How much do I need to pay for my studies?

Tuition Fees:

Degree-seeking students holding Austrian, EU, or EEA citizenship are exempt from paying tuition fees when completing studies within the designated period of study as outlined in the curriculum (plus two additional semesters of "tolerance"). Third-country nationals (with some exceptions) are subject to paying tuition fees.

The tuition fees are:

• for degree-seeking students aside from the duration of studies + the additional semesters of "tolerance" € 363.36/semester (last update: 2020) / during the grace period € 399.70/semester (last update: 2020)
• for third-country nationals € 726.72/semester (last updated: 2020)

Austrian Student Union Fee:
 

All students are required to pay the mandatory Austrian Student Union fee each semester.The fee is € 20.20 (Last update:  Fall 2020).

Click here for detailed information about the Austrian Student Union fees and tuition fees.

How can I be rewarded for my academic success?
 

An overview of ongoing scholarships is available here:

• Scholarships at JKU
• Grants.at
• Scholarships.at

Are there sports & exercise courses for students?

Each semester, the University Sports Institute (USI) organizes and offers over 150 different, very affordable sports and exercise classes ranging from conventional sports and the latest trends in fitness and well-being to more relaxed exercise programs. Click here to learn more.

How do combine my studies with my childcare responsibilities?

The JKU believes in providing a child-friendly infrastructure and helping parents balance academic studies along with any childcare responsibilities they may have. You can learn more at: Studying as a Parent.

Are there services for students who have disabilitie or chronic illnesses?
 

The JKU strives to create accessibility throughout the entire campus. The Institute for Integrated Studies offers comprehensive services for students who have disabilities/ chronic illness.

EEA Nationals
 

There are no special entry formalities for students coming from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland. A valid passport is sufficient to enter Austria legally. 

During the first 4 months of your stay in Austria, you are required to apply for a confirmation of registration (Anmeldebescheinigung) at the local residence authority in Austria. Click here to learn more.

Third-Country Nationals

Nationals from non-EU/EEA countries (so-called "third-country nationals") require an entry visa and/or residence permit in order to legally enter Austria and reside in Austria.

 If you wish to study at the JKU, you can apply for a student residence permit (=Aufenthaltsbewilligung – Student).
 

Application:
Apply for a student residence permit (=Aufenthaltsbewilligung – Student) in person at the responsible Austrian authority (embassy/consulate) in your home country. Apply for a student residence permit in person at the responsible Austrian authority (embassy, consulate) in your home country. The authorities there will review your application and forward it to the corresponding authorities in Austria, where your application will be reviewed to ensure you meet the prerequisites for a student residence permit. A decision will be rendered within 90 days. If the requirements are fulfilled, you must apply for a D visa (if necessary) in order to legally enter Austria. You will have to pick up the residence permit in person at the Integration Office of the City of Linz.
 

If you are entitled enter Austria without a visa, you can submit an application at the Integration Office of the City of Linz. Click here to learn more about which countries do not require a visa for Austria.

Click here to learn more about the requirements, procedure, required documents, etc.

Health Insurance:

Before arriving in Austria, you will need to procure health insurance.

• EU/EEA citizens holding a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are (with a few exceptions) also insured in Austria. It is important you obtain detailed information from your insurance provider before arriving in Austria. In addition, we recommend purchasing private health insurance which also includes a clause to cover any necessary transportation back to your home country.  
• All other international students can purchase healthcare insurance via FeelSafe, which is also valid in Austria.

Independent Student Insurance (German only)
Degree-seeking students who have normal residence in Austria for a minimum period of at least 6 months and under certain conditions can purchase an independent insurance policy at a health authority office regardless of non-Austrian citizenship.

Students are responsible for finding their own accommodation in Austria. There are different options to live for a short period of time or longer.

Student Residences / Dormitories

There are 11 student residences/dormitories located around the JKU campus and they can accommodate approximately 3,000 students. There are also a number of student residences/dormitories in and around the downtown area of Linz. Click here to learn more.

Shared Flats or Your Own Flat

If you prefer a room in a shared flat or you prefer your own flat, take a look at the Austrian Student Union Housing Information page (German only) or at Willhaben (German only).

