Exploring Austria: Entry Requirements And Travel Essentials

As of July 2021, Austria has implemented several entry requirements for travellers, which vary depending on the traveller's country of origin and vaccination status. Austria is part of the Schengen Area, which allows free movement for EU citizens and non-EU nationals. EU citizens can enter Austria without a visa, while non-EU citizens may need a visa depending on their country of origin. Travellers from the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand only need a valid passport to enter Austria, while those from other countries may need to present additional documents such as proof of sufficient funds and travel insurance coverage. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Austria imposed entry restrictions on arrivals from countries with high Omicron infection rates, such as the UK. These restrictions required travellers to provide proof of vaccination and a negative PCR test.

Energy and gas supply

Austria's energy supply is diverse, with a mix of renewable and non-renewable sources. The country has set ambitious targets for renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions. In 2021, 77% of Austria's energy came from renewable sources, mainly hydro and wind power. The country aims to be 100% supplied by renewable electricity by 2030, with hydro, wind, and solar as the primary sources.

Austria's largest energy business is OMV AG, a multinational oil, gas, and petrochemical company with a turnover of €36 billion in 2021. Despite this, oil consumption in Austria has been declining, with a 4.3% decrease in 2022, reaching its lowest level since 1990. Oil imports primarily come from Kazakhstan (43%), Libya (20%), and Iraq (16%).

Natural gas is another significant component of Austria's energy mix. In 2022, gas consumption dropped by 11% to 8.4 bcm, with industry, power plants, and the residential tertiary sector as the main consumers. Historically, Russia met almost all of Austria's natural gas demands, but imports from Russia were cut down from 8% in 2021 to 2.4% in 2022.

Austria also utilizes coal, although consumption has been decreasing. Between 2003 and 2022, coal consumption halved to 3.5 Mt. The Austrian government plans to phase out all oil and coal heating systems by 2035 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.

The country's electricity consumption stands at 7,200 kWh, which is 30% above the EU average. Verbund AG, Austria's largest electricity provider, covers around 40% of the country's electricity demands, with 90% of their energy generated from hydropower.

Austria is actively transitioning towards renewable energy sources and has made strides in wind and solar energy development. The share of renewables in final electricity consumption exceeded its 2020 target of 34% and is expected to reach 46-50% by 2030.

Cost of living

The cost of living in Austria varies depending on location, lifestyle, and type of housing. The average monthly living cost for one person in Austria is around €1,604 to €1,900, while a family of four would typically have total monthly living costs of about €3,899 to €4,903.

Rent in Austria is, on average, 45.1% lower than in the United States. The average room rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is approximately €862.51. Utility costs can be around €347 per month if they are not included in the rental agreement.

Groceries in Austria are generally slightly expensive, with an average monthly food cost of about €330. Dining out and leisure activities can cost between €180 to €320 per month.

Public transportation in Austria offers various ticket options, including single tickets, day passes, and monthly passes. A monthly public transport pass costs around €69.13. Taxis are available but are more expensive, with a normal tariff starting rate.

Austria's high quality of life, excellent healthcare, world-ranked education, safety, and cultural opportunities make it a desirable place to live. However, it is important to budget properly to maintain a comfortable standard of living.

Tourist attractions

Austria is a country rich in history, beautiful places, traditions, and activities. It is a popular destination for both summer and winter tourists. Here are some of the top tourist attractions to visit:

Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna

The Habsburgs' summer residence is Austria's most popular tourist attraction. Visitors can take a guided tour through the Imperial ceremonial rooms or stroll through the freely accessible gardens. The Schönbrunn Zoo, the oldest in the world, is also nearby.

Ringstrasse, Vienna

Vienna's Ringstrasse (ring road) circles the city's first district and is home to some of the most magnificent buildings in the capital. The State Opera, Parliament, City Hall, the university, and more can be found along this road.

Giant Ferris Wheel, Vienna

Located in Vienna's historic Prater amusement park, the Giant Ferris Wheel offers panoramic views of the city. Its passenger cars can be booked for private events such as breakfast, romantic dinners, and weddings.

Hohensalzburg Fortress, Salzburg

First built in 1077, this fortress stands high above Salzburg and offers incredible views of the city and its Baroque towers. Inside, visitors will find the Princes' Chambers, ancient suits of armour, and a historic marionette museum.

Mozart's Birthplace, Salzburg

Mozart's birthplace is now one of the world's most popular museums, showcasing the original rooms and Mozart's musical instruments. It is located on Getreidegasse, a quaint, cobblestoned shopping street.

Schlossberg Hill & Clocktower in Graz, Styria

Climbing Schlossberg Hill to see the city's famous clocktower is a must for visitors to Graz. For those who don't want to climb the 260 stairs, there is a lift inside the hill or the Schlossbergbahn funicular. At the top, visitors can enjoy a coffee with a view.

