Education and Schools in Vienna

The standard of public education and schools in Vienna is excellent, but as an expat parent, you'll have to decide between public bilingual schools and international schools. The language of instruction in public schools is German, which may be challenging for expat children.

The primary factors to consider are the cost of school fees, the curriculum, and the school's location. As there are many schooling options in Vienna, it is important to know what is available to make an informed decision.

Public schools in Vienna

Schooling in Austria is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 15. It is divided into four years of Volksschule (primary school) and eight years of Gymnasium (secondary school). The latter is divided into lower secondary school (four years) and upper secondary school, with vocational or academic training offered for the final four years.

Registration takes place in March. Most schools have an open house (Schnuppertag) in February, during which parents can speak to teachers and directors. Attendance is not zoned according to where children live – they can attend school anywhere in the city, subject to acceptance.

Useful links

• City of Vienna – The School System in Vienna

Bilingual schools in Vienna

Due to a significant language barrier, standard public schools are not a feasible option for most expats who only plan on spending a short time in the city, but bilingual schools are a good alternative. At Viennese bilingual schools, students are taught in both German and English. These are effectively public schools, so fees are low or non-existent.

Bilingual schools are popular among expats and local Austrians alike. Vienna has only around 10 bilingual schools, so competition for placements is high. We advise you to apply for a place as soon as possible.

International schools in Vienna

There are several international schools in Vienna where students are taught in English. They are highly regarded but incredibly expensive. The benefit of attending an international school is that your children can continue studying in their home curriculum. Additionally, international schools give you an opportunity to connect with other expat families who understand the lived expat experience in Vienna. 

Many expats choose to live in the same neighbourhood as the school their child attends. Thanks to the resources and facilities available at the school, the transition to a new city is made easier. However, some would say that the cultural experience of being in a foreign city is limited by expats surrounding themselves with other expats.

Read more

• International Schools in Vienna
• City of Vienna – International Schools

Special-needs education in Vienna

Children with special educational needs can attend mainstream schools where possible; for severe disabilities, special schools are designed to cater to their specific needs. According to Austrian law, parents have the right to pick the kind of schooling they prefer for their child.

Depending on the disability, special schools educate children with disabilities through various methods such as small learner groups, specially trained teachers, curricula that pay attention to the respective disabilities, and special methods and materials.

Education in special schools covers the whole period of compulsory schooling. After academic education, a pre-vocational year takes place in special schools, where learners are supported in the transition period from school to the labour market.

Tutors in Vienna

Tutors are widely used in Vienna to improve and assist children's schooling. They might be employed to assist in specific subjects such as maths or science. Expat parents will often hire a tutor to improve their child's German language proficiency. Tutors are also used to prepare for important exams or university entrance exams.

You might also find that your child may benefit from having a guiding hand in navigating a new school system, or just from building some confidence. Top private tuition companies include GoStudent and TeacherOn.

Useful links

• GoStudent
• TeacherOn