Visa-free entry

Researchers who are in possession of a valid residence title "Researcher" of another EU member country (exept for Ireland and Denmark) are allowed to enter Austria without requiring a visa and to carry out research work in Austria for up to 180 days within 360 days.

Researchers must hold a PhD/doctorate degree or a university degree enabling access to doctoral programmes and they must work at this level for a research institution in Austria.

In principletravel health insurance must be taken out to enter Austria (and for the whole duration of your stay unless you are going to have statutory health insurance). Please note that this insurance must be valid in Austria and provide sufficient cover for various health issues (insurance cover well over EUR 30,000 including guarantee to cover possible recovery and repatriation costs and costs for treatment of the COVID-19 disease).

Researchers who are employed by an Austrian research institution will be covered by the statutory Austrian health insurance associated with this employment – provided that their salary exceeds the limit ("Geringfügigkeitsgrenze") of EUR 518.44/month [as of 2024] (they will also have accident and pension insurance).

see Requirements

You are allowed to pursue your research work without any further permits. Work that goes beyond the research activities that are not subject to the Act Governing Employment of Foreign Nationals is not permitted. You are allowed to carry out research work in Austria only.

Should it turn out that your research stay will last longer than 180 within 360 days, you can apply for a "Residence Permit – Researcher Mobility" at the locally competent residence authority in Austria.

If all the necessary documents are submitted, your application will be processed within eight weeks; we, nevertheless, recommend that you apply as soon as possible after being aware of the extension of your research stay as it is generally not possible to exceed the visa-free period of stay.

Family members* of researchers may also stay in Austria for up to 180 days within 360 days without a visa provided that they have a valid residence permit from another EU member country (except from Ireland and Denmark).

They are not subject to the Act Governing Employment of Foreign Nationals ("Ausländerbeschäftigungsgesetz"), therefore they have free access to the labour market during this period.

In principle travel health insurance must be taken out to enter Austria (and for the whole duration of their stay unless they are going to have statutory health insurance). Please note that this insurance must be valid in Austria and provide sufficient cover for various health issues (insurance cover well over EUR 30,000 including guarantee to cover possible recovery and repatriation costs and costs for treatment of the COVID-19 disease).

Should it turn out that the research stay will last longer than 180 within 360 days, family members can apply for a "Residence Permit – Family" at the locally competent residence authority in Austria. If all the necessary documents are submitted, the application will be processed within eight weeks; we, nevertheless, recommend that they apply as soon as possible after being aware of the extension as it is generally not possible to exceed the visa-free period of stay.

* Spouses, partners in a civil union and unmarried minors. Spouses and partners in a civil union must be at least 21 years old at the time of application.

You have to register within three working days of arrival in Austria with theregistration office at your place of residence.
A registration with the registration office is not needed if you reside in a tourist accommodation (e.g., hotel, guest house, campsite, private room, AirBnB) for a maximum of 2 months.

Visa-free entry and visa-free stay for holders of a residence title "Researcher" from an EU member country (except from Ireland and Denmark):

• Valid travel document, which must be valid until at least three months after leaving the Schengen territory; the travel document must contain at least two empty pages and it must have been issued within the past ten years
• valid residence title "Researcher" from another EU member country (except from Ireland and Denmark) for the duration of stay in Austria
• Contract or preliminary contract with the employer in Austria (salary, planned duration, accommodation where required, etc.) to prove the necessary funds to finance your living costs
• Proof of appropriatetravel health insurance (insurance cover at least EUR 30,000 including guarantee to cover possible recovery and repatriation costs and costs for treatment of the COVID-19 disease; the insurance must be valid in the whole Schengen area) for the planned duration of your stay in Austria or until the start of insurance in connexion with your employment (statutory insurance).