Austria's Border Control: Closed Or Open?

Austria has closed its borders several times in recent years, most notably in response to the European migrant crisis. In 2015, the country announced its intention to build a border barrier on its border with Slovenia, which was completed in January 2016. In February 2016, Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner announced that Austria would allow a maximum of 80 asylum applications per day and a maximum of 3,200 asylum seekers to cross the Austrian border if they applied for asylum in another country. If either of these numbers was reached, Austria would close its borders. In March 2020, Austria closed its border to arrivals from Italy in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus. Exceptions were made for people who could show a doctor's note.

Border controls to limit the influx of refugees

In 2016, Austria was considering stricter border controls to limit the influx of refugees. Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz stated that national border controls were not a sinister problem but a "driver for a European solution" to the refugee crisis. Kurz's statement came at a time when Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and other countries had already reintroduced border controls.

Austria is a member of the European Union and the free travel Schengen Area, which allows for the free movement of people between member countries. However, the Schengen Agreement permits border controls in "cases of serious threat to public order and domestic security." Yves Pascouau, an immigration expert at the European Policy Center, expressed his satisfaction that all countries had abided by the rules and informed the European Commission before taking action.

In 2015, during the European migrant crisis, Austria announced its intention to begin construction of a border barrier on its border with Slovenia. The stated aim of the barrier was to help control the flow of refugees and migrants. The fence was initially built along 3.7 kilometres at the busiest crossing from Slovenia into Austria, near Spielfeld. According to Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner, the barrier would be 2.2 metres high, and preparations would be made to enable the construction of a fence along a 25-kilometre stretch of the border within 48 hours' notice. The border barrier was finished in January 2016.

In February 2016, Mikl-Leitner announced that Austria would allow a maximum of 80 asylum applications in one day and a maximum of 3,200 asylum seekers to cross the Austrian border if they applied for asylum in another country. If either of these two numbers was reached, Austria would close its borders. At the time of this announcement, 200 people a day applied for asylum in Austria.

Another migration management facility with barriers was constructed on the Austria-Italian border near Brenner, South Tyrol, in 2016.

Border barriers and migration management facilities

In February 2016 Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner announced that Austria would allow a maximum of 80 asylum applications in one day and a maximum of 3,200 asylum seekers who are allowed to cross the Austrian border if they apply in another country for asylum. If one of these two numbers is reached, Austria will close its borders. At the time of this announcement, 200 people a day applied for asylum in Austria.

Another migration management facility with barriers located on the Austria-Italian border near Brenner, South Tyrol was constructed in 2016.

Exemptions for those with a doctor's note

In March 2020, Austria announced that it would close its borders to arrivals from Italy in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz stated that arrivals from Italy would be denied entry unless they could provide a doctor's note certifying that they were healthy.

The measure was part of a package of precautions that also included the implementation of controls on the border with Italy, the organization of the repatriation of Austrian citizens in Italy, and a ban on all outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people and indoor gatherings of more than 100 people.

The decision to close the border was made following Italy's decision to lock down the entire country, which was the European country hit worst by the virus at the time.

Ban on outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people

In March 2020, the Austrian government announced a ban on outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people and indoor gatherings of more than 100 people until early April. The ban was part of a package of measures to slow the spread of coronavirus in the country.

The ban on large gatherings was announced by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and other government ministers at a press conference in Vienna. The announcement came after Italy, the European country worst hit by the virus, decided to lock down the entire country. Austria shares a border with Italy and was taking steps to prevent the spread of the virus within its territory.

Other measures announced by the Austrian government included the suspension of flights and trains between Austria and Italy, the closure of educational institutions, and the encouragement of businesses to offer their employees the option to work from home.

Arrivals from Italy were denied entry into Austria unless they could show a doctor's note certifying that they were healthy. People passing through Austria without stopping and the transport of goods were exempt from the entry ban, although drivers were subject to health checks. The Austrian government also announced that it was organizing the repatriation of Austrian citizens in Italy, who would have to self-isolate for two weeks upon their return.

Cancellation of teaching at all universities

In March 2020, the Austrian government announced the cancellation of teaching at all universities as part of a package of measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The government also banned all outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people and indoor gatherings of more than 100 people until early April. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said that the "utmost priority is to prevent the spread and thus the importing of the illness into our society".

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