On this page

1. Housing

2. Social services

3. Health care

4. Financial services

5. Quality assurance

Housing

Housing in Austria is primarily the responsibility of the nine Federal Provinces, each managing regional housing policies and subsidies. Across the country, a broad spectrum of support services exists, including housing subsidies, grants for housing and dormitories, student residences, and emergency shelters. To enhance affordable housing options for young people and combat youth homelessness, Austria employs a comprehensive strategy that integrates supportive housing policies, social inclusion programs, and structural reforms. Central to this approach is strong collaboration among political authorities, social services, and housing sectors, ensuring tailored local solutions and effective resource allocation to meet diverse community needs.

Access to and expansion of social (affordable) housing

Social housing availability for young people in Austria is provided through targeted youth programs, such as the cross-regional initiative ‘Young Living’ (Junges Wohnen), which provides affordable, compact housing and flexible leases and is designed to help young people take their first steps toward independent living. Target groups vary slightly by federal state and project, but generally include young adults aged up to 30-35, especially singles, couples, and young families who are training, starting their careers or are looking for their first apartment. In Vienna and other regions, additional special actions – such as the ‘Young Viennese’ (Jungwiener*innen) Action and targeted programs for apprentices, young workers, and students – offer priority access to municipal and SMART apartments. 

For more details see links to some regional offers:

• Young Living – Upper Austria (Junges Wohnen – Oberösterreich)
• Young Living – Vienna (Junges Wohnen – Wien)
• Young Living – Burgenland (Junges Wohnen – Burgenland)

Support to ownership

Some Austrian federal states (e.g. Styria, Tyrol) provide grants and low-interest loans to help young people build or buy their first home, with eligibility typically limited to those up to 35 years old. These programs are part of broader housing promotion initiatives (e.g. Wohnbauförderung, Wohnstarthilfe) and emphasise affordability, energy efficiency, and support for families. While the federal government is considering a uniform loan program for young people, current support remains largely state-based.

• For example, the Styrian regional housing grant programme (see Förderungsrichtlinie Hausstandsgründung von Jungfamilien Steiermark, 2025) supports young people – primarily those under 35, or those in partnerships where at least one person is under 35 and the other is under 40 – by offering a one-time subsidy to first-time buyers or those setting up a household. Depending on their expenses, eligible applicants can receive either €4,000 or €10,000, provided they meet income, citizenship, and household setup requirements.
• The Tyrolean grant for young people ‘Young living - housing start-up aid (‘Junges Wohnen – Wohnstarthilfe‘) supports young adults under 35 who are buying or building their first apartment in a block of flats. The amount of the grant varies according to household income and size. It can offer up to €18,000 to those with children and lower incomes, making home ownership more accessible for young people in Tyrol.

Student’s Housing

While there is no direct national funding program for companies building student homes, the federal government allocates general housing subsidies and block grants to the federal states, which may be used to support student accommodation projects. For example, in the state of Burgenland, state funding is available specifically for the renovation, adaptation, or creation of student dormitories, covering costs related to construction, refurbishment, or conversion work for eligible student housing (Förderung für Studentenheime). A specific amount of funding, however, is not listed. 

Dormitory and Commuting Grant for pupils (Heim- und Fahrtkostenbeihilfe) 

When young people from the 9^th grade onwards attend schools away from their primary residence and daily travel from their parent’s home to school is unreasonable or impossible, or when students are legally required to live in a school-affiliated dormitory (including for forestry or agricultural schools), they are eligible for a boarding allowance. For the 2024/2025 school year, the basic allowance amount is €2,155. 

In addition, when boarding allowance is granted, there is also entitlement to travel allowance, which is €165 for the school year 2024/25. 

This support is means-tested, considering parental income, the student’s own income and family circumstance. Those eligible include Austrian citizens, EU/EEA nationals, certain long-term residents and refuges, provided they attend and eligible school, such as a secondary or vocational school. The allowance can be adjusted for special circumstances according to the Pupils Grant Act (Schülerbeihilfengesetz 1983, §12) and is intended to reduce financial and logistic barriers to accessing quality education across Austria. 

