23 March 2021
There's a ban on overseas travel from Australia. You can’t leave Australia unless you have an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs, or are travelling to a destination that is exempt from the ban.
Our global travel advice remains at 'Do not travel' due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel. Some destinations were already set at Do Not Travel prior to COVID-19 due to the extreme risk to your safety.
If you’re overseas and wish to return to Australia, be prepared for delays and read our advice on trying to get home.
When you arrive in Australia you must quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities in your port of arrival, unless you have an exemption or are travelling on a quarantine-free flight from a green zone destination. At this time, vaccination against COVID-19 does not change this quarantine requirement. You may be required to pay for the costs of your quarantine. View State and Territory Government COVID-19 information for information about quarantine and domestic borders.
If you're staying overseas, make plans to stay for an extended period. Follow the advice of local authorities and minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19. Stay in touch with family and friends so they know you're safe.
Our network of embassies and consular posts around the world will provide you with up-to-date local advice and support throughout this difficult period. Be aware consular services may be limited due to local measures.
For the latest information, read and subscribe to our news and travel advice. Also see our COVID-19 information pages.
Call 112.
Call 112.
Call 112.
Do not travel to Austria.
Do not travel overseas due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
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:
European security services have stopped some planned attacks.
To protect yourself from terrorist threats:
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:
Austria has a low rate of serious crime.
Petty crime is increasing on public transport and in tourist areas. This includes:
Hotspots for crime include:
Thieves are active on international trains and buses.
To reduce your risk of crime:
ATM fraud occurs in Vienna, particularly around St Stephen's Cathedral.
To reduce your risk of ATM fraud:
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:
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:
Before you travel to alpine areas:
When you're travelling in alpine areas:
Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. A ban on overseas travel from Australia remains in place. You can’t leave Australia unless you get an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs.
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:
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:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
More information:
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:
More information:
COVID−19 remains a risk in Austria. Public health measures are in place to help protect you and others. These measures may vary according to location. For the latest information please follow local media and the websites of the Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism and the Austrian National Tourist Office. You can be fined if you don’t follow the public health measures in place.
To protect yourself and others from illness:
For information on Austria's COVID−19 vaccination program, refer to the Austrian vaccination initiative website (German). You should consult your local health professional for advice on vaccine options, including assistance that may be available locally. The Australian Government cannot provide advice on the safety, quality and efficacy of vaccines that have been approved for use outside of Australia's regulatory process.
More information:
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:
To reduce your risk of tick-borne disease:
More information:
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.
Penalties for possessing or trafficking drugs are severe. This includes long jail terms and heavy fines.
More information:
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:
More information:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
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:
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.
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.
You can travel to Austria without needing to quarantine if you're arriving from an EU or Schengen country, or if you're travelling from a country listed in Appendix 1 of the COVID-19 Entry Regulation 2021. On arrival, all travellers are required to show one of the following documents:
In all instances, documentation must be issued in German or English (such as a yellow vaccination pass or a digital COVID Certificate).
If you cannot present one of these documents you will need to take a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arriving in Austria. In such cases you need to register digitally before travelling to obtain pre-travel clearance, and are required to show proof of it at the border.
You can't enter Austria from a virus variant area (see Appendix 2 of the COVID-19 Entry Regulation 2021) unless you can prove you are ordinarily resident in Austria.
If you're travelling from a country not listed in Appendices 1 or 2 you can enter Austria, but you must register digitally before travelling to obtain pre-travel clearance. You must also provide either
Check with the local authorities on whether they will accept your supporting documentation. More information is available here.
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 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.
Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck Airports 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.
If you’re remaining in Austria, find out about visa regulations in place and follow the advice of local authorities (see links below).
COVID-19 measures are in place across Austria. These measures vary in response to COVID-19 incidence and may differ according to location. For the latest information please follow local media and the websites of the Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism and the Austrian National Tourist Office website.
More information:
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 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.
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.
See COVID-19 for current information on border restrictions in place.
To avoid problems at border crossings:
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.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
Check your rental car has the required safety equipment.
More information:
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.
If you travel on public transport without a valid ticket, you'll be fined.
To avoid a fine:
More information:
If you plan to join a Danube river cruise, find out about:
Make sure you consider border crossings and travel with your passport.
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:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 112.
Call 112.
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.
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.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.