Austria Student Work Rights 2026

International students in Austria on a Student Visa (Visa D) can work while studying. After graduation, they may be able to stay to look for a job related to their field.

Student life → Cost of living →

During the academic semester, students can work up to 20 hours per week. They must keep their work within visa conditions and make sure it does not interfere with their studies.

During semester breaks, students may work full-time, exceeding the 20-hour limit. The right to work applies to students holding a Student Visa (Visa D).

After completing their studies, graduates from Austrian universities can apply for a residence permit for up to 12 months to seek employment. The job search must be related to their field of study.

Students should secure their financial means during this period. This makes Austria a place where study can lead into a short post-study job search window after graduation.

Universities in Austria

QS World #152 #1 in Austria Austria

Universität Vienna

Public University — Universität Wien is a university in Vienna. Universität Wien states that it offers studies, research, and student and campus life in Vienna. It describes its academic environment as internat...

—Tuition (indicative)

1365Founded

87,000Students

—International

Admissions open

#152 QS World University Rankings 2026

#1 in Austria

View university → Add to compare

QS World #350 #2 in Austria Austria

Universität Innsbruck

Public University — The University of Innsbruck is a public research university in Innsbruck, the capital of the Austrian federal state of Tyrol, founded on October 15, 1669.

—Tuition (indicative)

—Founded

28,000Students

—International

Admissions open

#350 QS World University Rankings 2026

#2 in Austria

View university → Add to compare

QS World #427 #3 in Austria Austria

Technische Universität Graz

Public University — Graz University of Technology is a public research university located in Styria, Austria. It was founded in 1811 by Archduke John of Austria and is the oldest science and technology research...

—Tuition (indicative)

—Founded

—Students

—International

Admissions open

#427 QS World University Rankings 2026

#3 in Austria

View university → Add to compare

QS World #473 #4 in Austria Austria

Johannes Kepler Universität Linz

Public University — The Johannes Kepler University Linz is a public university in Austria. It is located in Linz, the capital of Upper Austria. It offers bachelor's, master's, diploma and doctoral degrees in bu...

—Tuition (indicative)

—Founded

—Students

—International

Admissions open

#473 QS World University Rankings 2026

#4 in Austria

View university → Add to compare

#24 in Austria Austria

Webster University, Vienna

Public University — Webster Vienna Private University is a private American university in Vienna, Austria housed in Palais Wenkheim. Founded in 1981, it is one of the oldest private institutions of higher learn...

—Tuition (indicative)

—Founded

—Students

—International

Admissions open

#24 in Austria · by research impact

16,774 citations · h-index 62

View university → Add to compare

#28 in Austria Austria

Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien

Public University — Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien is a higher education institution with sections for Studium, Forschung, Services, and Veranstaltungen. The institution states that online admission for the...

—Tuition (indicative)

—Founded

—Students

—International

Admissions open

#28 in Austria · by research impact

13,952 citations · h-index 60

View university → Add to compare

All universities in Austria →

Questions about working & jobs in Austria

Can international students work in Austria while studying?

Yes. International students holding a Student Visa (Visa D) in Austria have the right to work while studying.

What happens to work rights after graduation in Austria?

Graduates from Austrian universities can apply for a residence permit for up to 12 months to seek employment related to their field of study.

More on Austria: destination overview · universities · scholarships · student visa