Information for International Students

First, you must register with the registration service within three days of your arrival in Salzburg. Some student residences provide the registration form (Meldezettel)   on the first day of your arrival. Another option is to make an appointment online: https://www.stadt-salzburg.at/meldeservice 

You must then download and fill out the registration form. Bring this with you to your appointment, along with your passport. Alternatively, you can also come by without an appointment and without printing out the registration form. The appointment is usually straightforward. It is important that you keep your registration confirmation (Meldebestätigung) in a safe place, as you will need it frequently—for example, to open a bank account, apply for a job, or take out health insurance. If you lose it, you can obtain another copy. There is a service fee of around €2 for this.

If you want to change your place of residence, you must complete two steps:
1. Deregistration, 2. Registration – both within three days. The process is free of charge.
You must do this in person at the registration service in the Kiesel building (second floor), Saint-Julien-Straße 20, 5020 Salzburg.

The next step is to set up a free bank account for students. To open an account, you will need your registration confirmation from the PLUS online platform, your passport, and your registration confirmation.

There are various options for opening a bank account for students, and it is worth comparing the different options. One example among many is the Salzburger Sparkasse. Their student bank account is free until your 27th birthday. After opening an account, you can download the George app—a perfect tool for managing your payments and creating categories for your expenses.

Working in Austria with a “student” residence permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung “Student”)

If you have a “student” residence permit, you are allowed to work in Austria – but only under certain conditions. If you want to work more than a certain number of hours per week, you may need a work permit. Your employer must apply for this at the Public Employment Service (AMS). Make sure that your employer registers you properly and, if necessary, ask to see the confirmation. Otherwise, you risk being suspended by the AMS. No work permit is required for professional internships that are mandatory as part of your studies in Austria. As a foreign student in Austria, you will lose your student residence status if you exceed the 20-hour limit per week and thus violate the conditions of the “student residence permit.” This limit applies during the lecture period and is independent of the number of working days.

Even if you are studying in English, we recommend that you learn German as soon as possible. Whether you are looking for a higher-paying part-time job or an internship, or want to stay in Austria after completing your studies, solid German language skills will open up many more opportunities for you.

Useful contacts and tips for your job search: 

• Career centers at universities and technical colleges: Many universities—such as FH Salzburg—have their own career centers. They support you in your job search, provide information about part-time jobs and internships, and offer workshops on job applications and careers. fh-salzburg.ac.at
• ÖH Jobbörse - Students can also find suitable part-time jobs on this portal: https://www.oeh-salzburg.at/service/boersen/
• Online job portals: On platforms such as www.salzburgerjobs.at , www.karriere.at , or www.englishjobsearch.at , you will regularly find job offers specifically for students or English-speaking applicants.
• Part-time jobs with delivery services: Delivery services often offer flexible part-time jobs – ideal if you want to work alongside your studies.
• Jobs in hospitality and tourism: Due to the flourishing tourism industry in Salzburg, many hotels, restaurants, and cafés are constantly looking for part-time or seasonal staff. Knowledge of German is an advantage, but English-speaking employees are also welcome, especially in tourism-oriented businesses.

In Austria, it is a legal requirement that everyone, including students, must have health insurance. The Austrian healthcare system is excellent. You can either insure yourself with the ÖGK (Austrian Health Insurance Fund) www.gesundheitskasse.at  or choose a private provider. As a student, the ÖGK is usually the best and cheapest option. If you have a job and earn more than €551.10 per month, you will automatically receive full insurance coverage, which includes health, pension, and accident insurance.

Salzburg is not only known for Mozart and its mountain backdrop, but also has one of the most efficient and accessible public transport systems in Austria. Whether you are a student coming here for a semester or a young professional looking to keep your travel costs low.

The Klimaticket Salzburg U26 is an annual ticket for public transport that is valid throughout the province of Salzburg. It costs only €295 for the whole year, and you do not have to be a student or present a certificate of enrollment.

Another option is the semester ticket, which costs €160 per semester and requires a certificate of enrollment. You can order it online via the Salzburg Transport Association (SVV) website https://salzburg-verkehr.at/klimaticket-salzburg-semester/ or purchase it in person at the SVV customer service center: Schallmooser Hauptstraße 10, Salzburg. Buy it as early as possible in the semester to avoid the cost of single tickets, which can quickly add up!

The Studo app helps you organize your subjects, create to-do lists, and make student life less stressful. Studo is an app for student organizations that centralizes many university services in one place. It is available for iOS and Android. If you study at the University of Salzburg, many features are immediately available to you after registering with PLUS online via Studo: your calendar, your grades, offline access to course information, university information, and cafeteria menus. For the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, you get a similar integration: course lists, calendar, grades, cafeteria menus, etc. – as well as, in many cases, the PRO version, which is offered free of charge through the university's partnership. At the Salzburg University of Education, you have access to the calendar, the workspace with grades/statistics, menus, etc. via PH-online.

The Austrian National Union of Students is an independent organization that represents students at Austrian universities. The ÖH offers a range of services, including academic support, social support, and financial support. It also provides resources for mental health and stress management and helps students maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle. The ÖH counseling center is located at Erzabt-Klotz-Straße 1 (Unipark). You do not need to make an appointment—just drop by!

The Diakonie Refugee Service offers important legal advice and support for migrants and refugees. It provides advice on residence permits, asylum procedures, labor rights, and other legal issues related to living in Austria. It can be particularly helpful in navigating complex immigration laws, ensuring that students comply with local regulations, and assisting with any legal issues that may arise during their stay.

