Visas, residence permits and entry regulations

The role of the International Students Welcome & Support team is to advise and consult you in the process. Please be advised that we cannot assume any responsibility or liability for your legal entry to the Schengen zone and your stay in Austria. Please join one of our online consultations to get detailed explanations on the administrative steps you have to undertake.

Before entering Austria

Before travelling to Austria, have a look at the immigration regulations regarding visas and residence permits that apply in your case. These regulations depend on your country of origin, the reason and the duration of your stay.

  • Non-EU/Non-EEA students (i.e. not from the EU or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway & Switzerland): need a student residence permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung - Student) to study in Austria for longer than 6 months. You can find more detailed information on how to apply and which documents you need listed below. 

  • EU, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway or Switzerland (EEA) students: can travel and reside in Austria without a residence permit, as long as they have sufficient funds and a valid health insurance. Listed below, you can find important steps you must take once in Vienna.

Non EU - Non EEA students

EU/EEA students

Once in Austria

ALL STUDENTS: Both EU/EEA students and Non-EU/EEA students must register their address in Vienna.

After moving into a permanent residence in Vienna, all students (independent of their nationality) have to register their address at a Residence Registration Service Centre (Meldeservicestelle) within 3 days of moving into their long-term residence in Vienna. There are multiple Residence Registration Service Centres in Vienna, and you can register in any one of them, even though it might be useful to book an appointment in your district. You can book your appointment here. In the mornings (Mon-Fri) you can simply go there without an appointment, but you need an appointment if you wish to go in the afternoon,.

Please bring the following documents:

  • Valid ID/Passport

  • Meldezettel: the Meldezettel is the address registration form. The form must be filled out by you and signed by your landlord. If you stay in a student dorm you will find this form pre-signed in your welcome package you receive once you move in.

Please note that if you move to a different apartment within Vienna, you will need a new Meldezettel (you deregister your old and register your new address).

Learn more!

Health care and emergencies