Plan for about 1,300 euros a month. That is the average the OeAD gives for a student in Austria, and it covers a room in a hall of residence, food, transport and a bit of fun. Treat it as a starting point, not a promise: Vienna and other big cities cost more than smaller towns, and how you live matters as much as where you live.
What the 1,300 euros actually covers
The OeAD breaks the monthly figure into three blocks. Accommodation is the biggest one, and it is calculated on a place in a student hall of residence. Food is next. Then comes a catch-all block for studies and personal needs, which means your transport pass, a cinema ticket, a museum visit and the small stuff of daily life.
These numbers come from the national student social survey (Studierenden-Sozialerhebung 2025, published by IHS in 2026). The OeAD itself calls them a guideline and says they are not binding. That is honest of them. Your real budget will depend on your city, your rent contract and your habits.
The monthly budget, line by line
| Expense | Approximate monthly cost (EUR) | What the OeAD says |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 450 to 700 | Based on a place in a student hall of residence. Depends on the city, what the rent includes and the arrangements made by the institution. |
| Food | about 300 | Excludes luxuries and tobacco. Discount supermarkets and student cafeterias (Mensa) keep it down; cooking yourself is cheapest. |
| Studies and personal requirements | about 500 | Mobility, culture and recreation. Student discounts apply in many places. |
| Total | about 1,300 | Average monthly living expenses for a student in Austria. |
Tuition is not in this table. Austria's public higher education is free of charge for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland, but other students may pay fees. Check the rules on tuition fees before you build your budget.
Rent: the number that decides everything
Austrian universities do not hand you a room when you enrol. Unlike many countries, there is no tradition of on-campus accommodation here, so you search for yourself. That is the single most important thing to understand before you arrive.
Your options are a university dormitory, OeAD student housing, a shared flat (WG or Wohngemeinschaft) or a private rental. Dormitories are often the most affordable and sit close to the institutions. Shared flats are popular because you get your own room and split the kitchen and bathroom, which keeps costs down and gets you social contact. Private studios and apartments cost more but give you privacy and flexibility.
Expect higher rents in Vienna, Salzburg and Graz than in smaller towns. The OeAD points to Wiener Neustadt as an example of a cheaper place to study. Read more in our guide to student housing, and start your search early through OeAD student housing, home4students, the ÖH, the Studierendenwohnheime or similar providers.
Everyday prices you will actually pay
Small numbers tell you more than averages. Here is what the OeAD lists:
- Coffee or tea in a café: 3.50 euros
- Sandwich at a bakery: 4.50 euros
- Dinner in a typical student restaurant: 12 euros
- Single metro or bus fare in a city: about 3.20 euros
- Cinema ticket: about 10 euros
- Museum ticket: about 14 euros
Now the good news. Your student card unlocks discounts at public transport authorities and at many museums, cinemas and theatres. Always ask. The answer is often yes.
On food, Austria has plenty of discount supermarkets, and most universities run a Mensa where a proper meal costs little. Cooking at home is still the cheapest route. A shared kitchen and a weekly shop will save you more than any loyalty card.
Costs that sit outside the average
Three things are easy to forget, and all three are real money.
- The student union fee. It is 26.20 euros per semester and every student pays it.
- Health insurance. If you have no other cover, the public student self-insurance with the Österreichische Gesundheitskasse costs 78.84 euros a month in 2026. There is also an annual e-card service fee of 14.65 euros. Our page on healthcare and insurance explains who can apply and what documents you need.
- Proof of funds for your residence permit. If you come from outside the EU/EEA, the residence authority sets its own minimum, and it is a different number from the 1,300 euro average. Check the official portal for the current amount rather than relying on a figure you heard from a friend.
How to keep your month under control
Pick your city with your eyes open. A smaller town can cut your rent by a lot, and the difference over a year is serious money. Apply for a dormitory place as early as you can, because the cheap rooms go first.
Then do the boring things. Cook most evenings. Use the Mensa. Buy a transport pass instead of single tickets. Carry your student card everywhere. Ask about concessions before you pay for anything cultural.
Finally, build a buffer. The OeAD says plainly that it is difficult to state exactly how much a student needs per month, because it depends on how economically you live. So plan on the average, keep a little aside for the first weeks when deposits and paperwork hit at once, and check the official Study in Austria pages for updates. Amounts and rules change, and the official page is the one that counts.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need per month to study in Austria?
The OeAD estimates about 1,300 euros a month for a student in Austria, based on the Studierenden-Sozialerhebung 2025. That covers accommodation in a student hall of residence, food, and studies and personal requirements. The OeAD calls it a guideline, not a binding figure, and costs are higher in Vienna and other large cities.
Is health insurance included in the living costs?
No. If you have no other cover, the public student self-insurance with the Österreichische Gesundheitskasse costs 78.84 euros a month in 2026, plus an annual e-card service fee of 14.65 euros. You also pay a student union fee of 26.20 euros per semester, which is compulsory for all students.
How much does student accommodation cost in Austria?
The OeAD puts accommodation at roughly 450 to 700 euros a month, calculated on a place in a student hall of residence. The real cost depends on the city, what the rent includes and the arrangements made by the institution. Vienna, Salzburg and Graz tend to be more expensive than smaller towns.
Do students get discounts on transport and culture in Austria?
Yes. Public transport authorities and many museums, cinemas and theatres give student discounts when you show your student card. A single metro or bus fare costs around 3.20 euros, a cinema ticket about 10 euros and a museum ticket about 14 euros before any concession.
Sources
- OeAD Study in Austria: Living costs, The EUR 1,300 estimate and everyday prices
- OeAD Study in Austria: Tuition fees, Student union fee EUR 26.20
- oesterreich.gv.at: Studentische Selbstversicherung, EUR 78.84 a month in 2026
Last checked: 29 October 2026. Rules and amounts change; confirm them on the official page before you act on them. This is general information, not legal or immigration advice.
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