You have to find your own room. Austrian universities do not allocate accommodation when you register, and there is no tradition of on-campus housing. Most students live in a hall of residence or in private accommodation, so start your search as soon as you know where you are going.
Where students actually live
There are four main options. University or private halls of residence are often the most affordable. OeAD student housing offers fully furnished rooms and is also available in the summer months. Shared flats (WG) and private rentals are the other two. Each has trade-offs: halls are simpler to arrange from abroad, shared flats can be cheaper but often come unfurnished, and private rentals give you more space but more paperwork.
Major cities such as Vienna, Salzburg or Graz may have slightly higher rental rates than smaller towns, so factor that in when you compare offers. Our accommodation guide walks through each option in more detail.
How much to budget
The OeAD's living-cost estimate uses EUR 450 to 700 a month for a place in a student hall of residence. That is a range, not a fixed price, and private rentals can sit outside it. For a full breakdown of other monthly costs, see our cost of living page.
If you are an OeAD scholarship holder and take OeAD-arranged accommodation, the cost is EUR 220 to 550 a month plus an administration fee of EUR 18 a month. That arrangement is specific to scholarship holders, so check with OeAD whether it applies to you.
Where to search
The OeAD names several websites for student housing: oeadstudenthousing.at, home4students.at, oeh.ac.at, stuwo.at, oejab.at and viennabase.at. These cover halls of residence and student housing run by different providers. Start with them, and also look at the student union (ÖH) at your institution, oeh.ac.at is a good entry point.
For shared flats, you will need to use general flat-sharing platforms, but the OeAD's list is the official starting point for student-specific housing.
Timing your search
Application deadlines and accommodation deadlines are separate. At public universities the general application deadline for most bachelor's programmes is 5 September for the winter semester and 5 February for the summer semester. Other programmes and applicants from outside the EU/EEA can have different deadlines. Once you have an admission letter, start looking for a room immediately, do not wait until you arrive.
If you need a residence permit, you must show accommodation in Austria for at least three months. That means you need a confirmed address before you apply, so your housing search has to start early. The residence permit application fee on oesterreich.gv.at is EUR 218, and the authority decides within 90 days.
What to expect from halls and shared flats
Halls of residence usually offer furnished single rooms, often with shared kitchens and bathrooms. Some are run by the university, some by private organisations. OeAD student housing is fully furnished and available in the summer months, which helps if you arrive outside the standard semester start.
Shared flats (WG) are common among students. You typically rent a room in a flat shared with others. They can be cheaper than a private studio, but you may need to buy furniture and deal with a landlord directly. Private rentals give you the most independence but usually require a deposit and a longer lease.
Practical steps
- Confirm your admission first, you cannot sign a lease without it in most cases.
- Check the OeAD-listed websites and the student union at your institution.
- Apply for a hall of residence as early as possible; places in major cities fill up.
- If you need a residence permit, make sure your accommodation covers at least three months.
- Budget using the OeAD range of EUR 450 to 700 for a hall place, and add the ÖH student union fee of EUR 26.20 per semester.
For a full list of institutions, see all universities in Austria. Our student accommodation guide has more detail on each option.
Sources
- OeAD, accommodation
- OeAD, living costs
- OeAD, residence permit for students
- OeAD, scholarships and funding
- oesterreich.gv.at, admission of foreign students
- oesterreich.gv.at, residence permit, student
- Austrian national register (BMFWF open data and studienwahl.at), as of October 2026
Frequently asked questions
How much does student housing cost in Austria?
The OeAD estimates EUR 450 to 700 a month for a place in a student hall of residence. OeAD-arranged accommodation for scholarship holders costs EUR 220 to 550 a month plus an EUR 18 monthly administration fee. Private rentals and shared flats vary.
Do Austrian universities provide accommodation?
No. Universities and universities of applied sciences do not automatically allocate a room when you register. You have to search for accommodation yourself, using halls of residence, shared flats or private rentals.
Where can I find student housing in Austria?
The OeAD names oeadstudenthousing.at, home4students.at, oeh.ac.at, stuwo.at, oejab.at and viennabase.at. These cover halls of residence and student housing. Your institution's student union (ÖH) can also help.
Do I need accommodation to get a student residence permit?
Yes, if you are from outside the EU/EEA. You must show accommodation in Austria for at least three months when applying for a residence permit. The application fee is EUR 218 and the authority decides within 90 days.