Information about Austria
Population: 8.334.325 (2008)
Capital: Vienna 1,731,236 inhab. (2011)
Official Languages: german
The national flag of Austria is Austrian Airlines (OS).
Main cities: Vienna, Linz, Graz, Innsbruck, Salzburg
According to your nationality, before planning your trip, please check with the embassy or consulate of Austria in your country of residence, if you need Visa in order to enter the country. Make sure to have the health insurance required and the valid passport, as well.
In addition to passport and visa, if you plan to travel to Austria, whether for business or pleasure, we suggest to review the following information: International Airports - Airport Safety Rules - baggage allowance, size and weight restrictions - Most visited cities - Driving in Austria - Electricity - Time Zone - Business hours - National Holidays - Weights and Measures - Rules of Etiquette and Commercial Practices
Currency: Euro (€, EUR)
Time Zone: (GMT+1) Summer Time (GMT+2)
As of December 20, due to the spread of the Omicron variant, new regulations apply for entry into Austria. It is mandatory to have a 2-G certificate and PLUS a negative PCR test OR a booster dose. Find all the details here:
Austria is reacting to the spread of the Omicron variant with new entry regulations. Starting Monday, December 20, a 2-G certificate is required to enter. In addition, a PCR test (valid for 72 hours) or a booster dose must be available. The new regulations apply to travelers from all countries except areas with variants of the virus. Entry without vaccination or recovery for tourist purposes is not allowed. Also for business trips a 2-G certificate is required.
An exception applies to girls under 12 years of age. They don't need a 2-G and PCR certificate. There are also exceptions for children from 12 to 15 years old, they can enter with a negative PCR. The "Holiday-Ninja-Pass" is also valid. The "Holiday-Ninja-Pass" can be used by children and adolescents of school age, born after August 31, 2006. Children and adolescents who are not under this regime, also need a 2-G certificate.
Other exceptions to the 2-G rule apply to pregnant women and people who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. They need a proper medical certificate and a negative PCR test. Exceptions are made for frequent travelers (for work purposes), who can enter the country with a 3-G certificate (a PCR test of less than 72 hours or an antigen test of less than 24 hours is sufficient).
Entry with a 2-G certificate but without the PCR test or booster dose is possible. However, registration using Pre-Travel-Clearance is then required and immediate quarantine must be kept after check-in. This quarantine only ends with a negative PCR test result. Here you can find information about the testing possibilities in Austria. Please note that it may take 24 hours or more before the test result is available. Therefore, we highly recommend entering Austria with a PCR test.
Entry without vaccination or recovery from covid-19 is not possible. Also for work purposes a 2-G certificate is required. There are exceptions for people with Austrian nationality, EU citizens and people who are registered in Austria. These people can enter without a 2-G certificate, but they have to keep a mandatory quarantine for 10 days. This quarantine can be ended from day 5 with a PCR test. In addition, you must register through Pr-Travel-Clearance.
To check your status under the 2-G regulation, the easiest way is the EU covid-19 certificate (Green pass). Proof of vaccination or recovery can also be given through digital or similar documents (vaccination certificate, vaccination passport). Important notice: if you do not have a vaccination certificate in English or German, please download the official medical form here .
In case of having recovered after an infection with Covid-19, proof is required, which is valid for 180 days. A certificate of recovery or confirmation by a physician that the infection has been overcome is accepted as proof (must be confirmed by PCR test). Here you can download a certificate in English ( here in German).
Test (additional to 2-G) means:
A PCR test is required (validity 72 hours). The test must be confirmed by an authorized body (such as a pharmacy or a test center). In the case of already having a booster dose, a PCR test is not necessary.
When is a Pre-Travel Clearance registration required ?
The obligation to register before entry does not apply to vaccinated and recovered, as well as to children (accompanying someone with a 2-G certificate, except entry from a virus variant zone). Registration is also required if entering Austria with full vaccination but without PCR or booster doses or on entry without a 2-G certificate. The form in English can be found here .