Austria is a favourite Schengen destination for Saudi families, especially in summer: Vienna with its museums and palaces, Zell am See and Hallstatt with their lakes and mountains, and Salzburg with its old town. The Austrian embassy receives applications in Saudi Arabia through VFS Global centres, and both Saudi citizens and legal residents can apply, attending in person. This guide covers the steps, documents and fees, plus tips specific to family trips.
How to apply for an Austria visa
- Book your appointment: open the Austria page on the VFS website in Saudi Arabia and choose the nearest city. The steps are in our guide to booking a unified visa centre appointment.
- Fill in the application form with details exactly as in your passport, and prepare your documents.
- Attend in person for biometrics, handing in your file and paying the fees.
- Track your application until you collect your passport, and check the visa sticker immediately.
Required documents
- A passport valid for 3 months after your return and issued within the last 10 years.
- The application form and a recent photo.
- National ID and family register for families, or a valid iqama for residents.
- A salary certificate or commercial register, and a recent bank statement.
- A return flight reservation and a hotel booking for every night.
- Travel medical insurance with €30,000 cover for every family member.
- An itinerary if your trip covers more than one city. Use our day-by-day Austria itinerary.
Fees and processing time
| Category | Official fee |
|---|---|
| Adults | €90, paid in riyals at the exchange rate announced at the centre |
| Children aged 6 to under 12 | €45 |
| Children under 6 | Free |
The centre’s service fee is added, and processing usually takes 15 days. Details are in our guide to Schengen visa fees.
Tips for family summer trips
- Apply early: 6 to 8 weeks before summer, as Austria appointments get busy at the end of the school year.
- A file for each person: every family member needs a form and insurance in their own name, including children. Details are in our guide to travel insurance for children.
- Your main country: if you will spend most of the trip in Munich or Switzerland and visit Austria for only two days, the right embassy is that of the country with the longest stay.
- Flying home from Munich: many people fly home from Munich airport because it is close to Zell am See. This is fine as long as most nights are in Austria.
Prepare an Austria file for the whole family: reservations, an itinerary and Schengen insurance with matching dates from Travelosca.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to attend in person?
Yes, for biometrics and to hand in your application at the VFS centre.
Can a resident apply from Saudi Arabia?
Yes, if their residence is legal and valid.
Do Saudis get a multiple-entry visa from Austria?
Saudi citizens are eligible for a 5-year Schengen visa from their first application, provided their passport is valid long enough.
What are the most common refusal reasons?
Applying to Austria when most of the trip is in another country, mismatched dates between bookings, and missing insurance for a family member.
Sources
- VFS Global – Austria page in Saudi Arabia
- The Austrian Embassy in Riyadh
- EU Visa Code 810/2009
