Living Expenses in Austria
Approximate monthly cost of living expenses are listed in the table below. Please note that these costs are average estimates and will vary depending on one’s personal lifestyle. Accomodation costs are based upon dormitory or apartment-sharing pricing, but a small apartment may be financed with approximately EUR 350.00 at all of our sites. The approximate monthly expenses in Carinthia may actually be lower than those listed below.
| Shared Apartment | € 310.- |
| Foods | € 220.- |
| Other personal and study costs | € 270.- |
| Total costs | € 800.- |
Additional costs that should be considered
| Tuition fee per semester | € 363.36 |
| Austrian National Union of students fee | € 18.- |
| Austrian Health Insurance by GKK per month | App. €50.- |
Accomodation
The cities of Villach and Spittal offer student dorms, however, most students rent private accommodation.
The average monthly costs of rooms vary between EUR 220.00 and € 300.00 and for a small apartment from EUR 300.00 up to € 400.00. A standard rental contract is signed for a minimum period of three years. A deposit in the range from one to three monthly rents is standard procedure in Austria. When you move into your new room or apartment, we recommend you take photos to document the state of the property. This may help you get back your deposit afterwards, in case the landlord claims money for renovation or repairs. The possibility of terminating the contract is written in the contract and mostly you have to respect a 2- or 3–month notice period to the end of a month.
You have to pay punctually on the agreed day of payment each month.Rents normally include “Betriebskosten“ (utilities), but extra costs for electricity have to be paid additionally each month.
If you arrive too late in the evening to get into your reserved room, we suggest you spend the night in a youth hostel (cost: approx. EUR 16.-).
SPITTAL
In Spittal we recommend the students Kolping Students Dormitory. It is located less than a kilometer from the CUAS site Spittal. There are about 40 single rooms for students. The rent totals EUR 330.- per month, all-inclusive. The single rooms are from 20 sqm to about 25 sqm in size, including bathroom facilities; internet and TV access available. There are kitchen facilities on each floor to be shared by eight residents, separate lockable refrigerators and cupboards are available. There are however additional offers of bed and breakfast, half board or full board. Furthermore, laundry facilities are available in the basement. Parking is available for a monthly fee of EUR 30.- The walk from the dormitory to the CUAS site takes about five minutes. Room requests may be sent directly to the Kolping House per mail: office(at)kolping-spittal.at
VILLACH
There is a dormitory in the Robert-Musil Str. 9 in 9500 Villach which is about 4 km away from the university.This dormitory is owned by GPM ROPAC & Partner GmbH. The costs are EUR 255.00 per month all inclusive. There are only single rooms, furnished with a table, bed, wardrobe and chair with shared bathroom facilities for three students each and a shared kitchen on each floor. The building offers laundry facilities in the basement. CUAS students have free wireless internet access. The student dormitory is located about 6 km from CUAS Campus Villach. In order to reach the university you have to use buses.
Meals
The following options are open for CUAS students:
CUAS site Villach
There is a cafeteria where students can choose among a few lunch menus each day.
CUAS site Klagenfurt
There are vending machines where students can buy drinks and sandwiches. Alternatively, it is possible to get a made-to-order sandwich at the gas station opposite the CUAS building. Otherwise, there is a restaurant and a supermarket close to CUAS.
CUAS site Feldkirchen
There is no cafeteria in the building, however, just in front of CUAS there are a couple of cafés and bakeries where students can buy some snacks.
CUAS site Spittal
There is a small bistro in the building where students can get lunch.
A more economical option would be to buy a snack in a supermarket and take it to the FH. In many Austrian supermarkets, it is possible to choose the ingredients you would like to make a made-to-order sandwich at the delicatessen counter.
