Visa

Whether you need a visa for Innsbruck, Austria depends on your nationality. Austria is in the Schengen Area, so the rules below are the standard Schengen ones.

If you hold an EU, EEA or Swiss passport

You do not need a visa. You can enter Austria freely under EU free-movement rules, and there are normally no border checks when you arrive from another Schengen country.

Bring with you:

• A valid passport or national ID card.
• Proof of accommodation — a hotel booking or your host's details.
• Your DjangoCon Europe ticket or booking confirmation.
• Travel insurance (optional, but recommended).

Worth checking before you travel: your mobile carrier's roaming terms, so an EU roaming bundle applies rather than out-of-bundle charges.

If you hold any other passport

Citizens of many countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days; everyone else needs a short-stay Schengen visa (type C), which is the right category for attending a conference. Check the requirements for your nationality on the Austrian Ministry for European and International Affairs page.

If you already hold a valid Schengen visa, or a residence permit from another Schengen country, you can generally travel to Austria on it — no separate Austrian visa needed.

Applying for a Schengen visa

We suggest applying 8–10 weeks before the conference. February is peak travel season in the Alps, so leave more room than you think you need.

1. Find where to apply

Apply at the Austrian embassy or consulate responsible for where you live — in some countries applications are handled by an external provider such as VFS Global. If Austria has no representation in your country, another Schengen state may process the application on Austria's behalf.

2. Gather your documents

• Application form — the Schengen visa form, completed and signed.
• Passport — issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen Area.
• Photograph — passport-sized, meeting Schengen specifications.
• Proof of purpose — your DjangoCon Europe ticket confirmation or invitation letter.
• Accommodation — hotel booking or a letter from your host.
• Travel itinerary — return flight bookings or travel reservations.
• Financial proof — bank statements showing sufficient funds, or your DjangoCon Europe grant approval.
• Travel medical insurance — minimum €30,000 cover, valid across the Schengen Area. This one is mandatory.

3. Submit it

Book an appointment and submit in person; biometrics are collected the first time you apply. Pay the fee at submission.

4. Wait for the decision

Most decisions come within 15 calendar days, but some take up to 45. Do not book anything non-refundable until you have yours.

Invitation letters

We provide official invitation letters to international attendees. The letter is a supporting document that confirms you are expected at the conference — it does not guarantee a visa, but consulates generally expect to see one. Email diversity@djangocon.eu to request yours.

If your visa is refused after you have bought a ticket, write to 2027@djangocon.eu and we will sort it out with you.