Austria
About
| Austria is a country of wonderful contrasts, from the soaring Alps to the verdant swathes of the Danube Valley. This European beauty is noted as much for its historical buildings, awe-inspiring museums and galleries, as for its world-class skiing conditions and breath-taking mountain scenery. Once the snow has melted, walk and hike through the Alps' varied landscapes, ranging from forests and green slopes to glaciers and rocks. The Vorarlberg's alpine pastures provide gentle walks, while the Hohe Tauern National Park has more demanding trekking. Go to the Opera in style; besides the many opera performances in Austria's major towns and cities, for one with a difference, journey to Bregenz and the Upper City with its St Martinstrum (St Martin's Tower), the world's largest floating stage for summer opera productions. Admire traditional Austrian attire at the annual Lederhosen Festival in Windischgarsten, where the wearing of the aforementioned costume is optional, but drinking good beer and chuckling at the election of Miss Lederhose is compulsory. |
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| Capital: | Vienna (VIE) |
| Currency: | Euro (EUR) |
| Language: | German |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 43 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa) |
| Daylight Savings Time: | From last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October: UTC / GMT +2 (same time as South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Right. |
| Best Time to Go: | Year-round |
| Best for: | Winter wonderland, Religious Sites |
| Plugs: | 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin European plugs are standard. |
| Drinking Water: | Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. |
| Health: | There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. |
| Customs: | Normal social courtesies. It is considered polite to say “Guten Tag” or “Grüss Gott” when entering a restaurant or shop, and “Auf Wiedersehen” when leaving. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | Vehicles should always be driven with the lights on. Smoking is not allowed in public places. 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. |
| Duty Free: | Austria is within the European Union. If you are travelling from the UK, you are entitled to buy fragrance, skincare, cosmetics, Champagne, wine, selected spirits, fashion accessories, gifts and souvenirs - all at tax-free equivalent prices. There are no allowance restrictions on these tax-free items. If arriving from within the EU, you must prove your goods are for personal use if you bring in more than the following quantities: • 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco. • 10L of spirits over 22% or 20L of fortified wine or spirits up to 22%. • 90L of wine (including up to 60L of sparkling wine). • 110L of beer. However, if you enter Austria from Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Latvia or Lithuania, the tax-exempt allowance for cigarettes is 300; any cigarettes in excess of this quantity are subject to tobacco duty. If you are arriving from a non-EU country, the following goods may be imported into Austria by travellers over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco or a proportional mix of these products. • 1L of spirits over 22% or 2L of fortified wine or spirits up to 22% or a proportional mix of these products. • 4L of non-sparkling wine. • 16L of beer. • Medicinal products sufficient for your visit. • Other goods up to a value of €430 for airline travellers or €300 for other travellers per calendar day (reduced to €150 for children under 15). Prohibited Imports: Restricted imports include plant and animal products and endangered species. Travellers may not import medicines other than prescribed drugs for personal use. If bringing a weapon and ammunition into Austria, you must hold a European Firearms Pass. The import of certain weapons, such as knuckle dusters or pump-action guns, is banned. |
Issuing Authorities
Austrian Embassy in Pretoria
454 A Fehrsen Street, Brooklyn, Pretoria (Consular entrance on William Street)
Tel: 012 452 9155
E-mail: pretoria-ob@bmeia.gv.at
Web: www.austrianembassy.co.za
Consular hours: Mon-Thur: 09:00 - 12:00
Telephone enquiries: Mon-Thur 14:00 - 16:00
C-Visa (Schengen Visa): Mon and Wed 09:00-12:00 (by appointment only)
D-Visa (National Visa): Tues and Thurs 09:00-12:00 (by appointment only)
Visa Application Centres: VFS
(Type C Schengen Visa Applications only)
Tel: 012 425 3001
Web: visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/aut/
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: Mon-Fri: 08:00 - 12:30 & 13:30 - 15:00
Passport Collections: Mon - Fri: 10:00 - 12:30 & 13:30 - 16:00
Appointments are required and can be made online.
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1, 6; Apr 21; May 1, 29; Jun 9, 19; Aug 15; Oct 26; Nov 1; Dec 8, 25-26
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1, 6; Apr 6; May 1, 14, 25; Jun 4; Aug 15; Sep 21; Oct 26; Nov 1; Dec 8, 25-26
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 to General Schengen Requirements:
- 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.
NOTE: 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
SA Representative
SA Embassy in Vienna
Sandgasse 33, 1190 Vienna, Austria
Tel.: +43 1 320 6493
Email: vienna.consular@dirco.gov.za
Web: www.suedafrika-botschaft.at
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | None |
| Recommended: | Tick-Borne Encephalitis (Not available in SA), Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio |
