Austria's Digital Nomad Visa: What You Need To Know

Austria is a dream destination for digital nomads, with its rich history, unique charm, efficient services, and modern comforts. However, the country currently does not offer a digital nomad visa, which has become a growing trend among European nations. Austria's focus is on attracting full-time workers to address staff shortages, and encouraging retirees to rejoin the workforce, rather than targeting temporary workers who may not contribute to the tax system and pension fund.

For EU/EEA citizens, Austria is easily accessible, with freedom of movement allowing them to live and work in the country without a visa. Non-EU citizens, on the other hand, face more complex regulations. While short-term stays of up to 90 days are possible with entry permits like the ETIAS Visa Waiver or a Schengen Visa, long-term stays require a different approach. The Austrian National Visa D (residence or work permit) is an option for digital nomads wishing to stay beyond 90 days, but it involves a tricky process and extensive requirements, including proof of employment in Austria—a challenge for those working remotely for foreign companies.

Austria does not have a digital nomad visa

For those who want to stay longer than 90 days, there is the option to apply for a long-term visa or an Austrian National Visa D, which allows for a stay of up to six months. With this visa, it is possible to extend the stay in Austria for an additional 90 days. However, it should be noted that this is not a dedicated digital nomad visa, and working in Austria remotely with this visa may put individuals in a legal grey area.

Austria has a stringent immigration policy, and the country is currently focused on attracting more workers to its full-time workforce rather than temporary workers. The government is also looking to bring retirees back to the workforce and make it easier for high-skilled immigrants to work in hired positions. Therefore, it is unlikely that Austria will implement a digital nomad visa in the near future.

EU citizens can stay in Austria for up to three months without a visa

It is important to note that EU citizens are still subject to the reporting obligation under the Austrian Registration Act. They must register their current address and de-register when leaving the country.

For EU citizens who wish to work as digital nomads in Austria, the situation is more complicated. In principle, EU citizens can enjoy freedom of movement and reside in another EU country for up to three months. However, there may be tax implications as they would be paying taxes and social insurance contributions in one country while living in another. If they intend to stay longer than three months, they should seek professional tax advice and ensure compliance with immigration, employment, and social security laws.

Non-EU citizens can stay in Austria for up to 90 days with a visa

Austria does not currently offer a digital nomad visa. However, non-EU citizens can stay in Austria for up to 90 days with a visa. This can be an ETIAS Visa Waiver or a Schengen Visa, depending on the nationality of the digital nomad.

The Schengen Visa is a uniform visa that may be issued for the following purposes:

• Airport Transit Visa
• Tourist Visa
• Visitor Visa
• Business Visa
• Visa for Official Visit
• Visa for Medical Reasons
• Visa for Study Purposes
• Visa for Cultural, Sports, and Film Crews

The ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is a visa waiver for citizens of countries who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen zone. It will be required for citizens of countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The waiver will be valid for three years and will allow visitors to stay in the Schengen zone for up to 90 days at a time.

If you are from a non-EU country, including the United Kingdom, you can stay in Austria for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. However, this 90 days counts all stays within the EU, not just in Austria. For example, if you stayed in Austria for 90 days, you would not be able to stay in another EU country until another 90 days had passed.

If you want to stay in Austria for longer than 90 days, you can apply for Visa D, which allows third-country nationals to stay in the country for up to six months as a visitor or up to 12 months in exceptional circumstances. This visa must be applied for in your country of residence before arriving in Austria.

It is important to note that working in Austria remotely with a tourist visa or Visa D is not legal for third-country nationals. While it is difficult for authorities to check every tourist's computer for evidence of remote working, working illegally in Austria could lead to extradition, fines, and even a re-entry ban.

Non-EU citizens can stay longer than 90 days with a long-term visa

Non-EU citizens who want to stay in Austria for longer than 90 days need to apply for a long-term visa or Austrian National Visa D. This is also known as a type D visa or Visa D. This visa allows non-EU citizens to extend their stay in Austria for another 90 days.

To apply for an Austrian National Visa D, you must do so in person and in your country of residence before travelling to Austria. The application requires extensive documentation, and you must submit all of them during your application. It is not possible to apply for this visa in Austria, nor to have it renewed, changed, or extended. Once the visa expires, you must leave the Schengen zone.

You can apply for a National Austrian Visa D at the earliest six months and no later than 15 days before you intend to travel to Austria. While processing times vary, it is best to apply at least four weeks before travelling to Austria.

Some of the requirements for applying for a work permit include proof of an employer in Austria, which can be tricky for digital nomads who are usually employed by foreign companies and work remotely. The lack of regulations for digital nomads working remotely with a Visa D puts them in a legal grey area.

Working in Austria on a tourist visa is illegal

Austria does not have a digital nomad visa. If you are a third-country national (i.e. from a country outside the EEA + Switzerland), it is illegal to work remotely in Austria without a visa. This includes digital nomad work. A standard residency permit does not allow this.

If you are a citizen of an EU member state, the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you do not need a visa to enter Austria. However, if you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen and wish to work in Austria, you will need to apply for a visa.

There are different types of visas available for Austria, depending on the purpose and duration of your stay. These include:

• Short-stay Visa (C)
• Long-stay Visa (D)
• Airport Transit Visa
• Visa for Official Visit
• Visa for Medical Reasons
• Visa for Study Purposes
• Visa for Cultural, Sports, and Film Crews
• Austria Work Visa
• Austria Student Visa
• Austria Family Visa
• Austria Retirement Visa
• Austria Job Seeker Visa
• Austria Working Holiday Visa

The application process for an Austrian visa involves several steps, including checking if you need a visa, understanding the type of visa required, completing the application form, scheduling an appointment, preparing the necessary documents, attending the visa interview, paying the application fee, and waiting for the visa to be processed. The standard processing time for an Austrian visa is 15 days, but it can take up to 30 days or longer in some cases.

It is important to note that working on a tourist visa is not permitted in Austria, and there can be serious repercussions for doing so, including fines, deportation, entry bans, or even arrest.

Frequently asked questions