Austria – Education and Schools

How good is the education system in Austria?

Austria’s schools hold a respected position internationally, driven in large part by the country’s robust vocational training sector and impressively high rates of upper secondary completion. The share of 25–34 year-olds holding a vocational qualification at upper secondary or post-secondary level ranks among the highest across OECD member and partner nations — a clear signal that Austria treats applied and technical education as a genuine equal to the academic track.

On international comparative assessments, Austrian students perform broadly in line with the OECD average, though certain structural challenges have attracted policy attention. The most recently published PISA results (2022) reveal that the link between reading attainment and socioeconomic background is particularly pronounced in Austria, and the proportion of students from immigrant families is among the highest of any PISA-participating country. These findings are actively shaping education policy reform. Note that PISA 2025 findings are anticipated for release in 2026 — always consult the OECD PISA website for the most current data.

School quality in Austria is monitored by the Federal Institute for Quality Assurance of the Austrian School System (IQS), which produces the National Education Report (NBB) in partnership with independent researchers. Its remit covers quality frameworks for schools, system-wide education monitoring, individual competence measurement, and both internal and external school evaluations. The 2017 Education Reform Act anchored evidence-based quality assurance practices throughout the system.

Rather than resting the entire assessment burden on a single national exam, Austria uses a layered structure of academic and vocational qualifications that provides students with multiple recognised exit points. The system does, however, channel children into differentiated pathways relatively early in life — a characteristic that continues to generate lively debate among education reformers.

At what age is education compulsory in Austria, and how is schooling structured by age?

Compulsory schooling begins for every child on 1 September after their sixth birthday and runs for nine consecutive years. For the great majority of children (around 90%) aged 6–15 who reside in Austria — irrespective of nationality — this means regular attendance at a fully state-funded school. The progression from pre-primary education through to the close of compulsory schooling, and beyond, unfolds as follows:

Pre-primary (Kindergarten) — Ages 3–6: Kindergarten serves as the standard form of pre-primary education for children aged three to six in Austria. Provision is largely maintained by local municipalities, though a sizeable private sector also exists, run by associations, religious communities, and private operators. Attendance between the ages of 0 and 5 is voluntary; from the age of 5 onwards, kindergarten becomes compulsory and free of charge for a minimum of 20 hours spread across at least four days per week.

Primary school (Volksschule) — Ages 6–10: Compulsory education in Austria encompasses four years of primary schooling followed by five years at secondary level. Within the state primary school, the first two years constitute the initial learning stage, and pupils are permitted up to three years to complete this foundational phase. The primary curriculum emphasises reading, writing, arithmetic, and building awareness of the natural and social environment.

Lower secondary — Ages 10–15: On leaving primary school, children move into one of two main lower secondary pathways. The Mittelschule (MS) is open to all students regardless of their performance in the 4th-grade primary leaving assessment, whereas admission to the Allgemeinbildende Höhere Schule (AHS) is contingent on academic results. This division at age 10 is one of the Austrian system’s most distinctive characteristics — similar in broad terms to the grammar school and comprehensive distinction found in parts of Germany, though flexibility has been gradually built into the system in recent years.

Post-compulsory (Upper secondary) — Ages 15–18/19: Pupils who complete lower secondary education may continue into the upper level of the academic stream — the Gymnasiale Oberstufe — or transfer to one of several vocational secondary school types, including the HLW, HTL, Polytechnische Schule, or HAK. Since the 2016/17 academic year, all young people under the age of 18 who have finished general compulsory schooling are required to continue in some form of education or training, with the aim of obtaining a qualification that extends beyond the basic compulsory school-leaving certificate.

What types of schools are available in Austria?

Austria’s school landscape comprises state schools, officially accredited private institutions, faith schools, and international schools. These differ considerably in terms of funding arrangements, admissions criteria, fee structures, and educational philosophy.

State (public) schools: The first nine years of schooling are provided free of charge through a network of coeducational public schools administered by the federal Ministry of Education. This begins with four years of primary education at the Volksschule (people’s school). State schools serve the overwhelming majority of children living in Austria and are by far the most common choice for resident families.

