Travel To Austria: What You Need To Know

Austria is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe, attracting tourists all year round with its stunning mountain ranges and ski resorts. However, in recent years, the country has faced a few setbacks in its tourism industry, including a lack of snow in the Alps, and overcrowding in popular tourist spots. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Austria also went into a full lockdown, which impacted its ability to welcome tourists. Despite these challenges, Austria remains a sought-after destination, with its imperial palaces, picturesque villages, and vibrant cities offering something for everyone.

Visa requirements for entering Austria

Citizens of the EU, EEA countries, and Switzerland do not need a visa to enter Austria. Nationals of other countries may require a visa to enter the Schengen Area or Austrian territory.

From spring 2025, travellers from the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand will require an ETIAS travel authorisation.

Visa-Exempt Entry

Nationals of the following countries do not require a visa to enter Austria for a short-stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period:

• Australia
• Canada
• Israel
• Japan
• New Zealand
• United States

Visa Requirements

If you are a citizen of a country that does not have a visa-free travel arrangement with Austria, you will need to obtain a visa to enter the country. The type of visa you will need depends on the purpose and duration of your stay.

#### Short-Stay 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.

#### Long-Stay Visa

If you plan to stay in Austria for more than 90 days, you should apply for a Visa D, which entitles the holder to stay in Austria for up to six months.

#### Work Visa

Foreigners who are not nationals of an EEA state or Switzerland and wish to pursue gainful employment or a short-term activity similar to gainful employment (e.g. internship) will always require a visa.

#### Student Visa

Students attending a college or university in Austria should consult with the Austrian Embassy or Consulate before travelling to Austria to find out if they need to apply for a residence permit from outside of Austria.

#### Residence Permit

If you intend to remain in Austria for a period exceeding 90 days, you must obtain a residence permit. Applications for residence permits may take up to six months to process.

#### Other Visa Types

Austria also offers several other types of visas, including:

• Visa A (airport transit visa)
• Visa for long-term visiting trips
• Visa for the collection of a residence permit
• Visa for participants in a "Working Holiday Programme"
• Visa for taking up temporary work

Passport validity

Austrian passport validity requirements are in line with the Schengen area rules.

Your passport must:

• Have a 'date of issue' less than 10 years before the date you arrive. If you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago.
• Have an 'expiry date' of at least three months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.

If you are a UK citizen, it is strongly recommended that your passport has six months' validity to avoid needing to prove your departure date.

If you do not meet these requirements, you may be denied entry.

Austrian passports are generally valid for ten years and the validity cannot be extended.

Travel insurance

If you are travelling to Austria, it is recommended that you get travel insurance that covers your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

To obtain a visa to Austria, your insurance must meet the following criteria:

• Minimum coverage for at least €30,000 in medical expenses
• It should cover all member states of the Schengen Area
• It should cover any expenses that might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons
• The policy must be valid for the entire duration of your stay
• The policy must have a $0 deductible with 100% coverage

AXA's Schengen travel insurance is one option that offers extensive protection as it can cover medical expenses up to €100,000 in Austria and other Schengen Area countries. It also allows you to obtain the travel insurance certificate required with your visa application.

Currency restrictions

Austria's currency is the Euro, which has been the case since 2002. There are no restrictions on bringing foreign money into Austria, or taking money out of the country. However, if you are travelling to Austria and bringing cash or traveller's cheques valued at 10,000 euros or more, you must declare this at customs. Failure to do so could result in your money being seized when you leave the country.

ATMs are prevalent in all Austrian cities and towns, and both the Cirrus and PLUS networks have automated ATM locators listing the banks in Austria that will accept foreign cards. Most ATMs in Austria allow you to withdraw your choice of notes. It is important to note that you will need a four-digit PIN for your bank cards and credit cards to work in Austria. Six-digit PINs will not work.

Credit cards are widely accepted in Austria, with American Express, Visa, Diners Club, and MasterCard being the most commonly recognised. Debit cards are also very common.

If you are travelling from the UK, US, or Canada, here is some information on exchange rates that may be useful for you:

• At the time of writing, 1 USD is worth approximately 0.625 Euro cents.
• At the time of writing, 1 GBP is worth approximately 1.25 Euros.
• At the time of writing, 1 CAD is worth approximately 1.60 Euros.

It is worth noting that conversion rates fluctuate, and differences could affect the relative costs of your trip.

Driving in Austria

Rules and Regulations

In Austria, you drive on the right side of the road and overtake on the left. Austrian motorists tend to drive reasonably fast, especially on Autobahns, but strict regulations mean they generally obey road rules.

The following rules also apply:

• Keep your registration papers and driver's license in the car.
• Use indicators for overtaking or changing lanes.
• All drivers and passengers must wear seat belts.
• Maintain a distance of at least 20 meters behind rail vehicles.
• Maintain safety distances between cars (generally 7 to 14 meters).
• Mobile phones can only be used with a hands-free car kit.
• Carry suitable warning signs, reflective clothing, and a first aid kit in case of accidents.
• Use winter tires (or snow chains) between 1 November and 15 April.

Speed Limits

Speed limits in Austria are as follows:

• Residential/urban areas: 50km/h unless posted otherwise.
• Freeways (Bundesstraße): 100km/h.
• Highways (Autobahn): 130km/h.

Driving Licences

A valid driver's license is required to drive in Austria. Driving licenses issued in EU and EEA countries are accepted. International driving permits are recognised but not required.

If you have a foreign license, you can usually drive with this for up to six months, depending on your circumstances. It is always best to switch to an Austrian license as soon as possible. In addition, if your license is not in German, you must have an international driving permit or a translation.

Driving Costs

• Vehicle registration and licensing: €200.
• Insurance: €60–€150/month.
• Tolls and congestion charges: €90/year (for a vignette that covers all this).
• Parking costs: €5–€20/day.
• Inspections and maintenance: up to €5,000/year.
• Fuel: €1.45/liter (gasoline), €1.37/liter (diesel).

Road Signs

Road signs in Austria are usually placed on the right, either next to or above the road. In some cases, signs may also be placed on both sides of the road.

Warning or prohibition signs have white backgrounds and red ages, similar to the rest of Europe. Signs for roundabout ahead, road curves, slippery road surface, pedestrian crossing, and stop will be familiar. Signs for speed limits or lanes and directions will also be easy to see and understand.

Traffic Information

You can expect to find the most traffic in Vienna and other major urban centres. Once outside these areas, there is far less traffic. There may be some traffic on popular mountain roads as these tend to be smaller and trickier to navigate.

Road Accidents and Breakdowns

In the event of a breakdown, call 120 to contact the ÖAMTC, or the ARBÖ, which is a membership service.

Frequently asked questions