๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡น Vienna ยท First days

First 48 hours in Vienna

The first two days in Vienna, in priority order: what has to happen, what should, and what can wait. Tick things off as you go.

For Vienna
How long you are staying

Must do

  • A1, Magenta and Drei, plus cheaper brands such as HoT and spusu. Prepaid SIMs must be registered with ID before they work, online or in a shop.
  • Sign up in the Meine Wien Energie portal for electricity, gas or district heating, and photograph the meters with the date on your move-in day.
  • The Meldezettel applies to anyone living in a flat, however short the stay. Bring the form signed by the accommodation provider and your passport; it is free.
  • Every Meldeservice office registers any Vienna address. Book through mein.wien.gv.at, or walk in early with the signed form.
  • Banks will want your passport and the Meldezettel. An Austrian IBAN is what landlords and utilities expect for direct debits.

Should do

  • 112 for any emergency, 144 for an ambulance, 133 for the police, 1450 for health advice before you head to a hospital.
  • Shops close on Sundays and public holidays. Station supermarkets and petrol stations are the exceptions.
  • EU citizens: the Anmeldebescheinigung is due within four months of arrival. Non-EU: note when your visa expires and what the residence authority needs.
  • โ‚ฌ467 a year (โ‚ฌ461 digital) covers the whole core zone; for a few weeks, single tickets or a 7-day ticket are cheaper. The airport is not included either way.
  • The inner-city S-Bahn between Praterstern and Hauptbahnhof is closed until late 2027 as currently planned. Test your commute on the U-Bahn alternatives before choosing a flat.

Nice to do

  • Sit as long as you like: the glass of water comes free and is refilled. The waiter is called Herr Ober.
  • Since 2025 single-use bottles and cans carry a 25-cent deposit, refunded at the machines in supermarkets.
  • Most embassies run a registration or alert service for nationals abroad. Two minutes now helps in an emergency.
Your first 48 hours in Vienna0/130% done. Ticks are saved on this device.
  • Must do0/5
  • Should do0/5
  • Nice to do0/3
Emergency112 ยท Police 133
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