Student Residence Permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung Studierender)

Yes — up to 20 hours per week during the academic year. During official semester breaks, there is no hour restriction. No separate work permit is needed — work rights are included in the student residence permit.

This is one of Austria's strongest features: graduates of Austrian universities can apply for the RWR Card without meeting the standard 70-point requirement. The only requirement is a job offer from an Austrian employer meeting collective-agreement salary and conditions standards. No points calculation, no shortage-list requirement, no minimum salary above the collective agreement. This makes Austria one of the easiest countries in Europe for post-study work-permit retention.

Very affordable by international standards. Public university tuition for non-EU students is approximately €727 per semester (€1,454/year). Some Fachhochschulen charge higher fees. Living costs are approximately €1,000–1,200/month in Vienna, less in smaller cities like Graz, Linz, or Salzburg. Compared to UK (£9,250+ tuition), US ($20,000+), or Australia (A$30,000+), Austria is exceptionally affordable.

You must prove financial resources of approximately €1,200 per month (about €14,400 per year) for living costs, in addition to your tuition fees, typically via bank statements or a scholarship letter. Austrian authorities require proof of the full year's costs upfront. Confirm the current figure on migration.gv.at.

No — the student residence permit on its own does not lead to settlement; it is issued for 1 year and renewed for the duration of your studies. The route to permanent residence runs through the Red-White-Red Card you can obtain after graduation, which leads to long-term EU residence (Daueraufenthalt-EU) after 5 total years of continuous residence.