TL;DR
To get an Austria Schengen visa from the UK you apply through VFS Global (London, Manchester or Edinburgh): book a VFS Global appointment, prepare your documents, and attend to give biometrics and submit. Every application is assessed by the Austrian Embassy in London.
| Austria Schengen visa (from the UK) | 2026 |
|---|---|
| UK visa application centre | VFS Global |
| Application cities | London, Manchester, Edinburgh |
| Visa fee (adult) | €90 |
| Standard processing | 15 calendar days (up to 45) |
| Official portal | Austria visa info ↗ |
How to apply
- Start on the official Austrian Embassy "how to apply" page to confirm the current process.
- Book a VFS Global appointment in London, Manchester or Edinburgh.
- Prepare your documents — see the full Schengen document checklist.
- Attend your appointment to give biometrics (fingerprints + photo) and submit.
- Wait for the decision — standard processing is 15 calendar days, occasionally longer.
Why Austria, and when to apply here
Apply to Austria only if it's your main destination — where you'll spend the most nights — or your first entry if your trip is evenly split (see which country to apply to). UK travellers heading to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck or the Tyrol ski resorts typically qualify here. If most of your trip is in a neighbouring country, apply to that consulate instead — a mismatch is a common refusal reason.
Where it's assessed
Although you lodge your application with VFS Global, the Austrian Embassy is clear that all applications are assessed by the Austrian Embassy in London, wherever you submit them. The three centres (London, Manchester, Edinburgh) are submission and biometric points — the decision is centralised. See getting a Schengen appointment for booking tips.
What you'll need
The standard Schengen document set: passport (issued within 10 years, valid 3+ months beyond your trip), the application form, a photo, proof of UK residence, travel and accommodation bookings, an itinerary, bank statements, €30,000+ travel insurance, and strong evidence you'll return to the UK. Weak UK-ties evidence is the leading reason these applications are refused.
Assemble it cleanly
- Checklist generator — your tailored document list
- Bundler and Compressor — assemble and size your file
Want a human to check it before your VFS Global appointment? See the done-for-you Schengen service. For the overview, see the Schengen visa from the UK hub.
Sources
Common questions
- 01
How do I apply for an Austria Schengen visa from the UK?
Austria's UK visa applications are handled by VFS Global, with centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. You book through VFS Global, prepare your documents, and attend to give biometrics and submit. You must be a legal UK resident to apply from the UK.
- 02
Who handles Austria visa applications in the UK?
VFS Global is the official external service provider for Austrian Schengen visas in the UK. The Austrian Embassy in London assesses every application; VFS Global runs the application centre and biometrics in London, Manchester and Edinburgh.
- 03
How much is an Austria Schengen visa from the UK?
€90 for adults, €45 for children 6–12, free under 6 — the same as all Schengen countries. VFS Global charges its own service fee on top, and you need travel insurance with at least €30,000 of cover.
- 04
How long does an Austria Schengen visa take?
Standard processing is 15 calendar days, occasionally up to 45 if extra checks are needed. The Austrian Embassy in London decides; getting a VFS Global appointment is usually the bigger constraint, so book early.
- 05
Should I apply to Austria if I'm visiting several countries?
Only if Austria is your main destination (most nights), or your first point of entry if your time is split equally. Applying to Austria when you'll spend most of the trip elsewhere — say, in Germany or Italy — risks refusal.
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