Austria Visas

Written by Mike Arnold Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Mike Arnold

Mike is a freelance writer with eight years of experience and a love for travel, all things business, tabletop games and green tea.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: September 14, 2024

Next update: Scheduled for February 1, 2025

Austria, famous for its stunning alpine scenery, rich musical heritage, and vibrant cultural scene, is an attractive destination for many seeking a high quality of life and new opportunities.

If you're considering a move to Austria, understanding the visa options and requirements is essential for a seamless relocation.

This guide will provide you with comprehensive information on Austria's visa types, application procedures, and necessary documents to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey to this beautiful country.

When do you need a visa for Austria?

Austria is part of the Schengen Area, allowing visa-free travel for up to 90 days within 180 days for citizens of many countries. Holders of an EEA (EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) or Swiss passport do not require a visa to enter Austria or the EU.

You can find the full list of countries that DO and DO NOT need a visa on the Austrian government website here.

Some other important details include:

• UK citizens: British passport holders DO NOT need a visa for tourist travel, visiting friends and family, or business travel (without gainful work in Austria) for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
• Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals: If you are a spouse, dependent, or civil partner of a non-Austrian EU/EEA/Swiss national exercising their right of free movement, you may be eligible for visa-free travel or a visa-free of-charge under certain conditions. Please note that the British "Residence Card of a Family Member of an EEA National" or "Permanent Residence Card according to EU Directive 2004/38/EC" no longer qualifies for visa-free travel after December 31, 2020.
• Short-stay vs. long-stay: If you plan to stay in Austria for over 90 days, you will need a long-stay visa (national visa) or a residence permit, not a Schengen (short-stay) visa.
• Purpose of visit: The type of visa you need depends on your reason for coming to Austria (tourism, business, work, study, etc.).

Austria visa requirements

Since April 5, 2010, the Visa Code (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009) has served as the legal basis for issuing visas for transit through or short stays (up to 90 days within 180 days) in the Schengen Area, including Austria.

Each visa application is assessed individually, and there's no automatic right to a Schengen visa. The Austrian authorities will verify the following:

• Genuine purpose of travel to Austria
• Sufficient funds to cover your stay and travel expenses
• Intention to leave the Schengen Area before your visa expires
• Valid travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000

If you can't prove self-financing, an Electronic Guarantee Letter from an Austrian resident may be accepted.

General document requirements:

You'll typically need to submit the following documents (originals plus one photocopy, except for the application form):

• Fully completed application form (Forms can be found here: Schengen visa C, Visa D, Residence permits)
• Valid passport (valid for at least three months beyond your intended stay, issued within the last ten years, with at least two blank pages)
• Copy of bio-data page of passport
• Copies of previous Schengen visas (if any, from the last three years)
• One passport-sized photograph (meeting ICAO standards, not older than three months)
• Travel medical insurance certificate (covering at least €30,000 including repatriation, valid for the entire Schengen Area and your entire stay, including winter sports if applicable)
• Proof of confirmed transportation (to and from the Schengen Area and between Schengen countries if applicable)
• Proof of current occupation, depending on where you’re coming from and which visas you’re applying for.
• Proof of accommodation in Austria
• Recent bank statements (last three months, showing sufficient funds)
• Additional documents based on your specific situation and visa type (see below)

If you’re travelling from the UK, you’ll need a copy of your UK residence permit (valid for at least one month beyond your departure from the Schengen area).

Additional requirements for specific visa types

• Business visa: Invitation letter, sponsor letter, private bank statements, other documents proving business relations, entry tickets for fairs/congresses, hotel reservation
• Study or professional training visa: Certificate of enrolment, student card/course certificate, proof of accommodation or sufficient funds
• Tourist visa: Confirmed hotel booking or other proof of accommodation
• Private (family/friends) visa: Signed invitation letter, copy of host's passport and residence permit (if applicable), copy of Austrian registration ("Meldebestätigung") OR Electronic Guarantee Letter (EVE)
• Medical treatment visa: Official document from the medical institution, proof of sufficient funds and prepayment for treatment
• Official delegations: Official invitation or Note Verbale
• Minors: Birth certificate, parental consent, possibly custody documents or school permission
• Seafarers: Seaman's book, cover letter from the recruiting company
• Lorry drivers: Written requests from the National Association of carriers and the partner company, driver's licence for international transport
• Airport transit: Visa or entry permit for the final destination, confirmed onward tickets

Remember:

• Additional documents may be requested in individual cases.
• Incomplete applications will delay processing.
• Requirements may vary slightly depending on your circumstances. Always double-check with the Austrian embassy or consulate.

Austria visa application process

Third-country nationals who need a passport generally also need a visa to enter and stay in Austria.

Exceptions may apply based on EU agreements or Austrian federal law. You can check the list of visa requirements on the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior to see if you need a visa.

Requirements

To apply for most Austrian visas, you'll generally need to submit the following:

• Visa application form
• Valid travel document (passport)
• Passport photo
• Travel health insurance policy
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Other evidence as requested by the authorities (e.g., hotel reservations, invitations, etc.)

Depending on your circumstances, additional documents may be required. Contact the Austrian representative in your country for more information.

Competent authority

• Visa applications: Generally, all visa types are issued by Austrian representation offices abroad. In exceptional cases, they might be issued at border control posts or extended by state police headquarters.
• Schengen visas: The representation office of the country where your main travel destination is located is responsible for issuing Schengen visas. If you're visiting multiple Schengen countries equally, the country of first entry is responsible.
• National visas (Type D): These must be applied for at the competent Austrian representation based on your place of residence. You can learn more about this visa here.

Costs and fees

Consult the list of fees provided by the relevant Austrian representation for the specific consular fees applicable to your visa type.

Further information

• You can find more detailed information about Austria's entry requirements on the official website. (Check the Austrian embassy website for your home country for the most accurate results).
• For further questions, you can contact the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Department V/B/7.

Caution

• Visa extensions are only possible in exceptional cases and must be done while you are in Austria.

Remember:

• Processing times for visa applications are typically around 15 days but sometimes longer.
• Apply well in advance of your planned travel date.

Austria visa fees

The fees for an Austrian visa vary depending on the type of visa and your circumstances.

Schengen Visa (Type C) fees

• Adults: €90 (approximately US$101 as of September 2024)
• Children (6-12 years old): €40 (approximately US$51 as of September 2024)
• Children (under six years old): Free
• Citizens of certain countries (Russia, Ukraine, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Moldova, and Georgia): €40 (approximately US$40 as of September 2024)

National Visa (Type D) fees

• Adults: €150 (approximately US$168 as of September 2024)
• Children (under six years old): €75 (approximately US$84 as of September 2024)

Other fees

• Residence permit: €120 (approximately US$135 as of September 2024)
• Residence permit for children under six years old: €75 (approximately US$84 as of September 2024)
• Fingerprints for residence permit: €23

Important notes:

• Fees are subject to change. Always confirm the latest fees with the official Austrian government website or the visa application centre.
• When applying through the external Visa Application Center VFS Global, additional service fees may apply, and different payment methods might be available. Contact VFS Global directly for more information.
• Certain services are exempt from consular fees, such as official acts caused directly by the birth of a child (especially the issue of citizenship certificates and travel documents), provided they are conducted within two years from birth.
• For a complete and up-to-date list of fees in Euros, please refer to the official Consular Fees Act (Konsulargebührengesetz 1992) on the Austrian government website.

How to get a permanent residence permit in Austria?

The EU Long-Term Residence Permit in Austria offers the freedom to live and work permanently, with a 5-year renewable permit.

To qualify, you must meet general residence permit requirements, have held a specific type of residence permit for 5 consecutive years (Red-White-Red Card, Red-White-Red Card Plus, EU Blue Card, or Settlement permit), and demonstrate German language skills and Austrian societal understanding by passing the integration exam.

Applying for a residence permit

• Visa-free citizens (including UK citizens, US citizens, etc.): You can apply for a residence permit directly in Austria during your 90-day visa-free stay at the relevant local authority ("Magistrat" or "Bezirkshauptmannschaft"). This is generally recommended as it speeds up the process.
• Other nationalities requiring a visa: You need to apply at the Austrian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. If you are a researcher, you may be able to apply directly in Austria.

Applying at the Austrian Embassy in London

• Appointments: You need to secure an appointment via email before visiting the embassy.
• Fingerprints: Fingerprints will be taken from each applicant aged six and over.
• Processing: The embassy will forward your application to the relevant authority in Austria for decision-making. The embassy does not influence the processing time or decision.

Remember:

• If you apply in Austria and are not approved before your 90-day visa-free stay ends, you must leave Austria and the Schengen zone.
• If you apply at the embassy in London, processing times can be longer.

For further inquiries regarding residence permits, you can contact the Visa Department of the Austrian embassy via email. However, they cannot provide information on visa application status or results.

Learn More

How do I get Austrian citizenship?

There are two main paths to acquiring Austrian citizenship:

Citizenship by right

An alien has the right to obtain Austrian citizenship if they meet one of the following conditions:

• 30 years of permanent residence in Austria
• 15 years of permanent residence in Austria and can demonstrate successful personal and professional integration

Citizenship by application

Foreigners (anyone outside Austrian citizens) may also apply for Austrian citizenship if they fulfil the following requirements:

• At least ten years of continuous stay in Austria, with a minimum of 5 years as a permanent resident
• Sufficient financial means/secure income
• No criminal record
• Adequate knowledge of the German language
• Positive attitude towards the Republic of Austria

Special cases:

• Some aliens, such as EEA citizens, may be eligible to apply for citizenship after only six years of permanent residence in Austria.

Learn More