Proof of Funds for an Austrian Student Visa (2026)

How much money do you need for an Austrian student visa in 2026?

The Austrian authorities base the minimum monthly subsistence threshold on the Ausgleichszulagenrichtsatz (equalisation supplement reference rate). For 2026, students under 24 must show EUR 722.58/month; students aged 24 or older must show EUR 1,308.39/month. The full-year totals are EUR 8,670.96 and EUR 15,700.68 respectively. Dependent family members raise the total further.

Note: the migration.gv.at English page currently shows EUR 777.58 for students under 24. This appears to be an outdated figure carried over from a prior year. The correct 2026 rate is EUR 722.58, matching the official equalisation supplement schedule. Always verify directly with your nearest Austrian embassy.

Source: migration.gv.at and Austrian equalisation supplement schedule, June 2026.

What proof of funds do students need to submit?

You must show funds equivalent to the full period of your intended stay, typically 12 months for a regular student permit. Mobility and Erasmus students are usually required to show 24 months. The account must be in your name and accessible from Austria, meaning you can withdraw or transfer funds while residing in Austria.

Do you need a blocked account as a student?

No. Unlike Germany, Austria does not require a blocked account (Sperrkonto) for student visas or student residence permits. A regular personal bank account showing the required balance, a scholarship, or a Haftungserklaerung are each individually sufficient. A blocked account is one accepted option if you prefer to ring-fence funds for visa purposes, but it is not a condition of the application.

If you do want to use a blocked account, you can set up a blocked account yourself, read our comparison of providers at /blocked-account/providers, or see our general overview at /blocked-account/do-i-need-one.

How does rent change the amount you must show?

The base subsistence threshold includes a housing component of EUR 386.43/month. If your actual rent exceeds that amount, you must show the difference on top of the base rate. This means students in Vienna, where average single-room rents regularly exceed EUR 600/month, need to budget significantly more than the headline figure.

Use our calculator to find your exact figure: /blocked-account/calculator. Enter your age, intended rent, and number of dependants to get the personalised total.

What about scholarships and sponsors?

A scholarship letter from an accredited body satisfies the proof-of-funds requirement as long as it covers the required amount for the full permit period and names you as the recipient. Scholarships from OeAD (oead.at), the Ernst Mach Grant, the Erasmus+ programme, or national government scholarships are all accepted by Austrian immigration authorities.

If a parent or another person is sponsoring you, they must submit a Haftungserklaerung. This is a formal legal document declaring that the sponsor will cover your living costs for the duration of your studies. The sponsor must attach proof of their own income (recent payslips, tax returns, or bank statements) to demonstrate capacity to pay. The declaration must be signed and often notarised depending on the issuing embassy. Full details are at /blocked-account/sponsor-declaration.

You can also combine sources: for example, a partial scholarship covering EUR 500/month and a bank account covering the remaining EUR 222.58/month (for a student under 24) together satisfy the requirement.

How and when do you apply?

Non-EEA students must apply for a Visa D (national visa) at the Austrian embassy in their home country before travelling. The Visa D is valid for up to 6 months and allows entry while your full student residence permit application is processed at the local immigration authority (Bezirkshauptmannschaft or MA 35 in Vienna) after arrival.

Migration.gv.at states that proof of accommodation is not required for the initial application. However, OeAD housing is often requested in practice, and having at least 3 months of confirmed accommodation (such as a student dormitory confirmation from OeAD) significantly speeds up processing. Prepare accommodation evidence even if the checklist does not strictly require it.

For renewals, you must show both fresh proof of funds at the current thresholds and academic progress of at least 16 ECTS credits per year. Apply for renewal at least 6 weeks before your current permit expires. Sending money from abroad to fund your account? Use Wise for low-cost international transfers with the mid-market exchange rate.

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