FAQs

Is the European Health Insurance Card a sufficient proof of a valid health insurance in Austria?

Yes, the European Health Insurance Card is absolutely sufficient if you continue to pay contributions in your home country.

How to calculate the minimum means of subsistance?

Minimum funds for the “Residence Permit – Special Cases of Gainful Employment” are EUR 1,217.96 per month (as of 2024).

In case the total sum of the monthly rent together with the monthly installments for a loan or maintenance payments exceed EUR 359.72 per month (as of 2024), the differential amount between the monthly total sum (monthly rent + monthly installments/maintenance payments) and EUR 359.72 per month need to be added to the EUR 1,217.96 per month.
Besides that, please also add the monthly costs for the health insurance covering all risks to the EUR 1,217.96 per months too.

If the calculated sum, as described above, is higher than your monthly scholarship, you need to show further funds.

Therefore, the differential amount between the calculated sum per month and the monthly scholarship needs to be multiplied with the number of months (maximum 12 months) of your scholarship stay to know, how much money you need in your bank account or savings book.

 

Example of a 9-month scholarship (EUR 1,050/month) and rent of EUR 500/month:
EUR 500 (monthly rent) – EUR 359.72/month = EUR 140.28/month (as the monthly rent is higher than EUR 359.72 additional funds are necessary in the amount of EUR 140.28/month)
EUR 140.28 + EUR 100 (monthly cost for health insurance covering all risks) + EUR 1,217.96 (monthly minimum funds for residence permit) = EUR 1,458.24(monthly total amount)

EUR 1,458.24 – EUR 1,050 (monthly scholarship) = EUR 408.24 (monthly additional funds)

EUR 408.24 * 9 months (duration of scholarship stay; but not more than 12 months) = EUR 3,674.16 (total sum of additional funds for 9 months) should be in your bank account or your savings book

 

Example of a 12-month scholarship (EUR 1,050/month) and rent of EUR 290/month:
EUR 290 (monthly rent) – EUR 359.72/month = EUR -69.72/month (as the monthly rent is lower than EUR 359.72 additional funds for this are not necessary)
EUR 100 (monthly cost for health insurance covering all risks) + EUR 1,217.96 (monthly minimum funds for residence permit) = EUR 1,317.96 (monthly total amount)

EUR 1,317.96 – EUR 1,050 (monthly scholarship) = EUR 267,96 (monthly additional funds)

EUR 267.96 * 12 months (duration of scholarship stay) = EUR 3,215.52 (total sum of additional funds for 12 months) should be in your bank account or your savings book

Is my family allowed to come to Austria?

Please note that the scholarship is adapted to the maintenance costs of only one person. Please check the entry conditions for family members.

Please note that some dormitories do not have family rooms. We therefore recommend that you find out about suitable accommodation before you arrive.

Can I get insurance for my family?

In principle the coinsurance for family members is possible.

If you are insured through the Gebietskrankenkasse, you will find further information on the respective website.

If you have taken out insurance with our partner (UNIQA Versicherung), please contact the responsible person directly.

When do I get the first scholarship?

Information can be found here.

I cannot come to the regional office during opening hours due to other obligations.

That's not a problem. We arrange an appointment for you to come by. Please contact your Regional Office directly. Please note that our office is closed on weekends and public holidays.

I will only stay a short time in Austria. Do I have to register at the Meldeamt?

Yes, if you stay more than three days you are legally obliged to register. Don't forget to check out before your departure. In the case of accommodation establishments such as hotels, guest rooms the obligation to register is incumbent on the respective establishment.

Where do I have to register my place of residence?

Information can be found here.

Do I need my birth certificate to register my place of residence?

Usually foreign person do not need the birth certificate to register the place of residence. We suggest taking a copy of your birth certificate to the Meldeamt anyway.

Do I have to open a bank account in Austria?

It is not necessary for stays of up to three months. Further information can be found here.

Why didn’t I get my scholarship?

If you will not come to visit the Regional Office during the required period you will not receive the scholarship. Further information can be found here.

Is it allowed for me to work during the time I get a scholarship?

While you are receiving your scholarship you are only allowed to work in Austria with explicit approval of the OeAD-GmbH. You have to await the written decision of the OeAD-GmbH before taking up a job. Should you break this rule, you will lose your scholarship. There is no legal right to approval by the OeAD-GmbH. Approval of the OeAD-GmbH is only possible under the following conditions:

  • Minor employment
  • Employment including scientific, teaching, and/or research activities at a university, university of applied sciences or other research institution. The job, however, must include other activities than the scientific activities supported by your scholarship.

What is the scientific report?

It’s a report of your stay and has to be confirmed of your academic supervisor (stamp and signature).

Stay of students
Which lectures/exams did you attend, what did you learn during your stay?

Stay of researchers
It’s a short report of the gained progresses of your research work in Austria.

Is it allowed to leave my study/research place and how long?

Generally you should stay the whole scholarship duration at your study/research place (also during holidays). Further information can be found here.

When am I allowed to leave my study/research place without losing the right to get the last scholarship?

Generally you should stay the whole scholarship duration at your study/research place. In order to plan your departure you will find further information about the payment of the last scholarship instalment here.

Where can I learn German language?

Information can be found on the website of your Regional Office.