Support for young people in housing emergencies (Unterstützung von Jugendlichen in Wohnungs-Notfällen)

If the parents or legal guardians do not consent to a young person moving out, young people aged 14 and over can apply to the relevant district court for support by providing valid reasons such as family violence or neglect. Before doing so, young people can seek help from the Office of the Ombudsmen for Children and Young People (Kinder- und Jugendanwaltschaften), child and youth welfare services (Kinder- und Jugendhilfe), or, in emergencies (e.g. violence), the police or intervention centres. If a young person is unlawfully forced out by their parents, which is not legally allowed for persons under 18 years of age, they should immediately contact the child and youth welfare agency. The Federal Working Group on Assistance for the Homeless (Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Wohnungslosenhilfe, BAWO) also provides emergency shelters for young people.

Measures to end Homelessness for young people in Austria 

Specialized housing for homeless or at-risk youth includes offers by organizations like neunerhaus, which provides low-threshold housing and support for homeless young adults (18-30 years), including protected and mobile housing aligned with the "Housing First" approach. This approach prioritizes immediate access to stable housing combined with social care without coercion. The neunerhaus policy paper “Housing for young adults – affordable, flexible, secure”(2025) (in German only) addresses measures to end homelessness for young people. 

Youth Residencies/Organised Living (Jugendwohnheime/Organisiertes Wohnen)

Youth residencies provide affordable, temporary accommodation for young people who need to live away from home during vocational training, apprenticeships, or studies. This form of organised housing includes workers’ residences, apprentices’ hostels, student dormitories, and boarding schools. In Austria, for example, the Austrian Young Workers Movement (ÖJAB) offers low-cost student and youth dormitories across cities such as Vienna, Graz, Salzburg, and more. These modern residences often include communal activities like gyms, saunas, cafés, and event spaces, fostering a community atmosphere beyond just affordable housing. 

The Austrian government platform presents an extensive list of links and directories with addresses of various housing providers. 

Social services

The Austrian social security system offers comprehensive protection through compulsory social insurance, covering health, accidents, pensions and unemployment, as well as publicly funded benefits such as family, childcare and maternity support. A key pillar of this system is the Family Burden Equalisation Fund (FLAF), which supports families and young people by providing allowances, childcare leave, schoolbooks and transport subsidies (see below, 4.6.4). To ensure equal access to education, Austria has a system of free schools and universities, which is complemented by free schoolbooks (Schulbuchaktion), reduced accommodation fees and subsidies for school activities. 

Targeted schemes further assist socially disadvantaged students. The school allowance (Schulbeihilfe) provides €1,764 per year (for the 2024/25 school year) from grade 10 onwards, with higher amounts possible in special circumstances (as regulated under student allowance law – Schülerbeihilfengesetz 1983). Eligibility is based on family income, household size, and individual need, and supplements are available for working students preparing for final exams (Schulbeihilfe für Berufstätige). The subsidised school transport scheme (Schülerfreifahrt) enables students, apprentices, and trainees under 24 who receive family allowance to travel to school or training sites for a flat annual fee of €19.60, with extra subsidies available for longer journeys or compulsory internships. Financial relief is also available in the form of reduced childcare and accommodation fees in full-day and boarding schools (Ermäßigung des Betreuungs- und Nächtigungsbeitrages für ganztägige Schulformen und Schülerheime), as well as support for participation in school events (up to €242), ensuring inclusion in extracurricular learning opportunities (Finanzielle Unterstützung für die Teilnahme an Schulveranstaltungen). 

Beyond financial measures, youth-oriented social services play a vital role in inclusion and protection. The Child and Youth Welfare Service (Kinder- und Jugendhilfe) offers counselling, crisis intervention, risk assessments, foster and residential care, adoption services and legal representation. At regional and local levels, youth work programmes, including youth centres, mobile services, information points, prevention initiatives and socio-educational support, strengthen personal development, participation and integration, particularly among young people at risk of exclusion. Specialised initiatives such as Youth Coaching (Jugendcoaching) offer personalised guidance to help students complete their compulsory education and transition into training or employment (see Chapter 3.4.1). 

