Austria is a popular destination for UK university students undertaking exchange programmes, year-abroad placements, research semesters, and short-term internships.
Since Brexit, however, Austrian visa and residence requirements for UK citizens have changed. Applications are now frequently delayed or refused due to incorrect police certificates, missing apostilles, or misunderstanding the difference between Visa D and a student Residence Permit.
This guide explains the current, practical requirements for UK students studying in Austria for 3 to 12 months, including which visa is required, why Austria requires an ACRO Police Certificate (not DBS), and how documents must be legalised for acceptance.
Popular Austrian Partner Universities for UK Exchange Students
UK universities most commonly partner with the following Austrian institutions:
- University of Vienna – humanities, law, social sciences
- Vienna University of Economics and Business – economics, finance, management
- TU Wien – engineering, computer science, architecture
- University of Graz – social sciences, environmental studies
- University of Innsbruck – science, geography, Alpine research
These institutions regularly host students from UK universities through Erasmus-style and bilateral exchange agreements.
Which Austrian Visa Do UK Students Need?
Visa requirements depend entirely on duration of stay.
Studying in Austria for 3–6 Months (91–180 Days)
Visa D (National Long-Stay Visa)
UK students studying in Austria for at least 91 days and up to 6 months must apply for a Visa D.
Visa D covers:
- University exchange semesters
- Research placements (with hosting agreement under § 67 NAG)
- Internship students (one semester)
- Seasonal or academic work placements
Visa D Document Checklist
Applicants must prepare:
- Valid UK passport (original and copy)
- Previous Schengen visas from the last 3 years (if applicable)
- One ICAO-compliant passport photograph (issued within 6 months)
- University acceptance letter or exchange confirmation
- Proof of financial means (bank statements covering the last 3 months)
- Proof of accommodation covering the entire stay
- Travel insurance covering Austria and the Schengen Area
- Flight reservation
- Student or placement confirmation letter
Some documents must be translated and legalised before submission.
Where to Apply
All Visa D applications must be submitted in person at the Austrian Embassy in London.
Applications may only be lodged within three months of departure.
Fingerprints are required for applicants aged 12 and above.
Studying in Austria for 6–12 Months (181+ Days)
Visa D plus Residence Permit (Student)
If your programme lasts longer than six months, you must apply for:
- A Visa D, and
- A Residence Permit for Study Purposes
(Aufenthaltsbewilligung – Student)
UK citizens may enter Austria visa-free for 90 days; however, applying for a Residence Permit after arrival carries risk.
If the Residence Permit decision is not issued within the 90-day visa-free period, the student must leave Austria and the Schengen Area.
For this reason, applying via the Austrian Embassy in London before departure is strongly recommended.
Residence Permit Document Requirements
Core Documents
- Signed application form
- Valid passport (all pages copied)
- Passport photograph (issued within 6 months)
- Confirmation of admission from the Austrian university
Proof of Financial Means (Key Risk Area)
Applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds for 12 months in advance.
- The bank account must be in the student’s own name
- Funds must be accessible from Austria
If accommodation costs exceed EUR 309.93 per month, additional funds must be shown.
Accepted financial evidence includes:
- Bank statements covering the last 6 months
- Scholarship award confirmations
- EU-based financial guarantees (Haftungserklärung)
- Parental or spousal sponsorship with supporting documents
- Employment income evidence
- Savings or asset-based funding sources
Health Insurance Requirements
Health insurance must:
- Cover at least EUR 30,000
- Be valid for all Schengen countries
- Cover the entire duration of stay
- Include medical repatriation
- Include COVID-19 cover
Police Clearance Certificate: ACRO Required, DBS Not Accepted
Austria does not accept DBS certificates for visa or residence applications.
UK students must provide:
- A UK ACRO Police Certificate
- Issued within the last 3 months
- Legalised and translated into German
DBS certificates are designed for domestic UK employment and are frequently rejected by Austrian authorities.
Apostille and Legalisation Requirements
Foreign official documents such as:
- ACRO Police Certificates
- Birth certificates
must be:
- Properly issued
- Apostilled by the UK government
- Translated into German by a sworn translator
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) issues UK Apostille.
Incorrect sequencing or missing apostilles is a common cause of delay.
Application Submission
You should submit your Visa D and Residence Permit applications in person at the Austrian Embassy in London.
Austrian Embassy forward documents to Austria by official courier, typically on a fortnightly schedule.
After Arrival in Austria
Students staying longer than three months must:
- Register their address (Anmeldebescheinigung)
- Within three working days
- At the local Magistrat or Bezirkshauptmannschaft
How Ginkgo Advisory Assists UK Students
Ginkgo Advisory supports UK students and families with document compliance and legalisation, including:
- UK ACRO Police Certificate applications
- FCDO apostille processing
- Correct sequencing to avoid rejection
Our role is to ensure documents are correct, compliant, and accepted the first time, reducing delays and risk during time-sensitive university exchanges.
Key Summary
- Up to 6 months: Visa D
- Over 6 months: Visa D + Residence Permit
- Police certificate: ACRO only, DBS not accepted
- Apostille: UK FCDO required
- Time-critical cases should prepare documents before travel
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