Lyla Lindsey
As of 2024, there are no longer any COVID-19 measures for travellers arriving in Austria, regardless of vaccination status.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccine required to enter Austria | Yes |
| Negative test required to enter Austria | Yes |
| Booster required to enter Austria | Yes |
| PCR test required to enter Austria | Yes |
| Antigen test required to enter Austria | Yes |
| Pre-travel clearance form required to enter Austria | Yes |
| Self-isolation required after entering Austria | Yes |
What You'll Learn
What are the current entry requirements for Austria?
As of 22nd December 2021, all tourists entering Austria, including those from the UK, will have to show proof of a Covid booster dose. This restriction was put in place in anticipation of a surge in infections from the Omicron variant when the ski season peaks in January. The variant has already reached Austria, but fewer than 1,000 cases have been confirmed.
Who does this apply to?
The country was open to those who were either fully vaccinated or had proof of recovery from Covid, but this extra restriction – requiring travellers to show proof of a booster vaccine – takes effect immediately.
Anyone who has had their booster will also need to have proof of full vaccination status and a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival.
A statement on Austria’s official tourism site states: "Austria is reacting to the expansion of the Omicron variant with new entry regulations … this new regulation applies to entry from all countries (including day trips) with the exception of the virus variant areas. Entry without vaccination or convalescence is de facto not possible for vacation purposes."
In general, Austrian visas can be divided into two main categories: short-stay visas and long-stay visas (a long-stay visa is required for those looking to spend more than 90 days in the country).
The following documents are typically required:
- Official, government-issued document, not older than 10 years, with the correct validity length (a minimum three months past the intended day of exit from Austria)
- Two recently taken photos of the applicant. Photos should be passport style (and have passport dimensions)
- Additional documents: identity documents, such as your birth certificate, financial materials, and information about where you will stay in Austria.
Long term visas for Austria include the following:
- Austria student visa
- Job seeker visa (Austria Working visa)
- Long term visiting visa
- Visa for collection of residence permit for Austria
- Working Holiday Program visa
- Transit Visa (Type A)
Time Zones: Austria's Position in the World
You may want to see also
What types of visas are available for Austria?
Austria offers the following types of visas:
- Type A visa: This is an airport transit visa. Foreign nationals who do not leave the transit area or the aircraft during a stopover at an airport do not require this type of visa. However, nationals of certain countries are required to have a Type A visa for transiting via Austrian airports unless they meet specific criteria.
- Type C visa: This is a short-stay or tourist visa, allowing visitors to stay in Austria for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It also permits the holder to enter and reside in other countries in the Schengen area.
- Type D visa: This is a long-term visa, generally permitting the holder to stay in Austria for between 91 days and six months. In exceptional cases, a Type D visa may be issued for up to 12 months or less than 91 days. It also allows the holder to travel freely within other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, provided specific entry requirements are met.
The requirements and fees for each type of visa vary. It is recommended to check the official sources for the most up-to-date and detailed information.
Languages of Austria: What Do Austrians Speak?
You may want to see also
What are the requirements for a short-term visa?
The requirements for a short-term visa in Austria depend on the traveller's nationality and the purpose of their visit.
Visa C (short-term visa)
The Schengen visa C is intended for tourism, business or visiting purposes (without gainful employment) for a maximum stay of 90 days per 180 days. Nationals of EU member states, European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland do not need a visa for entering Austria. However, if a stay of more than 90 days is planned, a visa D should be applied for, which entitles the holder to stay in Austria for up to six months.
Visa D
Visa D is subject to Austrian national legislation and entitles holders to stays of 91 days to 6 months in Austria. It can be issued for one or more entries. An extension of a visa D in Austria is not possible, and in the case of an intended stay in Austria for more than 6 months, a residence permit must be applied for.
Visa requirements
The following requirements must be met to obtain a visa:
- A correctly completed and personally signed application form
- A valid passport, not older than 10 years, valid for three months after the expiry of the visa and with two free pages
- A passport-sized photograph according to ICAO criteria
- Proof of the means of transport (reservation or booking)
- Travel, health and accident insurance valid for the Schengen area
- Proof of accommodation in Austria
- Proof of family ties and/or economic ties with the home country
The Annexation of Austria: Germany's Expansion in 1938
You may want to see also
What are the requirements for a long-term visa?
The requirements for a long-term visa in Austria depend on the type of long-term visa you are applying for. There are two types of long-term visas: Type D and EU Blue Card.
Type D Visa
Type D visas are generally valid for 91 days to six months. However, in exceptional cases, a Type D visa may be issued for up to 12 months or less than 91 days. A Type D visa allows you to apply for an Austrian Residence Permit.
To obtain a Type D visa, you must apply at an Austrian embassy or consulate in your country. If Austria is represented by another Schengen country in your country, that representation will only issue Schengen visas. If you require a Type D visa, you must visit the competent Austrian representation in a neighbouring country.
EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card is a residence permit for certain third-country nationals who wish to work in Austria. It is issued to highly skilled non-EU citizens.
Austria's Thanksgiving: A Unique Cultural Celebration
You may want to see also
What are the requirements for a transit visa?
In principle, foreign nationals who do not leave the transit area or the aircraft during a stopover at an airport do not require a transit visa. However, nationals of certain countries require a type A visa for transit via Austrian airports, unless they meet certain exceptional criteria. Type A visas may not usually be issued in Austria and under no circumstances at the border.
The countries whose nationals require a type A visa for transit via Austrian airports are: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and Syria.
Holders of valid British Biometric Residence Permits are exempt from this requirement.
A type C visa is the standard tourist visa. It can be issued for a total stay of 90 days within a 180-day period and entitles the holder to enter and reside in the Schengen area.
A type D visa generally permits the holder to stay between 91 days and six months. In exceptional cases, a type D visa may also be issued with a validity period of up to 12 months or with a validity period of less than 91 days.
Austria's Trump: A Comparison of Political Strategies and Populism
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Travellers to Austria will need proof of a booster vaccine to enter the country. The country's government met on Wednesday, 22nd December 2021, to discuss what measures needed to be taken in anticipation of a surge in infections from the Omicron variant. The country was open to those who were either fully vaccinated or had proof of recovery from Covid-19, but this extra restriction – requiring travellers to show proof of a booster vaccine – took effect immediately.
To enter Austria, you will need to show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival, in addition to proof of a booster vaccine.
The visa requirements for Austria depend on the duration of your trip and your reason for travel. If you are planning to stay in the country for more than 90 days, you will need a long-stay visa. You will also need to determine how many entries you need and choose between a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. The visa fee varies depending on the type of visa and your age, with adult Schengen visas typically costing €80 and long-term national visas costing €150.
In addition to the visa application form, you will need to submit a valid passport, two recent passport-style photos, and additional documents depending on the type of visa you are applying for. These may include biographical documents such as your birth certificate, financial materials such as bank statements, and proof of medical insurance. All documents must be translated into German unless they are presented in English.
