Welcome to Salzburg! It is a city with a rich cultural and historical heritage, as well as some truly breathtaking natural beauty. Moving to a new city can be both exciting and challenging for international students. This guide is here to help you settle in more easily by pointing out all the great opportunities and resources Salzburg has to offer. The first part of this article is all about the administration process, which is the most important thing. The second part is about the essentials you need to know and the last part is the fun part!
Registration
The first thing you need to do is register your address at the service centre (Meldeservice) within three days of arriving in Salzburg. To do that, you’ll need to book an appointment online. Then, you’ll need to download and fill in the registration form, which you’ll also need to take with you to the appointment along with your passport. Alternatively, you could go there without an appointment or a print out of the registration form. The appointment is usually pretty straightforward. It is important to keep your registration document (Meldezettel) safe, as you’ll need it often, for example, to open a bank account. If you do happen to lose it, you can get another copy. There’s a service fee of about 2 euros included.
Health Insurance
It’s a legal requirement for everyone, including students, to have health insurance. Austria has a great healthcare system. You can get health insurance from ÖGK (Austrian Health Insurance Fund), or you can choose a private provider. As a student, the ÖGK is usually the best option.
Transportation
Salzburg has a great transport system with buses and trains. There’s a special student ticket you can buy at the start of each semester or year. It costs about 150 euros per semester or 274 euros per year. To buy it, you have to place an order on the Salzburger Verkehrsverbund (Salzburg Transport Association) website. You have to enter your personal details and, most importantly, upload your confirmation of enrollment. Once you’ve made your payment, you’ll get a confirmation email. The ticket will usually be delivered within two weeks, but you’ll get a digital version that you can use right away. It’s usually valid for a month. It’s a good idea to buy the ticket as soon as you can to avoid paying for single tickets. If you have difficulties ordering the tickets online, you can also go to the Salzbuger Verkehrsverbund office located in Schallmooser Hauptstraße 10. Make sure you check the opening hours before going.
Note: The ticket price is fixed. The date of purchase doesn’t affect the price.
Moreover, Salzburg is a bike friendly city with well-maintained cycling paths, making it an affordable and convenient alternative to purchasing public transport tickets.
The Afro-Asian Institute
The Afro-Asian Institute Salzburg (AAI) is a cultural and educational institution that encourages intercultural exchange, networking and understanding. It’s a place dedicated to students from the Africa, Asia and a.o. Latin America. They offer lots of services, programs and networking events, including cultural evenings, film screenings, parties and festivals celebrating the diverse cultures of Africa, Asia and a.o. Latin America. What’s more, you can take language courses in Japanese, Persian, Spanish and other languages from the start to the end of the winter and summer semesters respectively. The institute is a great place to talk through your challenges and get advice on academic, social and personal issues.
Diakonie Refugee Service
The Diakonie Flüchtlingsdienst (Diakonie Refugee Service) offers essential legal advice and support for migrants and refugees. They provide guidance on residence permits, asylum procedures, work rights and other legal matters related to living in Austria. They can be particularly helpful for navigating complex immigration laws, ensuring that students remain compliant with local regulations and assisting with any legal issues that may arise during their stay.
Tipp: The Diakonie also offers German Language trainings, if you want to improve your German: https://www.diakonie.at/unsere-angebote-und-einrichtungen/sprachtraining-integrationshilfe
Furthermore, you can attend for free a German conversation course in the city library twice a week: https://www.stadt-salzburg.at/miteinander-reden/
The ÖH – Österreichische Hochschüler*innenschaft
The Austrian National Union of Students is an independent body representing students at Austrian universities. The ÖH offers a range of services, including academic support, social and financial support. They also offer resources for mental health and stress management, helping students to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle. How can I get in touch? You will find the ÖH consulting centre at Erzabt-Klotz-Straße 1 (Unipark). No need to book an appointment in advance – just drop in!
