Visa Requirements: Austrians And Kiwis, Do I Need A Visa?

If you're a New Zealand citizen travelling to Austria, you don't need a visa for a short stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, from spring 2025, travellers from New Zealand will require an ETIAS travel authorisation to enter Austria. For longer stays or different purposes, such as work or study, you may need to apply for a visa or a residence permit. The specific requirements and procedures for obtaining a visa or residence permit can be found on the official websites of the relevant Austrian authorities.

Do New Zealanders need a visa for Austria?

New Zealanders do not need a visa to enter Austria for a short stay, as a tourist, for business, or for transit purposes. However, they will need to obtain an ETIAS travel authorisation from spring 2025 onwards. This is an online application system that is valid for arrival in Europe by air, sea, or overland travel.

The ETIAS travel authorisation is for visits of less than 90 days and is valid for multiple entries within a 3-year period. It is advised that travellers apply for ETIAS at least 96 hours before their departure date. The application is normally processed and approved within minutes, and the authorisation is sent via email.

For longer stays of more than 90 days but less than 180 days, or for short-term employment of less than 6 months, a different type of visa is required. This is the Austrian National Visa D, which does not entitle the holder to take up employment in Austria but allows them to stay for up to 90 days within a 6-month period in other Schengen countries.

To work in Austria, a separate work permit from the Austrian Employment Service (AMS) is required, and the original employment contract must be provided when applying for the Austrian National Visa D.

What is the ETIAS travel authorisation?

The ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt travellers from certain countries. From spring 2025, travellers from the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand will need an ETIAS travel authorisation to enter Austria.

The ETIAS, or European Travel Information and Authorisation System, is expected to be operational six months after the EES. It will be required for short-term stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period in 30 European countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

The ETIAS travel authorisation costs €7 per person and is valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It can be applied for via the official ETIAS website or mobile app.

To apply, you will need a valid travel document, which should not expire within three months of your departure and should not be older than 10 years. You will also need to provide personal information, including your name, date and place of birth, sex, nationalities, home address, email address, and phone number(s); travel document details; your level of education and current occupation; the country of your first intended stay and the address of your destination; and details about any past criminal convictions, past travels to war or conflict zones, and whether you have recently been the subject of a return decision.

What is the Austria Working Holiday Visa?

The Austria Working Holiday Visa is a visa agreement between Austria and several other countries, including New Zealand, that allows citizens to work and study in each other's countries. The visa is targeted at young people, usually between the ages of 18 and 30, and is intended to allow them to partially fund their holiday through work while also gaining valuable international work experience. The visa is valid for a maximum of 12 months, and visa holders are not allowed to accept permanent employment.

In the case of New Zealand, citizens can apply for the Austria Working Holiday Visa at the Austrian Embassy in Canberra, Australia, or at VFS Auckland, where their biometric data can be collected. The application can also be submitted at the Austrian Embassies in Ljubljana, London, and Bratislava, or at the Austrian Consulate General in Munich. The application fee is EUR 150 (for a stay of more than 90 days).

To be eligible for the visa, applicants must meet several requirements, including:

• Having a valid New Zealand passport that will remain valid for at least three months after the last day of the visa's validity.
• Providing proof of sufficient funds for their maintenance during their stay, as well as proof of transportation or the ability to purchase a ticket.
• Providing proof of health, accident, and travel insurance for the entire period of their stay, with a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000.
• Being in good health, which may require a chest X-ray and medical examination.
• Being of good character, which may require providing Police Certificates.

It is important to note that the Working Holiday Visa does not grant family members or dependents the right to travel with the applicant. Additionally, applicants must intend to return to their home country after their stay, as evidenced by a return ticket or sufficient funds to purchase one.

How long can New Zealanders stay in Austria?

New Zealanders can stay in Austria for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without needing a visa. However, from spring 2025, travellers from New Zealand will require an ETIAS travel authorisation. This will be valid for three years and can be used for multiple entries under a 90-day duration.

If you want to stay in Austria for more than 90 days but less than 180 days, or if you want to take up short-term employment for less than six months, you will need an Austrian National Visa D. This entitles you to stay in Austria for up to 90 days within a six-month period and to visit other Schengen countries for up to 90 days. Please note that the Austrian National Visa D is not a work permit and does not allow you to take up employment in Austria. If you wish to work in Austria, you will need to provide an employment contract and a work permit from the Austrian Employment Service (AMS) when applying for your visa.

Visa applications are typically processed within 15 business days from receipt by the Embassy of a complete application, but this can take longer during peak times and in exceptional circumstances. Applications for Austrian visas are sent to the Embassy of Austria in Canberra once a month.

What is the process for applying for an Austrian visa?

To apply for an Austrian visa, you must first determine the type of visa you need. There are two types of Austrian visas: short-term and long-term. These depend on the purpose of your visit.

Short-term visas:

• A Visa (Transit Visa): Issued to individuals travelling through Austria who need to make a transit stop before reaching their destination. This visa must be obtained from your country of origin.
• C Visa (Schengen Visa): A short-term visa that allows individuals to stay in Austria for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The C Visa includes tourist, business, short-stay student, and medical visas.

Long-term visas:

D Visa (Resident Visa): This visa allows individuals to stay in Austria for more than 90 days, up to six months. During this time, individuals can apply for an Austrian Residence Permit. The D Visa includes student, family, and retirement visas.

Application Process:

• Determine the type of visa you need based on your purpose of visit and intended duration of stay.
• Locate the nearest Austrian embassy, consulate, or official representative in your country.
• Contact the embassy to schedule an appointment for your visa application.
• Prepare the necessary documents, which typically include:

• Passport or valid travel document (valid for at least three months beyond the visa period, with two empty pages, and issued within the last ten years)
• Passport photo (35 x 45 mm, following specified criteria)
• Comprehensive travel health insurance policy for the planned duration of the stay (with coverage of at least 30,000 Euros for the entire Schengen area)
• Proof of sufficient funds for the duration of the intended stay and return journey
• Other relevant documents, such as hotel reservations, invitations, booking confirmations, return flight tickets, or proof of employment

• Submit your application, along with the required documents, at the embassy/consulate.
• Pay the applicable visa fees, which vary based on the type of visa and the applicant's age and nationality.

It is recommended to apply for your Austrian visa at least two weeks before your planned travel. The processing time for visa applications can vary, typically taking up to 15 business days but sometimes extending to 30 or 60 days.

Frequently asked questions