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Austria visit visa: Schengen tourist, business, and family
An Austria visit visa is the Schengen short stay visa that lets Indian travellers enter Austria for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It covers tourism, business, visiting family or friends, cultural events, and medical treatment, and lets you travel across the Schengen area. It does not allow work or long study. A border officer decides entry.
Data current as of June 2026
What the Austria visit visa covers
An Austria visit visa, the Schengen short stay visa, lets Indian travellers come to Austria for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. One visa type covers many purposes.
It covers tourism, visiting family or friends, business and trade fairs, cultural events, and medical treatment. Because Austria is in the Schengen area, the same visa lets you travel across all the Schengen countries, so the key is showing your real purpose and that you will return to India.
The visit visa does not allow paid employment in Austria or a long study program, which needs a national visa or residence permit. Travel medical insurance of at least 30,000 EUR from an approved insurer is mandatory. This page is a full guide: the options, the costs, the documents, the funds, the host declaration, the VFS steps, what to do before you fly, and what to do once you arrive.
New for 2026: approved insurers only
Austria changed its insurance rule this year. Buying the wrong policy is now a refusal reason on its own, so check this before you pay for cover.
From 1 January 2026, only approved insurers count
Austria now accepts travel medical insurance only from companies on its approved list. A policy from any other insurer is refused even if it covers the full 30,000 EUR. The cover must still be valid across all Schengen countries for your whole stay and include emergency treatment, hospitalisation, repatriation, and COVID-19. Check the approved list on the VFS Austria page before you buy.
Source: Embassy of Austria via VFS Global Austria and Austrian Foreign Ministry (bmeia.gv.at) guidance, current for 2026. The approved-insurer requirement took effect on 1 January 2026, alongside the standard 30,000 EUR minimum cover. The approved list can change, so confirm it on the official VFS Austria page before purchasing your policy.
What you can visit Austria for
All short visits to Austria run through one Schengen short stay visa. These are the main purposes Indian travellers apply under.
Tourist visit
Holidays and sightseeing across Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Hallstatt, and the Austrian Alps, with onward Schengen trips. You show funds, an itinerary, accommodation, approved insurance, and ties to India so the officer is satisfied you will return.
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Business visit
Meetings, conferences, and trade fairs with a company invitation. No paid work.
Family and friends
Visiting relatives or friends, with a host invitation or an electronic declaration of commitment.
Medical treatment
Arranged treatment at an Austrian facility, with a confirmation and proof you can pay.
Child or dependant
A child applies for their own Schengen visa, often with a parent, with consent where needed.
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Austria short-stay visa options compared
Most short visits use the same Schengen short stay visa for different purposes. This table compares the main options for Indian travellers.
| Option | Who it is for | Typical stay |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist visit visa | Holidays, sightseeing, travel | 90 days in 180 |
| Business visit visa | Meetings, conferences, trade fairs | 90 days in 180 |
| Family or friends visit | Visiting relatives or friends | 90 days in 180 |
| Medical visit visa | Treatment at an Austrian facility | As approved |
| Child or dependant | Children travelling with family | 90 days in 180 |
| Schengen travel | Onward to 29 Schengen countries | Within the 90 days |
Source: Austrian Foreign Ministry (bmeia.gv.at) and VFS Global Austria guidance, current for 2026. The tourist, business, family, medical, and child or dependant routes all use the Schengen short stay visa, which also allows travel across the Schengen area. The 90 days in any 180-day period is shared across all Schengen countries. Rules can change.
For most travellers one Schengen visa serves several purposes and many countries, so the key is showing your genuine reason and your funds. We match you to the right option.
The electronic declaration of commitment
If a host in Austria covers your costs, Austria uses an electronic system rather than a paper letter. Here is how the EVE works and the 8-digit ID you will need.
Source: Austrian Foreign Ministry (bmeia.gv.at) and oesterreich.gv.at, current for 2026. The host obtains the EVE in person from the local aliens police, the authority verifies identity and finances, and an 8-digit ID number is issued and forwarded to the embassy, usually within about 48 hours. Notarised paper declarations are no longer accepted. An EVE supports funding but does not by itself guarantee approval.
