Education

Studying in Austria: student residence permit

Third-country nationals studying in Austria need admission and a student residence permit; among other things they must prove sufficient means, health insurance and accommodation.

Last updated: 6 October 2026 · Draft – not yet editorially reviewed.

Students from third countries usually need a residence permit for studying in Austria, called Aufenthaltsbewilligung – Student. It is for temporary stay without settlement intent and can also cover certain family members with an Aufenthaltsbewilligung – Familiengemeinschaft. 1 2

Who needs this

You need this permit if you are neither an EEA citizen nor Swiss and do not already have another right of residence or residence title in Austria. 1
It is for third-country nationals who will do an ordinary degree at a university, university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule), private university, pedagogical university, or for certain non-ordinary studies and professional training linked to study. 2
For ordinary university study, you must have a study place, a recognized school-leaving certificate or equivalent, and sufficient German knowledge. 1
If you are taking part in an EU or multilateral mobility program, the permit is issued for two years. Otherwise it is issued for one year. 2

Step by step

Check that you meet the study admission requirements and get an admission or, if needed, a conditional admission letter (bedingter Zulassungsbescheid). 1 3
Submit the application either abroad at the Austrian representation or, after lawful entry and during lawful stay, in Austria at the competent settlement authority (Niederlassungsbehörde). 2 3
If you apply abroad and the application is approved, you will be informed and can then apply for a visa D for entry, if needed. 2 3
Enter Austria with the valid visa D, or visa-free if you may enter without a visa, and collect the residence permit in Austria. 3
If you already have the permit and want to extend it, file the extension application personally before the current permit expires, at the earliest three months before expiry. 2

Documents

Valid travel document, such as a passport. 2
Recent passport photo; one source says not older than six months, 45 x 35 mm. 2 3
Proof of health insurance covering all risks. 2 3
Proof of secured means of subsistence. 2 3
Proof of accommodation in Austria for at least three months. 3
Admission confirmation from the university or other eligible institution. 2 3
For first applications, a police clearance certificate from the country of residence may be required; in individual cases also from the country of origin. 3
For extensions, additional study progress documents, continuation confirmation, and a study record sheet are required. 2 3
Foreign documents usually need to be legalized/certified and translated into German by a sworn and court-certified translator, depending on the applicable procedure. 2 3

Cost and time

Application fee: 218 euros. 2 3
The authority must decide within 90 days; one source says the application is usually processed within 90 days if all documents are complete. 2 3
If further documents must be submitted, the decision period can be extended by another 90 days. 3

Deadlines

For university admission, applications for the following semester are generally due by 1 September or 1 February. 1
The residence permit application itself is not tied to a fixed deadline. 2
For extensions, the application must be submitted before the permit expires, and no earlier than three months before expiry. 2
After approval, you have three months to apply for visa D, and a total of six months to collect the permit in Austria. 2 3

City by city

Vienna: the competent authority for issuing the permit is MA 35 (Stadt Wien). 2
Graz: the competent authority for issuing the permit is the Amt der Steiermärkischen Landesregierung. 2
In other places, the competent authority is the Bezirkshauptmannschaft or, in statutory cities, the Magistrat. 2