Lexi Webster
The Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science, and Research sets the country's national school calendar each year. The academic year is divided into five term breaks, during which schools are closed. These holidays are consistent across all nine federal states, although there might be slight variations depending on regional traditions or specific circumstances. Schools typically have four main holidays throughout the year, including during Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn. There are also a few other days off, typically around Christian holidays.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of main holidays in a year | 4 |
| Seasons during which these holidays usually fall | Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter |
| Additional days off | 3 days per year |
| Reasons for additional days off | Christian holidays, staff training, pupil book days, bridging days between a public holiday and a weekend |
| Public holidays | National Day |
| Holidays for international schools | Study programs, cultural trips, exam preparation courses |
| Holiday activities | Language camps, educational camps |
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What You'll Learn
School holidays in Austria
The school year schedule in Austrian schools is determined by the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research. However, each of the nine regions can change these schedules slightly to accommodate local holidays and requirements. The school year typically starts in September and ends in late June or early July.
Schools in Austria have four to five major holidays throughout the year: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, with Christmas being the fifth main holiday according to some sources. There are also a few other days off, usually around Christian holidays, and some schools will close for staff training or pupil book days.
The summer holidays are the longest break, lasting from the beginning of July to the end of August or the beginning of September. The Christmas and New Year holidays are also a two-week break, encompassing Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, St. Stephen's Day, New Year's Day, and Epiphany. The other major holidays include semester breaks in February, Easter in March or April, and Pentecost in May or June.
There are also various public holidays throughout the year when schools are closed, such as Labor Day, Nationalfeiertag, All Saints' Day, and National Holiday on 26 October. Students from different religious backgrounds may also be granted leave for important religious dates.
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Students are required to attend school until they are 14
In Austria, all children residing in the country, including those whose parents are living in Austria with a residence permit, are required to attend school until they are 14 years old. Compulsory schooling lasts for nine years and begins in the year in which the child turns six before 31 August.
Austrian law states that all children who are six years old by 1 September must be admitted to elementary school or primary school (“Volksschule”). If a child turns six after 1 September and before 1 March, they can apply for early admission to elementary school. The school will assess whether the child is ready for school and possesses the necessary social skills. The first four years of compulsory education are completed in primary schools, where children receive a general education that covers elementary concepts in maths, reading, and literacy. Many schools also offer classes in physical education, music, art, and religion. Once students start their third year of school, they are also required to learn a foreign language.
After primary school, students can choose which path they will follow and which school they would like to attend. There are two types of public secondary schools: the lower secondary school (Mittelschule), which lasts from the 5th grade to the 8th grade, and the academic secondary school (AHS), which decides whether to admit a student based on their academic performance. The lower secondary school prepares its pupils for professional or vocational training, and offers instruction tailored to the interests, abilities, and skills of the pupils.
Students who want to take up an apprenticeship and do not want to complete a degree need to go to a polytechnic institute (Polytechnische Schule) for a year. After finding an apprentice position, they must attend a vocational school (Berufsschule) for three years. Austrian legislation prescribes five years of secondary education, usually for students aged 10 to 15.
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Nine years of compulsory education
The Republic of Austria has a free and public school system, with nine years of compulsory education. This starts at the age of six, with primary school being the general compulsory school for pupils aged 6–10 (years 1 to 4). The first four years of compulsory education are completed in primary schools (Volksschule or Grundschule).
After this, from age ten, children can attend either a junior high school or secondary school (Hauptschule, or Kooperative Mittelschule), or in certain provinces, a 'new middle school' (Neue Mittelschule). In Vienna, for example, children can attend the lower grades of a higher general secondary school (Allgemeinbildende höhere Schule (AHS) also called Gymnasium). All school types comprise four educational levels.
The ninth school year (age 14–15) can be completed at a polytechnical school (Polytechnische Schule) or another type of school. There are also special schools for disabled children or children with special educational needs. After completing elementary school, students can transfer to either a general secondary school (AHS) or a middle school (MS). The MS accepts all students without an assessment of the 4th-grade elementary school leaving certificate, while the AHS decides whether the student is qualified based on academic performance.