Have a host in Austria?
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Documents and funds for an Austria visit visa
A complete, consistent file is the single biggest factor you control. This table shows the core documents and the extras for each purpose.
| Document | Who needs it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport and photos | All applicants | Two blank pages, ICAO-compliant photos |
| Schengen application form | All applicants | Completed and signed for Austria |
| Approved travel insurance | All applicants | Min 30,000 EUR, approved insurer, COVID-19 |
| Funds and itinerary | All applicants | About 100 EUR a day, attested statements |
| Invitation or EVE, company letter | Family and business visits | Host invitation or declaration of commitment |
| Birth certificate, consent | Child or dependant | Both parents sign; consent where needed |
Source: Austrian Foreign Ministry (bmeia.gv.at) and VFS Global Austria checklist guidance, current for 2026. You generally show about 100 EUR for each day of stay through three to six months of branch-attested bank statements, not cash, plus salary slips, income tax returns, and an employer letter. Documents may need a German translation on request. Insurance must be from an approved insurer. Confirm the current checklist before you apply.
Strong, consistent documents that match your itinerary are what officers reward. We build and review your full file so it tells a clear, genuine story of your visit.
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Austria visit visa fees
Government fees for an Austria visit visa are set under Schengen rules and paid at VFS in Indian rupees. The table shows the main charges to plan for.
| Charge | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen visa fee, adult | EUR 90 | Paid in INR; non-refundable |
| Child 6 to 11 | EUR 45 | Reduced fee; under 6 are free |
| Travel insurance | From about EUR 30 | Min 30,000 EUR, approved insurer |
| VFS service charge | Varies | Service and biometrics at VFS Global |
| Other costs | Varies | Photos, courier, translations |
Source: Austrian Foreign Ministry (bmeia.gv.at) and VFS Global Austria fee guidance, current for 2026. The Schengen visa fee is EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children 6 to 11, with under 6 free, paid in Indian rupees at the current exchange rate, all non-refundable. The VFS service charge, insurance, courier, and translations are extra and vary. Charges can change, so confirm current amounts before you apply.
Budget for the visa fee, the VFS service charge, and mandatory approved Schengen insurance for your trip. We give you a clear, current cost picture before you apply.
What to do before you travel to Austria
A smooth trip starts before you fly. Get your documents, money, and plans in order so the border officer sees a genuine, well-prepared visitor.
Pack these
- Passport valid for your trip, with your visa sticker.
- Approved Schengen insurance for at least 30,000 EUR.
- Itinerary, accommodation, and return ticket.
- Funds proof or your host declaration if hosted.
Check these
- Your total Schengen days stay within 90 in 180.
- Your insurer is on the approved list for Austria.
- You declare cash over the limit and restricted goods.
- You carry printed copies for the border officer.
Want a pre-travel checklist for Austria?
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The Austria visit visa application process
You prepare your file, submit at any VFS centre in India, and the application goes to the Austrian Embassy in New Delhi for the decision. Follow the steps in order so nothing is missed.
Source: Austrian Foreign Ministry (bmeia.gv.at), VFS Global Austria, and consular guidance, current for 2026. Steps and fees are set under Schengen rules and can change, and processing usually takes about 10 to 15 working days, extending to around 30 to 45 days in busy periods, with some cases needing extra consultation. A visa does not guarantee entry, since a border officer decides at arrival. Confirm current details before you apply.
Worried about the form or documents?
We prepare your application, approved insurance, and file, then guide the VFS submission so nothing slips.
Austria visit visa dos and donts
Small mistakes cause many refusals. These dos and donts keep your application honest and strong.
Do the right things
- Show genuine funds at about 100 EUR a day.
- Buy approved Schengen insurance of at least 30,000 EUR.
- Attest your bank statements at the branch.
- Give a clear day-by-day itinerary that matches bookings.
- Complete the form honestly and apply early.
- Respect the 90 days in any 180-day period rule.
Do not do these
- Do not work in Austria or earn money there.
- Do not buy insurance from an unapproved insurer.
- Do not overstay the 90 in 180 limit.
