Austria Visa RequirementsFor United Kingdom passport holders
UK passport holders can travel to Austria without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Austria is a Schengen member, so your stay counts toward the overall Schengen 90/180-day allowance.
Great news! United Kingdom passport holders can enter Austria without a visa for tourism or business purposes. You can stay up to 90 days.
No visa is required currently. When ETIAS launches, you will need to register at etias.com before travel. The authorisation will cover multiple trips for three years. At Austrian border control, expect questions about your stay, onward travel, and finances. Keep a note of total days spent in Schengen countries on your trip.
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
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Current Travel Situation
United Kingdom to Austria: What You Need to Know
Since Brexit, UK nationals are treated as third-country visitors in the Schengen Area. You can visit Austria and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period without a visa. Days spent in any Schengen country count collectively toward this limit. ETIAS (the European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is expected to launch in 2025 and will require British travellers to register online and pay a small fee before visiting any Schengen country, including Austria.
Practical Tips
Austria is one of Europe's most beautiful countries: Vienna, Salzburg, the Alps, and the Wachau valley are all unmissable. The euro is the currency. Public transport, particularly trains, is excellent. Vienna has exceptional museums and coffee house culture. The ski season runs from December to April; book accommodation well in advance for Christmas and New Year periods. Salzburg is very close to the German border, making it easy to combine with Bavaria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UK passport holders need a visa for Austria?
No. UK passport holders can visit Austria without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Austria is a Schengen member, so your stay counts toward the collective Schengen 90/180-day limit.
What is the Schengen 90/180-day rule and how does it affect UK visitors to Austria?
Since Brexit, UK nationals can spend a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day rolling period across all Schengen countries combined. Days in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and other Schengen members all count together. Exceeding 90 days in 180 without a visa is a breach of Schengen rules.
What is ETIAS and will it affect travel to Austria?
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is an upcoming EU entry requirement for non-EU nationals, including UK passport holders. When it launches (expected 2025), you will need to register online and pay a small fee before visiting Austria or any Schengen country. The authorisation will cover multiple trips for three years.
Can UK travellers reach Austria easily from the UK?
Yes. Several airlines fly direct from the UK to Vienna (VIE) in approximately 2 hours. You can also travel by rail via Paris and Switzerland. Austria is part of the Eurail/Interrail network, though UK passport holders must purchase Interrail passes in advance.