Financial matters
On this page you will find information on financial support for your Erasmus+ stay:
Erasmus+ grant or top-up
Erasmus+ students will receive an Erasmus+ grant or "top-up" (if they are receiving federal aid for students) paid by the OeAD-GmbH (Österreichischer Austauschdienst – Austrian National Agency).
In general, you should take classes worth 30 ECTS per semester. The reimbursement threshold for the mobility grant depends on the duration of stay but consists of at least 3 recognised ECTS credits per study month abroad (only the ECTS recognised by the University of Vienna count!)
The amount of the grant (approx. € 400 per month) depends on the host country (see list of grant amounts by host country for 19/20). You will receive 80% of the whole grant at the beginning of your Erasmus+ stay, after submitting the signed grant agreement to the OeAD. The remaining 20% (if the confirmation of stay shows that your stay was shorter than originally indicated, this will be deducted from the second instalment proportionally) will be paid after your Erasmus+ stay, after submitting the confirmation of stay to the OeAD.
If you receive federal aid for students ("Studienbeihilfe") from the Austrian Study Grant Authority ("Stipendienstelle"), you must also apply to the Study Grant Authority for financial aid for your studies abroad ("Auslandsbeihilfe"). You will then be required to hand in the official notice about financial aid ("Auslandsbeihilfenbescheid") to the OeAD, together with the signed grant agreement. You will receive the "top-up" ONLY after handing in both documents to the OeAD. The "top-up" is the grant minus the financial aid for studies abroad awarded to you.
The level of top-ups available can be seen here. The top-up is paid by the OeAD and the same 80%-20% regulation applies as for the regular grant. The financial aid for your studies abroad will be paid monthly by the Study Grant Authority (in the same way as the federal aid for students).
Tuition fees
You are exempt from paying tuition fees at the University of Vienna and at the host university for the duration of your Erasmus+ stay. However, it is absolutely necessary to pay the students’ union fee (ÖH-Beitrag) by the deadline, even during your semester abroad, in order to ensure that you remain enrolled at the University of Vienna. Please note that some host universities also charge incoming Erasmus+students similar fees (comparable to the students’ union fee) – you cannot be exempted from these fees.
A leave of absence from the University of Vienna will NOT be granted during a semester abroad. For more detailed information, please see the Teaching Affairs and Student Services website. However, if you are also enrolled on another degree programme at another Austrian University you may be able to take a leave of absence from this course for the duration of your Erasmus+ stay. Please contact the pertinent university for further information.
Students who have been admitted to study at several universities simultaneously must notify each one of these universities of their proposed stay abroad if they wish to remain enrolled there.
NO additional semester of tolerance ("Toleranzsemester") will be granted because of an Erasmus+ stay abroad, that is to say, students must remain within the prescribed minimum duration of study +2 "semesters of tolerance".
Please note, however, that an Erasmus+ stay might entitle you to an additional semester of family allowance ("Familienbeihilfe").
Those receiving federal aid for students
For stays from 2019/20:
If you receive federal aid for students ("Studienbeihilfe"), in order to finance your Erasmus+ semester you MAY also apply for financial aid for studies abroad ("Auslandsbeihilfe") from the Study Grant Authority. From the academic year 2019/20 onwards it is possible to receive both "Auslandsbeihilfe" and Erasmus+ grant simultaneously.
For stays until 2018/19:
If you receive federal aid for students ("Studienbeihilfe"), in order to finance your Erasmus+ semester you MUST also apply for financial aid for studies abroad ("Auslandsbeihilfe") from the Study Grant Authority. You will be required to hand in the official notice about financial aid ("Auslandsbeihilfenbescheid") to the OeAD immediately, regardless of whether it is positive or negative.
A tip for applying for financial aid: you can leave out page 2 in the application form if you instead attach a copy of your Learning Agreement before the Mobility (signed AND stamped by your directorate of studies) to the application.
If you are awarded financial aid for your studies abroad, then each month during your Erasmus+ stay you will receive the financial aid for studies abroad in addition to your standard federal aid for students ("Inlandshilfe") from the Study Grant Authority (“Stipendienstelle”). The first instalment of financial aid for studies abroad includes a one-off supplement for travel expenses (depending upon the host country). Moreover, those receiving federal aid for students are also eligible for financial aid for a language course abroad; more information is available from the Study Grant Authority ("Stipendienstelle") directly.
Students with children
If you are going to take your child/children with you on your Erasmus+ stay, you can apply to the OeAD for additional financial aid for students with children in addition to the regular Erasmus+ grant. This amounts to €120 per month for the first child. For the second and third child, another €30 will be added to this fixed payment for each child.
ONCE YOU HAVE submitted the Erasmus+ documents (Learning Agreement, etc.), please hand in the application for additional financial aid at the International Office. The International Office will sign your application and forward it for the OeAD.
Students with special needs
Erasmus+ takes inclusion very seriously. Students with a disability or chronic illness can apply for additional financial aid to cover any additional costs that might arise due to their stay abroad (e.g. medical attendance, transportation of equipment).
Helpful links for outgoing students with physical, mental or health-related impairments
- University of Vienna– Team Barrierefrei Studieren (team for accessible studying)
- Austrian Students‘ Union (ÖH) – Referat für Barrierefreiheit (department for accessibility)
- MappED is an online tool mapping the accessibility of higher education institutions and their services
- Student toolkit has been designed by students for students, and contains tips and advice to support your preparation for your Erasmus+ stay
Data protection
Personal data are confidential and will only be processed in accordance with the applicable national laws insofar as this is necessary with regard to your application and participation in the Erasmus+ programme.