Austria Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Austria follows the Schengen Area visa policy. Citizens of many countries can enter visa-free for short stays, while others require a Schengen visa. From 2025, some visa-exempt travelers will need to obtain ETIAS authorization before travel.
Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland can enter and stay indefinitely with a valid national ID card or passport
No visa or special authorization required. Can live and work in Austria without restrictions.
Citizens of certain countries can enter Austria and the Schengen Area without a visa for tourism, business, or family visits
Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond intended departure from Schengen Area. The 90-day limit applies to the entire Schengen Area, not just Austria. Cannot work without proper authorization.
From 2025, visa-exempt travelers will need ETIAS authorization before entering the Schengen Area
Cost: €7 (free for travelers under 18 or over 70)
ETIAS is an authorization, not a visa. Implementation expected in 2025. One ETIAS valid for all Schengen countries. Must apply at least 96 hours before travel.
Citizens of countries not listed in visa-free categories must obtain a Schengen visa before traveling to Austria
Processing typically takes 15 calendar days but can take up to 45 days in exceptional cases. Visa fee approximately €80 for adults, €40 for children 6-12, free for children under 6. A Schengen visa issued by Austria is valid for travel throughout the Schengen Area.
Arrival Process
When arriving in Austria, travelers go through immigration and customs control. The process varies depending on whether you're arriving from within the Schengen Area or from outside it. EU/EEA citizens use separate, faster lanes, while third-country nationals use designated immigration checkpoints.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Austria's customs regulations align with EU standards. Travelers entering from non-EU countries must respect duty-free allowances, while those arriving from EU countries face fewer restrictions on goods purchased with duty paid. All travelers must declare cash amounts of €10,000 or more and comply with prohibitions on certain items.
Prohibited Items
- Narcotics and illegal drugs - strictly prohibited with severe penalties including imprisonment
- Counterfeit goods - fake designer items, pirated media, and trademark violations
- Weapons and ammunition - without proper permits and documentation
- Endangered species products - items made from protected animals or plants under CITES regulations
- Meat and dairy products from non-EU countries - with few exceptions, to prevent disease transmission
- Certain plants and plant products - soil, certain seeds, and plants from non-EU countries without phytosanitary certificates
- Offensive materials - child pornography, materials promoting violence or hatred
- Hazardous materials - explosives, flammable substances, toxic chemicals without authorization
Restricted Items
- Prescription medications - bring only quantities needed for personal use with original packaging and doctor's prescription. Some medications legal elsewhere may be controlled in Austria.
- Firearms for hunting or sport - require special permits, registration, and valid reason. Must be declared and comply with Austrian weapons laws.
- Live animals - require health certificates, vaccination records, and may need import permits. Special rules for pets (see Special Situations).
- Cultural artifacts and antiques - may require export permits from country of origin and import documentation.
- Large amounts of cash - while not prohibited, amounts over €10,000 must be declared to customs.
- Drones - subject to aviation regulations; commercial use requires permits.
- Food products from non-EU countries - most require health certificates and are restricted to prevent disease. Small quantities of certain processed foods may be allowed.
- Alcohol and tobacco above duty-free limits - subject to duty and tax payments.
Health Requirements
Austria has high healthcare standards and generally does not require specific vaccinations for entry. However, health requirements can change, particularly in response to disease outbreaks. Travelers should verify current requirements before departure.
Required Vaccinations
- No routine vaccinations are required for entry to Austria for most travelers
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate required only if arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (not required for most Western travelers)
Recommended Vaccinations
- Routine vaccinations (MMR, DTP, influenza)
- Hepatitis A and B for extended stays or specific risk activities
- Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) if planning outdoor activities in rural/forested areas, especially spring through autumn
- Rabies for travelers with extensive outdoor exposure or working with animals
Health Insurance
Travel health insurance is mandatory for visa applicants, with minimum coverage of €30,000 including medical evacuation and repatriation. While not legally required for visa-free travelers, comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended as healthcare costs can be high for non-EU citizens. EU/EEA citizens should bring their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for access to public healthcare. Note that EHIC covers necessary treatment but not all services, so additional insurance is still advisable.
