Where to Apply
Austrian Embassy in Belgrade
- Address: Omladinskih brigada 88a, Beograd - map card, you can build a route
- Phone: +381 11 3336500
- Email: belgrad-ob@bmeia.gv.at
- Website: www.bmeia.gv.at/belgrad
Austria does not work through visa centers like VFS or BLS - all documents are submitted directly to the embassy.
How to Schedule an Appointment
- Send an email to belgrad-ob@bmeia.gv.at.
- In the email, include:
- Full name and date of birth
- Citizenship (Russian Federation)
- Purpose of travel (tourism)
- Planned travel dates
- Confirmation of residence permit in Serbia
- Attach a scan of the first page of your passport and residence permit.
- Wait for a response - usually within 1-2 days.
Slots
- Appointments are scheduled about 3-4 months in advance.
- For 2026, slots were issued in February-March when applying in October-November 2025.
- Sometimes earlier dates become available due to rejections - re-check if you need earlier dates.
Required Documents
Basic Package
- Completed application form (by hand or in PDF).
- One biometric photo (not older than 6 months).
- Passport + copy of the main page.
- Copy of Serbia's residence permit (both sides of the plastic card or read document).
- Copies of all Schengen visas obtained in Serbia.
- Medical insurance for €30,000 (Russian insurance policies are NOT accepted).
- Confirmation of accommodation booking.
- Confirmation of transportation (tickets or booking).
- Financial documents (see below).
- Travel itinerary.
- The link comes in the email with the slot.
- Can be filled out by hand in English.
- In field 11 (JMBG), leave blank - Russian citizens do not have this number.
- In field 27 (date of departure), indicate the desired visa end date, not the specific trip.
Translations
- All documents not written in English, German, or Serbian are translated.
- Certified translation is NOT required - a printed text on a separate sheet is sufficient.
- For simple certificates, Google Translate or ChatGPT will suffice.
Do not translate:
- Read residence permit/permanent residence.
- Serbian insurance (usually already bilingual).
Financial Documents
Bank Statements
- Only statements from Serbian banks are accepted; Russian accounts are NOT accepted.
- The statement must not be older than 30 days at the time of submission.
- Show income for the last 3 months (only income, expenses are not needed).
- If desired, you can highlight the necessary lines with a marker.
Banks that Accept
- Raiffeisen Banka Srbija
- Intesa Sanpaolo Banka Srbija
- Komercijalna banka
- Alpha bank Srbija
- Other Serbian banks are also suitable.
Amount
There are no exact requirements, but the guideline is ≈€150 per day of stay. It's better to show a maximum of funds on all accounts.
- A letter in free form in English, indicating the names of the sponsored, passport numbers, and travel dates.
- Attach documents on kinship with translation and sponsor's financial documents.
For Self-Employed in Serbia
- Statement on the business account for 3 months.
- Certificate from the tax office on the state of obligations (not always required).
- Office rental agreement with translation.
Cost and Terms
Visa Fees (from 12.06.2024)
- Adults - €90
- Children 6-12 years - €45
- Children under 6 years - free
Payment - at the place of submission in dinars at the NBS exchange rate, cash.
Processing Times
- Officially - 14 days.
- Actually - 7-14 calendar days; in summer, it may take up to 2-3 weeks.
- Expedited consideration is possible in special circumstances (report in advance).
Obtaining a Passport
- The embassy calls when the visa is ready.
- You can pick up your passport on the same day after the call.
- If you need a passport urgently during consideration, warn in advance - they may return it temporarily.
Types of Visas
Tourist Visa C
- The first visa is usually single-entry for the dates of travel.
- If there is a second visa, two entries are possible for two trips.
- A multiple-entry visa is very rare; you need to prove regular trips to Austria.
National Visa D
- For study, work, family reunification.
- The procedure is separate; appointments are made faster, and the list of documents differs from the tourist one.
Life Hacks and Tips
- Finances: stable income to a Serbian account, better to show several sources.
- Real Estate: rental or purchase agreement in Serbia strengthens chances.
- Family ties: children in school, spouse works in Serbia - that's a plus.
- Schengen: previous visas without violations always work in your favor.
- Travel itinerary: specific route, dates, and confirmed accommodation for the first part of the trip.
Connection with Serbia (proof of return)
- Rental agreement + translation.
- Certificate of employment in Serbia.
- Certificate from child's school.
- Permanent residence/residence permit must be valid for at least 3 months after return.
Traveling by Car
- Vignette for Austria (can be bought online on asfinag.at).
- SAO-bračajna, driver's license, car insurance.
- Copies of car documents with translation; if rental - copy of rental agreement.
Route
- Austria should have more days than other Schengen countries.
- You can enter through Hungary, the main thing is more nights in Austria.
- The first entry is not necessarily in Austria, but plan so that the main part of the stay is there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a multiple-entry visa?
Very difficult. Usually, it's given after 3+ Austrian visas and regular trips to Austria. Don't count on it for the first visa.
Can I cancel booking after receiving a visa?
Technically possible, but risky. Austrians don't check as strictly as Hungarians, but they might start. Better not to risk it.
Do I need a certificate of no criminal record?
For tourist visa C - no. Required only for national visa D.
Do they accept Russian insurance policies?
NO. The letter clearly states "Russian insurances are not accepted". Buy Serbian (Grawe, Dunav) or European policies.
Can I submit documents on an empty passport?
Yes, but attach copies of the old passport with visas and an explanatory letter.
What about transit through Vienna?
For a short transfer within one terminal, no visa is required. When changing terminals or flying - a visa is mandatory.
How much money to show?
There are no exact requirements, guideline ≈€150/day + reserve. The main thing is stable income in Serbia.
When to apply for New Year's holidays?
Send a request for a slot in July-August, considering a 4-month queue.
Is the presence of all applicants mandatory?
Yes, including children. Exception - children under 2 years.
Can I pick up a passport for another person?
Possible, but coordinate this with the embassy in advance.
This article is compiled based on the experience of the Serbia community: visas for other countries. Information may become outdated - check official sources.