Austria to United Kingdom visa requirements

Austrian citizens do NOT need a visa for a short UK tourist visit, but since 2 April 2025 (full enforcement from 25 February 2026) they MUST hold a valid UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling. The ETA costs £20, is valid for 2 years, and permits multiple stays of up to 6 months. As an EU member state, Austria is a visa-exempt nationality for the United Kingdom: ordinary Austrian passport holders can visit for tourism for up to 6 months without a visit visa. However, the UK now requires a digital pre-travel authorisation. From 2 April 2025 European (including Austrian) travellers became eligible for the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), and from 25 February 2026 carriage of a valid ETA is mandatory to board a flight, train or ferry to the UK. The ETA is applied for online via the official UK ETA app or GOV.UK, costs £20, links to one specific passport, and is valid for 2 years (or until the passport expires, whichever comes first), allowing multiple visits of up to 6 months each. Most decisions arrive within minutes, but the Home Office advises applying at least 3 working days before travel. The UK is not in the Schengen area and is outside ETIAS; the Schengen 90/180 rule does not apply to UK visits. Irish citizens are exempt from the ETA; Austrians are not. The ETA does not guarantee entry — a Border Force officer makes the final decision.