Accomodations Upon Arrival

If you are not yet able to move into your room or flat upon arrival in Linz and need a temporary solution for a few days,
you can book a hotel room at a discount rate through the JKU. You can also find a large selection of temporary accomodations on Airbnb.

• Checklist for EU/EEA Nationals and Swiss Nationals to Enter Austria (German only)
• Checklist for Third-Country Nationals to Enter Austria (German only)

See the city of Linz homepage for more information about living in Linz.

Mandatory Registration:

Registering in Austria is mandatory, meaning three days after arriving in Linz, you must register and provide information about where you live (residency) to the Citizens Services Center in Linz.

Homeowner's Insurance:

We advise purchasing homeowners insurance to not only insure your belongings, but also ensure you have liability insurance for yourself.

GIS:

If you own a radio or television set(s), you must register them and pay any required fees.

Internet and Mobile Phone Services:

There are a wide variety of internet service rates and cell phone rates in Austria. Taking a moment to shop around and compare prices (German only). Some providers offer discount rates for students.

Bank Account:
 

If you will be staying in Austria for a longer period of time, think about opening an Austrian bank account. You can arrange to have some of your fixed costs - such as monthly rent, internet and cell phone expenses etc. - automatically deducted from your account. You can also arrange for automatic salary deposit as well as use your bank-issued bank card for store purchases or to withdraw cash from your account at ATM machines.. Click here (German only) for information about student bank accounts.

Even if you are enrolled in a degree program held entirely in English, learning German is still worthwhile to at least acquire some basic vocabulary and communication skills. It will make your stay in Austria much easier.

Each semester, the Center for Business Languages and Intercultural Communications at the JKU offers fee-based German language courses for students (German only).

Other educational and guidance/counseling centers offer fee-based courses to help you learn German. Click here and scroll down to Promoting language skills for adults.

Childcare Services at the JKU:

As mentioned above, the JKU offers flexible childcare services for children between the ages of 1 and 12.

Childcare Services in Linz:

The city of Linz also has a wide range of childcare facilities. We highly recommend learning more about availability and registering in advance, ideally before you move to Linz.

Schools:

Children between the ages of six and fifteen are required to attend school in Austria. There are different types of schools and areas of focus, depending on the child's age. There are international schools in Linz as well. These schools are often impacted so the earlier you register, the better. 

•  General information about the Austrian educational system
•  Schools in Linz (German only)

See Healthy in Linz for everything you need to know about the Austrian healthcare system, insurance companies, doctors' practices, and hospitals in Linz. 

General Practitioners:
 

If you are feeling unwell and wish to see a physician, contact a general practitioner (=Ärztinnen und Ärzte für Allgemeinmedizin) first.
 

Specialists:

Specialists have additional training in a certain medical field (i.e. dentists, ophthalmologists, dermatologists, etc.). You can either contact them directly or be referred by a general practitioner.

See: Find a Doctor (German only)  to locate the right doctor in your area. Some may even be able to speak your language. Make sure to check that your health insurance covers your visit so that you do not end up paying extra for treatment.

Hospitals in Linz:

Click here (German only) for an overivew of all hospitals in Linz and where they are located.
Many hospitals only accept patients on certain days and at certain times. See the Samariterbundes Linz page (German only) to find out which hospitals take patients on which days. After an accident, the emergency room at the Emergency Hospital Linz (German only) is open 24 hours a day.
 

Important Phone Numbers:
 

Ambulance: 144
Police: 133
Fire: 122

Emergency Night Pharmacy Services in Linz:

Some pharmacies offer emergency night services aside from their regular business hours. These pharmacies rotate according to a schedule. If you need medications, etc., you can find out which pharmacies are open for night services here (German only).

Linz is not that big and you can easily get around the city center on foot. However, if your destination is a bit further away, we recommend using public transportation to cover longer distances. Find important information about driving( insurance, parking, registration of   your car) and transports in Linz here.
 

Public Transportation (German only):
 

The public transportation system in Linz is very well connected and the trams and buses cover most of the city well. The JKU is also perfectly accessible by tram lines 1 and 2. The travel time to and from the city center is just under 15 minutes.

There are a variety of tickets and fares (German only). If your main residence is in Linz, it is worth looking into purchasing an inexpensive student pass.

