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Austria visa requirements for British citizens

British citizens do not need a visa for Austria. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.

Passport

GBR

United Kingdom

Going to

AUT

Austria

No visa needed

People with eligible passports can visit without a visa.

Visa
Not required
Max stay
90 days (3 months)
Fee
Free
Last updated
11 November 2026

What to do

  1. Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it.

  2. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.

  3. Note the maximum stay and count your days in Austria.

Ways into Austria

Your passport decides whether you need a visitor visa.

  • Visa not required For your passportVisa-free short visitPeople with eligible passports can visit without a visa.
    Stay
    90 days
    Fee
    Free

    How to apply

    1. Check Austria's list for your country and passport type.
    2. Carry your passport and proof of your trip.
    3. Check your total days spent in Schengen.

    Documents required

    • Accepted passport
    • Proof of funds for return travel
    • Proof of visit purpose
    • Usually, the limit is 90 days across Schengen within any 180 days.
    • ETIAS is not open for applications.
    Official page
  • Visa not requiredEuropean citizen entryEU, EEA and Swiss citizens can enter without a visa.
    Fee
    Free

    How to apply

    1. Check that Austria accepts your travel document.
    2. Check whether you must register during your stay.

    Documents required

    • Accepted travel document
    • The visitor limit of 90 days within 180 days does not define this route.
    Official page
  • Visa not requiredSchengen permit visitA residence permit from another Schengen country allows short tourist visits.
    Stay
    90 days
    Fee
    Free

    How to apply

    1. Check that your residence permit is still valid.
    2. Carry your permit, travel document and trip details.

    Documents required

    • Valid Schengen residence permit
    • Valid travel document
    • The limit is 90 days within 180 days in other Schengen countries.
    • This visit permission gives no right to work or study in Austria.
    Official page
  • Visa on arrivalEmergency border C visaA rare border visa for urgent, unexpected reasons when applying earlier was impossible.
    Stay
    15 days
    Valid for
    15 days
    Entries
    Single

    How to apply

    1. Ask an Austrian office for advice before travel if possible.
    2. Show border staff proof of your urgent, unexpected reason.
    3. Show why you could not apply earlier.

    Documents required

    • Valid travel document
    • Proof of urgent, unexpected reason
    • Proof you could not apply earlier
    • Proof of return or onward travel
    • Approval is rare and cannot be assumed.
    • The visa lasts no more than 15 days; check your granted dates.
    Official page
  • Visa requiredTourist C visaA visa for short holidays without work.
    Stay
    90 days
    Fee
    €90
    Processing
    15–45 days

    How to apply

    1. Check which Austrian office handles applications where you live.
    2. Book an appointment and prepare your papers.
    3. Attend and give fingerprints if asked.
    4. Pay the fee and wait for a decision.

    Documents required

    • Signed form
    • Passport and copy
    • Passport photo, 35 × 45 mm
    • Travel bookings and trip plan
    • Proof of accommodation and funds
    • Travel health insurance
    • Proof you plan to leave
    • 2 blank pages
    • Return ticket
    • Hotel booking
    • Fingerprints
    • The 90-day limit covers all Schengen countries together, within any 180 days.
    • Insurance must cover Schengen medical care and transport home for at least 30,000 EUR.
    Official page
  • Visa requiredLong visit D visaA visa for a longer visit without work.
    Stay
    91 days
    Fee
    €195

    How to apply

    1. Contact the Austrian office serving where you live.
    2. Prepare proof of your visit and its length.
    3. Submit your form, papers and fee.

    Documents required

    • D visa form
    • Passport
    • Passport photo
    • Proof of longer visit
    • Travel insurance
    • Proof of funds
    • Transport bookings
    • 2 blank pages
    • Check the visa for your exact stay dates.
    • Ordinary D visas cannot be extended in Austria.
    Official page
Sources (20)Last updated 11 November 2026

Embassies for this trip

For lost passports and emergencies.

All embassies

  • Embassy

    Embassy of the United Kingdom in Austria

    Jauresgasse 12

    gov.uk

Trips to Austria

Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.

5 nights
Vienna and Salzburg, Taken SlowlyViennaSalzburgFrom, per person~US$1,970
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Salzburg and Lakeside Days for TwoSalzburgSt WolfgangSt GilgenHallstattFrom, per person~US$2,550
 8 nights
Austria: Cities, Lakes and MountainsViennaSalzburgHallstattInnsbruckFrom, per person~US$3,030

Coming from United Kingdom

Planning your Austria trip

Best time to go: Summer runs from early June to mid-September and suits hiking and city visits. Winter runs from December to March, with a longer winter sports season at higher mountain locations. Mountain nights can be cold even in summer.

  • Schönbrunn Palace, ViennaThis palace has 1,441 rooms and is a major highlight of Vienna. Its zoo is the oldest in the world.
  • St. Stephen's Cathedral, ViennaThis 12th-century cathedral is Vienna's most prominent religious building.
  • SalzburgMozart's birthplace combines a well-preserved historic centre with Alpine scenery.
  • Grossglockner High Alpine RoadThe road offers panoramic views of Austria's highest mountain and the surrounding landscape.
Read the full Austria guide

Scams to watch for in Austria

All scams in Austria
Austria

About Austria

Austria is a landlocked federal republic in Central Europe, most of it lying within the Alps.

Capital
Vienna
Money
Euro (€)
Languages
German
Time zone
UTC+01:00
Cars drive on the
right side
Calling code
+43
Read the Austria guide

Other Europe passports

Going to Austria

Easier trips nearby

Places close to Austria with simpler entry for you.

Czech RepublicVisa not required90 days
HungaryVisa not required90 days
PolandVisa not required90 days
SlovakiaVisa not required90 days
SloveniaVisa not required90 days
AlbaniaVisa not required90 days
AndorraVisa not required 
BelarusVisa not required30 days

Questions

Do british citizens need a visa for Austria?

British citizens do not need a visa for Austria. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.

How long can british citizens stay in Austria?

Up to 90 days each visit with the no visa needed rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.

Do austrian citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom?

Austrian citizens need an eTA, a short online form, before flying to the United Kingdom.

Do other Europe passports get easier entry to Austria?

Albania, Andorra, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina Cyprus, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.

Which countries near Austria are easier for british citizens?

Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia Slovenia, and 3 more let british citizens in without applying before travel.

What should I carry to Austria?

Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.

What money is used in Austria?

Euro (€). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.

What language do people speak in Austria?

German.

How strong is the United Kingdom passport?

It ranks #7 and reaches 155 destinations without applying ahead.

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