Travel To Austria: Uk Citizen Requirements And Rules

UK citizens can travel to Austria, but they should be aware of the following information. Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Ryanair and easyJet are among the airlines that have been affected by Austria's ban on direct flights to and from the UK, which went into effect on June 1, 2021. This was due to concerns about the Indian variant of Covid-19. The ban was lifted on March 21, 2021, as the UK started to come out of lockdown. Only Austrian citizens and residents are permitted to enter the country, according to the Austrian Health Ministry. All arrivals must show proof of vaccination, recovery from Covid within the last six months, or a negative test. Austria is on the UK's amber list for travel, which means that upon return to the UK, travellers must self-isolate for ten days and take two post-arrival PCR tests.

Travel requirements for UK citizens entering Austria

As of July 2024, UK citizens do not need a visa to enter Austria. They can stay in the country without a visa for up to 90 days. However, they are required to have health insurance to enter the country for tourist purposes.

Registration as an Austrian Resident

It is essential to register as a resident when living in Austria. The first step is registration as an Austrian resident. In the case of an employed applicant, health insurance is taken out automatically as part of the registration process. Those not employed should contact the local Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK) office. Once registration is complete, an 'e-card' is posted to the resident. This is to be shown when visiting a healthcare facility; Austrian residents do not need to register with a doctor.

Health Insurance

Any kind of employment, including self-employment, requires taking out health insurance. Anyone not working should take out voluntary health insurance. Any dependents can be added to a health insurance plan. Insurance cover begins on the day it is taken out, but there may be a delay of up to 6 months before any benefits are received. This delay will not occur if the holder was already an Austrian resident and insured in specific ways. People registered as Austrian residents on or before 31 December 2020 will retain the same level of healthcare after that date, for as long as residence continues. In this case, from 1 January 2021, healthcare will be provided in the same way as for Austrian nationals. Registered Austrian residents who qualify for a UK state pension can also apply for healthcare via the S1 system.

Travel to Austria by Car

If travelling to Austria by car, a Green Card is mandatory.

Biometric Residence Permit

As EES and ETIAS are launched, it will become increasingly important to always travel with your biometric residence permit. Failure to do so may cause issues, especially as it is not only border officials who will be checking details, but also carriers.

Visa requirements for UK citizens in Austria

As of 2023, UK citizens do not need a visa to enter Austria for holidays or short-term business trips of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This rule is expected to remain in place until at least the end of 2023. However, it is important to note that UK citizens will need to meet certain passport requirements and may need to provide additional documentation upon arrival in Austria.

Passport Requirements

To enter Austria, your passport must:

• Be valid for at least three months after the intended date of departure from the EU.
• Have been issued within the last ten years.
• Be less than ten years old.

Additionally, it is strongly recommended that your passport is valid for at least six months after your arrival in Austria. This can save you from having to prove your intended departure date from the EU.

Additional Documentation

Upon arrival in Austria, you may be asked to provide the following:

• Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel booking confirmation or proof of address for a second home.
• Proof of travel insurance.
• A return or onward ticket.
• Proof that you have enough money for your stay.

Staying Longer than 90 Days

If you wish to stay in Austria for longer than 90 days in a 180-day period, you will need to apply for a visa or residence permit. The type of visa or permit required will depend on the purpose and duration of your stay. For specific information, you can contact the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Austrian Embassy in the UK.

Future Changes

From May 2025, UK citizens will be required to apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) to travel to Austria and other Schengen countries. ETIAS is an electronic travel authorisation, similar to the US ESTA, and will be valid for three years or until passport expiry, whichever comes first. It will cost EUR 7 for individuals between the ages of 18 and 70, and there will be no fee for those under 18 or over 70.

