms of tuition fees. The main budget item is not tuition but the cost of living.
Tuition fee and ÖH contribution
At public universities, the tuition fee for non-EU/EEA students is €726.72 per semester. A contribution to the Austrian Students' Union (ÖH) is added each semester (around €26 per semester, including insurance).
Fees at Fachhochschulen and private universities vary by institution; always check the programme page to confirm.
Monthly cost of living
A student's average monthly expenses in Vienna are around €1,300. Rent is the largest item in this amount, depending on the type of accommodation you choose.
- Rent: there is a notable difference between dorm/WG rooms and apartments
- Health insurance (ÖGK student self-insurance): around €78.84 per month
- Transport: for those under 26, the Wiener Linien annual pass is valid on all public transport within Vienna and costs €294 as a one-time payment from 1 February 2026; alternatively, 12 equal instalments of €25.75 bring the annual total to €309.
- Groceries, phone, course materials and social life
Supporting your budget by working
Third-country national students can work up to 20 hours per week if their employer obtains permission via the AMS (Austrian Public Employment Service). This eases the budget but does not replace the proof of financial means required for the residence permit application.