Private schools with public status (Privatschulen mit Öffentlichkeitsrecht): While state schools are free, private schools — including those classified as having public status — charge monthly tuition. Privately run schools with official public status are formally accredited institutions that deliver the national curriculum; their qualifications carry the same legal weight as those from state schools. A substantial number of faith-based institutions — Catholic, Protestant, and others — operate under this category.

Private schools without public status: These establishments function independently and may adopt their own curricula. Qualifications issued by such schools are not automatically recognised by Austrian authorities, so it is essential to verify a school’s accreditation status carefully before enrolling your child.

International schools: Concentrated primarily in Vienna, with a smaller number in cities such as Salzburg and Graz, international schools follow foreign or globally recognised curricula — such as the IB, American, or British systems — and generally cater to expat, diplomatic, and multinational business communities. These schools are examined in greater detail in the international schools section below.

Homeschooling is also a legally recognised option in Austria. Compulsory education can be fulfilled through attendance at a fee-paying private school or through home education. Families choosing to educate their children at home must comply with the relevant legal requirements, and children with special educational needs are supported within the broader system.

What curriculum and qualifications do schools in Austria follow?

A national curriculum framework, overseen by the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF), governs what Austrian schools teach. This framework specifies the subject requirements for each grade and school type, while allowing individual schools a degree of flexibility in how they organise and deliver the content.

At primary level, the core subjects include German language, mathematics, environmental studies, the arts, music, and physical education. From lower secondary onwards, the curriculum expands to encompass history, geography, the natural sciences, and at least one foreign language — most commonly English.

The pivotal qualification in the Austrian system is the Matura (formally called the Reifeprüfung), conferred upon successful completion of upper secondary education, typically around the age of 18. This school-leaving certificate is the gateway to university study in Austria and functions in broadly comparable terms to the French Baccalauréat, the German Abitur, or the British A-levels — though unlike A-levels, which concentrate on a small selection of subjects studied in depth, the Matura demands demonstrated competence across a wider subject range.

Students following vocational upper secondary programmes work towards the Berufsreifeprüfung, a vocational Matura that equally grants access to universities and universities of applied sciences. This makes Austria’s system more flexible than many comparable European frameworks in terms of routes into higher education.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma is offered at a number of international and private schools in Austria, particularly in Vienna. At certain international schools, secondary students can follow a rigorous college-preparatory track leading to a US High School Diploma, with the option of also pursuing the IB Diploma. For families who anticipate relocating again, the IB Diploma’s international portability is a significant advantage.

The most current national curriculum documents are available through the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF).

What are typical school hours and holidays in Austria?

The Austrian school day generally starts between 7:30 and 8:00 in the morning. Primary school pupils are typically finished by early afternoon, while secondary students may remain in class until mid-afternoon or later, depending on their year group and school. Some schools run an all-day model (Ganztagesschule) with organised afternoon programmes, though this arrangement varies by region and is not universally available.

In terms of formal instruction time, primary students receive 705 hours of compulsory teaching per year, while lower secondary students receive 930 hours — figures that fall below and above, respectively, the OECD averages of 804 hours at primary level and 909 hours at lower secondary. Families relocating from countries with longer school days may find the relatively shorter primary timetable in Austria somewhat unexpected.

Combining all breaks, school holidays in Austrian primary education amount to 14.4 weeks per year, compared to an OECD average of 13.5 weeks. The academic year typically runs from early September through to late June or early July. The main holiday periods are as follows:

• Summer holidays: approximately nine weeks, generally from early July to early September (exact dates differ by federal province)
• Autumn (Herbst) holidays: roughly one week in late October or early November
• Christmas holidays: approximately two weeks over the festive season
• Winter (semester) holidays: around one week, usually in February, with dates staggered across regions
• Easter holidays: approximately two weeks in spring

Holiday dates are determined at the provincial level and can vary between states. Always confirm the exact schedule with your child’s school or the relevant regional education authority (Bildungsdirektion).

How do you enrol a child in school in Austria?