- Do not give false information or fake bookings.
- Do not hide a past visa refusal from any country.
- Do not make large unexplained deposits before applying.
Source: Austrian Foreign Ministry (bmeia.gv.at) and Schengen guidance, current for 2026. False information or overstaying can lead to refusal and a ban across all Schengen countries. Rules can change, so confirm current details. Following them protects your record.
What to do once you are in Austria
A visit visa lets you do more than sightsee, within clear limits. Here is what you can and cannot do as a visitor.
You can
- Travel, sightsee, and visit family and friends.
- Attend meetings, conferences, and cultural events.
- Take a short course during your stay.
- Get medical treatment you have arranged.
- Travel onward to other Schengen countries.
- Stay within 90 days in any 180-day period.
You cannot
- Take up paid employment in Austria.
- Study a long or degree program.
- Stay beyond your 90 in 180 limit.
- Renew the visa inside Austria.
- Treat the visa as permission to settle.
At the border, an officer asks about your visit and checks your documents, so keep them ready. Track your time so your total stay across all Schengen countries stays within the 90 in 180 rule.
Source: Austrian Foreign Ministry (bmeia.gv.at) and Schengen guidance, current for 2026. The 90 days in any 180-day period applies across the whole Schengen area, and a Type C visa cannot be renewed inside Austria. Activities must match your visa. Rules can change, so confirm current details before you rely on them.
Plans changing while in Austria?
Get a free assessment and we will explain your options and the right national visa for a longer stay.
How long you can stay and entry types
A Schengen short stay is limited and shared across the whole area. This table explains the stay, entry types, and multiple-entry options for frequent travellers.
| Item | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum stay | 90 days in 180 | Shared across all Schengen countries |
| Validity | Trip plus a buffer | Visa sticker shows your exact dates |
| Entry type | Single, double, multiple | First-timers often single or double |
| Frequent travellers | Longer multiple entry | Sometimes 1 to 5 years for clean history |
| Extension | Rare cases only | Cannot be renewed inside Austria |
Source: Austrian Foreign Ministry (bmeia.gv.at) and Schengen guidance, current for 2026. The 90 days in any 180-day period is calculated across the whole Schengen area, not just Austria. First-time applicants often receive single or double entry, and clean recent travel may earn a longer multiple-entry visa, assessed by the Austrian authorities and not guaranteed. A Type C visa cannot be renewed inside Austria. Rules can change.
The short stay visa is for short visits, not for settling. If you want to work, study long term, or stay longer, a national visa or residence permit is needed. We explain the entry options and the right path for your plans.
What officers look for, and refusal reasons
An Austria visit visa is approved when you show a genuine short visit, enough funds, approved insurance, and strong ties to India. Knowing what the Austrian authorities check helps you prepare.
Common refusal reasons include funds below the daily figure or inconsistent statements, insurance from an unapproved insurer or short cover, an unclear purpose or itinerary, gaps in accommodation, unclear ties to India, or large unexplained deposits. Concerns that you may not leave on time also matter. Many cases can be reapplied with a stronger file.
An Austria visit visa is the Schengen short stay visa, applied for through VFS Global with biometrics, costing EUR 90 for adults. It needs approved travel insurance of at least 30,000 EUR and funds of about 100 EUR per day, covers tourism, business, family, medical, and child or dependant travel, and allows up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. It does not allow work or long study.
Factual overview, verified against the Austrian Foreign Ministry (bmeia.gv.at) and VFS Global Austria guidance, current for 2026. Fees, stay periods, and rules are set under Schengen rules and can change at any time. A visa does not guarantee entry.
Meeting the criteria improves your chances, but the final decision rests with the Austrian authorities and the border officer. We give you a realistic view and help you build the strongest possible application.
Speak with BestMigrationConsultant.com about your Austria visit visa
Our immigration experts guide Indian applicants through every Austria visit visa, from tourist, business, and family visits to medical, child, and dependant applications, including the Schengen form, fees, funds, approved insurance, the host declaration, and documents. Call +91-7670800002 or visit BestMigrationConsultant.com, and start with a free assessment today.