Health insurance requirements for UK citizens in Austria

Health insurance is mandatory in Austria and UK citizens living, working or studying in Austria may be required to make further payments in order to access healthcare from the ÖGK system. UK citizens can access healthcare in Austria via the following routes:

• Paying for state health insurance through your employer
• Paying for state health insurance directly
• Using a UK-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for temporary stays
• Registering a UK-issued S1 with the state insurance fund

Paying for State Health Insurance Through Your Employer

If you are employed in Austria, you will be signed up for health insurance automatically. Your social insurance contributions will be deducted by your employer and paid to the local tax office. You will receive a social insurance number once you are registered.

Paying for State Health Insurance Directly

If you are not employed, you should contact your local branch of the Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK). Anyone can seek voluntary cover for health insurance.

Using a UK-Issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for Temporary Stays

The EHIC enables cardholders to access state-provided healthcare at a reduced cost, or sometimes for free. It covers treatment needed to allow the cardholder to continue their stay in Austria until their planned return. The EHIC also covers pre-existing medical conditions and routine maternity care, provided that the reason for your visit to the country is not specifically to give birth. It does not cover private health treatment.

Registering a UK-Issued S1 with the State Insurance Fund

The S1 system gives ÖGK-provided healthcare to UK citizens on the same basis as Austrian nationals. Recipients of UK state pensions and some other British benefits are eligible for S1 status.

Registration Process

The first step is to register as an Austrian resident. In the case of employed applicants, health insurance is taken out automatically as part of the registration process. Those not in employment should contact the local ÖGK office. Once registration is complete, residents are posted an 'e-card', which must be shown when visiting a healthcare facility. Austrian residents do not need to register with a doctor. The e-card also functions as an EHIC, allowing access to online services. Price rates vary according to salary level and geographical location.

Additional Payments for Medical Services

When accessing healthcare, look out for surgeries displaying signs saying 'Kassenarzt' ('contracted doctor') or 'Alle kassen' ('all insurers'). No payment is taken at the surgery or other healthcare facility, but some medical services require further payment, including:

• 20% of private doctor's fees (80% payable by ÖGK healthcare insurance)
• 10-15 euros per day for the first 28 days in hospital

Residence requirements for UK citizens in Austria

UK citizens who are legally resident in Austria up to and including 31 December 2020 will continue to have access to healthcare in the country for the entire duration of their residency.

To continue residing in Austria after 1 January 2021, UK citizens must apply for an Article 50 residence card. This card is required for UK citizens to retain the same rights as EU citizens in Austria. The rights of UK citizens in Austria are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement, pending a decision on their application.

UK citizens who have lived in Austria since before 1 January 2021 are subject to the following requirements:

• They must renew their Article 50 residence card before it expires. They will not receive an official reminder to do so.
• If their application for an Article 50 residence card is refused, they may be able to apply for residence as a third-country national.
• If they cannot pay for a lawyer, they can read the Austrian government’s information about legal aid (in German).
• If their Article 50 card application is refused, they may still be able to apply for residence as a third-country national.
• If they are not eligible for another residency status, they will have to leave Austria.

UK citizens who have lived in Austria since before 1 January 2021 are also subject to the following requirements:

• They must carry their Article 50 residence card when travelling within the Schengen area.
• If they have applied for, but not yet received, their Article 50 residence card, they should carry their certificate of application.
• If they cannot prove that they are a resident in Austria, they may be asked additional questions at the border to enter the EU.
• If they have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, they can enter and exit Austria with a valid passport. They do not need any additional validity on the passport beyond the dates on which they are travelling.

UK citizens who have lived in Austria since before 1 January 2021 are also entitled to:

• The same access to Austrian benefits as EU nationals.
• Claim some Austrian social security benefits.

Austrian residence permits are always issued for a specific purpose, and foreigners can only change the purpose associated with their residence permit if they meet the requirements for the new permit. Residence permits are issued as separate credit card-sized ID cards.

UK citizens who are not residents of Austria and wish to stay for longer than six months require a residence permit. This can be obtained by submitting an application to the Austrian Consulate of their domicile prior to entry and awaiting the authority’s decision abroad.

