Austrian Passport Power: Global Access Analyzed

The Austrian passport is one of the most powerful in the world, ranking 5th on the Guide Consultants Passport Ranking Index and 3rd on the Henley Passport Index. Austrian passport holders have visa-free access to 189 countries and visa on arrival access to 45 countries, for a total of 194 countries. This high mobility score makes the Austrian passport one of the most desirable in the world, allowing for instant travel to almost anywhere. The passport is burgundy in colour, with the Austrian coat of arms emblazoned in the centre of the front cover, and follows the standard EU design.

Austrian passport holders can enter 189 countries without a visa

The Austrian passport is a powerful travel document, allowing visa-free access to a large number of countries and territories worldwide. As of 2025, Austrian passport holders can enter about 189 countries without a visa, ranking the Austrian passport 3rd in the world according to the Henley Passport Index. This high mobility score makes the Austrian passport one of the most desirable in the world.

The passport provides visa-free access to countries such as Brazil, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States, allowing for almost instant travel worldwide. Austrian citizens can also enter many countries with just an ID card, and they can easily obtain eVisas or visas on arrival for even more destinations, making international travel very convenient.

However, there are still some countries that require an Austrian passport holder to obtain a visa before travelling. For example, Austrian citizens need a valid visa to enter approximately 41 destinations, including Sudan, and they must apply for the appropriate visa through the relevant consulate or embassy before travelling. Additionally, Iran refuses admission to holders of passports containing an Israeli stamp that is less than 12 months old.

It is important for Austrian travellers to be aware of the entry requirements and restrictions of their intended destination, as some countries may have specific health, documentation, or fingerprinting requirements. For example, the United States may require fingerprinting even for transit passengers who do not plan to leave the airport.

As Austria is a member of the European Union, Austrian citizens can also benefit from consular protection from any other EU country's embassy when in a non-EU country without an Austrian embassy.

It is ranked 5th on the Guide Consultants Passport Ranking Index

The Austrian passport is currently ranked 5th on the Guide Consultants Passport Ranking Index. It is considered one of the most desirable passports in the world, with a very high mobility score. Austrian passport holders can travel to 189 countries without a visa and have visa-on-arrival access to countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates, allowing for nearly instant travel worldwide. This high ranking is due to the passport providing visa-free access to a large number of countries.

Austrian passports are burgundy in colour, conforming to the standard EU design, and feature the Austrian coat of arms on the front cover. They are produced at the "Österreichische Staatsdruckerei" in Vienna and sent to the Austrian Embassy Canberra weekly. The process usually takes between three and five weeks. Austrian citizens living abroad can also apply for a passport with local authorities while in Austria. In urgent cases, the Austrian Embassy can provide an emergency passport for travel back to Austria, valid for up to six months or one year in exceptional circumstances.

Austrian passports may contain a trilingual explanation in German, English, and French, of the German umlauts and ß. As of 4 January 2024, Austrian citizens had visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 194 countries and territories, ranking 3rd in the world in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index. This ranking is based on data from the International Air Transport Association and is revised every quarter.

It is important to note that Austrian passport holders do require a visa to enter about 41 destinations worldwide. Some countries in the Arab League may deny entry to Austrian passport holders if their passports contain Israeli visas or stamps. Additionally, Austrian nationality law restricts holding dual citizenship, unless acquired at birth or for descendants of persecuted persons.

It is issued to citizens to facilitate international travel

An Austrian passport is an identity document issued to Austrian citizens to facilitate international travel. Austrian passports are produced at the "Österreichische Staatsdruckerei" in Vienna and sent to the Austrian Embassy Canberra weekly. The passport, along with a national identity card, allows for free rights of movement and residence in any of the states of the European Economic Area and Switzerland. This is due to Austria being a member of the European Union since 1995.

