ETIAS for Austria

EU Visa Waiver for U.S. Citizens Visiting Austria

U.S. citizens will soon need to apply for ETIAS before traveling to Austria.

As an American, you can spend up to 90 days in Austria without a visa for business and tourism. You will need ETIAS from 2026.

Registering with the European Travel Information and Authorization System will be mandatory for Americans entering the Schengen Area without a visa.

All the ETIAS for Austria application requirements for U.S. citizens are explained on this page.

Travel from the U.S. to Austria with ETIAS

U.S. citizens traveling to Austria can apply for ETIAS online from 2026. ETIAS is the new travel authorization for visa-exempt nationals visiting the Schengen Area.

Here’s what you need to know about traveling to Austria with an electronic travel authorization.

  • 1. You can visit Austria for up to 90 days at a time

etias-austria

With ETIAS, you can visit Austria, or any other ETIAS country, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. These can be consecutive days or divided between different trips.

  • 2. Visit Austria and other Schengen Area countries

There are no internal borders in the Schengen Area. Your ETIAS is verified when you cross the external border. You can then visit ETIAS and any of the other countries in the travel zone without applying for a separate permit.

  • 3. Your ETIAS is valid for multiple trips across 3 years

If you travel to Europe regularly, you do not need to apply for ETIAS before each trip. ETIAS for U.S. citizens is valid for 3 years. If your U.S. passport expires sooner, you will need to reapply—ETIAS is only valid with the passport you use to apply.

  • 4. You can visit Austria for tourism, business, or short-term study

ETIAS covers short visa-free stays in Austria. This means that you can use ETIAS is you are visiting for:

  • Tourism—vacations, visiting friends and family
  • Business—meetings, conferences, and event
  • Study—short courses lasting no more than 90 days

Do I Need ETIAS to Travel to Austria Now?

No, you do not need ETIAS to travel from the U.S. to Austria yet. The system will be operational from 2026. Americans can currently travel to Austria without a travel authorization.

If you’re planning a trip to Austria after the ETIAS start date, you should familiarize yourself with the new requirement and be prepared to apply before your travel.

3-Step ETIAS Austria Application Process

From 2026, you can apply for ETIAS online in 3 steps.

  • step-1-etias-online-application

    Complete the ETIAS online application form: You need to provide basic personal information, passport details, and some information about your trip to Austria. There are also some safety and security questions.

  • step-2-receive-etias

    Pay the ETIAS fees and revise: Applicants from all countries need to pay the ETIAS processing fee. You can pay securely online by credit or debit card.

  • step-3-travel-schengen-area-etias

    Submit your ETIAS application for processing: Once you’ve completed the form and paid the fees, you’re ready to submit your application. You’ll need to wait a few days for the result.

What happens after I submit my ETIAS application from the U.S.?

Your information is automatically checked against security databases as soon as you submit your application. Systems involved include:

  • Schengen Information System (SIS)
  • Visa Information System (VIS)
  • Europol data
  • Interpol data
  • ETIAS Watchlist

The ETIAS application for Austria has 2 possible outcomes:

  • 1. No alerts: your ETIAS application is approved
  • 2. Alert: your ETIAS application is reviewed manually by the ETIAS National Unit

An approval rate exceeding 95% is expected. Only travelers who present a current threat to the health or security of the European public will be denied ETIAS.

ETIAS is electronically linked to your U.S. passport.

Documents You Need to Travel from the U.S. to Austria

All Americans need a passport to travel to Austria. The passport should be valid for at least 3 months after you’ll exit Schengen territory. Other documents you need depend on how long you will stay:

  • Stay for up to 90 days per 180-day period—ETIAS (from 2026)
  • Stay for more than 90 days per 180-day period—Austria National Visa

Note that American citizens need a visa or permit to work in Austria, regardless of the length of stay.

Travel insurance is not an ETIAS requirement but is recommended for all international visitors.

About Austria

Capital: Vienna

Language: German

Area: 83,879 km²

Population: over 8 million

Timezone: UTC/GTM 0

Currency: euro (€)

Code: +43

U.S. Embassy in Vienna, Austria

Address: Boltzmanngasse 16 1090 Vienna, Austria

Austria has over 20 representations in the United States including in Boston, Chicago, and Miami. Note that you do not need to visit an Austrian embassy to apply for ETIAS, the application is 100% online.

How to Get from the U.S. to Austria

The fastest and most convenient way to get to Austria from the United States is by flying.

There are direct flights from Chicago, New York, and Washington to Vienna, the capital of Austria.

Flights with one or more stops are available to other Austrian destinations including Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Linz.

Your U.S. passport will be checked by border officials on arrival at the Austrian airport. Once ETIAS goes live, the travel authorization will also be verified.

Border authorities take the final decision on whether to grant entry. You must meet all the Schengen entry conditions.