Budget friendly activities
There are plenty of budget-friendly activities in Salzburg, the enchanting birthplace of Mozart. You can enjoy the picturesque landscape and explore historic sites. You can enjoy the natural beauty for free. For some stunning views of Salzburg, take a walk up to the Salzburg Fortress (Festung Hohensalzburg) or the Capuchin Mountain (Kapuzinerberg). You can enjoy a great view of the city from up there.
Salzburg also has lots of festivals and free events throughout the year, so it’s easy to experience the local culture. The Salzburg Festival includes free open-air concerts and screenings. You can also check out the Christmas markets in the cathedral square (Domplatz) and Mirabell square, where you can soak up the festive atmosphere and enjoy some music. In the summer, there are often free concerts in public spaces and parks. The entry is usually free, but it’s always worth checking out ‚WhatsUpSalzburg‘ on Instagram. Each week, they post events and usually indicate if they are free.
If you need to learn or simply relax, you should head to Imaculada, located in Wiener-Philhamoniker-Gasse 2. It’s a zone free from compulsory consumption. You could bring your own food or snacks and enjoy the free Wi-Fi. There’s also a self-service area where you could find tea, coffee, drinks and snacks at affordable prices.
Language
For international students who don’t speak German, Salzburg offers a wide range of cultural experiences and social activities that cater to English speaking students. The Café der Kulturen is a great spot to meet people with and without a migration background. You can chat about anything, from problems to cooking, handicrafts, eating cake or just helping out.
Theaters: Salzburg is known for its vibrant performing acts scenes. While many theater productions are in German, several venues offer performances in English or provide English subtitles. In the Salzburger Landestheater, the main productions are in German. However, the theater occasionally hosts international performances and operas, sometimes with English subtitles or translation available.
Salzburger Festspiele: The Salzbrug Festival features opera, theater, and concerts over a period of five to six weeks each summer. While many performances are in German, the festival often includes international artists and English speaking events.
Mozart week (Mozart Woche): Celebrating the works of Mozart, this festival attracts global audiences and musicians therefore, the performances often include international artists and the music transcends language barriers.
Cinemas: Several cinemas in Salzburg like DAS KINO and Cineplexx cater to international audiences, often screening films in their original language with subtitles. DAS KINO is known for displaying international films and frequently screens movies in English or with English subtitles.
Dance courses: Some dance studios in Salzburg offer courses taught in English. The styles are versatile and they often range from salsa to tango and contemporary to hip hop, providing plenty of option for dance lovers.
Sport Opportunities
Salzburg offers numerous sport opportunities for students looking to stay active. The University sport institute (USI) provides a wide variety of courses. These range from traditional sports like football, basketball and tennis to more relaxing options like yoga, Pilates and ballet. The courses are affordable and cater to all skill levels, making them an excellent option for international students.
Additionally, Salzburg is dotted with Freiluft fitness Stationen– outdoor fitness stations- located throughout the city. These stations are perfect for those who prefer exercising open air, offering a convenient way to maintain fitness without needing a gym membership.
Second Hand Shopping
There are several great options for second hand items in Salzburg. Carla and TAO & Mode Circel are a popular choice, offering a wide range of second hand goods including clothing and household items. It is a perfect place to find essentials at a low cost while also supporting a charitable organization. Also, Willhaben, Austria’s largest online marketplace for second hand goods is a convenient option for finding quality used items at a fraction of the cost
Both spots are ideal for students who want to save money while also embracing a sustainable living.
Food
If you are an African, Asian or Latin American, do not worry if you miss the taste of home, the spices you would find in Ethihad stores is more than enough to cook real soul food. It is located at Lassenstraße 41, 5020, Salzburg. There you could find different kinds of African food like yam, okra, plantain and different spices that you can’t find in the regular supermarkets. The best part about it is that the prices are affordable. Moreover the Asian speciality market on Schrannengasse 2 is a popular spot, offering a wide selection of items.
Conclusion
Salzburg offers a wealth of opportunities and resources for Students from the global south, making it an enriching destination for your academic journey. With this guide, I hope you feel more prepared and excited to make Salzburg your home away from home.
