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Visa

Entry requirements for Austria

Whether a visa is required and which requirements apply depends in particular on the traveller's nationality, purpose of travel and length of stay. This article provides an overview of the key rules on visa requirements, visa-free entry and the 90/180-day rule, and explains where to find up-to-date and binding information on the applicable entry requirements.

Important: Visas are generally issued by Austrian diplomatic missions abroad. The Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior provides binding information on entry and visa requirements.

All visa-related information for your guests:

Visa requirements / Visa-free entry

The entry and visa requirements that apply depend in particular on the traveller's nationality, length of stay and purpose of travel.

No visa required

Nationals of EU Member States, the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland do not require a visa to enter Austria.

Visa-free entry for third-country nationals

For nationals of certain third countries, the visa requirement has been waived under an EU regulation. They can generally enter the Schengen Area without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, provided that the applicable requirements are met and they do not engage in employment.

Visa requirements for third-country nationals

Nationals of other third countries require a visa to enter the Schengen Area or Austria, unless another exemption from the visa requirement applies.

Information on whether a visa is required for Austria or the Schengen Area can be found on the website of the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior. 

Visa categories

Schengen-Visa C

For tourist stays, business trips or visits of up to 90 days without employment, a Schengen Visa C is generally required if the traveller is subject to a visa requirement. It allows a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Visa D

If a stay of more than 90 days is planned, a Visa D should generally be applied for. It allows the holder to stay in Austria for up to six months.

Requirements

The visa requirements for Schengen visa are laid down in the EU Visa Code, the provisions for visa D are laid down in the Aliens' Police Act (FPG).

Each visa application is assessed individually by the competent consulate. In principle, holders of a Schengen visa are entitled to enter and stay in the Schengen States, provided that the requirements of Article 6 of the Schengen Borders Code are met and the visa is not subject to territorial restrictions.

The competent consulate assesses each application individually to determine whether the requirements for issuing a visa are met. Each application is decided on a case-by-case basis, taking all relevant circumstances into account. There is no legal entitlement to the issuance of a visa.

Step 1: 

A visa application is admissible if:

  • the visa application has been lodged at the competent Consulate,
     
  • the visa application has been lodged within a period of six months and not later than 15 calendar days before the intended start of the trip,
     
  • a correctly completed visa application form is presented,
     
  • a valid passport not older than 10 years, valid for three months after expiry of the visa and with two free pages, is presented,
     
  • an ICAO-compliant passport photo is presented,
     
  • consent is given to the collection of fingerprints (unless already stored within the last 59 months), and
     
  • the visa fee has been paid.

Step 2: 

Once admissibility has been established, the Consulate examines the visa application and the following conditions for issuing a visa must be positively established for each individual visa applicant:

  • Plausibility and verifiability of the purpose of the trip to Austria,
     
  • Means of substance for living and travel expenses from own assets or income,
     
  • Willingness of the visa holder to leave the Schengen area before the visa expires,
     
  • Presentation of an adequate and valid travel medical insurance, covering the period of the intended stay, or, if a multiple-entry visa is applied for, the period of the first intended visit with a minimum coverage of € 30,000.
     
  • If it is not possible to prove financing by funds from one's own assets, financial resources can be proven by an electronic declaration of sponsorship submitted by a person residing in Austria. Please visit the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior for further information on the possibility of submitting a declaration of sponsorship.
     
  • Persons whose entry into Austria and the Schengen area would endanger security or public order or who do not fulfil one or more of the above-mentioned requirements, a visa will not be granted.

Supporting documents and information

In general, supporting documents have to include a German translation at the request of the Consulate. When submitting English language documents, a translation into German is not required. Please contact the responsible Consulate directly to clarify the need for an appropriate translation of the documents into German.

In principle, the following supporting documents and information are necessary:

  • A fully completed and personally signed application form
     
  • Passport photo according to ICAO criteria (colour, 35x45 mm)
     
  • Passport (at least 2 free pages, not older than 10 years, valid for at least three months beyond the duration of the applied for visa)
     
  • Recording of biometric data in the form of fingerprints if not collected within the last 59 months in the course of a decision on a Schengen visa application (ten fingerprints, taken with flat fingers and digitally recorded)
     
  • Copy of the passport data sheet (the page on which the photograph is located)
     
  • Copies of previous Schengen visa
     
  • Proof of the means of transport (reservation OR booking; presentation of a paid ticket is not required)
     
  • For travel by car: Driving licence, green insurance card, registration certificate
     
  • Travel, health and accident insurance (minimum coverage € 30,000, including repatriation for medical reasons) valid for the Schengen area. Family members of EEA citizens and Swiss citizens exercising their right to freedom of movement are exempt from this obligation
     
  • For visiting trips, an informal letter of invitation may be presented
     
  • If the applicant cannot provide proof of sufficient own financial means: eight-digit ID number of the Electronic Declaration of Sponsorship https://www.bmi.gv.at/202/Fremdenpolizei_und_Grenzkontrolle/Einreise/start.aspx#eve (the inviter can submit an electronic declaration of sponsorship to the police department locally responsible for his/her place of residence)
     
  • Certified power of attorney from parents for underage children travelling unaccompanied by parents
     
  • Evidence of the applicant's economic, family and social roots in his or her home country (e.g. ownership of property in the country of origin, employment, confirmation of studies, pension entitlement, proof of family ties) 

Business trips
  • Invitation signed by the inviting Austrian company on company paper in the original (or company fax/mail to the Consulate), stating the purpose of the trip, dates of travel, name and date of birth as well as the passport number of the person invited
     
  • Proof of employment (if required)
     
  • For self-employed people: Excerpt from the company register or similar document 

Airport transit

  • Copy of visa for the onward journey (if required)
     

  • Copy of flight tickets 

Specific information on supporting documents, can be found on the website of the competent consulate. 

Processing time

A Schengen visa application should generally be submitted at least 15 calendar days before the planned start of the trip. Processing normally takes up to 15 calendar days, but may take up to 45 calendar days if additional checks are required. A decision on the visa application can only be made once the visa fee has been paid and all documents requested by the consulate have been submitted.

Please note that, for certain nationalities, prior consultation with other Schengen States is mandatory before the visa application can be processed. This consultation procedure can take up to seven calendar days. Consultations are currently required for nationals of the countries listed here.

Fees

  • Schengen Visa: 90 Euro
     
  • For young people (between 6 and 12 years): 45 Euro (Children under the age of six: free)
     
  • For a Schengen visa, nationals subject to an EU visa facilitation agreement must pay the amount set out in the agreement (usually 35 Euro) if they are not already exempt from fees under the agreement.

General information

  • The use of so-called visa agencies, which demand large sums of money to obtain visas, is explicitly warned against because their services are often linked to dubious practices.
     
  • Since there are often cases of fraud in connection with Internet acquaintances, transferring money to unknown people is explicitly warned against. 
     
  • Any claims that a large amount of money is required in order to obtain a visa are false.

Official information

Requirements may vary depending on nationality and individual circumstances. We therefore recommend that you direct your guests to the relevant Austrian embassy or consulate for specific information and to submit their visa application.

This article is not intended to be exhaustive - if you have any questions regarding visas, please contact the appropriate consulate.