In addition, regional programmes provide targeted support to young people facing transitional challenges. In Vienna for instance, the U25 programme (Zentrale Anlaufstelle für junge Menschen: U25), launched in 2021, serves as a one-stop centre for those under 25, offering integrated counselling on work, education, housing, finances, and social issues in close cooperation with the Public Employment Service Vienna (AMS Wien), city social services, and partner organisations. The city also provides specialised support for young care leavers up to age 24 (Kostenlose Beratung und Unterstützung für Care Leavers), offering up to 45 hours of free, personalised counselling on independent living, education, health, relationships, and dealing with authorities. Delivered by organisations such as SOS-Kinderdorf, Volkshilfe Wien, and the Careleaver Association Austria (Care Leaver Verein Österreich), the initiative combines professional guidance with peer exchange formats like the Zenta-Treff, helping young people build resilience, continuity, and empowerment as they transition from care to adulthood.

Alongside state services, non-governmental organisations such as Caritas, Diaokonie, Hilsfwerk and the Austrian Red Cross (Rotes Kreuz Österreich) (see list in German), provide vital counselling and practical assistance, frequently collaborating with public institutions. By offering accessible, low-threshold services nationwide, these organisations complement government efforts, contributing significantly to Austria’s holistic system of social support for young people and families. 

Health care

Austria provides a wide range of healthcare services for children and young people. These services include free check-ups, vaccinations and dental care, as well as school-based doctors, nurses, psychologists and counselling services. Support for mental health issues is accessible through helplines, online counselling and specialised child and adolescent psychiatry. Young people with chronic illnesses or disabilities benefit from paediatric specialist centres, early intervention, rehabilitation and a structure transition to adult care. Home- and community-based nursing and palliative care services enable treatment in familiar settings. These services are complemented by equity measures that secure access for disadvantaged groups, as well as health promotion programmes in schools that encourage healthy lifestyles. 

The Austrian Children and Youth Strategy 2024 (Österreichische Kinder- und Jugendgesundheitsstrategie 2024) builds on these structures to sustainably improve health and wellbeing. It does this by coordinating action across sectors, embedding health in all policies, and adapting measures to the diverse needs of young people. There is a strong focus on participation and equity (see Chapter 7.1). 

In addition, the nationwide GIVE initiative (in German), run by the Federal Ministries of Education and of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection together with the Austrian Red Cross (Rotes Kreuz Österreich), strengthens health support for young people by providing schools and health institutions with practical tools, expert guidance, and targeted interventions. This gives young people access to low-threshold resources such as the ‘Chateria Speciale’ digital chat café (linked to the ‘Rat auf Draht’ helpline), school psychology helplines and online video counselling, making mental health support more accessible. At the same time, GIVE invests in the professional development of teachers, school doctors, and health professionals by acting as a central documentation and information hub and offering coaching groups that foster healthy relationships, peer learning, and confidence in addressing sensitive health issues. All these efforts strengthen both the direct support available to young people and the capacity of professionals to promote wellbeing in educational and health settings. 

The following sections introduce a few important healthcare services for young people in Austria, including information providers, counselling helplines etc. 

Youth Portal (Jugendportal)

The Youth Portal website (Gesundheit & Wohlfühlen) provides young people in Austria with reliable, youth-friendly information on healthcare services. It organises key topics such as physical and mental health, prevention, and healthy lifestyle tips into easy-to-navigate sections. The website offers guides for doctor visits, medicine use, and self-help. It connects users to regional health institutions and provides checklists for finding trustworthy health information online. It also links to nationwide sources for self-help groups, helplines, and specialised counselling, enabling young people easy access to answers, contacts, and support for all health-related issue. 

Austrian Public Health Portal (gesundheit.gv.at)

The website provides clear guidance for parents and young people on where to find health care and support services in Austria. It includes videos with explanations in multiple languages about how to access health services for children and adolescents, covering topics from common illnesses to dental health and addictions. The site offers contact details for regional health services, as well as information on prevention, mental health, and health promotion specifically tailored for young people. This ensures that families and youth can easily find trustworthy, quality-assured medical and psychological help when needed. 

