Austria

Terrorist attacks can occur at any time. On 2 November 2020, four people were killed in an attack in the inner city of Vienna. 

Terrorists have staged attacks in other European cities in recent years. Targets include:

• airports
• public transport, including train stations
• places of worship
• sporting venues
• areas that attract large groups of people
• places popular with foreigners

European security services have stopped some planned attacks.

To protect yourself from terrorist threats:

• be alert to possible threats, especially in public areas
• be cautious in areas known to be targets
• report suspicious behaviour or unattended bags to the police
• monitor the media for new threats
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the instructions of local authorities

If there's an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe. Avoid the affected area in case of secondary attacks.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorism

Austria has a low rate of serious crime.

Petty crime is increasing on public transport and in tourist areas. This includes:

• bag snatching
• pickpocketing

Hotspots for crime include:

• Vienna's largest train stations — Hauptbahnhof, Westbahnhof and Meidling
• tourist attractions, including St Stephen's Cathedral, the Imperial Palace and nearby shopping areas

Thieves are active on international trains and buses.

To reduce your risk of crime:

• take care in areas popular with tourists and on public transport and at transport hubs
• keep your belongings closed at all times and close to you, particularly in crowded areas
• keep your passport separate from your other ID

Scams and fraud

ATM fraud occurs in Vienna, particularly around St Stephen's Cathedral.

To reduce your risk of ATM fraud:

• be alert when using ATMs — don't let anyone see your PIN
• always keep your card in sight
• check your card transactions

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

Avoid crowds, protests and demonstrations.

Follow the advice of local authorities.

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Alpine areas

Avalanches, flash flooding and mudslides occur. Several people have died in recent years.

Weather in alpine regions is unpredictable. It can change suddenly.

Skiing outside of prepared skiing areas is dangerous.

For avalanche updates in English, register with the:

• Avalanche Warning Service Tyrol (German)
• European Avalanche Warning Service

Before you travel to alpine areas:

• get the right equipment
• plan your activities
• tell someone about your plans
• check your travel insurance covers planned activities

When you're travelling in alpine areas:

• monitor local weather and safety conditions, particularly during severe weather
• take weather warnings seriously
• follow the advice of local authorities
• obey warnings and notices
• stick to marked slopes and trails

Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters. 

This advice predates COVID-19 and the Australian Government's travel ban for all Australians.

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. Consider whether you may be in a vulnerable category for COVID-19.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

More information:

• General health advice
• International travel and health

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Austria. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a dated letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medicine is
• how much you'll take
• that it's for personal use

More information:

• Medicine

COVID-19

COVID−19 remains a risk in Austria. Public health measures are in place to help protect you and others. You must wear a face mask on public transport and in enclosed public spaces. Children under six years of age and those unable to wear masks for health reasons are not required to do so. You must maintain a safety distance of 1 metre from other people where possible. You can be fined if you don’t follow the public health measures in place.

To protect yourself and others from illness:

• practice good hygiene
• stay home if you’re unwell
• self-quarantine as soon as you can if you think you have symptoms of COVID-19. Call the health hotline on 1450 for further instructions

More information:

• Coronavirus information and hotlines (Austrian Federal Ministry for Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection)
• Coronavirus in Austria (Metropole - English language media in Austria) 
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Department of Health)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Tick-borne encephalitis is a risk in forested areas.

Ticks are most common in country areas. They're active from spring to autumn.

Cases of West Nile virus have occurred throughout Austria. There's no vaccine for it.

To protect yourself from illness:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

To reduce your risk of tick-borne disease:

• check your body for ticks during and after visiting forests
• remove ticks as soon as possible, making sure to remove the whole tick
• monitor the tick site for signs of infection

More information:

• Infectious diseases

Medical facilities

Health facilities are of a similar standard to Australia.

Most doctors speak English.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Drugs

Penalties for possessing or trafficking drugs are severe. This includes long jail terms and heavy fines.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Other laws

You must always carry ID or store it in a location you can access at short notice. You may be asked to produce it by local police.

It's illegal to preach unless you belong to a registered religious group and have a permit.

If you're in public places or buildings, it's illegal to cover your face with clothing or objects so you can't be recognised.

You may have to attend a police station if:

• you refuse to uncover your face when asked
• it's not possible to confirm your identity

More information:

• Austrian Interior Ministry (German)

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

If you're an Australian-Austrian dual national and you visit Austria, you may have to complete national service.

Contact the embassy or consulate of Austria for advice before you travel.

More information:

• Dual nationals

Austria is part of the Schengen area. This means you can enter Austria without a visa in some cases.

In other situations, you'll need to get a visa.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact an embassy or consulate of Austria for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Global travel has been impacted by COVID-19 and remains unpredictable. Your plans may be disrupted at short notice. Be aware of the risks of travelling at this time and make informed decisions about your travel. See the COVID-19 Information for Australian Travellers.

Entry into Austria

Austria is part of the Schengen Area. Refer to the European Commission Re-open EU web platform for country-specific information for each EU Member State, including on entry restrictions.

As of 15 January 2021, mandatory online registration (Pre-Travel-Clearance) is required from all travellers wishing to enter Austria.

