Austria entry requirements for New Zealand passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed June 28, 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
New Zealand passport holders can enter Austria without a visa for short stays. You can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism, business, or visiting family. This applies throughout 2026 and beyond while New Zealand remains part of the Schengen visa-waiver arrangement.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the entire stay | Your New Zealand passport needs to be valid for the entire time you're in Austria. Schengen rules don't require 6 months beyond departure, but airlines sometimes enforce it — check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from 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 host invitation | Border officers may ask where you're staying, especially if you arrive without a hotel booking. A printed reservation or a letter from a friend in Austria works fine. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Sufficient money for your stay | Austria doesn't publish a fixed amount, but carrying at least €100 per day of your stay in cash or a credit card statement covers you. I've never been asked, but a friend was once quizzed at Vienna Airport. | Recommended |
90-day Schengen limit applies across all 27 countries
Your 90-day allowance is for the entire Schengen area, not just Austria. If you've already spent time in France, Germany, or any other Schengen country, that counts towards your 90 days. Track your days carefully — the clock resets only after you've been outside Schengen for 90 consecutive days.
Working Holiday Visa available for New Zealanders
If you're aged 18–30, you can apply for an Austria Working Holiday visa before you travel. It allows you to stay up to 12 months and work part-time. Apply at the Austrian embassy in Wellington. Processing takes 4–6 weeks.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at the border
At Vienna International Airport or any other Schengen entry point, join the 'All Passports' queue. Have your passport, return ticket, and accommodation confirmation ready.
2
Present your documents
Hand over your passport. The officer may ask your purpose of visit, how long you're staying, and where you're staying. Answer clearly and briefly.
3
Get your entry stamp
The officer will stamp your passport with the date of entry. Check the stamp is legible — it proves you entered legally and starts your 90-day clock.
4
Collect your luggage and exit
After passport control, collect your bags from the carousel and walk through customs (green channel if nothing to declare). You're now in Austria.
Download Austria Entry Checklist
PDF · New Zealand Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 28, 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 longer; apply at Austrian embassy.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity1 year (typical)
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Allows multiple visits; same fee as single entry.
Long-stay visa (national D visa)
Max stay6–12 months
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€100 (~$109 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification; requires sponsorship.
work visa
Red-White-Red Card (Employment)
2 years, renewable
€120 (~$131 USD) application fee
For skilled workers with a job offer in Austria. Requires points-based assessment and employer sponsorship. Leads to permanent residence.
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 and health insurance. Allows part-time work.
Apply retirement visa
Settlement Permit – Exceptional Contribution
1 year, renewable
€120 (~$131 USD) application fee
For retirees with sufficient passive income and private health insurance. Requires proof of accommodation and no intention to work.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)For those who need a visa or want to stay longer; valid for up to 90 days. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry; allows multiple entries within validity period. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstaying the 90-day limit can result in fines and entry bans. | €100 (~$109 USD) per day, max €5,000 |
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
New Zealand passport holders do not need a transit visa for Austria. You may transit through any Austrian airport without a visa, even if leaving the airside area for a connecting flight.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsVienna International Airport (VIE) · Salzburg Airport (SZG) · Innsbruck Airport (INN)
Health & vaccines for Austria
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, influenza)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedTick-borne encephalitis (TBE)RecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk
Ticks in forested areas, especially in spring and summer; vaccination recommended for hikers.
Lyme diseaseModerate risk
Also tick-borne; common in rural areas; use repellent and check for ticks.
Seasonal influenzaLow risk
Winter months; standard precautions advised.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Vienna
MA 35 – Immigration and Citizenship
Höchstädtplatz 6, 1200 Vienna
Mon–Fri 08:00–15:00
For visa extensions or residence permits; appointments required.
Salzburg
Bezirkshauptmannschaft Salzburg – Immigration Department
Karl-Wurmb-Straße 17, 5020 Salzburg
Mon–Fri 08:00–12:00
Handles residence permits and visa matters for the region.
Practical information for NZ 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, or family visits only. You cannot take up paid employment. If you want to work, you need a work visa or a Working Holiday visa (New Zealanders aged 18–30 can apply for the latter).
Overstaying is a breach of Schengen rules. You may be fined, banned from re-entering the Schengen area for up to 3 years, or both. The fine varies but can be several hundred euros. Always leave before day 90.
Generally no for tourism. Extensions are only granted in exceptional circumstances (e.g., medical emergency, force majeure). You must apply at the local immigration office (Bezirkshauptmannschaft) in Austria before your 90 days expire. Approval is rare.
No. New Zealand passport holders do not need a transit visa for Austria. You can stay in the international transit area without passing through passport control. If you need to leave the airport, you'll need a Schengen visa or use your visa-free entry.
You will likely be denied entry. The 6-month rule is strictly enforced at Austrian borders. Renew your passport before you travel.
If you stay in a hotel, the hotel registers you automatically. If you stay in a private residence (e.g., with friends or Airbnb), you must register at the local Meldeamt within 3 days of arrival. Failure to register can result in a fine.
It's risky. Immigration may ask for proof of onward travel. Without a return or onward ticket, you could be refused entry. Book a refundable onward ticket if you're unsure of your plans.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 28, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.