Austria entry requirements for Bosnia and Herzegovina passport holders
Checked daily · Updated June 1, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Bosnia and Herzegovina passport holders can visit Austria without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This covers tourism, business meetings, family visits, and short-term cultural events. As of 2025, rules are unchanged — your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your entry date.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the entire stay in Austria | Your passport needs to be valid for the entire time you plan to be in Austria. Schengen border officers rarely enforce the 3-month beyond departure rule for Bosnian passports, but airlines sometimes do — check with your carrier. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from the Schengen area | Immigration at Vienna Airport routinely asks for a return or onward ticket showing you leave the Schengen zone within 90 days. Budget airlines check this at check-in too — have a printed or digital copy ready. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or invitation letter | Border officers may ask where you're staying, especially if you arrive without a return ticket. A hotel confirmation or a signed invitation from a host in Austria covers this. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Sufficient means for the stay | Austria doesn't publish a fixed daily amount, but carrying at least €50–€100 per day in cash or a credit card statement shows you can cover expenses. Officers rarely check this for short visits. | Recommended |
Schengen 90/180 rule applies strictly
Your 90-day visa-free stay is for the entire Schengen Area, not just Austria. If you've already spent time in France, Germany, Italy, or any other Schengen country in the past 180 days, those days count toward your 90-day limit. Keep track using the Schengen calculator app.
Border checks may be random
Austria has reintroduced temporary border controls at some land crossings (e.g., from Hungary and Slovenia) due to migration pressures. You may be stopped and asked for your passport even when driving or taking a train. Always carry your passport with you.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at the airport in Austria
You'll go through passport control at Vienna International Airport (VIE) or any other Austrian airport. Join the queue for 'Non-EU' or 'All Passports' — not the EU line.
2
Present your passport and answer questions
Hand over your passport. The officer may ask: purpose of visit, how long you're staying, where you're staying, and when you're leaving. Answer clearly and honestly. Have your return ticket and accommodation confirmation ready on your phone.
3
Get your entry stamp
The officer will stamp your passport with the entry date. This stamp marks the start of your 90-day visa-free period. Check the stamp before walking away — if it's smudged or missing, ask for a clear one.
4
Collect luggage and exit
After passport control, collect your checked luggage from the carousel and proceed through customs. There are no additional checks for visa-free travellers unless you're carrying restricted items.
Download Austria Entry Checklist
PDF · Bosnia and Herzegovina Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 1, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
For those who need a visa or want to stay beyond visa-free period.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity1–5 years
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Ideal for frequent travellers; same fee as single entry.
Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stay6–12 months
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€100 (~$109 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification; requires sponsorship.
work visa
Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte (Red-White-Red Card)
2 years, renewable
€120 (~$130 USD) application fee
For skilled workers with a job offer in Austria. Requires employer sponsorship and meeting points-based criteria. Allows family reunification.
Apply student visa
Student Residence Permit
1 year, renewable annually
€110 (~$120 USD) application fee
For full-time students enrolled at an Austrian university. Must prove sufficient funds (€1,000/month) and health insurance.
Apply retirement visa
Settlement Permit – Exceptional Contribution
1 year, renewable
€120 (~$130 USD) application fee
For retirees with sufficient passive income (pension, investments) and private health insurance. No work allowed.
investor visa
Settlement Permit – Self-Employed Key Worker
1 year, renewable
€120 (~$130 USD) application fee
For entrepreneurs investing at least €100,000 in an Austrian business. Requires a viable business plan and job creation.
Apply Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)For stays longer than 90 days or if visa is required. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry; valid for up to 5 years for frequent travellers. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayImposed by Austrian authorities; may include entry ban. | €100 per day (max €1,000) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Austria
No transit visa needed
Bosnia and Herzegovina passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes at Austrian airports, as they are visa-free for short stays. However, if you need to enter the Schengen area (e.g., to switch terminals or stay overnight), standard visa-free rules apply (90 days within 180 days).
Airside transitAllowed
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid Schengen visa or residence permit may transit without additional documentation.
Transit hubsVienna International Airport (VIE) · Salzburg Airport (SZG) · Innsbruck Airport (INN)
Health & vaccines for Austria
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, varicella)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedTick-borne encephalitis (TBE)RecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk
Present in forested areas, especially in spring and summer; vaccination recommended for hikers or campers.
Lyme diseaseLow risk
Spread by ticks in rural areas; use repellent and check for ticks after outdoor activities.
Seasonal influenzaLow risk
Common in winter months; consider annual flu vaccine.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Vienna
Landespolizeidirektion Wien – Fremdenpolizei
Hernalser Gürtel 51, 1080 Wien
Mon–Fri 08:00–15:00
Handles visa extensions and residence permits; bring all original documents.
Graz
Bezirkshauptmannschaft Graz-Umgebung – Fremdenpolizei
Brucknerstraße 2, 8010 Graz
Mon–Fri 08:00–12:00
For extension applications; appointments recommended.
Practical information for BA travellers
Country basics
CapitalVienna
LanguageGerman
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US driver's license for up to 6 months.
Money
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.86 EUR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+1
vs New York+6h
vs Los Angeles+9h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C (2 round pins) and Type F (2 round pins with clips)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water in Austria is safe to drink and of high quality.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No. The 90-day visa-free stay is for tourism, business meetings, family visits, and short-term cultural events. You cannot take up paid employment, freelance work, or study for more than 90 days. For work or study, you need the appropriate visa or residence permit before you travel.
Overstaying is a serious violation. You may be fined, banned from the Schengen Area for up to 5 years, and have difficulty getting visas in the future. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for a residence permit before your 90 days expire — but this is only possible for specific reasons like work or study.
If you're staying in a hotel, hostel, or guesthouse, the accommodation provider registers you automatically. If you're staying with friends or family in a private home, you must register at the local Meldeamt (registration office) within 3 days of arrival. Bring your passport and the host's address confirmation.
Yes. The 90-day limit applies to the entire Schengen Area, not just Austria. If you fly into Germany or Italy first, you still count those days. Your entry stamp will be from the first Schengen country you enter, and the clock starts ticking from that day.
You will likely be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry at the border. Airlines are fined for carrying passengers without valid documents, so they check strictly. Renew your passport before you travel — it's not worth the risk.
No. If you're transiting through an Austrian airport to a non-Schengen destination and you don't leave the transit area, you don't need a visa. But if you need to clear passport control (e.g., to switch airports or stay overnight), the standard visa-free rules apply.
Extensions are not possible for visa-free stays. The only way to stay longer is to leave the Schengen Area for 90 days before returning. There is no 'visa run' loophole — border guards can see your entry/exit history and will deny re-entry if you try to reset the clock by leaving briefly.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 1, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.