Generally there are two types of accommodations in Graz:
Dormitories
Your first contact should be the “Büro für Internationale Beziehungen” (BIB, International Realations Office) of your university, which will help you to find an accommodation. They work together with the “Österreichischer Austauschdienst” (ÖAD, Austrian Exchance Office). You can only book a room in a dormitory for one whole semester, but it is quite cheap. Normally there are single rooms and double rooms, whether you get a single room depends on the date of your application. In dormitories you also have to pay a security deposit first, but you get it back after leaving your room without any damages. Please do not bring your own bed linens from your home country, because you will find different sizes here in Austria - you may buy them here for a quite cheap price together with your buddy. For more detailed information please contact the BIB of your guest university (f.e. BIB KF Uni Graz).
Flats and flat share
If you want to organise a flat on your own, you should do that early enough before you arrive in Graz, because it might take a while to find a good one. Unfortunately it is not very easy to find a low-priced flat in Graz at the moment - therefore flat sharing might be a good possibility.
If you signed up for the buddy programme: Please note that your mentor/buddy can help you find a flat by giving you tips, but he/she is not obligated to organise a flat for you! You should do that on your own in advance. You don’t have to tell the BIB about your private flat or flat share.
First we recommend to have a look at certain Erasmus groups on Facebook, even the ones of previous semesters, because sometimes incomings from the last semester seach for new tenant in these groups. But also have a look for Erasmus groups of the upcoming semester - you may find potential flate mates there. There are also general groups for this topic like “WOHNUNGen GRAZ - PROVISIONSFREI!!!”, “Wohnungen in Graz - ohne Makler”, “Ich brauche bzw. habe eine Wohnung”, “Wohnungsbörse Graz - suchen und bieten” or especially for flat sharing “WG-Zimmer in Graz”. Local inhabitants also search flats on www.willhaben.at.
Normally you have to pay three monthly rents as a deposit for private flat rental, but you will also get it back after leaving your flat again without damages.
Important: Registration and registration form (“Meldezettel”)
After having stayed in Graz for more than three days, you have to register yourself at the city council of Graz. For that you first print this form. If you do not have a printer, you can also get the Meldezettel at one of the registration offices. Then you fill out this form and also bring it to the administration of your dormitory or your landlord in order to get their signature. After that you go to one of the registration offices, but do not forget this form and your passport. Please note, that you have to give them a notice of departure when you leave or register again, if you change your flat. Your Buddy knows about this registration procedure and can help you in doing that, if you want.
Registration is possible during opening times: Monday from 7a.m. to 6p.m. and from Tuesday to Friday from 7a.m. to 1p.m.. Here is a list of registration offices in Graz: Andritzer Reichsstraße 38, Bahnhofgürtel 85, Conrad-von-Hötzendorf-Straße 104, Kärntner Straße 411, Schmiedgasse 26, St. Peter Hauptstraße 85 and Stiftingtalstraße 3.