Transit Through Austria: What You Need To Know

Austria is a popular destination for tourists, and many travellers also pass through the country en route to other destinations. For those transiting through Austria, there are a number of requirements and considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to determine whether you need a visa to enter Austria, as this depends on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. Some countries are exempt from visa requirements, while others may need to apply for a specific type of visa, such as an Airport Transit Visa. This visa allows travellers to change flights at an Austrian airport while on their way to another country within the EU. The requirements for this visa include a valid passport, recent photographs, flight itinerary, travel insurance, and proof of accommodation and sufficient financial means. It is also important to fill out the necessary entry forms before arriving in Austria to avoid long waiting times.

Visa requirements for transiting through Austria

The visa requirements for transiting through Austria depend on several factors, including your nationality, the purpose of your visit, and the duration of your stay. Here is a detailed overview of the visa requirements for transiting through Austria:

Visa-Exempt Entries

If you are a citizen of an EU member state, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, you are exempt from applying for a visa to enter Austria. Additionally, if you hold a passport from the US, Canada, Australia, or Japan, you are also exempt from the visa requirement. The same applies if you possess a valid residence permit from any country within the Schengen area.

Short-Stay Visas

If you need a visa to transit through Austria, you can apply for a Schengen visa, which is valid for a short stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This type of visa covers various purposes, such as tourism, business, visiting family, or medical reasons. To obtain a Schengen visa, you must follow a specific application procedure, which includes checking your visa requirements, understanding the type of visa needed, completing the application form, scheduling an appointment, and attending the visa interview. The standard processing time for an Austrian visa application is 15 days, but it can take up to 30 days or longer in certain cases.

Long-Stay Visas

If you intend to stay in Austria for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a long-stay visa, also known as an Austrian national visa or a Type D visa. This type of visa allows foreign nationals to work, study, or join a family member in Austria. Long-stay visas include work visas, student visas, family visas, retirement visas, and job seeker visas. It is important to note that there are no exemptions for long-stay visas, unlike Schengen visas.

Airport Transit Visa

If you are transiting through an Austrian airport to reach a destination outside the Schengen Area, you may need an airport transit visa. However, if you do not leave the international transit zone during your stopover, you generally do not require a visa. Nationals of certain countries, such as Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Iran, and Nigeria, are required to have a visa (category "A") even to stay in the international transit zone of an Austrian airport, unless they are exempt.

Entry Requirements

Regardless of your visa status, there are several entry requirements you must meet when transiting through Austria. Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area, and you may need to show proof of accommodation, travel insurance, a return or onward ticket, and sufficient funds for your stay. Additionally, you will need to fill out a declaration form when entering Austria, which can be found on the Austria Embassy website in both German and English.

Transit declaration forms

All travellers entering Austria from Croatia, including those transiting through Austria, are required to present a declaration form upon arrival. This includes citizens of the following countries: Albania, Egypt, Belarus, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Indonesia, India, Croatia, Iran, Kosovo, Moldova, Mexico, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Romania, Sweden, Serbia, Senegal, Spain (except the Canary Islands), South Africa, Turkey, Ukraine, the United States, and the Hubei Province in China. Citizens of Slovakia are exempt from this requirement.

The declaration form is intended to prevent unnecessary delays at border crossings. It is recommended that travellers fill out the form before entering Austria. The form is available in both German and English.

The form includes sections for both individuals who plan to stay in Austria and those who will be leaving immediately. Travellers should fill out the sections that are relevant to their specific situation.

In addition to the declaration form, travellers entering Austria may also need to provide other documentation, such as proof of a negative COVID-19 test or a health certificate, depending on the COVID-19 situation in their country of origin.

Proof of onward travel

When travelling to Austria, you may be asked to show proof of onward travel. This is to ensure that you are not illegally immigrating to the country. In other words, the Austrian authorities want to make sure that you are not attempting to move to the country on a tourist visa and never leave.

If you are a citizen of an EU member state, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, the US, Canada, Australia, or Japan, you are exempt from applying for a visa to enter Austria. However, if you are not a citizen of one of these countries, you may be asked to show proof of onward travel. This can be in the form of a return ticket to your home country or another destination.

If you are travelling on a one-way ticket, there are a few ways to get around this proof-of-onward-travel requirement:

• Buy a refundable ticket: You can buy a fully refundable second one-way return ticket before you leave for your destination. Once you've entered the country, cancel your exit ticket and wait for the refund. Just make sure to read the fine print, as some airlines charge cancellation fees or only refund tickets using flight vouchers.
• Rent a ticket confirmation: You can "rent" an airline ticket confirmation from a real-life travel agency. Websites like OneWayFly.com book a real return ticket in your name and then cancel it for you later. This option is cheaper than buying your own ticket and safer than trying to forge one.
• Book with your airline miles: If you have accumulated a lot of points or miles on your travel rewards credit cards, you can use those points to book a one-way return flight and then cancel it later. Usually, the points or miles are refunded right away.
• Buy a cheap ticket on a budget airline: You can find extremely affordable one-way tickets on budget airlines like EasyJet, AirAsia, and Volaris.
• Buy a bus or train ticket out: In some cases, showing that you have a bus or train ticket that leaves the country may be sufficient proof of onward travel. This option is much cheaper than buying a plane ticket, and you don't have to use it. However, it can be a risky option, as it may or may not be accepted.

It is important to note that the need for proof of onward travel may vary depending on the airline you use. Additionally, even if you are asked for proof of onward travel, you may not be denied entry if you do not have it. In some cases, you may be given the option to buy a ticket at the airport.

Visa application process

The type of visa you will need to transit through Austria depends on your nationality, the duration of your stay, and the purpose of your visit.

If you are a citizen of a country within the Schengen Area, or the EEA/EU, you will not need a visa to enter Austria. The same applies if your country has a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen Area. Nationals of the US, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia can enter Austria without a visa for up to 90 days.

If you are a citizen of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, or Syria, you will need a visa (category "A") to stay in the international transit zone of an Austrian airport.

If you are not a citizen of any of the countries listed above, you will most likely need a visa to transit through Austria. There are two types of visas: short-term and long-term.

Short-term visas (Type C)

Short-term visas are for visits of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This includes tourist, business, student, and medical visas. To apply for a short-term visa, you will need the following documents:

• A valid passport with at least two blank pages, issued within the last decade
• A completed and signed visa application form
• Recent photographs following the Schengen visa photo rules set by ICAO
• A visa fee, which varies depending on the type of visa and your age
• A letter stating the purpose of your visit
• An itinerary with correct flight dates and plans during your trip
• Travel insurance that covers any medical and emergency issues up to €30,000
• Civil status documents, such as birth certificates or marriage licenses
• Proof of accommodation, such as hotel reservations
• Proof of financial means to cover your travel costs
• Copies of previous Schengen visas (if applicable)

Long-term visas (Type D)

Long-term visas are for visits of more than 90 days up to six months. This includes student, family, and retirement visas. To apply for a long-term visa, you will need the following documents in addition to those listed for short-term visas:

• Notification or confirmation of admission from an Austrian institution (if applicable)
• Proof of sufficient financial means to cover living costs, such as bank statements
• Proof of accommodation in Austria, such as a rental agreement
• Proof of travel health insurance that is valid in Austria and covers COVID-19 treatment
• Flight, bus, or train reservations
• Proof of family or economic ties with your home country, such as employment records

Additional considerations for minors

If you are a minor traveling to Austria, you will need the following additional documents:

• Copies of travel documents for both parents
• A signed application form from both parents
• Family court permission if only one parent has custody
• Official parental authorization if the child is traveling alone

Application process

To apply for a visa, follow these steps:

• Determine the type of visa you need based on the purpose and duration of your visit.
• Locate the nearest embassy, consulate, or official representative of the Austrian government in your country.
• Contact the embassy to schedule an appointment for your application.
• Prepare all the necessary documents as listed above.
• Submit your application and documents at the embassy or consulate.

It is recommended to apply for your visa at least two weeks before your planned travel date, but no earlier than three months in advance. The processing time for visa applications can vary, but it typically takes up to 15 business days.

Visa fees

The visa fee for Austria depends on the type of visa and the nationality of the applicant. Here is a breakdown of the visa fees for different categories of applicants:

• Short-Stay Visa Application Types: The fees for this type of visa vary based on the applicant's age and country of origin. For example, children between 6 and 12 years of age from certain countries like Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Russia will have a different fee compared to adults or children from other countries.
• Schengen Visa: The Schengen visa allows individuals to visit any of the 26 countries in the Schengen Area, including Austria. The fee for this visa is typically around €60 for adults. However, this may vary depending on the applicant's nationality and the specific country where they are applying.
• Airport Transit Visa: This visa is required for travellers who need to change flights at an Austrian airport. The visa processing fees vary based on the applicant's category. For example, children aged 6-12 from specific countries may have a fee of £36.50, while there is no fee for children under 6 or family members of an EU/EEA national.
• Student Visa: Austria offers both short-term and long-term student visas. The short-term student visa (C Visa) allows students to stay in Austria for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, while the long-term student visa (D Visa) is for stays of up to 6 months. The good news is that student visas are typically free of charge.
• Work Visa: To work in Austria, individuals will need a work visa and possibly a residence permit for stays longer than 90 days. The typical work visa fee is around €150, but this may vary depending on the length of the visa.
• Other Visa Types: Austria offers various other visa types, such as the researcher visa, freelancer visa, language course visa, and partnership visa. The fees for these visas are not explicitly mentioned but may vary depending on the applicant's nationality and the specific type of visa required.

It is important to note that the visa fees mentioned above may not include additional charges such as consular fees, service fees, or application form fees. Therefore, applicants should always check the latest information on visa fees from official sources before initiating the application process.

Frequently asked questions