Austria's Entry Requirements: What's Changing And Why

Austria's entry requirements are subject to change and it's always recommended to check with the Austrian Embassy or Consulate for the latest information. As of 2024, US citizens can enter Austria without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, starting in 2025, Americans will need to register through the ETIAS screening system before travelling to Austria and other Schengen Area countries. The new European Entry/Exit System (EES) for non-EU nationals, which was scheduled to begin in 2025, will introduce digital border controls, requiring fingerprints and photos for registration. Austria also has specific entry requirements for vaccination certificates, which have been subject to change.

US citizens and visa requirements

US citizens do not need a visa to enter Austria for stays of up to 90 days within a period of 180 days. However, if you intend to remain in Austria for longer than 90 days, or if you plan to work in Austria, you must obtain an Austrian visa before travelling.

You can apply for a visa at an Austrian Embassy or Consulate General, or in Austria before your 90-day stay has expired. You will need to schedule an appointment with the Austrian Consulate General by email, and ensure you have all the required documents before your appointment. Incomplete applications will not be accepted and will cause delays in the visa process.

As of November 1st, 2021, applications for Visa C (Tourism) and Visa D (for stays of up to six months) must be submitted at the VFS Visa Application Center in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The jurisdiction of these centres covers US citizens residing in the following states:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Oregon
• South Dakota
• Utah
• Washington
• Wyoming
• U.S. Pacific Islands

If you are a US citizen residing in another state, you must apply for your visa at the VFS Visa Application Center of the Austrian Embassy Washington in Houston, Miami, or Washington, D.C.

Please note that the visa application must be lodged within a period of six months and no later than 15 calendar days before the intended start of your trip.

Travel insurance requirements

While travel insurance is not mandatory for US citizens visiting Austria, it is highly recommended to have coverage. Although there is no official requirement, officials at the port of entry may ask for proof of purchased travel insurance. Lack of proper coverage could lead to difficulties at the port of entry, including potential denial of entry.

US citizens can easily find travel health insurance for Austria online. Two reputable options include Europ Assistance and vti.travel partner of AXA, Allianz, and Mutuaide. AXA's Schengen travel insurance is another option, offering coverage of medical expenses of up to €100,000 in Austria and other Schengen Area countries. It also allows you to obtain the travel insurance certificate required with your visa application.

If you are a third-country national subject to a passport requirement, you will generally be subject to a visa requirement when entering Austria and throughout your stay. In this case, you will need to present a fully comprehensive travel health insurance policy for the planned duration of your stay, with a minimum coverage of €30,000, valid for the entire Schengen area.

For Australian citizens, it is recommended to get comprehensive travel insurance before leaving for Austria, and to read the fine print. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government will not pay for these costs.

COVID-19 entry requirements

As of May 16, 2022, Austria lifted all COVID-19 entry requirements. This means that individuals travelling to Austria no longer need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or recovery, complete the pre-clearance form, or test for COVID-19 or undergo a mandatory quarantine upon arrival. The Austrian government has lifted its "3-G rule", which previously required travellers to be vaccinated, recovered, or tested.

However, it is important to note that entry requirements can change, and Austria has tightened COVID-19 entry requirements in the past. For example, in February 2021, Austria expanded international entry measures, requiring travellers from designated risk areas to provide a negative PCR or antigen test result within 72 hours of arrival. Travellers from these risk areas also had to self-isolate for 10 days, unless they took a COVID-19 test after 5 days. Additionally, all travellers, regardless of their point of origin, had to register with authorities before arriving in Austria.

Currently, US citizens can visit Austria for tourism or short-term stays without a visa. However, they must carry a valid US passport, proof of identity, and other required documents, such as proof of accommodation, sufficient financial means, and travel insurance. From 2025, Americans will need to register through the ETIAS screening system before travelling to Austria and other Schengen Area countries.

Border checks

• All visitors must enter Austria through an authorised border point and carry proof of identity, typically a valid passport, along with any necessary visas or travel documents.
• Austria is part of the Schengen Area, which allows citizens of certain countries, including the US, to enter without a visa for tourism or short-term stays. However, this is subject to the 90/180 rule, which means visitors can stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa.
• From 2025, US citizens will need to register through the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) screening system before travelling to Austria and other Schengen Area countries.
• Visitors may be asked to present various documents at the border, including proof of identity, return tickets, proof of accommodation, travel insurance, and sufficient financial resources for their stay.
• It is recommended to consult official sources, such as embassies or consulates, for the most up-to-date and accurate entry requirements before travelling to Austria, as these requirements can change.
• Austria has experienced changing entry requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, a vaccine certificate was required for entry, with a validity of 360 days from the second dose. However, this duration was reduced to 270 days from 6 December 2021.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, Austria also implemented a lockdown from 22 November to 12 December 2021, during which non-essential activities were restricted.

Entry requirements for third-country nationals

Third-country nationals are defined as individuals who are not citizens of the EU, citizens of another EEA country (from Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway), and are not Swiss citizens.

Third-country nationals travelling to Austria for a maximum period of 6 months need to have a visa. However, some third-country nationals may be exempt from this requirement. For an intended stay of more than 6 months, the provisions for settlement and residence apply. Third-country nationals who are residing or wish to reside in Austria for longer than six months must obtain an Austrian residence permit. However, if they are entitled to remain in Austria under European Union law, they do not require a residence permit.

The visa application form requires:

• A travel document valid in Austria, with a validity period exceeding the duration of the visa by at least three months and with at least two empty pages, issued within the last ten years.
• A passport photo (portrait format, 35 x 45 mm) in accordance with the specified passport photo criteria.
• Proof of comprehensive travel health insurance for the planned duration of the stay (with a minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros, valid for the entire Schengen area).
• Proof of sufficient funds for the duration of the intended stay and for the return journey to the country of origin or residence.
• Other evidence requested by the relevant authorities (e.g. hotel reservations, invitations, booking confirmations, return flight ticket, proof of gainful employment).

US citizens can visit Austria for tourism or short-term stays without a visa. The US has an agreement with the European Union that enables visa-free travel for Americans throughout the EU, including Austria. However, from 2025, Americans will need to register through the ETIAS screening system before travelling to Austria and other Schengen Area countries.

Frequently asked questions