EEA Nationals

There are no special entry requirements, opens an external URL in a new window for students 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, opens an external URL in a new window to learn more.

Third-Country Nationals

Nationals from non-EU/EEA countries (so-called "third-country nationals") require a  residence permit and a visa (if necessary) 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). Click here, opens an external URL in a new window to learn more about the requirements, procedure, required documents, etc.

You can download the application form and the information in English here, opens an external URL in a new window.
 

First-Time Application

Apply, opens an external URL in a new window for a student residence permit (=Aufenthaltsbewilligung – Student) in person at the responsible Austrian authority (embassy/consulate), opens an external URL in a new window 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 at the Austrian residence authority, opens an external URL in a new window, meaning the Department Right of Residence at the Municipal Offices, opens an external URL in a new window.

If you are entitled to enter Austria without a visa, you can submit an application at the corresponding residence authority. Click here, opens an external URL in a new window to learn more about which countries do not require a visa for Austria.

IMPORTANT! To renew your Student Residence Permit, you will be required to show proof of having successfully completed a minimim of 8 semester hours per academic year - or earning 16 ECTS credits per academic year - as well as other documents. An academic year consists of the Winter Semester plus Summer Semester. Even if you started your studies during the Summer Semester, you will be required to provide proof of having completed 8 semester hours or earning 16 ECTS credits.

Travel Health and Health Insurance

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

• EU/EEA citizens holding an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), opens an external URL in a new window are (with a few exceptions) also insured in Austria. Before arriving in Austria, please obtain detailed information from your insurance provider. In addition, we recommend purchasing private health insurance which also includes a clause to cover any necessary transportation back to your home country.  

• Third-country nationals must purchase health insurance that covers all risks and is valid in Austria.

Click here, opens an external URL in a new window for important information about health and travel health insurance.
 

Independent Student Insurance

Under certain conditions and regardless of nationality, degree-seeking students holding a standard residence permit in Austria can purchase an independent insurance policy at the Österreichische Gesundheitskasse, opens an external URL in a new window.

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

Student Residences / Dormitories

There are a number of student residences/dormitories located in close proximity to the JKU that can accommodate approximately 3,000 students. There are also a number of student residences/dormitories in and around the downtown area in 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, the Austrian Student Union Housing Information, opens an external URL in a new window page (German only), at ÖH Schwarzes Brett, opens an external URL in a new window (mainly German) or Willhaben, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) provides more detailed information on available flats.

Accomodations Upon Arrival

If you are not yet able to move into your room or flat upon arrival in Linz and need temporary accommodations 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 accommodations on Airbnb, opens an external URL in a new window.

• Checklist for EU/EEA Nationals and Swiss Nationals to Enter Austria, opens an external URL in a new window (German only)
• Checklist for Third-Country Nationals to Enter Austria, opens an external URL in a new window (German only)

See the city of Linz, opens an external URL in a new window homepage for more information about living in Linz.

Mandatory Registration

Austrian law stipulates that new residents are required to officially register, opens an external URL in a new window with the city office within three days of moving. See oestereich.gv.at, opens an external URL in a new window to find out which city office/magistrate you must register at. If you are moving to Linz, please proceed to the Office for Citizen Services, opens an external URL in a new window in the city of Linz.
You can download the application form (Meldezettel) here, opens a file in a new window (German only/PDF).

Homeowner's Insurance

Obtaining homeowner's insurance, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) is recommended as this not only ensures your household goods but also counts as liability insurance for yourself.

GIS

In Austria, you are required by law to register, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) and purchase a license for all broadcasting reception equipment (radio, television set, and the like).

Internet and Mobile Phone Services

There is a wide variety of internet service rates and cell phone providers in Austria. Take a moment to shop around and compare prices, opens an external URL in a new window (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. Click here, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) for information about student bank accounts.

Even if you are enrolled in a degree program taught entirely in English, it is still worthwhile to have a basic understanding of the language as this will make your stay in Austria easier.

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

There are also other educational and advising institutions and facilities that offer fee-based courses to help you learn German. Click here, opens an external URL in a new window and scroll down to Supporting Language Proficiency 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, opens an external URL in a new window. 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 popular, so the earlier you register, the better. 

•  General information about the Austrian educational system, opens an external URL in a new window
•  Schools in Linz, opens an external URL in a new window (German only)

See Healthy in Linz, opens an external URL in a new window 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 include dentists, ophthalmologists, dermatologists, orthopaedic doctors, etc. You can either contact them directly for an appointment or get a referral issued by a general practitioner and then make an appointment.

See: Find a Doctor, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) to locate the right doctor in your area and one who may even be able to speak your language. Make sure to check that your health insurance covers your visit so that you are not subject to paying extra for your visit and subsequent treatment you may need.
 

Hospitals in Linz

Click here, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) for an overview of hospitals in Linz and to see where they are located.
Many hospitals only admit, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) patients on certain days and at certain times. If you have an accident, the emergency services clinic at the Unfallkrankenhaus Linz, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) (= Emergency Hospital Linz) is open 24/7.
 

Important Phone Numbers

EU Emergency Number, opens an external URL in a new window: 112
Ambulance: 144
Police: 133
Fire: 122

You can dial emergency numbers free of charge from any telephone in Austria. You can dial the Euro emergency number anywhere in Europe.
 

Emergency Nighttime 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, opens an external URL in a new window (German only).

Click here, opens an external URL in a new window for important information about driving (insurance, parking, registering your car) and transportation in Linz.
 

Public Transportation

Linz boasts a well connected public transportation system, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) and the city trams and busses can often take you where you want to go without walking a long way. The JKU is located just 15 minutes from the city center using tram lines 1 or 2.

