- Capital
- Vienna (VIE)
- Dialing Code
- +43
- Time Zone
- UTC / GMT +1
- Daylight Savings Time
- Last Sunday of March to last Sunday of October: UTC / GMT +2
- Language
- German
- Best Time to Go
- Year-round
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
Travel Tips
- Water in hotels and towns is safe to drink
- It is considered polite to say “Guten Tag” or “Grüss Gott” when entering a restaurant or shop, and “Auf Wiedersehen” when leaving
- The Austrian law called "Prohibition for the Covering of the Face" has come into effect. The law forbids Burqas, off-slope ski masks, surgical masks outside hospitals and party masks in public. Violations carry a possible fine of 150 euros (nearly $180) and police are authorized to use force with people who resist showing their faces
Last updated 30 September 2026
Visa Guide
Foreign Representation in South Africa
Austrian Embassy in Pretoria
454 A Fehrsen Street, Brooklyn, Pretoria (Consular entrance on William Street)
Telephone: 012 452 9155
E-mail: pretoria-ob@bmeia.gv.at
Website: www.bmeia.gv.at
Consular hours: Monday - Thursday, 09:00 - 12:00
Telephone enquiries: Monday - Thursday, 14:00 - 16:00
C-Visa (Schengen Visa): Monday and Wednesday, 09:00-12:00 (by appointment only)
D-Visa (National Visa): Tuesday and Thursday 09:00-12:00 (by appointment only)
Public Holidays
2026
January: 1, 6
April: 6
May: 1, 14, 25
June: 4
August: 15
September: 21
October: 26
November: 1
December: 8, 25 - 26
Visa Application Centre
Visa Application Centres: VFS
Type C Schengen Visa Applications only
Telephone: 012 425 3001
Website: visa.vfsglobal
Cape Town: 8th Floor 2 Long Street, Cape Town
Durban: Unit 409, 4th Floor, 91 -123 Cowey Road (Problem Mkhize), Essenwood
Johannesburg: 1st Floor, Rivonia Village, Cnr Rivonia Boulevard & Mutual Road, Sandton
Pretoria: Brooklyn Pavilion, 316 Tram Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk
Hours: Monday - Friday, 08:00 - 12:30 & 13:30 - 15:00
Passport Collections: Monday - Friday, 10:00 - 12:30 & 13:30 - 16:00
Appointments are required and can be made online
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by SA passport holders
Austria is a member of the Schengen Agreement
- If you intend to visit only Austria, you must apply at the Embassy of Austria / Visa Application Centre
- If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate that is your main destination / longest stay
- If you intend to visit several countries but are spending an equal number of days in each, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country of your first point of entry
Requirements:
- See General Schengen Requirements
In Addition:
- Most recent three (3) months bank statements of the current account, showing monthly income and a positive balance. Savings, investment or credit-card account statements can be submitted in addition. Once-off-transfers will NOT be accepted!
- If your visit is supported and paid for by a sponsor residing in Austria, an electronic affidavit (“elektronische Verpflichtungserklärung”), which can be obtained by the host from the nearest aliens police (“Fremdenpolizei”) in Austria is required
- Copy of biographical data page of passport
- Austria does not accept temporary passports
Biometrics must be submitted in person unless otherwise exempt. If applying through the VFS, please check their website for the application process
Visa Processing Time
At least 15 calendar days before the intended visit, not more than 3 months before the visit
Visa Validity
Up to 90 days in a 180 day period
Visa Cost
Adults: EUR90
Children (6-12): EUR45
Children (under 6): Free
VFS Service Fee: R420.00
Health / Vaccinations
Compulsory:
- None
Recommended Travel Vaccines:
- Tick-Borne Encephalitis (Not available in SA)
- Hepatitis B
- Tetanus
- Polio
South African Representative Abroad
South African Embassy in Vienna
Sandgasse 33, 1190 Vienna, Austria
Telephone: +43 1 320 6493
Email: vienna.consular@dirco.gov.za
Website: www.suedafrika-botschaft.at