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Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Children must have their own passport (cannot be added to parent's passport). Minors under 18 traveling alone or with only one parent should carry a notarized parental consent letter from non-accompanying parent(s) authorizing travel, including contact information. Birth certificates may be requested. For children traveling with adults who are not parents/legal guardians, written authorization from parents/guardians is essential. EU citizens: national ID cards are acceptable. Unaccompanied minors should check airline policies and may need special handling arrangements. Divorced or separated parents should carry custody documents if traveling alone with children.
Dogs, cats, and ferrets from EU countries need: EU pet passport, microchip identification, valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel). From non-EU countries: veterinary health certificate (issued within 10 days of travel), microchip, rabies vaccination, and rabies antibody test for some countries (must be done 30 days after vaccination, 3 months before travel). Maximum 5 pets per person for non-commercial movement. Pets must enter through designated points of entry. Certain dog breeds may be restricted or banned. Birds and other animals have different requirements - check with Austrian authorities. Service animals have specific provisions but still need health documentation.
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: Can stay indefinitely but must register with local authorities (Meldeamt) within 3 days of arrival if staying over 3 months. May need to show proof of employment, self-sufficiency, or student status. Non-EU citizens: Cannot extend tourist stay beyond 90 days in 180-day period. Must apply for appropriate residence permit before arrival or leave and apply from home country. Options include: work permits (requires job offer), student visas (requires university acceptance), family reunification, or retirement visas. Applications submitted to Austrian embassy/consulate in home country. Processing can take several months. Overstaying can result in fines, deportation, and future entry bans.
Visa-free travelers can conduct business activities like meetings, conferences, and negotiations without a work permit for stays under 90 days. Cannot receive payment from Austrian sources or engage in gainful employment. Bring invitation letter from Austrian company, conference registration, or proof of business purpose. For extended business assignments or employment, work permit and residence permit required before starting work. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can work freely without permits. Business travelers should carry business cards, company documentation, and proof of employment with home company.
EU/EEA/Swiss students: Can study freely but should register with local authorities. Non-EU students: Need student residence permit ('Aufenthaltsbewilligung Studierender') before arrival. Apply at Austrian embassy with: university acceptance letter, proof of sufficient funds (approximately €12,000-15,000 per year), health insurance, accommodation proof, and clean criminal record. Processing takes 6-8 weeks. Permit allows limited work (20 hours/week during term). Must extend permit annually while studying. Language course students may have different visa requirements.
Austria does not currently have a specific digital nomad visa. Remote workers employed by non-Austrian companies cannot work on tourist visas, even if working remotely. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can stay and work remotely freely. Non-EU citizens working remotely for extended periods need appropriate residence permit - potentially self-employment permit or Red-White-Red Card if qualifying. Short visits (under 90 days) while occasionally checking emails may be tolerated but technically working remotely regularly on tourist visa is not permitted. Consider residence permit options or limit stay to tourist visa duration.
Travelers coming for medical treatment should carry: letter from Austrian medical facility confirming appointment, medical records, proof of payment or insurance coverage, and evidence of sufficient funds for stay and treatment. May need to demonstrate intent to return home after treatment. Medical visa may be required for some nationalities. Ensure travel insurance covers medical tourism if applicable. Accompany patients should carry relationship proof and invitation from patient or medical facility.
Passengers transiting through Austrian airports without leaving the international transit area generally don't need a visa if their onward flight is within 24 hours. However, some nationalities require airport transit visas even without entering Austria. Check if your nationality requires an Airport Transit Visa (Type A). If leaving the airport or overnight transit, normal visa requirements apply. Ensure you have valid documents for final destination. Some airlines may require transit visas for certain routes even if staying airside.