Housing costs for students have risen in recent years, in line with trends affecting other population groups, according to the new Student Social Survey released Tuesday. The increase has been particularly pronounced in student dormitories. At the same time, however, the number of students reporting financial difficulties has declined slightly. The share of students in paid employment has also fallen marginally.
The Student Social Survey has been conducted since the 1970s and involves questionnaires sent to all enrolled students. It is now carried out online. In the summer semester of 2025, around 36,000 students—just over one-tenth of the total—completed the survey in full, said project leader Anna Dibiasi of the Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS) at a press conference.
Students Spend Nearly €590 Per Month on Housing
Students who do not live with their parents or relatives, do not pursue distance learning, and contribute to housing costs paid an average of €586 per month in housing during the 2025 summer semester. This represents a 7 percent increase since 2023 and a 51 percent nominal increase compared with 2015. Adjusted for inflation, housing costs have risen only slightly since 2023 (0.3 percent) and by 9 percent since 2015.
However, there are significant differences. One-quarter of students pay less than €400 per month. Half pay up to €505, while the top quarter spends more than €700 monthly. On average, students allocate 38 percent of their total budget to housing (2015: 36 percent).
The type of housing is the decisive factor. Students living alone (€664) or with a partner (€634) pay the most on average. Those in shared apartments or in dormitories run by nonprofit or private providers pay around €500. Unlike other housing types, dormitory costs have risen even after inflation over the past two years (up 7 percent). Since 2015, dormitory costs have increased by 61 percent nominally and 16 percent in real terms, mainly due to the growing number of private, commercial operators.
Science Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner (SPÖ) described the trend as an “alarm signal.” The government program includes plans to reintroduce student housing subsidies, which will be addressed in upcoming budget negotiations. She did not specify a figure. However, Student Union Chair Selina Wienerroither (VSStÖ) reiterated a previous demand of €50 million in funding.
Fewer Students Report Financial Hardship
Beyond housing costs, the survey shows some positive trends. The share of students reporting financial difficulties has fallen from 29 to 25 percent since the last survey, though pre-crisis levels have not yet been reached. The proportion of students in employment has declined slightly to 68 percent. Average working hours have also decreased to 20.2 hours per week, compared with 21 hours in 2023 and 20.5 in 2019—close to the 2015 level of 19.9 hours.
To ease financial pressure, the ministry plans to introduce a subsidized €5 student meal at university cafeterias starting next winter semester. Operators must meet certain quality standards. The program will initially launch at selected locations before expanding.
The Green Party called on Holzleitner to implement her commitments, stating that concrete action must follow the data. The Chamber of Labor (AK) urged a substantial increase in study grants, at least above the at-risk-of-poverty threshold. The ÖVP-affiliated student group AktionsGemeinschaft called for adjusting income thresholds for grant eligibility, currently set at €17,212 per year.