Registering a child in an Austrian state school is a manageable process handled at the local level. Schools are allocated by catchment area, and most families are expected to enrol at the school serving their neighbourhood. The following is a step-by-step account of how the process typically works:

1. Receive notification: Parents of a child who has reached compulsory school age should receive a written invitation from the relevant city or provincial education authority. This letter sets out the steps to follow, including attending an in-person registration session at the local school together with your child.
2. Prepare your documents: You will generally need to bring your child’s birth certificate, evidence of your current address (such as a registration certificate or tenancy agreement), vaccination records, and — where relevant — school reports or academic records from any previous schooling abroad.
3. Attend the registration appointment: Registration normally takes place during spring, ahead of the September start of the new school year. For children entering primary school for the first time, the school will evaluate their readiness to begin. If a child turns six after 1 September but before 1 March, parents may apply for early admission; the school will then assess whether the child has the necessary social and cognitive maturity.
4. Language assessment: Since 2019, Austria has operated a national language measurement tool called MIKA-D. A language evaluation is conducted in the final year of preschool for all children, whether German is their mother tongue or not. The outcomes guide schools in identifying what linguistic support each child will require.
5. Placement and support: Children starting primary school with little or no German are enrolled in an age-appropriate class as außerordentliche Schüler/innen and are not graded during this period. The MIKA-D results inform the school authority’s decision on whether to place a child in a standard class while attending additional free German language sessions. These supplementary German courses run for a maximum of four semesters.
6. Private and international schools: If you are considering a private or international school, make contact with the institution well ahead of your intended start date — ideally six to twelve months in advance. Vienna’s most popular international schools often maintain waiting lists, and early contact is strongly advisable.

For authoritative guidance on enrolment, visit the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research or your regional Bildungsdirektion. If you are uncertain which authority serves your area, your local municipal office (Gemeindeamt) will be able to point you in the right direction.

What international schools are available in Austria?

Austria — and Vienna in particular — has a mature and well-developed international school sector, a natural consequence of the city’s prominence as a centre for international organisations, diplomatic activity, and global business. The largest concentration of international schools is found in and around Vienna, though families in cities such as Salzburg and Graz also have some choices available.

Among the most established institutions are the following:

• Vienna International School (VIS): One of Austria’s oldest and most prestigious international schools, VIS delivers the IB curriculum from the early years all the way through to the IB Diploma at upper secondary level.
• American International School Vienna (AISV): Established in 1959, AISV offers an American educational framework with an international dimension, with the IB programme available for students in grades 11–12. The school enrols approximately 800 students drawn from 60 nationalities, spanning ages 4 to 18.
• Danube International School Vienna (DISV): An IB World School with a richly multicultural student body. Families newly arriving at DISV benefit from one of the more competitively priced fee structures among Vienna’s IB World Schools.
• St. Gilgen International School: Situated close to Salzburg in an Alpine setting, this school offers both day and boarding options. Annual tuition fees at St Gilgen International School range from EUR 31,700 to EUR 73,200, varying by grade level and programme (as of 2025).
• AMADEUS International School Vienna: A day and boarding IB World School that incorporates an integrated Music and Arts Academy into its curriculum.

International school costs differ considerably from one institution to the next. Across the sector as a whole, annual fees range on average from EUR 5,000 to EUR 60,000. As a concrete example, annual tuition at the American International School Vienna runs from EUR 15,325 to EUR 28,028, depending on grade level and programme (as of 2025/2026). One-time registration fees and supplementary charges are typically billed on top of tuition. Always confirm current figures directly with any school you are considering, as fees are revised annually.

To identify accredited international schools operating in Austria, the following directories are useful resources:

• Council of International Schools (CIS)
• IB World Schools directory
• International Schools Database — Austria

What higher education options are available in Austria?

Austria’s higher education landscape is broad and internationally regarded. It encompasses public universities (Universitäten), universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen), private universities, and pedagogical universities. The oldest continuously operating tertiary institution is the University of Vienna, founded in 1365, which has a distinguished history and counts among its alumni figures such as Sigmund Freud.

During the 1990s, Austria expanded its higher education landscape by establishing Fachhochschulen (universities of applied sciences) alongside its existing traditional universities. Study at these institutions is oriented more directly towards practical professional competencies, with a more structured course selection that helps ensure the majority of students complete their studies within the scheduled timeframe — typically three years for a bachelor’s degree. As of 2025, Austria is home to 21 universities of applied sciences.

