Up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area, not just Austria. Days in other Schengen countries count toward the same limit.

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🇰🇷SOUTH KOREA

🏳ATKR-AT

Do South Korea passport holders need a visa to visit AT?

Q: Is ETIAS required now?

Not yet. As of 30 May 2026 ETIAS is not in force. It is scheduled to launch in the last quarter of 2026, after which visa-exempt travelers including South Koreans will need a €20 authorization before departure.

Q: What is the EES and does it affect me?

The Entry/Exit System became fully operational on 10 April 2026. On entry to Austria your fingerprints and facial image are recorded electronically. It replaces passport stamping and may add time at border control.

Q: What passport validity do I need?

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area and have been issued within the previous 10 years.

Q: Can I work in Austria visa-free?

No. Visa-free entry is for tourism, business meetings, and visits only. Paid employment requires a work/residence permit.

No visa needed. South Korean ordinary passport holders can visit Austria visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Austria is part of the Schengen Area, and South Korea is on the EU's visa-exempt list for short stays. As of 30 May 2026, holders of an ordinary South Korean passport may enter Austria and the wider Schengen Area for tourism, business, or family visits without a visa for up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period. No advance application is currently required. Note two upcoming changes: the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) — biometric registration at the border — became fully operational on 10 April 2026, so travelers should expect fingerprint and facial-image capture on entry. ETIAS, a €20 online travel authorization, is scheduled to launch in the last quarter of 2026; it is NOT yet required for travel in mid-2026 but will become a pre-departure requirement for visa-exempt nationals (including South Koreans) once live. Always carry a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure and proof of onward travel and sufficient funds.

VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

South Korea (PR)Living in South Korea as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Visa-free (Schengen short stay)

Maximum stay

90 days per 180-day period

per entry

Entries

Multiple

from issue date

Visa fee

€0

consular fee only

Processing time

None (no application)

standard track

Validity

Passport must be valid 3+ months beyond departure

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm passport validity

Ensure your ordinary South Korean passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended date of departure from the Schengen Area and was issued within the last 10 years.

· Required· Do before booking

/02

Book travel and accommodation

Reserve flights and lodging. Keep return/onward tickets and hotel bookings accessible, as border officers may ask for proof of your travel plans.

· Recommended

/03

Prepare supporting documents

Carry proof of sufficient funds, travel medical insurance (recommended, min €30,000 coverage), and a return ticket in case the border officer requests them.

· At border

/04

Check EES biometric registration

Since 10 April 2026 the EU Entry/Exit System is fully operational. On first entry your fingerprints and facial image will be recorded at the Austrian border. Allow extra time at passport control.

· New 2026

/05

Enter Austria visa-free

Present your passport at the Schengen external border. State your purpose (tourism) and length of stay. No visa or pre-authorization is needed in mid-2026.

· At arrival

/06

Track your 90/180 days

Count cumulative days across all Schengen countries within any rolling 180-day window. Overstaying can lead to fines and future entry bans. Watch for ETIAS becoming required in late 2026.

· During stay

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

8 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 8 complete

Passport valid 3+ months beyond departure, issued within 10 years

required

Return or onward travel ticket

required

Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation)

recommended

Proof of sufficient funds for the stay

recommended

Travel medical insurance (min €30,000 coverage)

recommended

Days counted within Schengen 90/180 limit

required

Be ready for EES biometric capture at the border

required

Monitor ETIAS launch (expected Q4 2026)

optional

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Schengen short-stay visa€0Not required for South Korean passport holders

ETIAS travel authorization€20Not yet required; expected to launch Q4 2026 (free for under-18s and over-70s)

EES border registration€0Biometric registration at the border, no charge

Total estimate€0 — €0incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free entry

Immediate at border

No application or processing — simply present your passport on arrival in Austria.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Tourism and sightseeing

Visiting Vienna, Salzburg, the Alps, and cultural sites for leisure.

High

/02

Visiting friends or family

Short personal visits to relatives or friends residing in Austria.

Medium

/03

Business trips

Attending meetings, conferences, or trade fairs (no paid work).

Medium

/04

Transit through Vienna

Connecting flights or onward travel through Austria to other destinations.

Medium

/05

Short academic or cultural exchange

Attending seminars, training, or cultural events under 90 days.

Low

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-05-30

South Korea to Austria route verified

Confirmed via EU and Korean official sources that South Korean ordinary passport holders remain visa-free for Schengen/Austria short stays (90/180). EES is fully operational since 10 April 2026; ETIAS (€20) is scheduled for Q4 2026 and is not yet required.

/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do South Koreans need a visa to visit Austria?—

No. Ordinary South Korean passport holders can enter Austria visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period for tourism, business, or family visits.

Is ETIAS required now?+

What is the EES and does it affect me?+

How long can I stay?+

What passport validity do I need?+

Can I work in Austria visa-free?+

/11 — Passport tools