Five questions, about two minutes. You'll see exactly which of Vienna's funding programs you likely qualify for — waff, MA17 Sprachgutschein, AK-Bildungsgutschein, AMS, ÖIF, or FSW — with concrete next steps for each.
Estimates based on publicly-known rules. Final decisions are made by each funding body. We don't collect your answers — they live in your browser only.
How Vienna funding works — in detail
If you'd rather read about the programs before taking the check, here's the full background. Each section covers what it is, who it's for, and the practical apply-here steps. Use the filter on the course listing to narrow to courses that accept a specific funding type.
waff Bildungskonto up to 90% off
The Wiener ArbeitnehmerInnenförderungsfonds (waff) reimburses up to 90% of course fees for Vienna-registered employees, with a cap that varies by income and program. The course must be at a wien-cert certified provider and you must apply before starting the course. Many of the bigger schools (DeutschAkademie, Inlingua, Sprachschule Aktiv, IFU) are wien-cert partners.
To apply: visit waff.at, register with your e-card, submit the course confirmation. Decision usually within 2–3 weeks.
↪ Use the "Funding eligible → waff" filter on the main page to see only courses that qualify.
Wiener Sprachgutschein (MA 17) €300 / €100 voucher
A one-time language voucher from the City of Vienna, administered by MA 17 (Integration und Diversität). €300 for A1, A2, or B1 level courses; €100 for higher levels. Redeemable at a long list of partner schools. Designed primarily for new arrivals to Vienna — typically issued within the first three years of registration.
To apply: book an appointment at Sprachenzentrum der MA 17, bring your Meldezettel and a course quote. The voucher is paid directly to the school.
AK-Bildungsgutschein €120/year
If you're a member of the Arbeiterkammer Wien (almost all employees in Vienna are members automatically — it's not optional), you get a €120 voucher annually for further education, redeemable at many partner schools. Some schools accept multiple AK vouchers from consecutive years if used in the same course.
The Arbeitsmarktservice (AMS) covers full language course costs for registered jobseekers when the course is part of an agreed integration plan. Apply through your AMS-Betreuer — not at the school directly. The AMS keeps a separate list of approved schools.
ÖIF funding refugees & permit holders
The Österreichischer Integrationsfonds runs both directly-funded German courses (free for asylum seekers, recognised refugees, and certain residence-permit categories) and the ÖIF certification exams. ÖIF courses are not in our directory — they have a different booking system. See integrationsfonds.at for eligibility.
Other free options worth knowing
Fonds Soziales Wien (FSW) — fully funded courses for recognised refugees. Sign up via Akompano (Volkshilfe Wien) or Diakonie.
Pre-arrival courses abroad: if you're moving to Austria on a Rot-Weiss-Rot card or Familienzusammenführung, you may be required to reach A1 before arriving. The Goethe-Institut runs these courses worldwide.