Work requirements for UK citizens in Austria

As of April 2024, UK citizens can travel to Austria for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa for tourism, visiting family and friends, or for business travel and short-term educational purposes. However, they are not allowed to work without holding a Visa or residence permit.

If you are staying for longer than 90 days, or for other types of work, you may need a visa or permit. The Austrian authorities are responsible for setting and enforcing entry rules and deciding which activities need a visa or permit, or which may be exempt.

Visa and permit documents

There are different types of visas and permits available in Austria, and you must check the exact application process and document requirements with Austria's embassy or immigration authorities. Here are some of the most common types:

• Short-term posting permit: This is required if your UK employer has a contract or work order with an Austrian company for up to 6 months. To qualify, you must be paid a salary equivalent to a similar position in Austria, have relevant professional experience or a university degree, and keep your UK employment contract.
• Short-term highly skilled key worker permit: This is for UK-based employees whose employer provides a contractual service to an Austrian end-user. To qualify, you must be working in a profession listed in Annex 4 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, have a university degree or equivalent, have at least 3 years of professional experience, and have worked for your employer in the UK for at least 12 months.
• Short-term freelancer visa: This is for UK-based freelancers who want to work in Austria. To qualify, you must be providing a service listed in Annex 4 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, have a degree or equivalent qualifications, have at least 6 years of relevant professional experience, and be based in the UK without being established in the EU.
• ICT residence permit: This is for employees whose UK-based employer moves them to a branch in Austria for up to 3 years (with an extension) if you're a manager or specialist, or for 1 year if you're a trainee. To qualify, you must have worked for the UK company for at least 12 months (or 6 months if you're a trainee), earn a salary in line with Austrian requirements, and have a bachelor's degree or proof of relevant experience.
• Red-White-Red Card: This is a points-based residence permit. To qualify, you must have a bachelor's degree, be eligible for admission to university, or have proof of relevant work experience, as well as an offer of employment with an Austrian company. Your salary must be paid in 14 monthly instalments a year, and your employer will need to complete a labour market test.
• EU Blue Card: This is for highly skilled work in Austria for at least a year. To qualify, you must have at least 3 years of education at the bachelor's degree level, have an offer of employment from an Austrian company for at least 6 months, be placed on Austria's payroll, and meet gross annual salary requirements.
• Work permit to provide services: This is if your UK employer has a service agreement with an Austrian company. To qualify, you must have relevant professional experience or a university degree, keep your UK employment contract, and be paid a salary equivalent to the Austrian standard.
• Red-White-Red Card for self-employed key workers: This is if your self-employed occupation is economically beneficial to Austria. There are no point requirements, but you must intend to make a substantial financial investment in Austria, create new jobs or secure existing ones, and work in an occupation that is of considerable importance to a region of Austria.
• Red-White-Red Card for start-up founders: This is for founders of a start-up company in Austria. To qualify, you must establish a company for 'innovative products, services, processing methods or technologies', create a detailed business plan, have a controlling influence on the management board, meet capital and equity requirements, and score at least 50 points.
• Settlement permit for research: This is if you work for a recognised research institution. It's valid for 2 years and can be renewed.
• Settlement permit for artists: This is if you want to work in Austria as an employed or self-employed artist. You need to provide a declaration from your employer confirming compliance with employment conditions, or a contract for self-employed work for a minimum of 6 months.

Application documents

The documents required for these visas and permits may include:

• Completed permit application form
• UK passport, valid for 3-6 months from the date you intend to leave Austria
• Degree or other qualification certificate
• Employment contract or confirmation from your UK employer
• Assignment agreement with the Austrian company
• Contract or work order between your UK employer and the Austrian company
• Health insurance covering your stay in Austria or a social security waiver certificate
• Registration form signed by your landlord in Austria
• Birth certificate, marriage certificate, and police clearance certificate ('legalised' with an apostille)
• Proof of accommodation in Austria, such as a hotel reservation
• Proof of sufficient financial means, such as bank statements, contracts, or payslips
• A 45 x 35mm photo taken within 6 months of applying

Frequently asked questions