Do I Need a Visa?

Holders of an EEA (EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) or Swiss passport do not require a visa. Nationals from EU-countries as well as Switzerland and Liechtenstein may stay for an unlimited time.

Holders of British Passports (European Union) do not need a visa for Austria. There are no restrictions on the remaining validity of your passport, providing you leave Austria before its expiry date.

Spouse / Dependant / Civil Partner of EU/EEA Nationals exercising their right of free movement *:

You will NOT need a visa to visit Austria for a maximum of 90 days, if all of the following three criteria apply:

• A family member (spouse/civil partner or child) of an EU/EEA national
• AND if you hold a British “Residence Card of a Family Member of an EEA National” OR Residence Card of a Family Member of an EEA National OR Permanent Residence Card according to EU Directive 2004/38/EC (see 'Downloads': Residence Documentation)
• AND if you are travelling together with or to the EU/EEA national

If you do NOT fulfill these three criteria you HAVE to obtain a visa in order to travel to Austria. If you intend to travel on your own, you must apply for a regular Schengen visa and regular visa fees will apply.

For additional information regarding EU Directive 2004/38, family members of EU/EEA National, please see 'Related links': Visa policy - where and how to apply. 

* The right of free movement (EU Directive 2004/38) means that citizens of an EU or EEA member state have the right to move freely to any other member state. In order for family members accompanying the EU nationals to another EU country without a visa, the non EU family member has to hold an EU residence card/title issued under the free movement Directive 2004/38. This will only be issued to non EU family members of EU citizens resident in another EU country than the EU home member state. Hence, if an EU citizen is resident in its home EU member state then this Directive does not apply. Therefore, the residence permit of a family member of a British national who resides in Britain is issued under British national law and NOT under the free movement Directive 2004/38.

General processing time for a visa application which is admissible will be approximately 15 days. For third-country nations subject to prior consultation, it will take at least 15 days. The processing time for applications of Family Member of EU/EEA nationals is based on an accelerated procedure.

The processing time may be extended in individual cases up to a maximum of 30 calendar days and/or in specific cases up to a maximum of 60 days, when further documentation/examination of the application is needed. Further Information please see 'Related links': Visa policy - prior consultation.