Travel To Austria: Us Entry Requirements Explained

As of September 2021, Austria had instated a mandatory quarantine for unvaccinated Americans entering the country. As of December 2021, Austria had tightened its border policy and was asking for proof of a booster dose so travellers could bypass further requirements. The country had also implemented the 2-G rule, which requires visitors to present a negative PCR test or proof of a booster dose in addition to having had a full course of an approved vaccine. These rules apply to most foreign nationals, including Americans and Canadians.

What are the entry requirements for vaccinated Americans?

As of September 2021, Austria has implemented stricter entry requirements for vaccinated Americans wishing to enter the country. The new "2-G" rule requires that vaccinated travellers must also present a negative PCR test or proof of a booster dose to enter the country. This rule applies to most foreign nationals, including Americans and Canadians.

For vaccinated travellers who are unable to provide a booster shot or a negative PCR test, there are additional restrictions. These travellers are required to register for pre-travel clearance and must remain in isolation until they can present a negative test. Proof of recovery from COVID-19 is also accepted for entry.

It is important to note that Austrian citizens, residents, and other EU nationals are exempt from the 2-G rule and can travel to Austria without proof of a booster or a negative PCR test. However, they are still required to register upon entry and quarantine for 10 days, which can be shortened to 5 days with a negative PCR test on day 5.

In addition to the entry requirements, it is worth noting that many tourist attractions in Austria remain open, such as museums and ski resorts. However, most bars and clubs are closed, and restaurants have an 11 PM curfew. To enter most venues in Austria, including restaurants, proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test is required.

As of February 2022, vaccinated Americans can skip the testing and quarantine requirements for entry to Austria by providing proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test. However, it is recommended to check for the latest updates on entry requirements before planning travel to Austria.

What about unvaccinated Americans?

As of September 2021, unvaccinated Americans cannot enter Austria for tourism. They will need to present an essential reason for travel and a negative COVID-19 test or proof of recovery from coronavirus before travel, and they must also quarantine for seven days on arrival.

For unvaccinated travellers who are able to enter Austria, there are additional restrictions. They will have to present a negative COVID-19 test result upon arrival and then serve a 10-day mandatory quarantine. Proof of recovery is also an option for entry.

Transit passengers are not subject to the COVID-19 entry restrictions or quarantine in Austria.

What tests are required?

There are no COVID-19-related entry requirements for US citizens travelling to Austria. However, travellers from China need a negative PCR test (valid for 48 hours) to enter Austria.

If you are planning to visit or travel through European countries, you should be familiar with the requirements of the Schengen Agreement. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay if you plan on transiting a Schengen country. You may be asked to show proof of sufficient funds and a return plane ticket.

Austria collects the fingerprints of all visa applicants.

Health and Vaccination Tests

It is recommended that you are up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For a complete list of recommended vaccinations, please see the CDC country page on Austria.

Other Tests

If you are travelling to Austria with prescription medication, always carry your prescription medication in its original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the Austrian Ministry for Health to ensure the medication is legal in Austria.

Do I need to quarantine?

As of September 2021, quarantine-free travel from the United States to Austria is allowed as long as travellers are fully vaccinated and can present a CDC-issued vaccination certificate. This certificate should indicate that they have received their second vaccine dose no more than 360 days prior to travel or that they have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 180 days.

Unvaccinated travellers from the U.S. can still enter Austria but must pre-register, present a negative COVID-19 test (PCR within 72 hours of travel or an antigen test within 48 hours of travel), and quarantine for 10 days. This quarantine period can be shortened to five days if a negative PCR test is presented.

In addition, proof of a booster shot will eliminate the necessity of both pre-arrival testing and post-arrival quarantine.

Many other European countries have different quarantine requirements for travellers from the U.S. For example, as of September 2021:

• The Netherlands requires vaccinated U.S. travellers to quarantine for 10 days.
• France requires unvaccinated travellers to quarantine for seven days.
• Germany does not allow unvaccinated U.S. travellers to enter for leisure travel.
• The United Kingdom requires unvaccinated travellers to quarantine for 10 days and take three COVID tests.

What paperwork do I need?

As an American citizen, you will need a valid passport to enter Austria. Your passport must be machine-readable and valid for the duration of your stay in Europe. It is recommended that you apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) at least 96 hours before your departure to ensure you receive the authorization in time. ETIAS is valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It allows for multiple short stays (up to 90 days) in the Schengen area.

In addition to your passport and ETIAS, you may also need to provide proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test. These requirements have changed over time, so it is important to check the latest guidelines before your trip. For example, as of December 2021, Austria had implemented the "2-G" rule, which required visitors to present proof of a booster dose or a negative PCR test in addition to proof of full vaccination.

It is also worth noting that the requirements may vary depending on your specific circumstances, such as your reason for travel and your point of departure. For instance, transit passengers may be exempt from certain COVID-19 entry restrictions or quarantine requirements. Additionally, there may be specific requirements for visa applications, which can be submitted at various locations depending on your location within the United States.

Frequently asked questions