Who does not need a Visa

Citizens of all countries of the European Union, Switzerland, Croatia, Israel, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, most of the countries of North and South America, and some other countries do not need a visa; only a valid passport is required to enter Austria. In case of doubt please contact the Austrian Consulate or Embassy well in advance before departure.

Who needs a Visa / Schengen Visa

Since 5th of April 2010, the Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and the Council of 13th of July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code) is a directly applicable European legal basis for the issuance of visas for transit through the Schengen Area or for short-term stays in the Schengen Area of up to 90 days per 180 days.

The Visa Code regulates the procedures for the issuance of visas, which need to be verified by the representation in the course of the visa process. The competent representation decides on each application individually, with due regard to the circumstances of the particular case.

There is no legal entitlement to the issuance of a Schengen visa. The following prerequisites for issuing a visa need to be verified by the representation:

• Credibility and traceability of the travel purpose to Austria
• Funding of living and travel expenses of one’s own income or assets
• Willingness of the holder of the visa to leave the Schengen Area prior to the expiration of the validity of the visa
• Submission of a travel medical insurance with a limit of liability of at least 30.000 Euro and which is valid for the entire Schengen Area and throughout the stay

Individuals whose entry in the Schengen Area could be a threat to the public order in the Schengen-states, or who do not fulfil one or more of the stipulated prerequisites for the issuance, cannot get a visa.

You can find more Information about the Visa process here.