Vienna cost of living for students: what to budget each month

Explore a detailed, student-tested breakdown of Vienna’s living costs—rent, tuition, and everyday expenses—plus smart ways to save while studying abroad in 2026.

Ivandzhelin

9 minute read

·

Updated on 16 Sep 2026

·

Studying

International students in Vienna spend around €1,545–€1,625 a month on average, covering rent, food, transport, insurance, and study materials. Vienna is an inviting student city attracting thousands of international students every year. The city's affordability, cultural history and excellent education make the Austrian capital one of Europe's most popular study destinations — and the full cost of living breakdown for Vienna shows just how well it stacks up against other major cities. For a comprehensive overview, check out our complete Vienna cost guide.

To help you make the most of your student life our guide will cover essentials like student accommodation, tuition fees, daily expenses, and money-saving tips. By the end of this article, you'll be ready to explore student-friendly accommodation in Vienna that fits perfectly within your budget.

If you're planning your move as an international student, don't forget to review how the Austria student visa works early in your planning.

• Total monthly budget: Plan for €1,545–€1,625 a month, covering rent, groceries, transport, insurance, leisure, and study materials.
• Rent is your biggest expense: costs range from €500 for shared student housing to €1,390 for a full apartment, depending on the type and district.
• Non-EU students need more upfront: tuition adds €18,000–€55,000 a year on top of living costs, depending on whether you choose a public or private university.
• Health insurance is mandatory: EU/EEA students use their EHIC for free; non-EU students pay around €79 a month for self-insurance.
• The right passes cut costs fast: the Annual Pass VIENNA Youth (€25.75/month) and an ISIC card (€18) unlock major discounts across the city.
• For young professionals moving without a degree program: swap tuition out of your budget, but keep the same rent, transport, and insurance estimates, since most student discounts won't apply to you.

The average international student in Vienna needs around €1,545 per month to cover all of their expenses. Here's a breakdown of the monthly spending during your studies in Vienna:

When factoring in tuition fees, the total annual budget for a student studying at a public university in Vienna would amount to a minimum of €18,000 for non-EU students. If you opt for a private university, the total annual budget can increase substantially, reaching up to €55,000.

Austria has 3 types of universities: public, private, and universities of applied sciences. Tuition fees vary significantly based on your university, but higher education in Austria is generally affordable compared to countries like the UK or The Netherlands.

Tuition fees in Vienna

Tuition fees at public universities:

• EU/EEA/Switzerland: No tuition fees; only a semester fee around €25.
• Non-EU/EEA/Switzerland: Approximately €746.72 per semester (€726.72 for tuition fees and €25 semester fee).

Tuition fees at universities of applied sciences:

• EU/EEA/Switzerland: €363 per semester, depending on the program.
• Non-EU/EEA/Switzerland: €727 to €7,500 per semester, depending on the program.
• Some programs may also require a semester fee of €25.

Tuition fees at private universities:

• Fees vary by university, ranging between €3,000 and €23,000 per year for all students as of 2025/26.
• Some programs (e.g., MBA) may have a higher cost of €35,000 annually.

Scholarships for international students in Vienna

As a student in Vienna, you can apply for a range of partial scholarships to help you fund your studies or cover your living expenses. The scholarships are funded either by the Austrian government, your university or a private sponsor. Here's a list of the popular scholarships for international students in Vienna:

• Technical University of Vienna scholarships
• LL.M. Scholarship at the University of Vienna
• State scholarship for Varolberg students
• Scholarship for Websiter University Vienna
• Scholarship Fund of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna
• Erasmus Mundos scholarships
• IAEA Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme (MSCFP)
• Indonesian-Austrian Scholarship Program (IASP)
• ÖGK scholarship for medical students

Find the full list of Austrian scholarships, grants and their deadlines on the Agency for Education and Internationalsation's (OeAD) website.

Cost of study materials in Vienna

To cover the expenses for study materials like textbooks, budget up to €400 per month. Depending on your study, you may not have high costs, but check the requirements of your degree to be certain.

Most of your monthly budget goes toward rent. However, in comparison to student housing costs in other European cities like Berlin and Paris, Vienna has relatively affordable rent prices:

• Student accommodation: €500
• Private room in shared accommodation: €620
• Student studio: €1,017
• Apartment: €1,390

When searching for accommodation in Vienna, keep in mind that location plays a crucial role in determining rental prices. Affordable districts like Josefstadt and Alsergrund are favored by students as they're close to the University of Vienna. Neubau and Wieden are popular amongst students and young professionals as they offer proximity to Inner Stadt and a variety of housing options. You can compare Vienna’s best districts for renters to match your budget and check which areas you might want to skip before you sign a lease.

For a deeper dive into neighborhoods, see this guide to Vienna’s districts. If you want peace of mind, you can also get a quick safety read on Vienna neighborhoods before making your final rental choice.

If you need some financial help, Vienna also offers housing assistance. To be eligible, you must be either an EU citizen or a foreign resident who has resided in Austria for at least 5 years. Additionally, you must have a minimum monthly income of €1,209.01 (or have attained this income level within the last 10 years) and pay for your rent yourself.

If your monthly rent doesn’t include bills, be sure to budget extra for what utilities cost, and how to set them up, including internet and energy bills.

Upfront costs to plan for before you move

On top of monthly rent, budget for a few one-off costs before you get your keys. Landlords in Vienna typically ask for a deposit of 2 to 3 months' rent, held in an interest-bearing account and returned when you move out, minus any deductions for damage. If you go through a private agency instead of renting direct, factor in an additional agency fee, which can add up to another month or two of rent.

