Preparing well before your arrival will make settling into Austria much easier. From clothing suited to all four seasons to essential documents for university and daily life, packing smart helps you avoid stress and extra expenses later.
A lot of people also consider buying clothes for a medium budget from Austria, as local European brands offer very suitable clothes for the weather, and you will find a lot of brands with reasonable prices and varying qualities, but in case you are bringing clothes from home, consider the following:
Warm winter coat, scarf, gloves, hat
Layered clothing for unpredictable weather
Comfortable walking shoes (snow-friendly for winter)
Light summer clothes for June–August
Business/formal outfit (for presentations or job interviews)
Laptop & charger (check plug type F compatibility)
Universal travel adapter
Debit/credit card (with international use enabled)
Some euros in cash for the first days
Comfort & Cultural Items (not essentials)
Photos or small decorations from home
Favorite snacks/spices (hard to find locally)
Small gifts for new friends or hosts
These are recommended documents to bring to ease some bureaucratic procedures
Legal Documents:
Valid Passport (at least 6 months validity)
Birth Certificate (certified translation in German or English)
Criminal Background Check from the home country
Health Insurance Card (European Health Insurance Card for EU students) **-> link to the related page.
Working contract in case you are coming for work.
Academic Documents:
University Acceptance Letter
High School Diploma (certified translation)
University Transcripts (certified translation)
Language Certificates (German or English proficiency)
Academic Records from previous institutions
Health Documents:
Medical Records (for chronic conditions)
Prescription Medications (with doctor’s letter in English/German if existing)
Note: Medications with no prescription note from the doctor might be seized at the customs at the borders.
Health Insurance Documentation
Financial Documents:
Bank Statements (proof of financial means)
Scholarship Award Letters (if applicable)
Financial Guarantee documents from parents or sponsors (if applicable)
Digital Copies and Extras (optional):
Scan all documents and store them in cloud storage
Passport-size personal photos (required for almost all applications in Austria)
Emergency Contact List (printed and digital copy
Medications & Health Essentials:
Any prescription medicines + doctor’s note
Basic first-aid kit
Contact lenses or glasses (plus spare), as glasses are not covered in insurance in Austria, and it’s quite expensive.
