International Travel to Vienna

Austria is part of the Schengen Area, which allows visa-free travel for short stays for citizens of many countries. 

Click here to review Austria’s official entry requirements, determine whether you need a visa to attend the European Leadership Summit, and review applicable visa application fees.

You may also view estimated visa processing times and application guidance via Austria’s official visa service partner.

If you are applying for a Schengen visitor visa, you will be provided with an option to request an Invitation Letter in the confirmation email you receive after completing event registration. 

Beginning in 2025, travelers from visa-exempt countries will be required to obtain authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) before entering Austria or any Schengen country. 

An ETIAS authorization: 

- Is required for travelers who do not need a Schengen visa 

- Applies to travelers of all ages 

- Is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires (whichever comes first) 

- Allows short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period 

- Does not guarantee entry (final entry decision is made by border authorities) 

For official information and application details, click here.

Most international travelers will arrive via Vienna International Airport (VIE), Austria’s primary international gateway. 

The airport offers multiple transportation options into the city, including trains, buses, taxis, and airport transfer services. 

For detailed transportation options from the airport to central Vienna, click here.

If your travel itinerary includes a layover in another country, please review that country’s transit and entry requirements, as additional authorizations may apply. 

Travelers transiting through United Kingdom airports, even if not entering the UK, may be subject to UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) requirements depending on nationality. 

For official UK transit and ETA information, click here.

- Ensure your passport is valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area 

- Confirm visa or ETIAS requirements well in advance of travel 

- Allow extra processing time during peak travel periods