Tip: Diakonie also offers German courses if you want to improve your German language skills:  www.diakonie.at/unsere-angebote-und-einrichtungen/sprachtraining-integrationshilfe 

You can also attend a free German conversation course twice a week at the city library: www.stadt-salzburg.at/miteinander-reden/

Are you looking for psychological help in English? Fortunately, the city offers several options for English-speaking students and residents seeking professional support.

The Studo app has a mental health option where you can discuss your personal issues and receive support. The cost for the first session is 49 euros. You can also find support at the Psychologischen Studierendenberatung

Many private psychotherapists in Salzburg offer therapy sessions in English. On websites such as Psychology Today, you can search specifically for English-speaking therapists in your area: psychologytoday.com/en-at/therapists

For more comprehensive psychiatric care, the University Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy in Salzburg offers both inpatient and outpatient services with English-speaking staff. If you prefer community-based support, organizations such as Caritas Salzburg and Diakonie Salzburg offer counseling and psychological care through multilingual teams, which often include English-speaking staff. These centers offer a wide range of social and psychological services.

In addition, online therapy platforms such as BetterHelp offer flexible access to English-speaking therapists—ideal for those who prefer remote therapy or cannot find local services.  betterhelp.com

There are two options for finding accommodation in Salzburg: a shared apartment or a student residence, which offers single and double rooms. The most important step is to apply for accommodation as early as possible (approx. 6 months before the start of your studies). You can find a list of all student residences in Salzburg on the ÖH website: https://www.oeh-salzburg.at/beratung/studierendenheime/ 

There are numerous budget-friendly activities in Salzburg. You can enjoy the picturesque landscape and explore historical sites. You can experience the beauty of nature free of charge. For a breathtaking view of Salzburg, take a walk to Hohensalzburg Fortress or Kapuzinerberg. From up there, you have a great view of the city.

Throughout the year, Salzburg offers a variety of festivals and free events where you can experience the local culture up close. The Salzburg Festival, for example, regularly hosts open-air concerts and film screenings with free admission. In the run-up to Christmas, it is worth visiting the atmospheric Christmas markets on Domplatz and Mirabellplatz, where music, lights, and a festive atmosphere await you. In summer, there are also numerous free concerts in public squares and parks throughout the city. You can find the latest tips on Instagram under “WhatsUpSalzburg,” where events are posted weekly—usually with information on whether entrance is free.

If you want to study or simply need a break from stressful everyday life, we recommend visiting Imaculada at Wiener-Philharmoniker-Gasse 2. This open meeting place has no minimum consumption requirement: bring your own food or snacks, use the free Wi-Fi, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. The self-service area also offers tea, coffee, drinks, and small snacks at very reasonable prices.

For international students who do not speak German, Salzburg offers a variety of cultural experiences and social activities specifically tailored to English-speaking students.

The Café der Kulturen is a great place to meet people with and without a migrant background. You can talk about anything from problems to cooking and crafts to eating cake or just helping.

Theater: Salzburg is known for its lively theater scene. While many theater productions are in German, several venues offer performances in English or with English subtitles. At the Salzburg State Theater, the main productions are in German. However, the theater occasionally hosts international performances and operas, sometimes with English subtitles or translations.

Salzburg Festspiele: Every summer, the Salzburg Festival offers opera, theater performances, and concerts over a period of five to six weeks. While many performances are in German, the festival often includes international artists and English-language events.

Mozart Week: This festival, which celebrates the works of Mozart, attracts a global audience and musicians. The performances often feature international artists, and the music transcends language barriers.

Cinemas: Several cinemas in Salzburg, such as DAS KINO and Cineplexx, cater to an international audience and often show films in their original language with subtitles. DAS KINO is known for its international film program and often shows films in English or with English subtitles.

Dance classes: Some dance studios in Salzburg offer classes in English. The styles are varied, often ranging from salsa to tango and contemporary to hip-hop, giving dance lovers a wide range of choices.

Salzburg offers numerous sports opportunities for students who want to stay active. The University Sports Institute (USI) offers a wide range of courses. These range from traditional sports such as soccer, basketball, and tennis to relaxing activities such as yoga, Pilates, and ballet. The courses are affordable and suitable for all skill levels, making them an excellent option for international students. For those who enjoy swimming, there is the Aya Bad at Alpenstraße 9 and Paracelsus Bad at Auerspergstraße 2, both of which offer affordable admission. 

In addition, there are outdoor fitness stations throughout the city of Salzburg. These stations are ideal for those who prefer to exercise in the fresh air and offer a convenient way to stay fit without needing a gym membership.

There are several great places to buy second-hand items in Salzburg. Carla and TAO & Mode Circel are popular choices and offer a wide selection of second-hand goods, including clothing and household items. It is the perfect place to find essential items at a low price while supporting a charitable organization. willhaben www.willhaben.at , Austria's largest online marketplace for second-hand goods, also offers a convenient way to find high quality used items at a fraction of the original price. In addition, there is Vinted, a popular platform for buying and selling used clothing, shoes, and accessories—ideal for discovering stylish pieces at affordable prices. Students can also use the ÖH Flohmarkt to find inexpensive offers.

If you come from Africa, Asia, or Latin America, you don't need to worry if you miss the flavors of home. The spices you'll find in the Ethihad stores are more than enough to cook authentic soul food. The store is located at Lassenstraße 41, 5020 Salzburg. There you will find various African foods such as yams, okra, plantains, and many spices that you cannot get in regular supermarkets. The best part is that the prices are affordable. In addition, the Asian specialty market at Schrannengasse 2 is a popular place that offers a wide selection of items.