Bicycles (German only):
 

You can also cover longer distances in Linz by bike. The city is constantly working on improving the infrastructure so that more areas are accessible via bike paths.

Cars - Driver's Licenses - Parking:
 

Linz boasts a good, efficient public transportation system and it is not really necessary to purchase a car. However, if you do decide to purchase a car - or import your car from abroad to Austria (German only) - there are quite a few things to consider. You should also find out if your driver's license is valid in Austria and whether or not you need change it over. Furthermore you need to register your car and get an insurence (German only).

If your new residence in the city center does not include a parking space, you can apply for a residence parking permit (German only) and, under certain conditions, park your car designated short-term parking spaces in Linz.

The JKU parking lots can accommodate a large number of vehicles. If you come to campus regularly, you could consider purchasing a semester parking pass for students.

Getting out of the City:

The surrounding countryside as well as smaller towns and villages can easily be reached by bus or train. When it comes to train travel, comparing fares can be worthwhile as they can vary greatly depending on the provider. The ÖBB is a nationwide rail network, providing travel services throughout Austria. The Westbahn, in turn, travels only between Vienna-Salzburg via Linz but offers cheaper fares. You can purchase discount ÖBB tickets by applying for a Vorteilscard. The costs cover themselves even after just a few train trips.

Students who are EU/EEA nationals or Swiss nationals are allowed to work in Austria without having to procure an extra work permit.

Students who are third-country nationals and hold a residence permit are subject to the Employment of Foreign Nationals Act and require an employment permit, even for minor employment. The employer must apply for this permit at the Public Employment Service Austria (AMS).

You can find various job ads in, for example, the Student Union Job Exchange Board (German only), Willhaben (German only), Workinupperaustria.com

Linz is an exciting city with much to offer. Being bored is not an option here. Find out what's going on by checking out linztourismus.at or the city of Linz website.

Sightseeing in Linz:

Pöstlingberg and little train, the cathedral, the historic city center, the voestalpine's "World of Steel" tour... you can see this and more when you live in Linz. 
 

Culture:

Linz is not only an industrial city, but also a city of culture. In addition to the large, well-known museums, such as the Ars Electronica Center, the Lentos Art Museum and the Upper Austrian State Museums, there are many independent exhibition spaces and cultural associations (German only) offering diverse and interesting programs.
Austrians love the theater and Linz boasts many different theaters and concert locations of all kinds.

Sports:

Sports enthusiasts also get their money's worth in Linz, whether you are training yourself or just want to be a spectator. Click here for an overview of sports facilities, public swimming pools, etc. Information about sporting events is available here (German only).

Getting Outdoors:

There are many green spaces located around the city to enjoy a relaxing break from it all. Linz is home to numerous parks, lakes and hiking trails. Click here to learn more about enjoying the great outdoors.

Events:

Linz has many event highlights throughout the year, such as the Ars Electronica Festival, the Höhenrausch exhibit, an annual street artists' fair, the Crossing Europe Film Festival, and much more. You can find information about events, exhibitions and more in the city of Linz's calendar of events. 

Brochures:

• Welcome to Linz, last update: 2017) - Handbook for newcomers written by the city of Linz. Also available in English, Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian, French and Turkish.
• Brochures for International Students (German, last updated 2019) - brochures of federal representation of the Austrian Student Union about issues such as residence rights, employment, administration procedures and admission to studies for international students.
• Living Together in Austria (German, last update 2017) - Handbook by the state of Upper Austria to facilitate initial steps when living in Upper Austria.

Checklists:

• Living and Working in Austria for EU/EEA Nationals and Swiss Nationals (German only)
• Living and Working in Austria for Third-Country Nationals (German only)

Links:

• Welcome2Upper Austria - General information and useful tips for your stay in Austria.
• Austrian Government's Platform for Migration - Information about moving to and residing in Austria.
• City of Linz website - all about life in Linz.
• Oead - Central service point for European and international mobility and cooperation programs in education, science and research; information on studying, scholarships, entry into Austria, residence, etc.
• Willhaben (German only) - Private buy/sell platform for furniture, electrical appliances, clothing, housing, and job ads.