Transit Through Austria: What Are The Requirements?

If you're planning to travel through Austria, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, all travellers entering Austria must present a declaration form, which can be found on the Austria Embassy website in English and German. This will help you avoid long waiting times at the border. In terms of vaccinations, Austria has lifted most of its COVID-19-related entry restrictions, but it's always good to stay informed as health regulations can change rapidly. Aside from COVID-19 vaccines, it's recommended that your routine vaccinations are up to date, including MMR, Tdap, Influenza, and Hepatitis A and B. Lastly, if you're planning to drive through Austria, be aware that merchandise in transit must be declared electronically to Swiss Customs using the Passar system.

What documents do I need to transit through Austria?

If you are transiting through Austria, you will need to present a declaration upon entering the country. It is recommended that you fill out the form before entering the country to avoid long waiting times. The form is available in German and English.

If you are not leaving the international transit zone of an airport during a stopover, flight segment, or international flight, you do not need a visa. However, nationals of certain countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, and Pakistan, require a visa even to stay in the international transit zone of an Austrian airport.

If you are entering Austria, you will need to meet the following requirements:

• Your passport must have a 'date of issue' less than 10 years before the date you arrive and an expiry date of at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.
• You may need to show proof of your accommodation, such as a hotel booking confirmation or proof of address for a second home.
• You may need to show proof of travel insurance.
• You may need to show a return or onward ticket.
• You may need to prove that you have enough money for your stay.

Additionally, there are specific requirements for children and individuals travelling with pets. Children need their own identification document (identity card or passport), and entries in a parent's passport are no longer valid. If you are travelling with a dog or cat, a maximum of five animals per person are allowed, and each animal must have a microchip and a pet passport issued by a veterinarian authorised by the competent authority.

Do I need a visa to transit through Austria?

Whether or not you need a visa to transit through Austria depends on your nationality, the length of your stay, and whether you will be leaving the international transit zone.

If you are a citizen of the following countries, you will need a visa (category "A") to transit through Austria, even if you do not leave the international transit zone:

• Afghanistan
• Bangladesh
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Eritrea
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Iran
• Iraq
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Somalia
• Sri Lanka
• Syria

Citizens of the countries listed above will also need a transit visa to pass through any other country within the Schengen Area, which includes 26 countries in Europe with border controls.

If you are a citizen of a country within the Schengen Area, the EEA, or the EU, you will not need a visa to transit through Austria.

If you are from the US, Canada, New Zealand, or Australia, you will not need a visa to transit through Austria, as long as you are staying for 90 days or less.

If you are a resident of a country that has a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen Area, you won't need a transit visa for Austria.

There are a few exemptions from the transit visa requirement:

• You hold a valid visa for the Schengen Area, or you are a resident within the Schengen area.
• You hold a valid visa for the EEA/EU Area or are a resident.
• You have a diplomatic passport.
• You are a resident of Japan, Canada, the US, the Republic of San Marino, or the Principality of Andorra.

It is important to note that transit visas are always issued in your country of origin and cannot be obtained at the border, so be sure to check before you depart whether you need one.

What are the COVID-19 requirements to transit through Austria?

As of May 2022, there are no COVID-19-related restrictions on entry into Austria. This means that there is no need to present proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative test result when entering the country. The same applies to those in transit through Austria; no Pre-Travel Clearance, PCR or Antigen test, medical certificate, or declaration of quarantine is required. This applies to all forms of transit, including by car, train, bus, or flight. However, travellers must be able to provide proof of fulfilment of entry requirements for their next destination upon entering Austria.

It is important to note that these regulations only apply to transit passengers who do not intend to stay in Austria. If you plan to enter Austria as your final destination, you may be required to show a medical certificate, test result, vaccination certificate, or recovery certificate upon arrival. These documents must be in German or English and must certify that the passenger has either tested negative, been vaccinated, or has recovered from COVID-19. Additionally, passengers may be subject to mandatory quarantine upon arrival. Before departure, online registration is required, and confirmation of transmission must be presented upon arrival.

The Austrian authorities have stated that transit through Austria without a stopover applies to "indispensable interruptions, provided that a departure is ensured". This means that even if you have to make an unavoidable stop in Austria, you are still considered a transit passenger as long as you can ensure your departure from the country. However, it is unclear from the available sources what specific documents or proof may be required to demonstrate this.

It is always recommended to check the latest travel requirements and restrictions before commencing your journey, as they can change frequently and without notice. Additionally, keep in mind that individual countries may have their own specific entry requirements, so make sure to review the regulations for your next destination as well. Staying informed and compliant with the relevant guidelines will help ensure a smooth and safe journey.

What are the recommended vaccinations for travel to Austria?

Austria is a highly mountainous country due to the Alps, with a population of around 8.9 million. It is one of the richest countries in the world, with a high living standard. Vienna, the capital, is a gorgeous place for history and art lovers. The country is also known for its delicious food, including apfelstrudel, Vienna sausage, and Wiener Schnitzel.

Now, let's take a look at the recommended vaccinations for travel to Austria:

Routine Vaccinations

• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine: Two doses are recommended for all travellers born after 1956, unless they can show immunity through a blood test. This is especially important as measles outbreaks have been reported in Austria.
• Tetanus-Diphtheria Vaccine: Recommended for all travellers who have not received a tetanus-diphtheria immunisation within the last 10 years.
• Influenza Vaccine: Recommended for all travellers during flu season (November-April).

Additional Vaccinations

• Tick-borne Encephalitis Vaccine: May be considered for long-term travellers who plan to visit rural or forested areas, especially in the south of Austria, during spring or summer. This is a more serious risk than Lyme disease, with 50-80 cases reported annually in most years. The vaccine is given in two doses one month apart, with a third dose at 12 months. It then provides cover for 3-5 years.
• Other Routine Childhood Immunisations: All children should be up-to-date according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Please note that most vaccinations should be completed at least two weeks before travel. It is always best to consult a healthcare professional for personalised advice.

What are the health risks in Austria?

Austria has a good supply of potable water and a high GDP, so it is doing well compared to some other countries. However, like the rest of the world, Austria also suffers from medical conditions.

As clean water is widely available in the nation, Austrians are not very prone to waterborne illnesses such as cholera and dysentery. Instead, they tend to suffer from diseases that are affected by genetics and lifestyles. The top five common diseases in Austria that cause the most deaths are Alzheimer's, lung cancer, ischemic heart disease, COPD, and cerebrovascular disease. All of these diseases are noncommunicable and have risk factors such as smoking and drinking.

Statistics show that Austrians drink a substantial amount more than their European peers. They are the second-largest alcohol consumers in the OECD. In a study, only 10% of Austrians stated that they didn't consume any alcohol in the prior year. In addition, Austrians also have high tobacco consumption rates. More than half of Austrian men aged 18 to 28 smoke.

Austria has taken measures to reduce the amount of tobacco consumption in the country. In 2009, the country banned smoking in public places, excluding restaurants and cafes. By 2018, Austria planned to extend the ban to restaurants and cafes as well.

Frequently asked questions