In short, while you may not need it for a visa, having the right insurance ensures your and your family's Austrian adventure stays stress-free from start to finish.
As per their visa requirements, an Indian national must have a travel insurance policy for Austria in place with at least €30,000 in medical coverage, as well as repatriation and medical evacuation coverage.
If you're applying for a Schengen visa, travel medical insurance is not optional: it's one of the mandatory documents you must submit with your application.
If you're a tourist, you will not need a visa for short trips to Austria. You will be able to stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. You may need to renew your British passport.
You may be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK if you're a resident in Austria and receive a UK State Pension or an exportable benefit. See Planning your healthcare abroad on the NHS website for more information about eligibility.
To get medically necessary state healthcare in Austria, you need a Global Health Insurance Card ( GHIC ) or a European Health Insurance Card ( EHIC ). The NHS's getting healthcare abroad webpage has details about: how to apply for a GHIC.
PASSPORT VALIDITY: Six months validity recommended, at least 3 months validity beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area is required.
BLANK PASSPORT PAGES: Two pages required for entry stamp.
TOURIST VISA REQUIRED: Not required for stays under 90 days within each 180-day period.
The rejection rate is about 6% or less, which is quite low. Based on recent trends, Austria is tenth on the list with the highest visa application approvals, and only nine countries have a higher approval rate.
And no, travel insurance isn't usually required by law. But some countries, like Cuba, Turkey and Thailand, might ask for proof of insurance before you enter. You might also need special travel insurance for certain trips, like winter sports or cruise holidays.
Is post office travel insurance good for a Schengen visa?
Check the website of country you are applying to for a Schengen visa for information on the amount you are required to demonstrate. Travel insurance valid for the whole Schengen area has minimum coverage of 30,000 euros. Websites that provide insurance include: the Post Office, Europ Assistance and AXA Schengen.
While the card entitles you to the same treatment as local citizens, you should be aware that some healthcare in Austria isn't free. In addition, neither your EHIC nor your GHIC will not cover you in all circumstances, including medical repatriation. For this reason, you should still take out travel insurance.
a valid passport not older than 10 years, valid for three months after expiry of the visa and with two free pages, is presented, an ICAO -compliant passport photo is presented, consent is given to the collection of fingerprints (unless already stored within the last 59 months), and. the visa fee has been paid.
Holders of British Passports don't need a visa for touristic travel, visiting friends & family or business travel (without gainful work in Austria) for up to 90 days in the Schengen area within a rolling 180-days-period.
What happens if I don't have a European health insurance card?
This card is the proof that you are insured in an EU country. If you don't have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), or you can't use it (for instance, for private health care), you can't be refused treatment, but you might have to pay for your treatment upfront and claim reimbursement once you get home.
The principle of mandatory insurance applies in Austria. If you do not have your own statutory health insurance and are not co-insured with anyone else, you can take out self-insurance with the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK).
To be able to pay for small purchases, it is recommended to always have some cash on hand in Austria. Additionally, it is wise to roughly plan your expenses in advance, as exchanging too much cash back can be expensive and not always possible (coins).
Austrian law generally prohibits the import of medications into Austria. Medications may only be imported with a permit from the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG), which is not given to private individuals.
US and Canadian passport holders do not require a visa to travel to Austria for a holiday (up to 90 days in any 180-day period). Passport validity of at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date from the Schengen area is required. A passport validity of 6 months is recommended.
The shoulder months—April, early May, September, and October—are the best times to visit Austria if you want to avoid crowds. “Our main cities, like Vienna or Salzburg, tend to be busiest during the summer season, from May through September,” says Gigl.
In Austria, there is no identification requirement. That means you don't have to carry an ID with you (exception: driver's license when driving a car). EU citizens must carry a passport and third-country nationals must be able to show proof of identity (e.g. residence card).
