Travel Documents: Austria And Passport Requirements

If you're travelling to Austria, you'll need to make sure your passport is valid for at least three months beyond the period of your stay. It's also recommended that your passport is valid for at least six months. If you're a non-EEA citizen, you'll need to carry your passport at all times. If you're a US citizen, you won't need a visa for a holiday of up to 90 days in a 180-day period. However, if you're planning to stay longer than 90 days, you'll need to obtain a visa. From spring 2025, travellers from the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand will require an ETIAS travel authorisation.

Passport validity

Your passport must meet the following criteria to be valid for travel to Austria:

• It must have a 'date of issue' that is less than 10 years before the date you arrive in Austria. If you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago.
• It must have an expiry date that is at least three months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.
• It must have at least two blank pages for entry stamps.
• It must be less than 10 years old, even if it has more than six months left until its expiry date.

If your passport does not meet these requirements, you may not be able to travel to Austria or other countries in the EU.

It is recommended that your passport has six months' validity to avoid needing to prove your departure date.

Visa requirements

The visa requirements for entering Austria differ depending on the traveller's nationality and the intended length of stay. Nationals of EU, EEA countries, Switzerland, and several other countries (including Australia, Japan, Canada, and the US) do not need a visa to enter Austria for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, travellers from the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand will require an ETIAS travel authorisation from spring 2025.

For stays exceeding 90 days or for gainful employment in Austria, a visa is required for US citizens. Austrian visas can be obtained by applying at an Austrian Embassy or Consulate General prior to travelling to Austria or by applying locally in Austria before the 90-day stay has expired. Austria collects the fingerprints of all visa applicants.

Students and prospective students should visit the 'Study in Austria' webpage for current information on student visa requirements. Fulbright students and scholars should contact their respective program officers.

Indian nationals require a Schengen visa to enter Austria. Since 2 November 2015, all Schengen visa applicants in India must appear in person to provide biometric data (fingerprints and digital photos). The processing time for Schengen visas is a minimum of 15 days, although it may take longer in some cases.

Passport Requirements

When travelling to Austria, it is important to ensure that your passport meets the following requirements:

• Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the planned date of departure from the Schengen area. While a validity of three months is the minimum requirement, six months is strongly recommended to avoid needing to prove your departure date.
• Issue date: The 'date of issue' on your passport must be less than ten years before the date of your arrival in Austria.

Additionally, it is recommended to have your passport stamped on entry and exit when travelling to Austria. Border guards may check these stamps to ensure you have not overstayed the 90-day visa-free limit for the Schengen area.

Border controls

Austrian border control requirements vary depending on the traveller's nationality and the purpose and duration of their visit. Here are the key points to keep in mind:

• Passport Requirements: Travellers from countries like the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand will need a valid passport to enter Austria. It's important to ensure that the passport has at least three months' validity beyond the planned date of departure from the Schengen area, although six months is strongly recommended. Additionally, passports must be less than ten years old, even if they have more than six months left before expiring.
• Visa Requirements: Nationals of EU, EEA countries, Switzerland, and certain other countries (including Australia, Japan, Canada and the US) do not need a visa for stays in Austria of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, travellers from the aforementioned group of countries (UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) will require an ETIAS travel authorisation from spring 2025. On the other hand, Indian nationals, for example, require a Schengen visa to enter Austria.
• Proof of Sufficient Funds: At border control, travellers may be asked to show proof of sufficient funds for their stay. This could include a return or onward ticket and evidence of financial means to support themselves during their visit.
• Accommodation Proof: Travellers may also be asked to provide proof of their accommodation arrangements, such as a hotel booking confirmation or proof of address for a second home.
• Travel Insurance: Border guards may request to see proof of travel insurance when entering Austria.
• Passport Stamping: Visitors should ensure they get their passport stamped on entry and exit. This helps border guards monitor compliance with the 90-day visa-free limit for the Schengen area. If a passport is missing a stamp, travellers should show evidence of their entry or exit (e.g., boarding passes) and request that the border guards add the necessary information to their passport.
• Transit Through Germany: When travelling between different parts of Austria by train, some routes pass through Germany without stopping. While this does not typically trigger passport requirements, non-EEA citizens are generally required to carry their passport at all times.
• Customs Checks: While customs checks are no longer routinely conducted, spot checks can occur at any time. This includes checks on goods being brought into and out of Austria, with strict rules and limits on certain items. For example, travellers must declare and may be taxed on large amounts of cash (over 10,000 euros) or travellers' cheques.

Entry stamps

When travelling to Austria, it is important to ensure that your passport meets the entry requirements and is stamped upon entry and exit. Here are some key points to keep in mind regarding entry stamps:

• Passport Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area. Additionally, it should have been issued less than ten years before your arrival date. These requirements are crucial for gaining entry into Austria and other Schengen area countries.
• Visa-Free Stay: Travellers from certain countries, including the UK, can enter Austria and other Schengen countries without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. However, it is essential to have your passport stamped upon entry and exit to demonstrate compliance with this time limit. Overstaying the 90-day limit may result in bans from entering Schengen countries for up to three years.
• Proof of Onward Travel: When entering Austria, you may be asked to show a return or onward ticket to prove that you do not intend to overstay. Border guards may also request proof of accommodation, travel insurance, and sufficient funds for your stay.
• Stamping on Entry and Exit: Make sure to get your passport stamped both when entering and exiting Austria. These stamps serve as official records of your dates of entry and exit, which are crucial for complying with the 90-day visa-free limit.
• Missing Stamp: In the event that your passport is missing an entry or exit stamp, it is important to provide alternative evidence of your travel dates. This could include boarding passes, tickets, or other documentation. You should also request the border guards to add the necessary stamps to your passport.
• Long-Term Stay: If you plan to stay in Austria for more than 90 days in a 180-day period, you must meet the Austrian government's entry requirements, which may include obtaining a specific type of visa or work permit. Consult the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Austrian Embassy for guidance on long-term stays.

Travel insurance

If you are a citizen of a country in the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, you do not need a visa to enter Austria and travel insurance is optional. However, it is highly recommended that you have travel insurance to cover any medical costs, as these can be high for foreigners.

If you are not a citizen of an EU, EEA country, or Switzerland, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa to enter Austria. This requires travel insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 in medical expenses, which also covers all member states of the Schengen Area. This insurance is mandatory and must be valid for the entire duration of your stay.

AXA's Schengen travel insurance is one option, which covers medical expenses of up to €100,000 and includes medical repatriation and transport, as well as 24/7 medical assistance in English or French. It also allows you to obtain the travel insurance certificate required for your visa application.

Frequently asked questions