Austria's Schengen Membership: What It Means For Travelers

Austria is a Schengen country. It joined the Schengen Area on 28 April 1995. The Schengen Agreement allows for short stays (tourism, visits or business purposes) within the 26 member states for a maximum period of 90 days within a 180-day period. Nationals of EU member states, the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland do not require a visa to enter Austria. However, citizens of other countries may need to apply for a visa to enter the Schengen Area or Austrian territory.

Austria joined the Schengen Area in 1995

In 1990, the initial agreement was supplemented by the Schengen Convention, which proposed to completely abolish internal border controls and introduce a common visa policy. The Schengen Convention came into effect in 1995, resulting in the creation of the Schengen Area. Austria joined the Schengen Area in 1997, two years after its formation.

The Schengen Area functions as a single jurisdiction, allowing free movement between member states for citizens and eliminating the need for visas for internal travel. As of 2025, the Schengen Area encompasses 29 European countries, including Austria, with a total population of over 450 million people and an area of 4,595,131 square kilometres.

The purpose of the Schengen Area is to expand individual freedoms for citizens and improve security within Europe. The abolition of internal border controls is accompanied by reinforced external border controls, cross-border police cooperation, an automated information-sharing system, and a common visa and asylum policy.

The Schengen Area offers significant benefits for member states, including greater freedom of movement for citizens and enhanced security through improved external border controls and police cooperation. Austria's membership in the Schengen Area facilitates easier travel for its citizens and contributes to the overall security of the country and the wider European region.

Nationals of EU member states don't need a visa to enter Austria

Austria is indeed a Schengen state, along with 25 other European countries. The Schengen Agreement abolishes border controls between member states, allowing free movement of people between them. This means that citizens of EU member states do not need a visa to enter Austria.

The Schengen Agreement covers 23 of the 27 EU member states. The remaining four EU countries—Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, and Romania—do not issue Schengen visas, but only national visas. However, citizens of these countries can still enter Austria without a visa.

In addition to the EU countries, the Schengen area also includes four non-EU countries: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. These countries have acceded to the Schengen Agreement and are therefore Schengen states.

It is important to note that the Schengen Agreement only applies to short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. For stays exceeding 90 days, different visa procedures may apply depending on the purpose of the visit. For example, work or study visas may be required for longer stays in Austria.

The EU has established a common visa policy for travellers intending to stay for a short period in the Schengen area. This policy facilitates the entry of visitors into the EU while strengthening internal security. The visa policy includes provisions for intended short stays, transit through international areas of airports, and controls at external borders.

A Schengen visa allows for a short stay of up to 90 days

Austria is indeed part of the Schengen area, along with 26 other countries. These include: Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

The visa can be a single, double, or multiple-entry visa. The multiple-entry visa is valid for up to five years, but each visit can only be up to 90 days in a 180-day period. The price of the visa depends on the age of the person: it is free for children under 6, €40 for children between 6 and 12, and €80 for 12 to 18-year-olds.

The Schengen visa application process requires a completed form, two recent passport-style photos, and a passport valid for at least three months after the departure date from the Schengen Area. Additionally, travel and medical insurance covering up to €30,000, a cover letter stating the itinerary and purpose of the visit, flight details, and proof of accommodation are also necessary.

It is important to note that the processing time for a Schengen visa can take up to 15 days, and in rare cases, up to 60 days. Therefore, it is recommended to apply at least a month before the intended trip.

A Schengen visa costs €80 for children aged 12-18

Austria is one of the 27 countries that make up the Schengen area, which allows passport-free travel between member countries. To travel to Austria for a short trip of fewer than 90 days, you will need an Austrian Schengen Visa. The cost of this visa depends on the age of the person travelling.

The fee must be paid when submitting your application, and it is non-refundable even if your application is rejected. The fee is paid in the local currency of the country where you are applying. For example, if you are applying in the United States, you will pay in US Dollars. The fee is the same for all Schengen countries and does not depend on your destination.

The fee for a Schengen visa covers the costs of processing your application. In addition to the visa fee, you may need to pay for other costs, such as obtaining and translating required documents such as bank statements and employment letters. You will also need to have travel insurance that covers medical expenses of up to €30,000.

A Schengen visa application must be submitted no later than 15 days before the trip

Austria is one of the 27 countries that are part of the Schengen Area, which allows passport-free movement between them. This means that if you are visiting Austria from outside the Schengen Area, you will need to apply for a Schengen Visa. The Schengen Visa is a universal application process that applies to all countries in the Schengen Area.

A Schengen Visa will allow you to stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. The visa can be single-entry, multiple-entry, or an airport transit visa. A single-entry visa allows you to enter the Schengen Area once, while a multiple-entry visa allows you to enter the area several times during the validity of the visa. An airport transit visa allows you to connect through the international transit area of an airport in the Schengen Area during a stopover or flight change but does not permit you to leave the airport.

The Schengen Visa application process can take up to 15 days in normal circumstances, but in some cases, it can take up to 60 days. Therefore, it is recommended that you submit your application no later than 15 days before your trip. The earliest you can apply is six months before your trip.

The application process involves scheduling an appointment at the embassy or consulate of the country you wish to visit. If you are visiting multiple countries, you should apply at the embassy or consulate of the country where you will be staying the longest. If your stays are of equal length, apply at the embassy or consulate of the first country you will visit. During the appointment, your biometric data, including fingerprints and scanned photos, will be collected, and you will be asked to pay the visa application fee.

The specific documents required for the application vary depending on your situation. However, some commonly required documents include a Schengen Visa application form, two passport photos, a valid passport, travel and medical insurance, a cover letter stating your itinerary, proof of accommodation, and proof of financial means.

Frequently asked questions