Young Carers Austria App (in German)

The ‘Young Carers Austria’ app is a free, accessible digital tool developed by the Austrian Ministry of Social Affairs and FH Oberösterreich (Upper Austria) to support children and young people providing care for family members. It offers essential information on available support services, emergency contacts, regional resources, and features an interactive chatbot to help users quickly find relevant help. The app is designed primarily for young carers but also serves their families, educators, and caregivers by providing practical guidance, emotional support, and empowering young carers to manage their caregiving responsibilities alongside personal development. 

Nationwide Helpline ('Rat auf Draht')

'Rat auf Draht' is Austria’s free, confidential and anonymous helpline for children, teenagers and their carers. Available 24/7 via phone or online chat, 'Rat auf Draht' offers support on all issues affecting young people. A unique feature of its service is the Peer2Peer chat, where trained young volunteers counsel their peers. 'Rat auf Draht' provides emotional support, guidance and referrals to further help, creating a trusted and accessible space for young people in need. 

Children’s Emergency Helpline (Kindernotruf)

The ‘Kindernotruf’ is a free, confidential, and anonymous 24-hour telephone counselling service available around the clock. Its primary role is to intervene in acute crises, often serving as the first point of contact for individuals facing conflict or crises situations, especially in cases involving violence or sexual abuse. The service is open not only for children and young people experiencing problems but also to parents dealing with parenting challenges and other adults concerned about a child’s welfare. 

#healthhacks project (#healthhacks Projekt)

The #healthhacks project in Austria educates young people about physical activity and nutrition through a youth-centred approach, involving teenagers aged 14 to 17 in developing content that meets their interests and preferred formats. It provides scientifically based information via engaging videos on platforms like Tik Tok, Instagram, and YouTube, supplemented by detailed text and sources on its website. The project is designed to make health education relatable and accessible for Austrian youth, promoting healthier lifestyles through digital media and trusted information. It is run by the Austrian Public Health Institute (Gesundheit Österreich GmbH) on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection. 

Ready4life App (in German)

Ready4life is a free, anonymous coaching app and programme for young people in Austria aged 14 and over. It helps them manage stress, strengthen social skills, and build resilience against risky behaviours such as alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use. The app also promotes healthy approaches to social media, gaming, and physical activity. The programme begins with a workshop in schools or training settings, followed by several months of personalised digital coaching through an avatar-based chat. Interactive features such as quizzes, videos, expert Q&A and a reward system encourage reflection and skill-building in an engaging way. By combining prevention and life skill training in a modern accessible format, Ready4life supports addiction prevention and overall health. The programme is supported by the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, the federal state of Upper Austria, and further partners. 

Health Education – feel-ok.at (in German)

Feel-ok.at is a publicly funded German-language platform that promotes health literacy among young people by providing high-quality, legally compliant resources developed through a network of institutions in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany. The website offers texts, interactive tools, and teaching materials on topics such as mental health, substance use, nutrition, fitness, relationships, sexuality, online behaviour, and youth rights. Its reach is strengthened through workshop for educators, schools, and youth workers, as well as through PR activities such as posters and flyers, ensuring that young people are supported in making informed, health-promoting decisions.

Youth Info mental health teaching material 

The Youth info mental health teaching material 'How are you?' ("Wie geht es dir?") provides freely accessible, easy-to-use resources with interactive exercises and clear guidance, designed to help educators support young people’s mental health literacy and resilience. It serves as a practical tool for training and professional development of health mediators by equipping them with effective methods to promote mental well-being, recognise warning signs, and guide young people to appropriate help. 

Network health competence in professional extracurricular youthwork

The Federal Network of Austrian Youth Information Centres (BÖJI) and the national network for open youth work (bOJA) have developed and published a Code of Practice and Guidelines (Leitfaden - Gesundheitskomptenz in der Jugenarbeit) for health competence in youth work.

