Discover what Vienna has to offer as a student, with useful information on local markets, shopping opportunities, student discounts, special deals, and the many benefits that can make everyday life in the city more affordable and enjoyable.

We strongly recommend that international degree-seeking students start learning German as early as possible to facilitate everyday life, academic success, and networking opportunities in Austria. 

A great free option is sprachportal.at, offered by the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF). The platform provides a wide range of online learning materials and self-study resources for German learners at different levels. 

The Language Center of the University of Vienna offers comprehensive German courses in many different formats, including semester courses, evening classes, intensive courses, and more. These courses are fee-based, but students receive ECTS credits that may, in some cases, count toward transferable skills requirements. More information about transferable skills and recognition of exams at TU Wien can be found here: TU Wien – Recognition of Exams and Transferable Skills. 

TU Wien also offers a course specifically designed for international students each semester called “Technisches Deutsch für internationale Studierende”. Students can find the course in TISS under “Lehrveranstaltungen.” Please note that spaces are limited and the course usually fills up very quickly.

As an international student at TU Wien, you have various opportunities to gain professional experience while studying in Vienna. The local job market offers a wide range of part-time and full-time positions suitable for students.

You can make use of the TU Wien Career Center, which provides free support to students throughout their career development. Services include feedback on CVs and motivation letters, preparation for job interviews and salary negotiations, as well as career planning and strengths assessment. The Career Center also supports you in activating your self-reflection process, clarifying professional goals, and making informed career decisions. 

To find job opportunities at TU Wien (including internships, student assistant positions, and research roles etc.) please visit Jobs Overview. 

Beyond TU Wien services, several external platforms can help you find student jobs in Vienna, including unijobs.at, NEJO, StudentJob, karriere.at, and the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) job portal. These platforms provide a broad overview of current job opportunities and allow filtering by field, working hours, and experience level. 

The Austrian Business Agency (ABA) supports international talent interested in working and living in Austria. Through its initiative WORK in AUSTRIA you can access information on job opportunities, residence regulations, and career prospects. The platform serves as a central hub for international professionals and helps facilitate entry into the Austrian labor market. 

According to the Austrian Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BMEIA), employment in Austria is regulated by nationality and residence status. Students from non-EU/EEA countries generally require both a valid residence permit and a work permit issued by the Public Employment Service Austria (AMS). In most cases, the employer must apply for the work permit before employment begins. Generally, student employment is limited (typically up to 20 hours per week), and work must not interfere with the primary purpose of stay, which is studying.

EU/EEA students do not require a work permit to work in Austria and have free access to the Austrian labor market. They may also work more than 20 hours per week; however, we recommend ensuring that employment does not negatively affect their academic progress.

To stay informed about current events in Austria and Vienna, we recommend following Austrian newspapers, public broadcasters, and English-language news platforms. This can also be a great way to improve your German skills while staying up to date with local developments. 

English-Language News Sources 

  • ORF News: Austria’s public broadcaster and one of the country’s most important news sources. While most reporting is in German, ORF occasionally provides English-language content and is considered one of the most reliable Austrian news providers.
  • FM4: Austrian public radio station by ORF with English-language news segments, international reporting, and music programming. Particularly popular among students and younger audiences.
  • The Local Austria: One of the most widely used English-language news platforms for Austria, especially helpful for international students and expats. Covers Austrian politics, daily life, Vienna news, and practical information. 

Major Austrian Newspapers and News Platforms 

  • Der Standard: One of Austria’s leading quality newspapers with strong coverage of politics, science, culture, and international affairs.
  • Die Presse: A major Austrian daily newspaper known for in-depth political and economic reporting.
  • Kurier: Popular Austrian newspaper covering politics, business, and Vienna-related news.
  • ORF News Portal: Austria’s main public news portal with national and international coverage, videos, and live reporting.
  • Falter: Vienna-based weekly newspaper known for investigative journalism, political analysis, and cultural reporting. 

Radio and TV News 

  • Ö1: ORF’s cultural and information radio station with high-quality journalism, political discussions, and occasional English-language news segments.
  • Zeit im Bild (ZiB): Austria’s main television news program by ORF, widely regarded as one of the country’s most important news broadcasts. To stay quickly up to date with Austrian and international news, many students simply follow the ZiB Instagram channel: ZiB on Instagram. 

Students interested in gaining international experience also have the opportunity to spend a semester abroad at one of TU Wien’s partner universities. More information about mobility programs and exchange opportunities can be found through the International Mobility Office.

Vienna offers a wide range of supermarkets and drugstores, and many students use discount apps and weekly offers to save money on groceries and everyday products. 

The largest supermarket chains in Austria are: 

For organic and sustainable products, many students also shop at Denns BioMarkt. 

In the supermarket apps or weekly flyers (“Flugblätter”), you can regularly check for discounts, coupons, “Joker” offers, and seasonal promotions. Many students plan their shopping based on these weekly deals. 

At larger supermarkets, you can often find discounted mixed fruit and vegetable boxes in the evening. These products are sold at reduced prices before they expire and can be a good way to save money while reducing food waste. 

Another popular option is Too Good To Go. The app allows you to find restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets, and cafés near you that sell leftover food and groceries at significantly reduced prices. 

The largest drugstore chains in Austria are: 

  • dm drogerie markt: Students often use the dm app and dm card to collect points and receive discounts.
  • BIPA: Part of the JÖ bonus program and widely available throughout Vienna.
  • Müller: Offers drugstore products, cosmetics, household items, stationery, and more. 

Shopping in Vienna offers something for every budget and style. One of the city’s most famous shopping streets is Mariahilfer Straße (“Mahü”), where you can find international brands, local stores, cafés, and restaurants. Larger shopping centers such as Shopping City Süd (SCS) and Donau Zentrum are also popular destinations and offer a wide variety of shops under one roof. At the same time, secondhand shopping has become increasingly popular in Vienna. Stores such as Carla Mittersteig and 48er-Tandler are well known for affordable secondhand furniture, clothing, books, and unique vintage items, making sustainable shopping an important part of the city’s culture.

Vienna’s markets are lively social hubs full of colors, smells, and flavors and therefor perfect for discovering local and international food. Markets are places to meet, explore, and experience everyday Viennese life. 

  • Naschmarkt: the most famous market with over 120 stalls and a popular Saturday flea market
  • Brunnenmarkt: the largest street market with multicultural flair and affordable prices
  • Karmelitermarkt: a trendy market with a mix of traditional stands and modern gastronomy

Seasonal highlights: