What government paperwork do EU/EEA nationals need to move to Austria to study? Easier than you think

Note: The paperwork talked about in this article is only the governmental paperwork you will need to move to Austria so you can study here. Your university will also have other requirements, which they should tell you about when you apply

Paperwork EU/EEA nationals and Swiss citizens need to study in Austria

‘Meldezettel‘ — The first thing you will need to apply for when you arrive in Austria is a ‘Meldezettel‘ or ‘residence registration’.

You must apply for this within 3 days of arriving in Austria at your local Residence Registration Service Centre (Meldeservicestelle), and the application form must be signed by you and your landlord/property management company/main tenant if you are becoming a flatmate.

There isn’t any cost to apply for or receive the residence registration, but you must have your passport or government ID with you when you apply for it.

Time-wise, both times I applied, it took me less than 10 minutes.

Everything you need to know about applying for a Meldezettel is right here on Oh My Vienna.

Your university will also usually need to know you have this form to complete your registration once you arrive, so make sure to apply for it as soon as you get here.

**Please note too, as this is a registration of your residence, every time you move within Austria, you need to de-register (called Abmelden), and then re-register for a new Meldezettel for your new address.

‘Anmeldebescheinigung‘ — Be aware, within the first four months of arrival, you must also apply for an ‘Anmeldebescheinigung‘ or ‘registration certificate’ in person.

If you do not, it will not only cause problems for you down the road, you could also be fined up to €250 .

The current cost of the Anmeldebescheinigung in Austria is €44 (The price has increased substantially, as the last time I paid mine in 2017 it was only €15. You can apply for it at an MA35 office, if you are studying in Vienna.

Be aware, though, you must make sure MA35 has your current address (if you have moved) as they will send the bill for the registration certificate to your address. You cannot pay it until you get that bill.

I tried to pay mine at my local MA35 office, and was told I had to wait until the bill arrived at my address.

I made absolutely sure they had my new address in their computer system, which they insisted they had, but when the bill was sent out, it was sent to my old address. (No, local government officials in Vienna are apparently not as efficient as you might expect (shrug).

Because of that, I didn’t receive the bill and so wasn’t able to pay it on time.

That meant I had to pay a 50 euro fine because my Anmeldebescheinigung payment was “late”. Not my fault. But what can you do?

The paperwork you will need to apply for an Anmeldebescheinigung is as follows:

Passport or a valid government ID
Your current Meldezettel
Proof of health insurance — a valid EU Health Insurance Card (EHIC), or an insurance card from your Austrian insurance is sufficient
Proof you are enrolled in a university/school in Austria
Proof of enough income to live on — if you have a job, a pay slip is sufficient. If not, your bank account information showing proof of funds. Also note, even if your parents are supporting you, you must have enough funds in a bank account in your own name.
An Anmeldebescheinigung application form

Should you have any questions, or need help obtaining university/school paperwork, your school’s Admissions Office should be able to help you.

And that is all the governmental paperwork an EU/EEA national or Swiss national will usually need to move to Austria to study.

Not that difficult, eh?