Entry & Residence (VISA)

Whether or not students are allowed to work in Austria depends on their nationality, the kind of work they would like to undertake and – for nationals of third countries – also on their kind of residence title:

1. Nationals of Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden or Switzerland are allowed to work in Austria without an additional permit (e.g. work permit) being required.
2. Croatian nationals still need a work permit for gainful employment due to transitional arrangements until 2020. If students are carrying out a job that is not subject to the regulations of the Austrian Act Governing the Employment of Foreign Nationals, students do not need a work permit. Activities that are not subject to the regulations of the Austrian Act Governing the Employment of Foreign Nationals are for example: activities within the framework of exchange or research programmes of the European Union or activities in academic teaching and research.
3. Students from all other countries (“third countries”) who are in possession of a residence permit for students (“Aufenthaltsbewilligung – Studierender”/ “Residence Permit – Student” ) are allowed to work to a limited extent and in accordance with the regulations set down in the Austrian Act Governing the Employment of Foreign Nationals (Ausländerbeschäftigungsgesetz – AuslBG), which as a rule requires a work permit.  Activities that are not subject to the regulations of the Austrian Act Governing the Employment of Foreign Nationals are activities in academic teaching and research.

Students with a valid “Residence Permit – Student” receive – regardless of whether they are studying for a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree in Austria – a work permit for employment that does not exceed 20 hours per week. This work permit is issued by the competent Labour Market Service (AMS) without a prior labour market examination.

Students from third countries have the opportunity to apply for an extension of the “Residence Permit – Student” for a maximum of twelve months after completing their studies in Austria for the purpose of finding a job.

Further information can be found here

You can find detailed information on health insurance during your stay in Austria as a student HERE

Please find below a summary of the most important points:

• EU/EEA students: You can use your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) to receive medical treatment during your stay in Austria. We strongly recommend to enquire at your national health insurance provider which medical treatments are covered and about the procedure in case you need to see a doctor abroad. Alternatively, you can take out health insurance for students from the Austrian Health Insurance Provider ÖGK (information in German only) or a private health insurance policy of your choice.

• Students who need a visa or residence permit are advised to check the information on health insurance requirements provided by their Austrian representative authority of reference.

Non-EU/EAA students: You need to have health insurance coverage for your whole stay in Austria in accordance with the requirements of the residence permit application. You can take out health insurance for students from the Austrian Health Insurance Provider ÖGK (information in German only) or private health insurance of your choice.

Students from Turkey, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia or Montenegro can receive the A3 form in their home country and exchange it for an “e-card replacement certificate” (“e-card Ersatzbeleg”) at the Austrian Health Insurance Provider ÖGK to receive medical treatment during their stay in Austria.

Please note: if you take out the ÖGK health insurance, a so-called e-card will be issued for you. However, since 1/1/2020 new e-cards can only be issued with a photo due to legislative changes. Here you can find more information and verify whether a photo is available for your e-card: https://www.chipkarte.at/cdscontent/?contentid=10007.860036&portal=ecardportal#

Liability and accident insurance within the university context is included in the mandatory ÖH fee (student union fee). Here you can find more information: https://www.oeh.ac.at/en/services/insurance-policy-austrian-students-union-oh