14 January: From 15 January, only the following countries are considered safe (i.e. travellers arriving from there do not need to quarantine): Australia, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, and the Vatican.

12 January: From 15 January, all travellers entering Austria will need to register electronically in advance to obtain a so-called pre-travel clearance (PTC). At the border, they will have to show their PTC (either digitally or as a hard copy). There are exemptions for unexpected travel due to emergencies.

9 January: Flights from the UK and South Africa are not allowed to land in Austria until 24 January.

8 December: From 19 December 2020, if you are travelling from a risk area, you will have to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in Austria.

Austria is currently in lockdown and hotels and restaurants are closed, making touristic/leisure travel virtually impossible.

For Austrian citizens and residents of Austria, EU, UK, Switzerland, and safe countries, the following rules apply:

Pre-Travel Clearance

Pre-Travel Clearance Required for ALL Travellers

All travellers entering Austria MUST register in advance to obtain a so-called "pre-travel clearance" (PTC). At the border, they will need to show their PTC (either digitally or as a hard copy). All data collected will be deleted 28 days after the traveller has entered Austria.

Find more information on the new pre-travel clearance here and find the PTC form you need to fill in before travelling here.

Pre-Travel Clearance Exemptions

There are certain circumstances that exempt people from the pre-travel clearance requirement. These include travel due to unexpected personal emergencies such as funerals, transit journeys without stopover, regular cross-border commuters, and people travelling to the towns of Vomp-Hinterriss, Mittelberg, and Jungholz.

Quarantine

Quarantine Required When Arriving From Risk Areas

A 10-day self-quarantine is mandatory when arriving from a risk area. Currently, almost all countries worldwide are considered risk areas (exceptions see below).

Ending Quarantine By Getting Tested

After 5 days of quarantine at the earliest, you can get a PCR or antigen test. If the test is negative, you do not need to quarantine further. You may leave quarantine for the express purpose of getting tested. You will have to pay for your own test.

Quarantine Exemptions I: Travellers Arriving From Safe Countries

The only countries considered safe are Australia, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, and the Vatican. When arriving from these countries (and if you have not been in any other countries in the last 10 days), you do not need to quarantine or show a negative COVID test. Like all travellers, you do need to obtain pre-travel clearance (fill the form in here).

Quarantine Exemptions II: Transit Journeys

There are certain circumstances that exempt people from the quarantine requirement. These include travel due to unexpected personal emergencies such as funerals, transit journeys without stopover, regular cross-border commuters, and people travelling to the towns of Vomp-Hinterriss, Mittelberg, and Jungholz. In these instances, no negative test and no quarantine is necessary to enter Austria.

Business Travel: Negative COVID Test Required

Business travellers do not need to quarantine. They do however need to present a medical certificate (download it here) verifying a negative COVID test that has been taken in the 72 hours before entering Austria. Like all travellers, they need to obtain pre-travel clearance (fill the form in here).

Entry Prohibited - Other Third-Country Nationals

Entry is prohibited to third-country nationals when arriving from any states except the Schengen area and the countries listed above as safe countries. Exemptions apply.

The above rules and regulations are in effect until further notice. We will update this page with further information as it becomes available.

Please note: All information presented here has been researched with the utmost care. However, we can provide no guarantee of accuracy.

Certain Austrian embassies and consulates are issuing visas; please check directly with the embassy in your country.

Which countries are considered risk areas?
ALL countries worldwide except Australia, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, and the Vatican.

I am travelling to Austria from a safe country. Do I still need to obtain pre-travel clearance?
Yes, every traveller needs to obtain pre-travel clearance, including children.

Where can I find the pre-travel clearance form?
You can fill in the form here.

Do I still need to quarantine if I show a negative COVID test upon entry?
Yes, apart from the exceptions mentioned above (business travel, transit journey etc.), everyone needs to quarantine.

When entering Austria as a business traveller, my COVID test cannot be older than 72 hours. Is this from when the test was administered or when the result was obtained?
The 72 hours are calculated from when the test was administered.

As a business traveller, where can I download the medical certificate form?
You can download the medical certificate form in English here.

Where can I get a COVID test?
Find a list of laboratories here (German only). In some cases, specialised chemists also offer tests.

Can I leave my place of quarantine to get the test?
Yes. Please try to minimise any exposure to others during your trip.

Can I spend my quarantine with family?
You are allowed to spend your self-quarantine with family at their place of residence. However, contact should be minimised.

If I spend my quarantine with family, do my family members have to quarantine as well?
No, quarantine rules only apply to travellers.

Can I leave the country before my 10 days of quarantine are up?
Yes, you may end your quarantine to leave Austria. Please try to minimise any exposure to others during your trip.

Can I travel to Austria from abroad for a day trip?
Due to quarantine requirements, this will most likely be impossible. Find entry regulations here.

I have a secondary residence in Austria. Can I stay there?
In general, yes. If travelling from abroad, you do however need to adhere to all entry regulations (find them here).