Austria reopened to international travel in June 2021, and currently, travelers from all countries can enter Austria as long as they abide by Austria’s entry requirements.
Travelers from so-called “safe countries” must present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, proof of recovery from COVID-19, a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of entry, or a negative antigen test result within 48 hours of entry. They are not required to register for pre-travel clearance or self-isolate, even if they present a test result instead of proof of vaccination or recovery.
Is Austria Open for Tourists? – Latest Austria Travel Restrictions
Travelers from all other countries must present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, proof of recovery from COVID-19, a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours of entry, or a negative antigen test result from within 48 hours of entry. Travelers who present proof of vaccination or recovery do not have to register for pre-travel clearance or self-isolate.
Travelers from these countries who show proof of a negative test result must register digitally prior to entering Austria to obtain pre-travel clearance. They must also self-isolate for 10 days from their arrival in Austria, although they can take a COVID-19 test after 5 days of self-isolation if they want to end their self-isolation early.
*Note: as of November 8, 2021, unvaccinated people may enter the country, but they cannot enter hotels, bars, restaurants, and cultural facilities within Austria. They can still use essential services, such as grocery stores, post offices, and public transportation*.
Can I travel to Austria right now?
You can travel to Austria from any country right now. Below is a map of all the countries that can visit Austria at the moment.
AUSTRIA - EN
Austria COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements
Austria’s entry requirements depend on your vaccination status and the country you are traveling from.
If you are traveling from a “safe country,” you must present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, proof of recovery from COVID-19, a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours prior to entry, or a negative antigen test result within 48 hours prior to entry. You do not have to register for pre-travel clearance or self-isolate, even if you provide a test result instead of proof of vaccination or recovery.
Austria COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements
If you are traveling from any other country, you can present either a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, proof of recovery from COVID-19, a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours prior to entry, or a negative antigen test result from within 48 hours of entry. If you provide proof of vaccination or recovery, you do not have to self-isolate or register for pre-travel clearance.
If you present a negative test result to enter Austria, you must register digitally before entering Austria and self-isolate for 10 days from your arrival. Alternatively, if you want to end your self-isolation period early, you can take a COVID-19 test on the 5th day of your self-isolation period.
Business travelers who present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, proof of recovery from COVID-19, a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours of entry, or a negative antigen test result from within 48 hours of entry do not have to register for pre-travel clearance or self-isolate as long as they have proof that they are traveling for business reasons.
COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Austria
Travelers who have a valid proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 are exempt from registering for pre-travel clearance and from self-isolating on arrival in Austria, regardless of the country they are traveling from.
Travelers are considered vaccinated if they have received both doses of a two-dose vaccine, if it has been 22 days since they received their Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or if they have had a COVID infection and received one vaccination dose. Acceptable vaccines include Pfizer, AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria and Covishield), Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Sinovac, and Sinopharm.
COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Austria
The vaccine certificate is valid for 360 days after the second dose of a two-dose vaccine and for 360 days after a COVID infection and one vaccine dose. One-dose vaccine certificates are valid for 270 days after 22 days have elapsed since receipt of the vaccine.
Travelers who have recovered from COVID-19 can enter Austria for 180 days after their infection. Proof of antibodies is valid for 90 days from the test date.
Proof of vaccination or recovery can be a doctor’s certificate, a vaccination certificate/card/passport/electronic vaccine passport pdf, or an official/medical certificate proving a past infection. The certificate should be in either German or English.
Is PCR testing mandatory to travel to Austria?
Travelers who do not have proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 must present either a negative PCR test result within 72 hours prior to entry or a negative antigen test result within 48 hours prior to entry.
The test result/medical certificate must be in German or English and can be digital or paper. Children under the age of 12 are exempt from the testing entry requirement.
Travelers from countries that are not considered “safe countries” who do not want to self-isolate for the full 10 days from their arrival can take a COVID-19 test on day 5 of their self-isolation period and end their self-isolation early if they receive a negative result.
Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Austria?
Travelers coming from countries that are not considered “safe countries” who provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result to enter Austria must self-isolate for 10 days from their arrival in Austria.
Alternatively, if they want to end their self-isolation early, they can take a COVID-19 test on day 5 of their self-isolation period.
Travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Austria
It is not mandatory to have travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Austria, but if you want medical coverage while traveling abroad, travel insurance is the best way to get covered.
Looking for the best travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage? Heymondo is what you need. Their policies offer a high amount of coverage, particularly for COVID-19 testing and treatment abroad, while still being affordable. You can even save 5% on Heymondo insurance with the discount link below.
Other travel restrictions for Austria during COVID-19
Austria has implemented a few other travel restrictions:
- Travelers who do not present proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 must register digitally before entering Austria to get pre-travel clearance.
- Medical-grade masks (FFP2, KN95) must be worn on public transportation and in retail businesses and museums.
- Social distancing rules must be observed.
- You may need a tourist visa to visit Austria. Check if you need one below.
What’s open in Austria
Although unvaccinated people can enter Austria, only vaccinated/recovered people can go to hotels and restaurants, which are open. Generally, anyone can enter attractions, which are also open.
What’s open in Austria
Austria has a “2G rule,” where people must show proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 to enter hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, leisure centers, gyms, cultural institutions, ski lifts, and body-related services (i.e., hair salon).
Valid proof of vaccination is a vaccine certificate/card/passport/EU Digital COVID Certificate in German or English. Acceptable vaccines include Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and Moderna. To be considered vaccinated, people must have received all doses of their vaccine. Valid proof of recovery is an official/medical certificate proving a past infection.
People must wear FFP2 face masks on public transport, in cable cars, and in all retail businesses and museums.
Hotels that are open in Austria
You won’t have to worry about finding a great place to stay in Austria because hotels are open.
We highly recommend these accommodations in Austria:
Guests must show proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 when checking into their accommodation. They will also be required to complete a registration form.
More details on hotel regulations can be found here and here.
Attractions that are open and tours that are operating in Austria
Dying to check out one of Vienna’s many wonderful art museums? Excited to go on a Sound of Music tour? Luckily, attractions, such as museums and palaces, are open and tours are operating.
These are some of our favorite things to see and do in Austria right now:
- Vienna: City Highlights Walking Tour
- Vienna City Card and Public Transport
- Vienna: Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens Skip-the-Line Tour
- Vienna: Ticket for Mozart & Strauss Concert in Kursalon Vienna
- Salzburg: Original Sound of Music Tour
- Salzburg 2.5-Hour Walking Tour: Mozart, Old Town & More
In museums and attractions, visitors must wear FFP2 face masks. For most museums and attractions, visitors do not have to present proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19.
More information on attraction regulations is available here and here.
Restaurants and bars that are open in Austria
Get ready to try some delicious Austrian beer, schnitzel, wurst, and Sachertorte because restaurants and bars in Austria are open.
Restaurants and bars that are open in Austria
To enter bars and restaurants, customers must show proof of full vaccination or past infection. Customers are considered fully vaccinated if they have received both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a one-dose vaccine. Children under the age of 12 (under the age of 6 in Vienna) are exempt from presenting proof of vaccination or recovery.
Customers should wear FFP2 face masks when entering, walking around, and exiting a restaurant/bar.
More details on restaurant and bar regulations can be found here and here.
Airports that are open in Austria
Austria’s three main international airports, Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck are all open.
Travelers must wear FFP2 face masks in all three airports and keep at least one meter away from others.
Where to get a PCR test in Austria
Your country may require you to take a PCR test in order to fly back home. If you need to get a PCR test in Austria, you can find more information on getting tested here and here.
Austria reopening its borders to tourists – F.A.Q.
Check out these FAQs related to Austria reopening for tourists and let us know if you have any other questions in the comments below.
Sources
We will update this guide on Austria reopening to tourism with any new developments. If you need more information on travel to Austria, you can check these official sources:
- US Embassy Updates on COVID-19 in Austria
- CDC Travel Recommendations for Austria
- General Austria Travel Advisory
- Entry Regulations for Austria
- Pre-Travel Clearance Digital Registration Form
- General Information on Restrictions Within Austria
- Information on COVID Testing and Presenting Proof of Vaccination/Recovery to Enter Businesses
- Regulations for Hotels and Restaurants
- Regulations for Cultural Institutions and Vienna