Austria Visa RequirementsFor Cape Verde passport holders
Cape Verdean citizens need a Schengen visa to visit Austria. Since Austria has no embassy in Cape Verde, applicants typically apply through the German Embassy in Praia or another Schengen country's embassy that handles Cape Verde. Austria is a Schengen member and EU state known for its Alpine scenery, classical music heritage, and Vienna's imperial grandeur.
Cape Verde passport holders require a visa to enter Austria.
Apply for a Schengen visa at the German Embassy in Praia (Achada de Santo Antonio, Praia, Cape Verde); Germany represents Austria and other Schengen states in Cape Verde. Contact the German Embassy in Praia to confirm the procedure. Required documents: valid Cape Verdean passport (minimum 3 months validity beyond stay), completed Schengen application form, two passport photos (35mm x 45mm), travel health insurance (minimum EUR 30,000, valid in all Schengen states), confirmed return flight bookings, hotel reservations, bank statements (last 3-6 months), employment letter with salary and confirmed leave, and proof of ties to Cape Verde. The Schengen fee is EUR 90 (~$98 USD). Processing takes 10-15 business days.
Austria is part of the Schengen Area. Your stay counts toward the 90-day limit within any 180-day period for the entire Schengen zone. Learn more about Schengen rules →
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
3 months beyond departure from Schengen
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Allowed
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
Completed Schengen visa application form
Valid Cape Verdean passport (minimum 3 months validity beyond stay)
Two passport photos (35mm x 45mm, white background)
Travel health insurance (minimum EUR 30,000, all Schengen states)
Confirmed return flight bookings
Hotel reservations or accommodation proof
Bank statements (last 3-6 months)
Employment letter with salary and confirmed leave
Proof of ties to Cape Verde (employment, property, family)
Current Travel Situation
Cape Verde to Austria: What You Need to Know
Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) is an island nation in the Atlantic Ocean off the West African coast, a former Portuguese colony with Portuguese as its official language. Cape Verdean citizens require a Schengen visa for Austria and all Schengen countries. Since Austria does not have an embassy in Cape Verde, applicants typically apply through the German Embassy in Praia (which covers Schengen visa applications for Cape Verde) or another Schengen member's embassy. Cape Verde has a significant diaspora in Portugal, the Netherlands, and other European countries. Austria is one of Europe's most culturally rich countries: Vienna's imperial Habsburg heritage, classical music (Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss), and Alpine skiing.
How to Get There
Cape Verde's main international airports are Sal (SID) and Santiago (RAI, near Praia). Connections to Vienna (VIE): via Lisbon (TAP Air Portugal, SID/RAI-LIS then LIS-VIE), via Amsterdam (TUI/transavia to AMS then Austrian Airlines to VIE), or via Frankfurt (Lufthansa). Lisbon is the main hub for Cape Verde-Europe connections given the Portugal-Cape Verde historical ties. Total journey from Cape Verde to Vienna via Lisbon is approximately 8-12 hours.
Money & Banking
Austria uses the euro (EUR). Austria is moderately expensive by Western European standards: budget EUR 100-160 ($110-175 USD) per day for mid-range travel in Vienna. Credit cards are widely accepted. Tipping is customary (5-10% at restaurants).
Practical Tips
Vienna highlights: Schonbrunn Palace (the Habsburg summer palace, UNESCO), the Vienna State Opera (one of the world's leading opera houses), the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum, extraordinary collections), St. Stephen's Cathedral in the historic centre, and the Prater (the Vienna Woods park with the historic Riesenrad Ferris wheel). Salzburg (Mozart's birthplace, 3 hours from Vienna by rail) has a beautifully preserved baroque old town (UNESCO) and the Sound of Music filming locations. The Tyrolean Alps offer world-class skiing (Innsbruck area) in winter and hiking in summer. For Cape Verdean visitors with Portuguese language skills, Austria's German language may be challenging but English is widely spoken in Vienna.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Cape Verdean citizens need a visa for Austria?
Yes. Austria is a Schengen member and Cape Verdean citizens require a Schengen visa. Since Austria has no embassy in Cape Verde, apply through the German Embassy in Praia. The fee is EUR 90 (~$98 USD) and processing takes 10-15 business days.
How do I fly from Cape Verde to Austria?
From Cape Verde (SID or RAI), connect via Lisbon (TAP Air Portugal then Austrian Airlines to Vienna), or via Amsterdam (transavia/TUI then Austrian). Total journey to Vienna is approximately 8-12 hours.
What is the connection between Cape Verde and Portugal?
Cape Verde was a Portuguese colony from 1462 until independence in 1975. Portuguese remains Cape Verde's official language and there are strong cultural, linguistic, and diaspora ties to Portugal. Many Cape Verdeans in Europe live in Portugal -- Portugal is the typical transit hub for Cape Verde-Austria connections.