Compulsory education in Austria lasts until the age of 15. Since the 2016/17 school year, all youths who have not yet reached the age of 18 will be required to engage in education or training after completing general compulsory schooling. They should, as far as possible, complete some form of education or training that goes beyond the compulsory school-leaving qualification.
The Austrian Federal Constitutional Law Article 14 states that democracy, humanity, solidarity, peace, and justice, as well as openness and tolerance towards everyone regardless of race, social status, and financial background, are fundamental principles of education in Austria.
The Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science, and Research sets Austria's national school calendar each year. Each of the nine regions can change these schedules slightly to account for local holidays or requirements, but the main holidays usually remain the same. Schools typically have four main holidays throughout the year: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. There are also a few other days off, usually around Christian holidays, and schools will also close for staff training or pupil book days.
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School-autonomous days off
In Austria, there are a maximum of three additional days off per year, which are school-autonomous. These days are often used as 'bridging days' or 'window days' between a public holiday and a weekend. These additional holidays are usually decided at the regional level, giving schools some flexibility to extend breaks. For example, in the 2024-2025 academic year, many schools took the Friday off after National Day, creating a long weekend.
Schools in Austria typically have four main holidays throughout the year: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. There are also a few other days off, usually surrounding Christian holidays. The Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science, and Research sets the national school calendar each year, and while each of the nine regions can make slight changes, the main holidays usually remain the same.
Public holidays in Austria are decided by the federal government and are observed nationwide. On these days, schools, government offices, and most businesses close. These holidays reflect Austria's rich cultural and religious traditions, including national and regional celebrations. An example of a public holiday is National Day, which celebrates Austrian independence and neutrality.
International schools in Austria may follow a slightly different schedule, but they generally align with the national calendar. These schools often offer supplementary activities during term breaks, such as study programs, cultural trips, or exam preparation courses.
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Sports and music extracurriculars
In Austria, compulsory education lasts for nine years, from age six to 15 (first to ninth grade). After that, young people must continue with school education or go into professional training until they are 18. Students attend school from Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to around 2 pm, and some have classes on Saturday mornings too.
Extracurricular activities in Austrian schools are not as common as in some other countries. This is partly because many Austrian families are dual-income, so children go to and from school by themselves from a young age, and also because a lot of young people are not in school after the age of 15. About 35% of children leave school at 15 to do an apprenticeship, while another third go into vocational schooling, leaving only a third to continue with what would be considered the equivalent of high school.
However, extracurricular activities are still available for students, and these are mostly organised by parents and community groups, rather than by schools. These groups are called 'Vereine', and they offer regular youth training and events in sports and hobbies. While schools don't organise extracurriculars, students who are already members of a Verein may sometimes sign up to play in inter-school tournaments.
Sports are a very popular extracurricular activity in Austria, with soccer, biking, and skiing being common pursuits. The country is famous for its winter sports, and its breathtaking snow-capped mountains. Students also enjoy spending their free time taking walks, going on day trips with their families, and hanging out in local cafes.
Music is also an important part of Austrian culture, with the country being the home of talents like Mozart and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Many schools offer music classes, and extracurricular activities such as choirs, orchestras, and musical theatre are available in some schools or communities.
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Frequently asked questions
Students in Austria get two weeks off for Christmas, starting on December 23rd and ending on January 6th.
Yes, Easter break typically falls in March or April and lasts for around one week. Pentecost is another religious holiday, which takes place in May or June.
Yes, there is typically an Autumn break in October. The academic year also ends in the summer, with summer break lasting from the beginning of July to the end of August or early September.
The main holidays are consistent across all nine federal states, but there may be slight variations depending on regional traditions or specific circumstances.
Yes, there are a maximum of three additional school-autonomous days off per year, often used as bridging days between a public holiday and a weekend.
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