Tourist Guides in Austria
Introduction
The Austriaguides are a committed team of specially qualified tourist guides who introduce Austria's culture and history to their clients in more than 40 languages. In addition to round trips, guided city tours, excursions, study trips, and museum tours, they can also plan and organise individual itineraries.
The Austriaguides are represented in all nine federal states:
Alternatively, this search tool will help you find the perfect guide for your clients by using search criteria such as region, languages, and specific topics: www.findaguide.at.
Definition of tour leaders & tourist guides
Under the Austrian Trade Regulation Act, a distinction is made between tour leaders (Reiseleiter/Reisebetreuer) and licensed tourist guides (Fremdenführer).
A tour leader accompanies the group during the whole time of the trip from its very origin to its very end. He/she may provide organisational support such as coordination, transfers, bringing the goup to the restaurant/hotel, general assistance to the group etc. This activity is permitted and does not require a licence, provided that no detailed explanations of sights, attractions, cities, political and economic topics etc. are given.
Being a tourist guide in Austria is a licensed business. A licensed tourist guide is required when providing explanations on historical, cultural, or other points of interest. To practise as a licensed tourist guide in Austria, a person must either:
register a business in Austria (which requires long-term residence rights and fulfilment of Austrian qualification requirements), or be a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, established in one of these countries, and submit a declaration for the temporary provision of cross-border services.
Visa requirements for tour leaders
Tour leaders from third countries may enter Austria using a regular Schengen tourist visa (Type C), provided that their activities are limited to short-term services (7 days) for which domestic workers would typically not be employed. This includes, as per the definition above, ensuring compliance with the travel programme, organising transfers, and assisting with accommodation and meals.
Please note that this exception can only be applied to occasional trips and not to frequent or regular assignments. In cases of regular activity in Austria, a work visa including a permit from the Austrian Labor Market Service (AMS) is required.
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