How Indian passport holders get a visa for Austria: visa type, government fee, processing time, maximum stay, the documents required and where to apply. Government-sourced — always verify on the official site before you travel.
Quick facts
- Visa type: Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India
- Government fee: €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45; under 6: free. VFS service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel medical insurance (~₹300–1,500/week) is mandatory.
- Processing time: Officially 15 calendar days. Realistically 3–6 weeks at most Indian VFS centres, stretching to 8–10 weeks during May–August and December–January peaks.
- Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period within the entire Schengen area
- Interview: Not required
- Ease for Indian travellers: 40/100
Documents you'll need
- Passport valid 3+ months beyond intended exit, with 2 blank pages and issued within the last 10 years
- Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
- Two recent biometric photos (35×45 mm, white background, ICAO-standard)
- Cover letter explaining purpose and itinerary
- Confirmed round-trip flight booking (do not buy tickets until visa is issued)
- Day-by-day itinerary with hotel bookings for every night in Schengen
- Personal bank statements for the last 3 months with healthy balance (broadly ₹1,00,000+)
- Income tax returns for the last 2 years (or Form 16)
- Travel medical insurance valid in all Schengen states, minimum €30,000 cover (from approved insurer list)
- Employment proof: leave letter on company letterhead, salary slips; for self-employed: GST/company registration; for students: bonafide letter
How & where to apply
Apply through the Austrian Embassy in New Delhi via VFS Global India. VFS Austria centres operate in Delhi, Mumbai (new larger BKC centre from Jan 2026), Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Pune, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Cochin and Jalandhar. From 1 Jan 2026 Austria only accepts travel insurance from an approved insurers list. VFS Global — Austria visa India (official partner)
Transit & connections
An ordinary Schengen visa lets you transit any Schengen airport landside. Confirm with airline for airside transit.
How Austria compares in Schengen Europe
With an ease score of 40/100 this is one of the tougher applications for Indians — expect strict document scrutiny and plan well ahead of travel. Austria requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
| Country | Visa type | Government fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇹 Austria | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45; under 6: free. VFS service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel medical insurance (~₹300–1,500/week) is mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days. Realistically 3–6 weeks at most Indian VFS centres, stretching to 8–10 weeks during May–August and December–January peaks. |
| 🇮🇸 Iceland | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — via Denmark embassy + VFS in India | €90 short-stay visa fee (in force since 11 June 2024). Children 6–12: €45; under 6: free. VFS Global service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel medical insurance (~₹300–1,500/week) is mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days from receipt at the Royal Danish Embassy New Delhi (which represents Iceland). Realistically 3–5 weeks; up to 8 weeks during the May–September peak. |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via BLS International in India | €90 short-stay visa fee (in force since 11 June 2024) — collected in INR (~₹9,599 for adults; ~₹4,799 for children 6–12; under 6 free). BLS International service charge extra (~₹1,802). Travel medical insurance (~₹300–1,500/week) is mandatory. | Officially 10–15 working days at the Spanish Embassy New Delhi or Consulate General Mumbai. Realistically 2–4 weeks; longer during May–August peak. |
| 🇫🇮 Finland | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45; under 6: free. VFS service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel medical insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 working days. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres; up to 8 weeks in May–August aurora and summer peak. |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge ~₹2,000–2,400. Travel insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days from receipt at the Danish Embassy New Delhi. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres; allow 4 weeks minimum in March–September peak. |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge (~₹2,000 / €20). Travel insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 working days. Realistically 3–5 weeks; up to 45 working days in peak. Add 2 days courier from Delhi, 4–6 days from other cities. |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge ~€19 / ~₹1,800–2,000. Travel insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres. |
Fees and processing times are indicative and change with exchange rates and season — always confirm on each country's official source before applying.
Good to know
ETIAS (the EU's pre-travel authorisation rolling out in late 2026) is for visa-exempt nationals only — Indian passport holders will continue to need a full Schengen sticker visa. Austria is a comparatively even-handed Schengen issuer. Visa rules change often — confirm on the official government source: https://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/austrian-embassy-new-delhi
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Austria?
Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India. ETIAS (the EU's pre-travel authorisation rolling out in late 2026) is for visa-exempt nationals only — Indian passport holders will continue to need a full Schengen sticker visa. Austria is a comparatively even-handed Schengen issuer.
What documents do Indians need for a Austria visa?
Passport valid 3+ months beyond intended exit, with 2 blank pages and issued within the last 10 years; Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; Two recent biometric photos (35×45 mm, white background, ICAO-standard); Cover letter explaining purpose and itinerary; Confirmed round-trip flight booking (do not buy tickets until visa is issued); Day-by-day itinerary with hotel bookings for every night in Schengen; Personal bank statements for the last 3 months with healthy balance (broadly ₹1,00,000+); Income tax returns for the last 2 years (or Form 16); Travel medical insurance valid in all Schengen states, minimum €30,000 cover (from approved insurer list); Employment proof: leave letter on company letterhead, salary slips; for self-employed: GST/company registration; for students: bonafide letter
How long does a Austria visa take and what does it cost?
Processing: Officially 15 calendar days. Realistically 3–6 weeks at most Indian VFS centres, stretching to 8–10 weeks during May–August and December–January peaks.. Government fee: €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45; under 6: free. VFS service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel medical insurance (~₹300–1,500/week) is mandatory.. Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period within the entire Schengen area.
How do Indians apply for a Austria visa?
Apply through the Austrian Embassy in New Delhi via VFS Global India. VFS Austria centres operate in Delhi, Mumbai (new larger BKC centre from Jan 2026), Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Pune, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Cochin and Jalandhar. From 1 Jan 2026 Austria only accepts travel insurance from an approved insurers list. Official source: https://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/austrian-embassy-new-delhi
Is a Austria visa hard to get for Indian citizens?
With an ease score of 40/100 this is one of the tougher applications for Indians — expect strict document scrutiny and plan well ahead of travel. No interview is normally required.
Can Indians get a Austria visa online or on arrival?
Austria requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
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