As of 2025, there are 17 accredited private universities in Austria. These institutions must undergo periodic re-accreditation by the Akkreditierungsrat (accreditation council), operating under the oversight of the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research.

Entry to Austrian universities normally requires the Matura or a recognised equivalent. Applicants holding foreign qualifications may need to have these assessed for equivalence — a process managed by the receiving university or, in some cases, through ANABIN and the Austrian Academic Exchange Service (OeAD), which offers dedicated guidance for prospective international students.

Fee arrangements vary significantly depending on citizenship. EU/EEA nationals and citizens of Switzerland are exempt from paying tuition during the standard programme duration — in practice, they pay only the Students’ Union fee for the regular study period plus two additional tolerance semesters. Non-EU/EEA nationals are charged tuition from their first semester onwards. As a general guide, public universities charge non-EU students approximately EUR 1,500 per year, while private universities range from EUR 3,000 to EUR 35,000 or more (figures as of 2023 — always verify directly with the institution, as these amounts are subject to change). For the University of Vienna’s specific fee arrangements, consult their official admissions pages.

What should expat parents know about language of instruction in Austria?

German is the sole language of instruction in Austrian state schools at every level, from primary through to upper secondary. For expat families whose children do not yet have a solid command of German, this is the most significant practical challenge they are likely to face when entering the school system.

The encouraging aspect is that Austrian schools have built structured mechanisms to support newly arrived pupils who are still developing their German. In the 2023/24 school year, more than 20.2% of pupils attending school in Austria were non-native German speakers, and an estimated 39,651 students required additional German language instruction. Schools therefore have extensive experience integrating children from a wide range of linguistic backgrounds.

Children who arrive with limited German are enrolled in state schools under the status of außerordentliche Schüler/innen (extraordinary pupils). This arrangement enables them to attend class alongside their peers and continue advancing through the year levels while language support is put in place according to their assessment results. The government has committed to expanding German language teaching posts from 577 to over 1,324 — an increase of roughly 130% planned for the 2025/26 school year — demonstrating a clear commitment to language integration at the system level.

In practical terms, younger children at primary level tend to acquire conversational German relatively quickly through immersion, and many expat families find that their children become fluent within one to two years. Older children and teenagers generally take longer to reach the same point, and the academic demands of secondary schooling conducted entirely in German can be considerable. Families whose children will be entering secondary education with limited German may wish to arrange a period of intensive language tuition before or alongside school enrolment, or to consider a transitional placement at an international school.

For families who prefer a different medium of instruction, Austria provides various options: international schools, bilingual programmes, and intensive German immersion courses. Several international schools in Vienna deliver their full curriculum in English while incorporating German language lessons for all students at every year level. Both the Vienna International School (VIS) and the American International School Vienna (AISV) offer English-medium instruction throughout, with German taught as a subject.

What financial support or subsidies are available for education in Austria?

For legally resident families in Austria, access to free state schooling is among the most substantial financial benefits available. All children living in Austria who are of compulsory school age — from six to fifteen — attend state schools entirely free of charge, regardless of their nationality. There are no tuition fees during this period, and this applies equally to the children of expats and migrants as it does to Austrian nationals.

At the pre-primary level, kindergarten becomes compulsory and free from the age of five, for a minimum of 20 hours over at least four days per week. Children under five may attend kindergarten voluntarily, with places funded primarily by municipal authorities, though some fees may apply depending on the federal province and the number of hours attended.

State schooling — including both academic and vocational upper secondary programmes — remains free throughout the compulsory period and is generally low-cost or free for students who continue within the state system beyond it. No significant registration charges apply to state schools.

Fees at private and international schools fall entirely to the family to cover. There is no general government subsidy for private school fees available to most families in Austria, though some employers — particularly international organisations and diplomatic missions based in Vienna — include education allowances within their relocation or employment packages. It is worth reviewing your employment contract or speaking with your HR team if you believe this may apply to your situation.