Registering your address (the Meldezettel) is mandatory within 3 days of moving in, but the basic registration itself is free at your district office. Only extra copies or specific certificates carry small administrative fees (around €15–€21). Set aside another €18 if you want an ISIC card from day one, plus a small buffer for basics like bedding, kitchenware, and a SIM card while you settle in.

Grocery costs in Vienna

Groceries in Vienna are moderately priced, typically ranging from €200-€400 per month. To save some money and eat fresh food, shop at local markets like Naschmarkt, Brunnenmarkt, and Karmelitermark. Alternatively, look for discount supermarkets like Penny, Lidl, and Libro.

Leisure and nightlife in Vienna

With some smart planning, you can make each week special, even on a student budget. In Vienna, set aside around €150 every month for leisure activities like going to the Prater, catching a movie in the cinema or exploring Vienna's buzzing nightlife.

What's even better is as a student, you can benefit from various discounts and even free activities in Vienna.

Public transport cost for students in Vienna

If you're an international student in Vienna on a tight budget, you can make practical and money-saving choices when it comes to tickets, passes, and apps for getting around Vienna.

A single one-way ticket costs €3 and works for all public transport in Vienna. But, instead of buying singles, consider the Annual Pass VIENNA Youth. It's great for students, costing €25.75 per month and covers everything — subways, buses, trams, local trains, and more.

Health insurance is mandatory for all residents in Austria. Depending on your home country, you can use your domestic health insurance or sign up with an Austrian health insurance provider:

• Students from the EU/EEA/Switzerland: You can use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access the Austrian healthcare system.
• Students outside EU/EEA/Switzerland: You need proof of private health insurance for your student visa requirements and costs application. Upon arrival, you must apply for student self-insurance (Studentenselbstversicherung) through the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse). The monthly contributions for student self-insurance are €79 (as of January 2026).

Beyond insurance, build a small buffer into your budget for costs that don't show up in a standard breakdown: winter clothing if you're arriving from a warmer climate, dentist or specialist visits not fully covered by student insurance, and the occasional appliance or repair in shared housing. A buffer of €50–€100 a month is a reasonable safety net for most students, and it's worth keeping funds accessible in case a semester brings an unexpected bill.

• Carry your student ID: Get unexpected discounts at restaurants, cafes, and stores. Don't hesitate to inquire about available student discounts.
• Cook at home: Not only does cooking at home save you money, but it also allows you to enjoy healthy and well-balanced meals.
• Get an International Student Identity Card (ISIC): For just €18, unlock discounts on dining out, hotels, flights, exhibitions, and more, both in Vienna and worldwide.
• Find a student job: Boost your monthly budget by working up to 20 hours per week. This part-time job can help you stay focused on your studies while increasing your income.
• Consider second-hand furniture: Instead of purchasing new items from IKEA, opt for second-hand furniture. This choice will free up your budget for fun activities or trips.
• Explore online discounts: Register on online platforms or websites using your student email to uncover exclusive discounts and offers.

Vienna offers a budget-friendly environment for students. You can find plenty of reasonably priced accommodation options like private rooms or even studios. Groceries and dining out can be affordable, especially if you shop at local markets and explore budget-friendly restaurants. As a student, you can benefit from discounts on healthcare, public transport, and leisure activities. Overall, the city strikes a balance between a high standard of living and reasonable costs.

Compared with other major European student cities, Vienna sits in the middle of the pack on total budget, but pulls ahead on value thanks to low-cost public transport, near-universal health coverage, and rent that's noticeably lower than Amsterdam or Paris.

Still deciding? The real pros and cons of living in Vienna gives you an honest picture of what day-to-day life actually looks like so you can make the decision with confidence. If you want to keep exploring, take a deeper look at what locals pay in Vienna to compare with student costs.

Once your budget is set, the next step is locking in housing before you land. Explore student-friendly accommodation in Vienna and filter by district, price, and move-in date so you know exactly what you'll pay each month before you sign anything.

If you're ready to move, be sure to check your step-by-step Austria student visa guide to make your relocation as smooth as possible.

Booking early also protects you from the scams that often target students searching for housing from abroad. Every landlord listing on HousingAnywhere goes through ID verification, and your payment stays protected until 48 hours after move-in, giving you time to confirm the place matches what you saw online, before your money is released. That means you can secure your room, studio, or shared flat in Vienna from anywhere in the world, with your budget and your booking locked in before you even land.

Is Vienna expensive for students? No. Vienna is one of the more affordable capital cities in Europe for students, with a typical monthly budget of €1,545–€1,625 covering rent, food, transport, insurance, and study materials.

What is the average cost of living in Vienna, not just for students? General living costs in Vienna run higher than the student estimate above, since students benefit from discounted transport, health insurance, and leisure activities. Check the full cost of living breakdown for Vienna for a non-student comparison.

How does Vienna compare to other cities in Austria, like Graz, Salzburg, or Innsbruck? Vienna's rent and overall living costs run higher than smaller Austrian university cities like Graz or Innsbruck, mainly because of accommodation prices. Public transport, tuition, and health insurance costs stay similar across the country, since these are set at a national level.

Can international students work part-time in Vienna to cover costs? Yes. Students can work up to 20 hours a week during the semester, which helps offset rent, groceries, or leisure spending without interfering with your studies.

What upfront costs should I expect when I first move to Vienna? Beyond your first month's rent, expect a deposit of 2 to 3 months' rent, a possible agency fee if you rent through a private agency, and small setup costs like an ISIC card or basic household items.

Do EU and non-EU students pay different amounts for health insurance? Yes. EU/EEA/Switzerland students use their EHIC at no extra cost, while non-EU students pay around €79 a month for mandatory student self-insurance in Austria.

Please reach out to content@housinganywhere.com if you have any suggestions or inquiries about the content on this page.