The new survey shows that housing costs for students average 586 euros per month, with dorm rents having increased by 61% since 2015, despite fewer reports of hardship.
Housing costs for students have risen in recent years, in line with trends affecting other population groups, according to a new Student Social Survey published on Tuesday. The increase has been particularly pronounced in student dormitories. However, at the same time, the number of students reporting financial hardship has fallen slightly. The share of students in paid employment has also fallen slightly.
The Student Social Survey has been conducted since the 1970s and involves questionnaires sent to all enrolled students. It is now conducted online. In the summer semester of 2025, about 36,000 students — just over a tenth of the total — completed the survey in full, project leader Anna Dibiasi of the Institute for Advanced Study (IHS) said in a press conference.
Students spend almost 590 euros per month on housing
Students who do not live with their parents or relatives, do not follow distance learning and contribute to housing costs paid an average of 586 euros per month for housing during the summer semester of 2025. This represents an increase of 7 percent since 2023 and a nominal increase of 51 percent compared to 2015. Adjusted for inflation, housing costs have increased only slightly since 2023 (0.3 percent) and by 9 percent since 2015.
However, there are significant differences. A quarter of students pay less than 400 euros per month. Half pay up to 505 euros, while the top quarter spends more than 700 euros per month. On average, students allocate 38 percent of their total budget to housing (2015: 36 percent).
The type of accommodation is the deciding factor. Students living alone (664 euros) or with a partner (634 euros) pay more on average. Those living in shared apartments or dormitories run by non-profit or private providers pay around 500 euros. Unlike other types of accommodation, dormitory costs have increased even after inflation over the past two years (an increase of 7 percent). Since 2015, dormitory costs have increased by 61 percent in nominal terms and 16 percent in real terms, mainly due to the growing number of private, commercial operators, theinternational reports, albinfo.at transmits.
Science Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner (SPÖ) described the trend as a “wake-up call”. The government programme includes plans to reintroduce student housing subsidies, which will be addressed in the upcoming budget negotiations. She did not specify a figure. However, Student Union President Selina Wienerroither (VSStÖ) repeated an earlier request for 50 million euros in funding.
Fewer students report financial difficulties
Beyond housing costs, the survey shows some positive trends. The share of students reporting financial hardship has fallen from 29 to 25 percent since the last survey, although pre-crisis levels have not yet been reached. The percentage of employed students has fallen slightly to 68 percent. Average working hours have also fallen to 20.2 hours per week, compared to 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 student meal of 5 euros in university canteens starting next winter semester. Operators will have to meet certain quality standards. The program will initially start in selected locations before being expanded.
The Green Party called on Holzleitner to implement her commitments, stating that concrete actions must follow the data. The Chamber of Labor (AK) demanded a significant increase in study grants, at least above the poverty risk threshold. The ÖVP-affiliated student group AktionsGemeinschaft called for adjusting the income thresholds for eligibility for grants, currently set at 17,212 euros per year./Albinfo.ch
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