Student housing at a glance
- Shared double room, OeAD Vienna
- from €330 per month
- Single room or flat
- €365 to €900+ per month
- Application fee, OeAD
- €35, non-refundable
- Deposit, OeAD
- usually €750 to €950
- When to apply for the winter semester
- April or May
- Registering your address
- within 3 days of moving in
Why housing comes first
For your residence permit you must show proof of accommodation in Austria for at least three months, such as a rental contract or a place in a student residence (Studentenheim). So you need a room before you travel, not after. Students who have been through the process recommend a student residence because it makes the procedures easier, while private housing is accepted too and perfectly normal.
Student residence or private flat?
| Student residence | Shared flat (WG) / own flat | |
|---|---|---|
| Average cost, 2025 survey | €501 per month | WG €498 · living alone €664 |
| Booking from abroad | Online, with a room offer by email | Harder: viewings and landlords |
| Contract | Often at least one semester | Depends on the landlord |
| Good for | Your first semesters | After you settle in |
Source for the averages: Studierenden-Sozialerhebung 2025. These are national averages; prices vary by city and by residence.
How to book an OeAD residence in Vienna
The OeAD Housing Service is the main route for international students in Vienna. The process, as described by BOKU:
- Register online with the OeAD housing office. You receive a room offer by email.
- Confirm the offer by paying the deposit. The room is booked only after the deposit arrives.
- Pay the application fee of €35, which is non-refundable.
Good to know:
- Rooms are assigned first come, first served, and are booked for whole calendar months.
- Prices: a shared double room from €330, a single room or flat from €365 to €900 and above.
- The deposit is usually €750 to €950. OeAD scholarship holders pay €250.
- You do not need your university acceptance letter at the reservation stage.
- The OeAD contract runs at least one semester, and you cannot leave for private housing during that time, though you can switch between OeAD homes if a place is free.
Other providers
Besides OeAD, the government portal lists these organisations that offer student housing in Austria:
- home4students, with rooms, communities and flats in Vienna, Graz, Klagenfurt, Salzburg and Innsbruck.
- STUWO, a non-profit provider in Vienna, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Carinthia and Styria.
- ÖJAB, with 23 houses for students and young workers.
- Kolping Austria, with shared flats for students and working people.
- ÖH Wohnbörse, which mainly brokers private flats, with no brokerage fees for most of them.
BOKU also lists base19, Akademikerhilfe, Wihast, The Fizz and The Social Hub Vienna for Vienna. Contacting a residence directly is more complicated, but may be cheaper.
Vienna or Graz?
In the 2025 survey, average housing costs were €596 in Vienna and €545 in Graz. Graz is cheaper on average, but both cities have student residences and shared flats. Choose the city mainly by your programme, then compare housing.
Registering your address
Within three days of moving in, you must register your address (Meldezettel). The person who provides the accommodation must sign the form, and you need your passport. Failing to register is an administrative offence with a fine of up to €726. This registration is also the second condition, besides your residence card, for starting work legally.
Avoid scams
Fake flat adverts are common in every big city. Our advice, not an official rule:
- Never transfer money before you have seen the flat, in person or on a video call.
- Never pay without a written contract.
- Prefer a residence run by a known provider for your first semesters.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need housing before I apply for the permit?
Yes. You must show proof of accommodation for at least three months, for example a rental contract or a student residence booking.
Is a student residence cheaper than a private flat?
On the 2025 averages they cost about the same as a shared flat (€501 against €498), and less than living alone (€664). A residence is mainly easier to book from Algeria.
Can I leave an OeAD residence for a private flat?
Not during the contract period, which is at least one semester. You can switch between OeAD homes if a place is free.
Who signs my Meldezettel?
The person who provides your accommodation, for example the landlord or the residence.