Czech Republic Embassy in Vienna

Embassy of Czech Republic (Czechia) in Vienna, Austria

Overview

The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Vienna represents Czech interests in Austria and maintains bilateral diplomatic relations between the two neighboring nations. Located in Vienna's 14th district (Penzing) at Penzingerstrasse 11-13, the embassy manages one of the Czech Republic's most important bilateral relationships. Czech Republic and Austria share a 402-kilometer border, deep historical connections (both were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918), and extensive contemporary cooperation as European Union members, NATO allies (Czech Republic), and Schengen Area participants. The relationship encompasses intensive economic integration, cross-border regional cooperation, cultural exchanges, educational partnerships, and daily people-to-people contacts. Approximately 50,000 Czechs live in Austria (making them one of the largest foreign communities), while many Austrians own property in the Czech Republic, particularly in South Bohemian and South Moravian regions near the Austrian border. The embassy coordinates political dialogue on EU affairs, regional security, and bilateral issues, while promoting economic cooperation and providing consular services. Beyond Vienna, the Czech Republic maintains an extensive consular network in Austria with honorary consulates in Graz (Styria), Innsbruck (Tyrol), Linz (Upper Austria), and Salzburg, ensuring comprehensive coverage across Austria's federal states. Czech-Austrian relations are characterized by pragmatic cooperation, mutual economic benefit, and strong regional ties at the border areas.
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Visa Services

As both the Czech Republic and Austria are European Union members and Schengen Area participants, Austrian citizens do not require visas to visit the Czech Republic. Austrian nationals enjoy complete freedom of movement under EU law and can travel, live, work, and study in the Czech Republic without any visa or entry requirements. The same reciprocal arrangement allows Czech citizens to freely travel and reside in Austria. For third-country nationals residing in Austria who require visas to visit the Czech Republic, the embassy processes Schengen visa applications following standardized EU procedures. Applicants must submit: completed Schengen visa application form, valid passport with minimum 6 months validity beyond intended stay and at least two blank pages, recent biometric photograph meeting Schengen specifications, travel health insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage valid throughout the Schengen area, confirmed accommodation reservations and detailed travel itinerary in the Czech Republic, proof of sufficient financial means for the duration of stay, and visa fee payment. Appointments are required for all visa applications—contact the Consular Section at ku_vienna@mzv.cz to schedule. Consular Section hours are limited (Monday-Friday 08:30-11:00), so advance planning is essential. Processing typically takes 15 calendar days but may extend to 30 days in complex cases. The embassy handles significant visa volumes given Austria's substantial third-country resident population, particularly from Western Balkans, Turkey, and other regions. Honorary consulates in other Austrian cities can provide basic information but visa processing occurs in Vienna.
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Consular Services

The Consular Section (email: ku_vienna@mzv.cz; open Monday-Friday 08:30-11:00) provides comprehensive services for Czech nationals in Austria. Services include passport issuance and renewal for Czech citizens, national identity card processing, birth registration for children born abroad to Czech parents, civil status registration including marriages and deaths, document legalization and apostille services for documents intended for use in Czech Republic or abroad, notarial services including powers of attorney and statutory declarations, military registration documentation for Czech men, electoral registration for voting in Czech parliamentary and presidential elections from abroad, emergency travel documents for lost or stolen passports, and emergency consular assistance for Czech nationals in distress. The embassy serves one of the largest Czech expatriate communities in Europe—approximately 50,000 Czechs live in Austria, concentrated in Vienna and border regions. Many Czechs work in Austria (particularly in Vienna, Lower Austria, and Upper Austria) while maintaining strong ties to Czech Republic. Austrian citizens can obtain document authentication services for papers intended for Czech use, information about Czech residence requirements, and assistance with Czech-related matters. Important: Consular hours are limited to mornings only (08:30-11:00)—appointments are mandatory. Honorary consulates in Graz, Innsbruck, Linz, and Salzburg can provide basic consular information and assistance but most formal consular services require visiting Vienna. Always check www.mzv.cz/vienna for current procedures, required documentation, fees, and online appointment booking. The embassy coordinates with Austrian authorities on consular matters and maintains close cooperation given the large Czech community.
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Business Support

The embassy actively promotes economic and commercial relations between Czech Republic and Austria, managing one of Czech Republic's most significant bilateral economic relationships. Austria ranks among Czech Republic's top trading partners and is a major source of foreign direct investment. Key sectors include automotive manufacturing and components (Austria has significant automotive industry; Czech Republic is major producer), machinery and mechanical engineering, electronics and electrical equipment, wood products and furniture, food and beverage products, construction and building materials, financial services (Austrian banks have major presence in Czech Republic), tourism (Czechs are important visitors to Austria; Austrians represent major source market for Czech tourism), and retail (Austrian retail chains operate extensively in Czech Republic). The embassy facilitates business matchmaking and networking, provides market intelligence and sector analysis, assists Czech companies navigating Austrian market and Austrian businesses exploring Czech opportunities, supports participation in trade fairs, and coordinates with Austrian Economic Chamber (WKÖ) and Czech chambers of commerce. Czech-Austrian economic integration benefits from geographic proximity, shared border with no controls (since Schengen accession), excellent transport infrastructure (multiple highway crossings, rail links including Vienna-Prague and Vienna-Brno express trains), complementary economic structures, and cultural affinity. Substantial cross-border commuting occurs, with thousands of Czechs working in Austria (particularly border regions) while living in Czech Republic. The embassy works to deepen economic ties while addressing issues like labor mobility, taxation coordination, and regulatory alignment.
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Special Notes

The embassy is located at Penzingerstrasse 11-13, 1140 Wien (14th district, Penzing), accessible by U-Bahn line U3 (Hütteldorfer Straße station) and multiple tram and bus lines. Phone: +43 1 899 58 111. General email: vienna@embassy.mzv.cz. Consular Section email: ku_vienna@mzv.cz. Website www.mzv.cz/vienna provides comprehensive information including consular hours, appointment booking, required documents, fees, and processing times. Important: Consular Section hours are very limited (Monday-Friday 08:30-11:00 only)—appointments are mandatory and should be scheduled well in advance. No walk-in consular services available. The embassy is closed on both Czech and Austrian national holidays. Additional Czech representations in Austria: Honorary Consulates in Graz (serving Styria, Carinthia, Burgenland), Innsbruck (Tyrol, Vorarlberg), Linz (Upper Austria), and Salzburg. These honorary consulates provide basic information and limited assistance but most official consular services require Vienna. For emergency consular assistance outside office hours, emergency contact numbers are available on the website. The Czech-Austrian border has been control-free since December 2007 when Czech Republic joined Schengen Area. The border regions maintain intensive cooperation through Euroregions that coordinate economic development, infrastructure, cultural, and environmental projects. The embassy promotes Czech culture through film screenings, concerts, exhibitions, and Czech language courses in Vienna.
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