Kunsthaus Art Museum in Graz, Styria

The Kunsthaus in Graz, Austria's second city, attracts visitors with its modern art exhibitions and unusual architecture. Its large, tube-like "nozzles" and curved roof make it stand out among the Baroque architecture of the city centre.

Golden Roof in Innsbruck, Tirol

Innsbruck's Golden Roof, located in the old town, is perhaps the city's most famous landmark. Built in the 15th century for Kaiser Maximilian I, its 2,657 gilded shingles shine brightly.

Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens, Tirol

Just 25 minutes outside of Innsbruck, the Swarovski Crystal Worlds feature 17 separate "crystal chambers," including a giant crystal dome and an "infinity mirror room." Outside, a cloud made of 800,000 crystals rivals the night sky.

Eisriesenwelt Cave

Nestled within the Hochkogel Mountain, about 40 km from Salzburg, the Eisriesenwelt cave is the world's largest ice cave, stretching for 26 miles along the Alps' Tenneggebirge section. The accessible section of the cave is sheathed in ice and can be reached via a hike and cable car ride.

St. Wolfgang

St. Wolfgang is a beautiful market town within Salzkammergut, Austria's famous Lake District. It features colourful houses along the shoreline of Wolfgangsee Lake and the towering 1783-meter-high Mount Schafberg. Visitors can ride the Schafberg Railway to the top of the mountain to enjoy spectacular views of seven separate lakes.

Krimml Waterfalls

The Krimml Waterfalls, located in the High Tauern National Park within Salzburg State, are the highest and most beautiful waterfalls in Austria, with a total height of 380 meters. Visitors can follow a path to each of the three separate sections of the waterfall to get better views.

Climate and energy agenda

Austria has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to climate protection and has set ambitious targets for itself in its climate and energy agenda. The country aims to reach climate neutrality by 2040, a full ten years ahead of the European Union's goal. To achieve this, Austria has recognised the need to substantially enhance decarbonisation efforts across all energy sectors.

The Austrian government has implemented several measures to support its climate and energy agenda. Firstly, they have committed to a comprehensive tax reform based on ecological principles, aiming to achieve true-cost pricing for CO2 emissions in sectors not covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). This includes the introduction of CO2 pricing or a national ETS system. Additionally, the government supports building renovation and encourages switching from fossil fuels to sustainable heating systems, such as the electrification of transport and the phasing out of oil- and coal-fired heating systems by 2035.

Austria has also committed to the installation of 1 million PV systems by 2030 and the development of a detailed "mobility masterplan 2030" for the transport sector. The country is already a global leader in renewable energy, with renewables covering 29% of its total primary energy supply in 2018. Over three-quarters of electricity generation comes from renewables, and Austria has set a target of achieving a 100% renewable electricity supply by 2030.

Furthermore, Austria has a strong record in mobilising private funding for research, development, and innovation (RDI). The government has taken steps to provide innovation stakeholders with funding certainty and strategic visibility through multi-year budgets. For every euro spent by the government on RDI, the country mobilises an average of EUR 2.5 in private funding, with the multiplier reaching up to ten for solar PV projects.

Austria's climate and energy agenda also includes a focus on adaptation to climate change. In 2012, the country was one of the first EU states to combine a strategic approach to climate change adaptation with a comprehensive action plan. The strategy was revised in 2016 based on new scientific findings and current political developments, and it continues to be updated and implemented. The Federal Government supports research activities to deepen the scientific basis for decision-making and successful adaptation.

Immigration

Austria has seen a recent shift towards right-wing politics, with the election win of the populist, anti-immigrant Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ). The party, which was founded by former Nazis, seeks to create a more "homogenous" society by "remigrating" Austrian nationals with migrant roots. This has contributed to a surge of far-right parties across Europe, which has been fuelled by economic downturns, rising immigration, and energy crises.

Austria's immigration policies have become more restrictive in recent years, with a focus on preserving Austrian culture and values. The country has also experienced an increase in irregular migration, leading to the implementation of passport controls at all land borders to control migration numbers.

The Austrian government has taken a hard stance against illegal migration, with the former interior affairs spokesman, Alexander Throm, stating that non-European refugees would be turned away at the border. Throm emphasized that Austria has a "special duty" towards Ukraine, having already accepted a significant number of refugees from the country.

Austria's energy crisis, caused by the loss of Russian gas supplies, has also impacted immigration sentiments in the country. With schools unable to properly heat classrooms due to government rations, there is a growing sentiment that "indigenous people are being ignored because of mass immigration." This has further contributed to the rise of far-right parties and their protectionist policies.

Overall, immigration to Austria has become increasingly challenging due to the country's political shift towards the far right and the impact of economic and energy crises. The focus on preserving Austrian culture and values has led to more restrictive immigration policies and a preference for accepting refugees from Ukraine over other countries.

Frequently asked questions