Austria maintains a list of countries you can travel from (in German) without needing to provide a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test to enter, or undergo quarantine on arrival. Australia is included in the list, however you can’t leave Australia unless you receive an exemption from Home Affairs. You must be able to demonstrate you have only been in countries on the list in the 10 days prior to your arrival. If you are outside the Schengen Area and are not travelling from the list of allowed countries, you will not be able to enter. Some exemptions apply in very specific cases.

Austria maintains a list of risk areas. Subject to nationality, travellers from risk areas may be prohibited to enter Austria, or need to quarantine for 10 days on arrival. In such cases, you can take a PCR or antigen test after 5 days and end your quarantine period if it returns a negative result. Entry restrictions are subject to change and may do so at short notice.

Australians from the region seeking to depart from Austrian airports or seeking to cross Austria to another destination can transit Austria to do so. You don't need a medical certificate confirming you have a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test result if you're entering Austria for the purpose of transit. But you must provide proof of immediate departure. 

Land borders are open, but you may be subject to a random check by Austrian health authorities.

Departure from Austria

Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck Airport are open. Be aware that flights are less frequent than before the pandemic and may be subject to change or be cancelled.

Refer to the relevant travel advisory of neighbouring countries for departure and entry information for that country.

Staying in Austria

If you’re remaining in Austria, find out about visa regulations in place and follow the advice of local authorities (see links below).

Lockdown measures are in place across Austria. You can only leave your home for limited reasons, such as to go to work if necessary, to buy essentials or for physical activity. Limits on gatherings apply at all times. Accommodation is only available for business purposes. Food shops and pharmacies  are open. Customer limits and other restrictions apply. You must comply with hygiene and social distancing measures at all times.

• Take care to protect yourself from exposure to COVID-19 – see Health
• Ensure you have arrangements in place for an extended stay.
• Keep in contact with family and friends so they know you're safe and well.

More information:

• COVID-19 information for travellers to Austria (in German) (Austrian Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism)
• Coronavirus in Austria (current measures, entry requirements, transport and tourism information) (Austria National Tourist Office)
• Coronavirus in Austria - Metropole (information on current measures) (English language media) 
• COVID-19 restrictions traffic light system (in German) (Federal Ministry of Austria for Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection)
• Coronavirus FAQ (in German) (Federal Ministry of Austria for Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection)
• Health certificate  (Federal Ministry of the Interior)
• Pre-Travel-Clearance (Federal Government)
• Flight operations at Vienna Airport
• Information on visa requirements (Federal Ministry of Austria for European and International Affairs)

Get a clear stamp in your passport when you enter the Schengen area for the first time.

If you're staying in private accommodation for more than 3 days, you must register the location with local authorities.

Children

Children aged under 18 years who travel alone or with 1 parent may need a letter of consent from the non-travelling parents. Check with an embassy or consulate of Austria for details.

Validity

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. It can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

Border crossings

See COVID-19 for current information on border restrictions in place.

To avoid problems at border crossings:

• always carry your passport when you cross the border
• monitor the local media for updates
• check with your transport provider or Austrian Railways (OBB)

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible.

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

Austria's currency is the Euro (EUR).

If you're travelling between Austria and a non-EU country, declare all currency equivalent to 10,000 euros or more. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.

If you don't declare it or give incorrect information on entry or exit, you'll be fined.

You don't need to declare funds if you're travelling to or from another EU country.

More information:

• Cash controls in Austria

Driving permit

You can drive on your Australian driver's licence for up to 12 months from your date of entry. This only applies if you're not a resident of Austria.

You must also have either:

• an International Driving Permit (IDP), or
• a German translation of your licence

If you're a resident of Austria, your foreign driver's licence is valid for 6 months from the start of your residency permit.

More information:

• Information on services for foreigners (Austrian Government)

Road travel

Road conditions are generally good. However, roads in alpine areas can be hazardous in winter.

Some mountain roads may close for extended periods.

Winter tyres are mandatory from 1 November to 15 April when driving in winter conditions. Carry snow chains if driving in mountainous areas in winter.

To drive on the motorways (autobahn), you must display a current highway toll sticker, called a vignette.

You can buy a vignette:

• online
• at border crossings
• from petrol stations near the border

Random vignette checks occur. You'll be fined if you don't have one.

If you get out of your vehicle on the shoulder of the road, you must:

• put a warning triangle on the road side behind the vehicle
• wear high-visibility warning vests (driver and passengers)

Check your rental car has the required safety equipment.

More information:

• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Your travel insurance policy may not cover you for an accident while driving a motorbike, quad bike or similar. Check before you drive.

Always wear a helmet.

Public transport

If you travel on public transport without a valid ticket, you'll be fined.

To avoid a fine:

• follow all passenger notices
• validate your ticket before starting your journey
• keep your ticket until the end of your journey
• show your ticket to inspectors if asked

More information:

• Transport and getting around safely

Boat travel

If you plan to join a Danube river cruise, find out about:

• general health advice
• travelling by boat

Make sure you consider border crossings and travel with your passport.

Air travel

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Austria's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 112.

Medical emergencies

Call 112.

Police

Call 112.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Australian Embassy, Vienna

Mattiellistraße 2
A1040 Vienna, Austria
Phone: (+43 1) 506 740
Fax: (+43 1) 506 74185
Email: consular.vienna@dfat.gov.au
Website: austria.embassy.gov.au
Twitter: @AusAmbVIE

See the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia