# Moving to Linz: Your First 30 Days Checklist (2026) > Updated May 19 2026. Complete guide to moving to Linz, 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/linz Linz is **Austria's third-largest city** with **210,000 residents**, a strong industrial and tech economy centered on the Danube, and the **most affordable rents among Austria's major cities**. Your first 30 days: secure housing, **Meldezettel at Magistrat Linz**, open a bank account, get a SIM card, and register for your Anmeldebescheinigung at **BH Linz-Land**. ## What Are the Essential Steps in Your First 30 Days in Linz? Whether you are an EU citizen or a third-country national, these six steps will get you legally settled in Linz. 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 Linz housing. Budget EUR 550 to 800 for a one-bedroom apartment depending on the district. - 2Register your address (Meldezettel) at Magistrat Linz You must register within 3 days of moving in. Go to the **Magistrat Linz, Bürgerservice** at Hauptplatz 1. 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 Linz include Sparkasse Oberösterreich, Raiffeisenlandesbank OÖ, 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 Linz-Land (BH Linz-Land)** 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. #### Magistrat Linz accepts walk-ins The Bürgerservice at Hauptplatz 1 handles Meldezettel registrations on a walk-in basis during business hours. Mornings tend to be busier, so arriving after 13:00 often means shorter wait times. ## Which Linz Districts Are Best for Expats? Linz is compact and walkable compared to Vienna. Four districts stand out for expats depending on budget, lifestyle, and commute. Rents listed are for a one-bedroom apartment as of April 2026. | District | Avg. Rent (1BR) | Transit | Best For | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Innere Stadt | EUR 750 | Tram | Professionals | | Urfahr | EUR 650 | Tram | Students, JKU area | | Kleinmünchen | EUR 550 | Bus | Budget-conscious | | Pichling | EUR 600 | Bus | Families | Rents as of April 2026. Prices vary by apartment size, condition, and exact location within each district. ## What Does It Cost to Live in Linz? Linz offers the lowest living costs among Austria's three largest cities. 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) | 550 to 800 | | Utilities (electricity, heating, water) | 120 to 170 | | Groceries | 200 to 280 | | Public transport (monthly pass) | 50 | | SIM card / mobile plan | 5 to 15 | | Total | 950 to 1,300 | 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 Linz Different From Vienna for Expats? Linz and Vienna attract different types of expats. Here is how they compare across the factors that matter most when choosing where to settle. | Factor | Linz | Vienna | | --- | --- | --- | | City size | 210,000 residents | 2 million residents | | Cost of living | Most affordable major city | Higher across the board | | German requirement | Essential for daily life | Helpful but not critical | | Economy | Industrial, tech, engineering | Broad, international companies | | Expat community | Small, tight-knit | Large, diverse | | Culture highlight | Ars Electronica Center | Museums, opera, classical music | | Key employers | voestalpine, tech startups | UN, international orgs, finance | #### Linz punches above its weight in tech Despite its smaller size, Linz has a strong reputation for digital innovation. The Ars Electronica Center, the Tabakfabrik co-working hub, and JKU's AI research institute make it one of Austria's most interesting cities for tech professionals and researchers. ## Get Your Free Linz Arrival Kit A printable checklist covering every step of your first 30 days in Linz, 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)[### Moving to Graz Your first 30 days checklist for Austria's second city](/cities/graz) --- Source: https://www.how-to-austria.com/cities/linz Last updated: Updated: May 19 2026 Format: LLM-readable Markdown twin (.md) of the canonical HTML page.