Regional Services 

MOKI Vienna (Mobile Kinderkrankenpflege Wien)

MOKI Vienna offers professional home-based nursing for children and adolescents with illnesses or disabilities, enabling care in familiar settings like home, daycare, or school. Its services range from neonatal follow-up and breastfeeding advice to diabetes counselling and palliative care, easing hospital stays and strengthening family resilience. By working closely with medical and social services, MOKI Vienna provides comprehensive support for young patients and their families.  

Further measures to promote the Health and Well-being of young people

A broad range of further measures taken to promote the health and well-being of young people in Austria is depicted in Chapter 7.

Financial services

Providing financial support for families, and thus for young people, is a cornerstone of Austria’s social policy. To ease the economic pressures of raising children, the country established the Family Burden Equalisation Fund (Familienlastenausgleichsfonds, FLAF) in 1967, as set out in the Family Burden Equalisation Law (Familienlastenausgleichsgesetz). Administered by the Federal Ministry of Finance and overseen by the Department for Families and Youth at the Federal Chancellery, the fund remains the country’s most important instrument of family support. It provides financial assistance in the form of allowances, childcare and parental leave benefits, schoolbooks, travel subsidies, and targeted measures such as maintenance advances and hardship compensation. 

In 2024, FLAF expenditure totalled €8.65 billion, the largest portion of which was allocated to family allowances (€4.23 billion), followed by childcare and parental leave benefits (€1.31 billion). Additional spending included €622 million for schoolbooks, and €2.35 billion for other family-related measures such as family counselling services. Alongside tax reliefs, these benefits help to reduce inequalities and promote children’s education, wellbeing and social inclusion. 

Statistik Austria provides updated statistics on family benefits (Familienleistungen) in Austria. 

Family allowance (Familienbeihilfe)

In Austria, the family allowance provides income-independent financial support to parents and legal guardians with permanent residence in the country. It is granted for all children up to age 18 and continuous up to age 24 for those in vocational training, university, or other approved education. Under certain circumstances – such as disability (from 50%), completion of compulsory service, childbirth, or qualified voluntary service – eligibility extends to age 25, and there is no age limit for severely disabled children who became unable to support themselves before 25. 

In 2025, the monthly allowance is €138.40 from birth, €148 from age 3, €171.80 from age 10, and €200.40 from age 19, with additional sibling supplements and an extra €189.20 for severely disabled children. Parents also automatically receive a child tax credit (€70.90 per child monthly) and a school start allowance (€121.40 each September for children aged 6–15). These benefits, adjusted annually for inflation, represent a substantial financial contribution to families and ensure equal support across income groups.

Financial support for students (Studienbeihilfe)

The Austrian study grant is a central instrument of student financial support, designed to cover living expenses and ensure access to higher education regardless of economic background. Since public universities in Austria charge no tuition fees, the grant helps bridge the gap between the parental support required by law and the individual needs of students. Eligibility is open to Austrian citizens and, under certain conditions, to EU/EWR nationals, third-country nationals, stateless persons, and recognised refugees. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, maintain satisfactory academic progress within standard study durations, and meet age limits – generally under 33, with extensions up to 38 for self-supporting students, student-parents, students with disabilities, or Master’s students. In 2025, the maximum allowance is €1,072 per month (about €12,864 annually), plus €144 per child for student-parents. The amount is adjusted according to parental or partner income, other financial support, and the student’s own earnings, which may not exceed €17,212 per year. 

Quality assurance

In Austria, the quality assurance of inclusive services such as social welfare, family support and healthcare is well established, however, it generally focuses on the general population rather than on young people specifically. The Department for Families and Youth at the Federal Chancellery supports scientific studies and funds the Austrian Institute for Family Research (ÖIF) at the University of Vienna, among other measures, to conduct surveys on issues relevant to policy services to families and young people. Youth perspectives are incorporated through evaluations such as the Report on the Situation of Youth in Austria (Bericht zur Lage der Jugend in Österreich) which analyses living conditions, values, and satisfaction with services. Further studies including AMS evaluations of employment and training services (AMS Berichte und Auswertungen), as well as quality dialogues in youth work, assess service outcomes and identify areas for improvement. These evaluations, carried out by government bodies, research institutes and youth organisations, play an important role in ensuring that youth services are continuously adapted and strengthened.