There various types of tickets and fares, opens an external URL in a new window (German only). If you reside in Linz, you may want to look into purchasing an inexpensive student pass.
 

Bicycles

In Linz, you can cover longer distances easily by bike, opens an external URL in a new window (German only). The city is working constantly to improve the infrastructure and ensure that an increasing number of areas can be reached via bike paths. At various locations in Linz you can also borrow City Bikes, opens an external URL in a new window.
 

Cars - Driver's Licenses - Parking

Linz boasts a good, efficient public transportation system and purchasing a car is not necessary. However, if you do decide to purchase a car - or import your car from abroad to Austria, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) - there are quite a few things to consider. You should also find out if your driver's license is valid in Austria, opens an external URL in a new window and whether or not your license needs to be switched out for an Austrian license. Don't forget to register, opens an external URL in a new window your car and purchase insurance, opens an external URL in a new window (German only).

If your new place of residence is in the center of Linz and does not include a parking space, under certain conditions you can apply for a residence parking permit, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) and park your car in designated short-term parking zones in Linz.

The JKU has parking on campus. If you drive to campus regularly, you may want to look into purchasing a semester parking permit for students.

If you want to borrow a car for individual trips, car sharing, opens an external URL in a new window is a good option. There is also a location on the JKU campus.
 

Heading out of the City

The surrounding areas outside of Linz, including smaller towns and villages, can be reached easily by bus, opens an external URL in a new window or train. When it comes to train travel, comparing fares can be worthwhile as they can vary greatly depending on the provider. The ÖBB, opens an external URL in a new window has a nationwide rail network while the Westbahn, opens an external URL in a new window s cheaper and only covers the route between Vienna-Innsbruck/Munich via Linz. To purchase discount ÖBB tickets, you can apply for a Vorteilscard , opens an external URL in a new window(= advantage card). It can pay for itself even just after purchasing a few train tickets.

If you travel regularly in Austria, the Klimaticket, opens an external URL in a new window could be a good option for you. With this ticket you can use all public transport in Austria for one year. There is the KlimaTicket OÖ, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) for Upper Austria as well.

EU/EEA Nationals or Swiss Nationals

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

Third-Country Nationals

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, opens an external URL in a new window. 
The employer must apply for the employment permit at the Public Employment Service Austria (AMS).
 

You can find various job ads in, for example, the Student Union Job Exchange Board, opens an external URL in a new window (German only), Willhaben, opens an external URL in a new window (German only), Workinupperaustria.com, opens an external URL in a new window

Linz is an exciting city with much to offer. You most certainly won't be bored here! See linztourismus.at, opens an external URL in a new window, as well as the city of Linz, opens an external URL in a new window homepage, to get an idea of what awaits you.
 

What to See in Linz

The Pöstlingberg church atop the hill and fairy-tale grotto, the Mariendom cathedral, the Old Town, the voestalpine World of Steel... If you live in Linz, all of this and more is a must-see, opens an external URL in a new window!
 

Cultural Events

Linz is more than an industrial city. Cultural events abound and in addition to its large, well-known museums, opens an external URL in a new window,, opens an external URL in a new window such as Ars Electronica Center, the Lentos Art Museum and the Upper Austrian State Museums, there are numerous independent exhibition spaces and cultural associations, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) that offer a rich and varied program.
There is also a lot happening on stage in Linz. Various theaters, opens an external URL in a new window and concert venues of all kinds, opens an external URL in a new window hold diverse performances.
 

Sports

Whether you want to be active yourself or watch from the stands, those who enjoy sports can come into their own in Linz. Click here, opens an external URL in a new window for an overview of sports facilities, public swimming pools, etc. Information about sporting events is available here, opens an external URL in a new window (German only)
 

The Great Outdoors

You can take a quick break and enjoy the natural beauty in one of the city's many parks, lakes, and hiking trails in and around Linz. Click here to learn more, opens an external URL in a new window.

Events

Linz is host to countless events that include the annual Ars Electronica Festival, Street Artists' Festival, the Crossing Europe Film Festival, and many more. Information about events, exhibitions, etc. is available in the city of Linz' calendar of events, opens an external URL in a new window. 

Brochures:

• Study Guide (English, last update: 2021), opens an external URL in a new window - A guide to live and study in Upper Austria, published by Welcome2 Upper Austria
• Welcome to Linz( English, last update: 2017), opens an external URL in a new window - A book for newcomers to Linz. Also available in English, Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian, French, and Turkish.
• Brochures for International Students (German, last update 2019), opens an external URL in a new window - Brochures for international students published by the Austrian Student Union about residence rights, opens an external URL in a new window, employment, opens an external URL in a new window, administration procedures, opens an external URL in a new window and admission to studies, opens an external URL in a new window.
• Living Together in Austria (German, last update 2017), opens an external URL in a new window - A book by the Upper Austrian government to facilitate initial steps to residing in Upper Austria.

Checklists:

• Living and Working in Austria for EU/EEA Nationals and Swiss Nationals, opens an external URL in a new window (German only)
• Living and Working in Austria for Third-Country Nationals, opens an external URL in a new window (German only)

Links:

• Welcome2Upper Austria, opens an external URL in a new window - General information and useful tips for your stay in Austria.
• Austrian Government's Platform for Migration, opens an external URL in a new window - Information about moving to, and residing in, Austria.
• City of Linz website, opens an external URL in a new window - everything you need to know about life in Linz.
• Oead, opens an external URL in a new window - Central service point for European and international mobility and cooperation programs in education, science and research; information about studies, scholarships, entry and residence requirements, etc.
• Willhaben, opens an external URL in a new window (German only) - A private buy/sell platform for furniture, electrical appliances, clothing, housing, and job information.