Russia Visa RequirementsFor Austria passport holders
Austrian passport holders can visit Russia using the Russian e-Visa for up to 16 days at a cost of $40 USD. Travel is significantly constrained by the Russia-Ukraine war; check current advisories before planning.
Austria passport holders must apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) online before traveling to Russia.
Apply for the Russian e-Visa online at electronic-visa.kdmid.ru. Provide passport details, a photo, travel dates, and pay $40 USD by card. The e-Visa is usually processed within 4 calendar days. It is linked to your passport electronically. Entry is permitted only through e-Visa-eligible border crossings, which are listed on the website. The e-Visa is single entry and valid for 60 days from issuance, allowing a stay of up to 16 days.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
For Your Visa Application
Valid Austrian Passport
Must be valid for at least 6 months from your intended departure date from Russia.
Russian e-Visa Approval
Apply online at electronic-visa.kdmid.ru at least 4 calendar days before travel. Fee: $40 USD. Print the e-Visa and present on arrival. Single entry, up to 16 days.
Digital Passport Photo
Recent color photo (white background) uploaded during e-Visa application.
Travel Itinerary
Planned dates of entry and exit, cities to be visited, and accommodation details.
Required at Entry
Hotel Booking or Invitation
Confirmed accommodation or official invitation from a Russian organization.
Travel Insurance Recommended
Medical and repatriation insurance valid for Russia is strongly recommended.
Current Travel Situation
Austria to Russia: What You Need to Know
Russia's e-Visa, available to Austrian citizens for $40 USD, was reactivated for certain European nationals and covers single-entry stays of up to 16 days for tourism, business, or humanitarian purposes. However, travel to Russia has been severely constrained since February 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Direct flights between Austria and Russia are suspended. The Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly advises against all travel to Russia. Austrians should carefully assess personal and legal risks before any planned visit.
How to Get There
No direct flights from Vienna to Moscow exist currently. Transit options include Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Flydubai), or Beijing (Air China). Route options change; check current availability. Total travel time varies significantly by connection.
Money & Banking
Russia uses the Russian Ruble (RUB). Western cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) do not function in Russia due to sanctions. MIR and UnionPay cards (Chinese system) work. Carry sufficient EUR or USD cash and exchange locally. Russia is very affordable by European standards where accessible. ATMs for foreign cards are essentially unavailable.
Practical Tips
As of 2026, direct Vienna-Moscow flights remain suspended. Entry requires routing through a third country. Check BMEIA (Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) travel advisories before booking. Moscow and St. Petersburg remain the main tourist destinations; the Trans-Siberian Railway is a legendary journey. Russian SIM cards require a local phone number to activate apps. Western credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) are not operational in Russia due to sanctions; carry cash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Austrians need a visa to visit Russia?
Austrian passport holders can visit Russia using the Russian e-Visa for up to 16 days, costing $40 USD. Apply online at electronic-visa.kdmid.ru at least 4 calendar days before travel. Note: the Austrian government currently advises against all travel to Russia due to the war in Ukraine.
Is it safe to travel to Russia as an Austrian citizen?
The Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BMEIA) advises against all travel to Russia due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, general security situation, and risk of arbitrary detention. Austrian citizens should assess personal and legal risks carefully. EU-Russia tensions remain high.
Can I use my Austrian credit card in Russia?
No. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express suspended operations in Russia in March 2022 following sanctions. Western bank cards do not function in Russia. MIR (Russian card) and UnionPay (Chinese card) work. Carry sufficient cash in USD or EUR and exchange locally; bring enough for your entire trip.
Are there direct flights from Austria to Russia?
Direct flights between Austria and Russia have been suspended since March 2022. Entry requires routing through a third country not bound by EU air restrictions: Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Flydubai), Baku (Azerbaijan Airlines), or Yerevan (Armenia) are common transit points.
What is the Russian e-Visa and what does it cover?
The Russian e-Visa is a single-entry visa valid for 60 days from issuance, allowing a maximum stay of 16 days. It covers tourism, transit, business, and humanitarian visits. Entry is only permitted through e-Visa-eligible border crossings listed on the government website.
What can Austrian tourists see in Russia within 16 days?
Moscow (Red Square, Kremlin, Bolshoi Theatre, State Tretyakov Gallery) and St. Petersburg (Hermitage, Peterhof, Church on Spilled Blood, Nevsky Prospekt) are the two main cultural destinations. The high-speed Sapsan train connects the two cities in 3.5-4 hours. 16 days allows a focused circuit of both cities.
Does the Russian e-Visa allow multiple visits?
No. The Russian e-Visa is single-entry only. Each visit requires a new application and payment of the $40 USD fee. The e-Visa is valid for 60 days from the date of issue and must be used within that window for a single entry of up to 16 days.