# Moving to Graz: Your First 30 Days Checklist (2026) > Updated May 19 2026. Complete guide to moving to Graz, Austria. Covers housing, Meldezettel registration, bank accounts, SIM cards, Anmeldebescheinigung, best districts, and cost of living for expats. Updated: May 19 2026 · By Jules de Bruin · URL: https://www.how-to-austria.com/cities/graz Graz is **Austria's second-largest city** with **290,000 residents**, **four universities**, and a **UNESCO World Heritage old town**. Rent is **20 to 30 percent cheaper than Vienna**. Your first 30 days require: securing housing, Meldezettel registration at the Magistrat, opening a bank account, getting a SIM card, and applying for your Anmeldebescheinigung at the Bezirkshauptmannschaft. ## What Are the Essential Steps in Your First 30 Days in Graz? Whether you are an EU citizen or a third-country national, these six steps will get you legally settled in Graz. Complete them in order during your first month. - 1Secure housing before you arrive You need a signed rental contract to register your address. Search on [willhaben.at](https://www.willhaben.at), [ImmobilienScout24](https://www.immobilienscout24.at), or local Facebook groups for Graz housing. Budget EUR 600 to 850 for a one-bedroom apartment depending on the district. - 2Register your address (Meldezettel) at Magistrat Graz You must register within 3 days of moving in. Go to the **Magistrat Graz, Servicestelle für Meldewesen** at Schmiedgasse 26. Bring your passport, rental contract, and the [Meldezettel form](/living/vienna-registration) signed by your landlord. Registration is free and takes about 15 minutes. - 3Open an Austrian bank account You need a local bank account for rent payments, salary, and direct debits. Popular options in Graz include Erste Bank, Raiffeisen Steiermark, and online banks like [George (Erste Bank)](/banking/open-bank-account). Bring your passport and Meldezettel. - 4Get an Austrian SIM card Pick up a prepaid SIM from A1, Magenta, or Drei at any electronics store or phone shop. Plans start at EUR 5 to 15 per month. You will need your passport for registration. A local number is essential for bank verification, appointments, and two-factor authentication. - 5Apply for your Anmeldebescheinigung or residence permit EU/EEA citizens must apply for an Anmeldebescheinigung at the **Bezirkshauptmannschaft Graz-Umgebung (BH Graz-Umgebung)** if you plan to stay longer than 3 months. Third-country nationals should apply for their residence permit at the same office. Bring your passport, Meldezettel, proof of income or employment, and health insurance confirmation. The fee is approximately EUR 15. - 6Register for health insurance If you are employed, your employer registers you with the Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK). Self-employed individuals must register themselves. Students can use the student insurance through ÖGK. You will receive your e-card (health insurance card) by mail within two weeks. #### Book your Magistrat appointment online Magistrat Graz offers online appointment booking for Meldezettel registration. Book in advance at [graz.at](https://www.graz.at) to avoid long wait times, especially during the university semester start in September and October. ## Which Graz Districts Are Best for Expats? Graz has 17 districts, but five stand out for expats depending on your budget, lifestyle, and commute preferences. Rents listed are for a one-bedroom apartment as of April 2026. | District | Avg. Rent (1BR) | Transit | Best For | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Innere Stadt | EUR 850 | Tram | Young professionals | | Geidorf | EUR 750 | Bus | Students | | Lend | EUR 650 | Tram | Creatives | | St. Peter | EUR 700 | Bus | Families | | Jakomini | EUR 650 | Tram, Bus | Budget-conscious | Rents as of April 2026. Prices vary by apartment size, condition, and exact location within each district. ## What Does It Cost to Live in Graz? Graz is one of the most affordable major cities in Austria. Here is a monthly budget breakdown for a single person as of April 2026. For a full Austria-wide comparison, see our [cost of living guide](/living/cost-of-living). | Category | Monthly Cost (EUR) | | --- | --- | | Rent (1BR apartment) | 600 to 850 | | Utilities (electricity, heating, water) | 130 to 180 | | Groceries | 220 to 300 | | Public transport (monthly pass) | 50 to 60 | | SIM card / mobile plan | 5 to 15 | | Total | 1,050 to 1,400 | All figures as of April 2026. If you hold a Klimaticket (Österreich), your local transport is included in the EUR 3/day nationwide pass. ## What Makes Graz Different From Vienna for Expats? Graz and Vienna offer very different expat experiences. Here is how they compare across the factors that matter most when choosing where to settle. | Factor | Graz | Vienna | | --- | --- | --- | | City size | 290,000 residents | 2 million residents | | Cost of living | 20 to 30% cheaper | Higher across the board | | German requirement | Essential for daily life | Helpful but not critical | | English friendliness | Limited outside universities | Widely spoken | | Community feel | Close-knit, student-oriented | Large, diverse, anonymous | | Job market | Automotive, tech, engineering | Broad, international companies | | Climate | Warmer summers, milder winters | Continental, colder winters | #### Graz is ideal if you want deeper integration Because the expat bubble is smaller in Graz, you are more likely to build genuine friendships with locals and become part of the community. This also means German language skills pay off faster here than in Vienna. ## Get Your Free Graz Arrival Kit A printable checklist covering every step of your first 30 days in Graz, plus district maps, useful contacts, and a German phrase sheet for the Magistrat. Send Me the KitNo spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ## Related Guides [### Meldezettel Registration Guide Step-by-step guide to registering your address in Austria](/living/vienna-registration)[### Opening a Bank Account Compare Austrian banks and open your account](/banking/open-bank-account)[### Cost of Living in Austria Full budget breakdown across all Austrian cities](/living/cost-of-living)[### Austria Visa Guide Find the right visa type for your move to Austria](/visa) --- Source: https://www.how-to-austria.com/cities/graz Last updated: Updated: May 19 2026 Format: LLM-readable Markdown twin (.md) of the canonical HTML page.