Where to Learn German in Vienna: Best Schools, Courses & Funding (2026)
German fluency is the single biggest lever on how far your Vienna job search and social life reach — and unlike in some other expat destinations, real funding exists to bring the cost down close to zero if you plan ahead.
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In this guide
Where to Study
Established schools include IFU Sprachschule (weekend courses around €250 per two months, plus intensive and ÖIF exam-prep options), GeDe Deutschzentrum (an official ÖIF course provider and exam centre, running since 2009, A1 through C1), Deutschothek (intensive, afternoon and evening courses, with waff-funding accepted), and Lernpoint, with a branch right at Stephansplatz in the 1st district.
Funding That Actually Exists
This is the part most new arrivals don’t realize: you can apply for funding through waff (Vienna’s own employment promotion fund) and ÖIF (the Austrian Integration Fund), redeem AK vouchers or the Vienna language voucher, and in some cases combine schemes to cover close to 100% of course fees. Specifically, with the ÖIF’s blue federal voucher, you can get back up to €750 after successfully passing the A2 exam.
What Level Do You Actually Need?
- A1/A2 — enough for daily life, shopping, basic bureaucracy, and required for some residence permit renewals
- B1 — the level typically required for Austrian citizenship applications
- B2/C1 — needed for university admission in German-taught programs and most professional/skilled job roles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is German actually required to get a Meldezettel or open a bank account?
No — those administrative steps don’t require any German proficiency. German becomes essential for job-hunting outside international organizations and for long-term social integration.
How long does it realistically take to reach B1?
With intensive courses (multiple sessions per week), motivated learners typically reach B1 in 6-9 months; part-time weekend courses take considerably longer, often 12-18 months.
Can I get funding as a non-EU resident?
Yes — ÖIF funding in particular is specifically designed for integration and is available to non-EU residents with a valid residence permit, not restricted to EU citizens.
Your German-Learning Action Plan
Check what funding you already qualify for before paying full price for a course.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Check ÖIF and waff funding eligibility before enrolling anywhere — do this first, not after paying |
| 2 | Take a placement test at GeDe or IFU to find your real starting level |
| 3 | Target B1 if planning to stay long-term or apply for citizenship eventually |
| 4 | Book the ÖIF A2 exam once ready — passing unlocks the €750 voucher refund |
Expat Essentials for Spain
A few quick wins make settling into Spain easier while you work through this guide. An Airalo eSIM keeps you online from the moment you land, EKTA bridges your health cover until residency, and NordVPN protects your logins on public wifi. See our full list of trusted services below.
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