Austrian passports follow the standard EU design, with each page showing the coat of arms of a different Austrian state in the background. They are the same burgundy colour as other European passports, with the Austrian coat of arms emblazoned in the centre of the front cover. The words "EUROPÄISCHE UNION" (English: European Union) and "REPUBLIK ÖSTERREICH" (English: Republic of Austria) are inscribed above the coat of arms, and the word "REISEPASS" (English: Passport) is inscribed below it. Austrian passports also have the standard biometric symbol at the bottom.

Austrian passports are considered some of the most powerful in the world, ranking 5th on the Guide Consultants Passport Ranking Index and 6th on the 2019 list of the world's most powerful passports. As of 4 January 2024, Austrian citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 194 countries and territories, ranking the Austrian passport 3rd in the world in terms of travel freedom. This high ranking is due to the passport providing visa-free access to 189 countries, with visas on arrival available for a further 45 countries.

Austrian citizens can apply for a new passport at any time, even if their current one is still valid. The process typically takes between three and five weeks, but express passports can be produced and sent directly to the applicant in urgent cases. Austrian citizens living abroad may also apply for a passport with the local authorities while they are in Austria for vacation.

It allows free movement and residence in any European Economic Area state

The Austrian passport is a powerful travel document, ranking 5th on the Guide Consultants Passport Ranking Index and 6th on the 2019 list of the world's most powerful passports. It provides visa-free access to 189 countries, with visa-on-arrival access to 45 more, making it one of the most desirable passports globally. This high mobility score is due to the passport's facilitation of international travel for Austrian citizens, who are also citizens of the European Union.

The Austrian passport, along with a national identity card, allows for the right to free movement and residence in any of the states of the European Economic Area and Switzerland. This freedom of movement and residence is a right granted by Article 21 of the EU Treaty to all citizens of EU member states. Austria joined the European Union in 1995, and its passport design reflects this, with the words "EUROPÄISCHE UNION" (European Union) inscribed on the front cover above the Austrian coat of arms. The passport also features the standard EU design, including the standard biometric symbol at the bottom.

The ability to live and work in any country within the EU is a significant advantage for Austrian citizens. It provides them with numerous opportunities for travel, work, and residence within Europe. The European Economic Area (EEA) includes all EU member states, as well as three additional countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. These countries are part of the EU's single market, allowing the free movement of persons, goods, services, and capital within the area. This means that Austrian passport holders can easily travel to and reside in any EEA country, benefiting from the economic and social opportunities that each has to offer.

In addition to the EEA states, Austrian passport holders can also freely move to and reside in Switzerland, which is not an EU or EEA member but has bilateral agreements with the EU that allow for the freedom of movement. This further expands the range of options available to Austrian citizens looking to travel, work, or establish residence in Europe. The Austrian passport thus provides its holders with a high degree of mobility and flexibility within the European continent, enhancing their opportunities and facilitating international travel and residence.

Austria allows its citizens to hold two passports to avoid travel restrictions

The Austrian passport is one of the most powerful in the world, currently ranked 3rd or 5th in the world, depending on the source. It provides visa-free access to 189 countries, with visa on arrival access to 45 more, and allows Austrian citizens to live and work in any country within the EU. The passport is burgundy, with the Austrian coat of arms emblazoned in the centre of the front cover, and follows the standard EU design.

Austria is a member of the European Union, and every Austrian citizen is also a citizen of the EU. The Austrian passport allows for freedom of movement and residence in any of the states of the European Economic Area and Switzerland. The Schengen Agreement allows third-country nationals with a visa to enter Austria without needing a separate Austrian visa, and nationals holding a residence permit in a Schengen state can travel to any other Schengen state and stay for up to 90 days.

Austria's largest airport is Vienna International Airport, which provides access to all parts of the world and served 31.6 million passengers in 2020. The country has a rich history and culture, with a population of 9 million people and a land area of 83,879 square kilometres. Austria is considered to have one of the lowest crime rates in Europe, although crimes of opportunity involving theft of personal property do occur, particularly in tourist areas.

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