Austria COVID-19 Entry Requirements Travelers Need To Know

Austria was one of the most visited countries in the world prior to the pandemic and received over 28 million visitors a year. The country is well known for its beautiful mountains, skiing, castles, palaces, and stunning architecture. 

Austria has now reopened for tourism once again. Here are all the latest COVID-19 entry requirements for Austria in 2022 and everything you need to know before booking your trip. 

Updated News & Restrictions for Austria in 2022

• Lockdown ended May 19, 2021, with a wide variety of new reopenings inside the nation, including: restaurants, hotels, contact sports, museums, gatherings of 10 outdoors and 4 indoors, etc.
• Another round of openings will come into effect on July 1, 2021 that will see larger gatherings and bigger venues return
• New entry rules were also established May 19, 2021 that allows more entry options for visitors, including proof of recovery and proof of vaccination.
• Austria will be on lockdown from November 22, 2021 to December 13, 2021. Tourist travel will only be allowed after the lockdown lifts.
• As of December 20, 2021, the new 2-G rule is set in place. In addition to being fully vaccinated, visitors must present a negative PCR test OR proof of a booster dose.

Countries Permitted to Enter Austria

Vaccinated and recovered travelers coming from all countries are now permitted to enter Austria.

Note: there is currently an entry ban on Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

COVID-19 Testing Entry Requirements

All travelers entering Austria need to show proof of full vaccination or recovery AND a negative PCR test or proof of a booster shot.

A PCR test is mandatory for travelers who are:

• Fully vaccinated with two doses (or vaccinated with one shot of Johnson & Johnson)
• Recovered
• Recovered and vaccinated with one dose

No PCR test will be required for those:

• Fully vaccinated with booster
• Recovered and fully vaccinated

Meanwhile, everyone arriving from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway need to have the booster AND a 48-hour PCR test to be allowed entry into Austria.

EU+ citizens and residents can still enter Austria without a booster dose or a negative PCR test. But they need to quarantine for ten days upon arrival.

Quarantine Entry Requirements 

EU+ citizens and residents can still enter Austria without a booster dose or a negative PCR test. However, they will need to quarantine for ten days upon arrival. They can be released from quarantine as early as day 5, provided that they are able to present a negative PCR test.

Pre Travel Clearance Form

All passengers, regardless of the country they are coming from, must fill out a pre travel clearance form at least 72 hours before entering Austria

COVID-19 Travel Insurance Entry Requirements 

All incoming travelers should have travel insurance the covers COVID-19 for the duration of their trip to Austria. 

Austria's Health Requirements While Inside the Country (2-G and Digital Green Pass)

As of May 19, 2021 Austria has reopened things like hotels, bars, restaurants and many other tourism-based businesses, but they are applying a sort of ‘vaccine passport' with checks once inside the nation.

Anyone wanting to check into a hotel, visit a museum, take part in an event, etc will need to show they have either recovered or been vaccinated.

Austria is developing a digital ‘Green Pass' app to make this easier to prove on the go, but it's not yet ready. Government officials estimate it should be ready by mid-June. For now, showing your physical papers for negative tests, proof of recovery, or proof of vaccination will suffice.

Update: As of July 2021, Austria has started issuing the EU Digital COVID Certificate.

COVID-19 Vaccine Entry Requirements 

As of December 20, 2021, Austria has made vaccinations a mandatory entry requirement for tourists and business travelers. Proof of recovery + 1 vaccine shot is also allowed for entry.

Vaccinations need to be fully complete, with at least 22 days passed since the last shot. Vaccination types recognized are the same as listed by the EU Commission. Proof of vaccination is only valid for 9 months until further studies are done.

Accepted vaccines include:

• AstraZeneca
• Moderna
• Pfizer/BioNTech
• Johnson & Johnson
• Covishield
• Sinovac
• Sinopharm
• Any mix of the above vaccines

After January 3, 2022, Austria will no longer recognize the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. A booster will be required for entry thereafter.

Note: While all the aforementioned vaccines are allowed for entry to Austria, only Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and Moderna are recognized for entry to establishments during your stay.

READ MORE:

All Countries Reopening For Tourism

Countries allowing Proof of Recovery, proof of Vaccination, or Antigen Tests for entry

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19

For Breaking Travel Reopening News & Questions, Join Our: Facebook Community

Sources: Austrian Embassy/ Ministry of Tourism 

Disclaimer: Current Austria travel rules are changing without notice and being updated constantly. We do our best to keep this article up to date with all the latest information, but the decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling.  Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

Originally published August 25, 2020 with updates