At university level, as described above, EU/EEA residents are exempt from tuition fees during the standard programme length. Financial assistance for students — including scholarships and grants — is available through the OeAD (Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation) and through individual universities. Always check directly with the relevant institution and with the BMBWF for the most up-to-date entitlements, as rules and thresholds can change.

For the most authoritative and current information on financial entitlements related to education, contact the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF) or your local regional education directorate (Bildungsdirektion).

Frequently asked questions about education in Austria

Do expat children have to attend school in Austria?

Yes. Compulsory schooling begins for every child on 1 September following their sixth birthday and covers nine years in total. All children between the ages of 6 and 15 who are resident in Austria — whatever their nationality — are subject to this requirement. Once your child reaches school age and you are living in Austria, enrolling them in a recognised school, or making a formal arrangement for home education, is a legal obligation.

My child doesn’t speak German. Will they be able to cope in an Austrian state school?

State schools admit children with little or no German under the designation außerordentliche Schüler/innen (extraordinary pupils), which allows them to attend class alongside their classmates and progress through the year levels while receiving tailored language support. The MIKA-D assessment is used to gauge the level of assistance required, and free German language courses of up to four semesters are then provided. As a general pattern, younger children tend to integrate linguistically more quickly than older ones, and many families find that immersion in the state school environment is effective for language development.

Will my child’s foreign school qualifications be recognised in Austria?

Recognition depends on both the country of origin and the type of qualification involved. School-leaving certificates are assessed by the relevant regional education directorate (Bildungsdirektion), while higher education qualifications are evaluated by the OeAD and by the individual universities to which students are applying. Contact the OeAD or the BMBWF for advice tailored to your specific circumstances — never assume automatic equivalence without obtaining official confirmation.

Are there waiting lists for international schools in Vienna?

Yes, particularly at well-established institutions such as the Vienna International School (VIS) and the American International School Vienna (AISV). Demand for places at the most popular schools can outstrip supply significantly, and some families find themselves on waiting lists for a year or longer. It is strongly advisable to get in touch with your preferred school as far ahead of your move as possible — ideally six to twelve months in advance — and to apply to more than one school simultaneously if circumstances allow.

What childcare options exist for children under school age?

Kindergarten is the conventional form of pre-primary education for children aged three to six in Austria. In addition to the municipal sector, there is a sizeable private sector run by community associations, religious organisations, and private providers. For children aged 0–5, attendance at a kindergarten or crèche is optional and depends on parental choice. Places can be scarce, especially for children under three, and availability varies noticeably by region. To address this shortfall, Austria has committed EUR 4.5 billion to creating 50,000 additional childcare places by 2030. If you are moving to Vienna or another urban area, it pays to register early.

Can I study at an Austrian university as an expat or foreign resident?

Yes. Austria’s public universities welcome international students. EU/EEA nationals and citizens of Switzerland are exempt from tuition fees during the standard duration of their programme and pay only the Students’ Union fee. Students from non-EU/EEA countries are charged tuition from their first semester — approximately EUR 1,500 per year at public universities (as of 2023; always verify with the relevant institution). The majority of degree programmes are conducted in German, though an expanding number of master’s programmes — particularly at the University of Vienna and the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) — are taught in English.

What is the Matura, and is it recognised internationally?

The Matura (Reifeprüfung) is Austria’s upper secondary school-leaving certificate, awarded upon successful completion of upper secondary education — usually at age 18 or 19. It is the standard qualification required for university entry in Austria and is widely recognised across European higher education systems as equivalent to the German Abitur or the French Baccalauréat. For students wishing to apply to universities outside Europe, the Matura may need to be formally assessed and validated by the admissions body in the destination country.

Are faith schools common in Austria, and can non-religious families attend them?

Faith schools — Catholic institutions in particular — have a long and significant presence in Austria and represent a substantial share of private schools with public status (Privatschulen mit Öffentlichkeitsrecht). Legislation dating from 1962 and its subsequent amendments requires that all state-funded schools remain open to children regardless of their birth, gender, ethnicity, social standing, language, or religion. In practice, many faith schools do welcome pupils of all backgrounds, though it is worthwhile contacting schools individually to understand their specific admissions priorities and educational ethos before making an application.