As of November 2021, all travellers entering Austria must show either a negative molecular biological (e.g. PCR) COVID test, proof of vaccination, or recovery from infection. The test must be taken within 72 hours prior to arrival. If you are unable to present a negative COVID test, proof of vaccination, or recovery certificate, you must take a PCR/LAMP/TMA or antigen test within 24 hours of arrival and present the negative result. Children under 17 are exempt from quarantine requirements. From ages 12 to 17, they must show a negative COVID test, proof of vaccination, or proof of past infection.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Do I need a negative COVID-19 test to enter Austria? | Yes |
What type of test is required? | PCR, LAMP, TMA, or antigen test |
When should I take the test? | Within 72 hours before arrival or within 24 hours of entering Austria |
Are there any exemptions from testing? | Children under 10, transit journeys, and journeys to East Tirol, Jungholz, and the Rißtal valley |
What other documentation may I need? | Proof of vaccination or recovery from infection |
Are there additional requirements for public spaces? | Yes, an 'EU Digital COVID Certificate' is required to access public spaces such as bars, restaurants, museums, swimming pools, large events, and public transport |
Are masks required in public spaces? | Yes, FFP2 masks or their equivalent are mandatory in public transport, stations, taxis, places of worship, and cable cars/ski-lifts |
What You'll Learn
What tests are accepted?
To enter Austria, you must show a negative molecular biological COVID-19 test, such as a PCR test. This test must be taken within 72 hours before your arrival in Austria. If you are leaving Tirol, you need to have taken the test within 48 hours before your departure. If you are unable to present a negative test result before entering Austria, you must take a PCR test within 24 hours of your arrival.
Rapid antigen tests are also accepted, but they must be taken within 48 hours before your arrival in Austria. If you are unable to present a negative antigen test result before entering Austria, you must take another antigen test within 24 hours of your arrival.
Austrian citizens, EU/EEA citizens, Swiss citizens, or those with a residence in Austria may take the mandatory PCR/LAMP/TMA test for SARS-CoV-2 within 24 hours after entering Austria.
All vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organisation are accepted. The Covishield, Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines are also acceptable to enter Austria but cannot be used to access public spaces and facilities, including hotels, restaurants, bars, gyms, and cable cars.
Double-dose or single-dose vaccines are valid for 270 days from 6 December 2021. Proof of recovery from COVID-19 is also accepted in the form of a medical certificate (in German or English) confirming infection with SARS-CoV-2 in the last 180 days, certified by molecular biology (e.g. a PCR test).
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Exemptions
Children under the age of 17 are exempt from quarantine requirements. However, children aged 12 to 17 must show a negative COVID-19 test result, proof of vaccination, or recovery from a past infection. Children under 10 are exempt from providing a negative COVID-19 test when leaving Tirol, with further exemptions for transit journeys and journeys to East Tirol, Jungholz, and the Rißtal valley.
Austrian citizens, EU/EEA citizens, Swiss citizens, or those with a place of residence or habitual abode in Austria may be exempt from presenting a negative COVID-19 test upon entry and can instead take the mandatory test within 24 hours of entering the country.
Passengers arriving from countries with a high epidemiological risk may be refused entry or subject to mandatory quarantine on arrival. Exemptions may apply to passengers travelling from countries not mentioned, who may be allowed entry under certain conditions, such as presenting a vaccination or recovery certificate, a negative COVID-19 test, or taking a test within 24 hours of arrival.
Holders of the 'EU Digital COVID Certificate' can enter Austria without being subject to additional restrictions. This includes providing proof of vaccination, with all vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organisation accepted. However, it is important to note that some vaccines, such as Covishield, Sinopharm, and Sinovac, are acceptable for entry but may not grant access to public spaces and facilities like hotels, restaurants, and gyms.
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Requirements for children
All travellers entering Austria, including children, must show either a negative COVID test, proof of vaccination, or proof of recovery from infection. The requirements for children vary depending on their age.
Children under the age of 10 are exempt from providing a negative COVID-19 test when entering Austria. However, if a child is 10 years of age or older, they must present a negative COVID-19 test result, just like adult travellers. This test can be a PCR test or a rapid antigen test, and it must be taken within a specified time frame before arrival, typically within 72 hours for PCR tests and 48 hours for rapid antigen tests.
Children between the ages of 12 and 17 are required to show either a negative COVID test, proof of vaccination, or proof of past infection. This means that children in this age group have the additional option of providing proof of vaccination or recovery, which can be especially useful if obtaining a negative COVID test result is difficult or inconvenient.
It is important to note that travellers from certain countries or risk areas may have different or additional requirements. These requirements can include mandatory quarantine upon arrival or even potential entry refusal. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult the official sources and guidelines provided by the Austrian government for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding entry requirements, as they may change over time.
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Quarantine rules
To enter Austria, you must show either a negative COVID-19 test, proof of vaccination, or a recovery certificate. If you are unable to present one of these documents, you must take a COVID-19 PCR/LAMP/TMA or antigen test within 24 hours of arrival and present the negative result.
The negative COVID-19 test must be no older than 48 hours for those leaving Tirol, and 72 hours for all other travellers. Rapid antigen tests are accepted within 48 hours prior to arrival.
If you are entering Austria for unforeseeable, urgent reasons, such as serious illnesses, deaths, births, etc., you may be permitted entry if you present a negative PCR/LAMP/TMA test for SARS-CoV-2. If you are an Austrian citizen, EU/EEA citizen, or Swiss citizen, or have a residence in Austria, you may perform the mandatory PCR/LAMP/TMA test within 24 hours after entry.
Children below 17 years of age are exempt from quarantine requirements. Children aged 12 to 17 must show a negative COVID-19 test, proof of vaccination, or proof of past infection.
If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive, you must self-isolate for at least 10 days and are not allowed to receive private visitors.
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Onward travel
When planning onward travel to Austria, it's important to be aware of the country's COVID-19-related entry requirements. Here is some detailed information to help you navigate these requirements:
Testing and Quarantine Requirements:
Upon arrival in Austria, all travellers, regardless of age and vaccination status, must present a negative COVID-19 test result. This can be either a molecular biological test (such as a PCR test) or a rapid antigen test. The test must be taken within a specified timeframe before arrival, typically within 72 hours for PCR tests and 48 hours for rapid antigen tests. Those who are unable to present a negative test result upon arrival will be required to undergo testing within 24 hours of entering the country and at their own expense. It's important to note that test results from Austria must include specific information, such as the tested person's name, date of birth, and test details.
Vaccination and Recovery Certificates:
As an alternative to negative COVID-19 test results, travellers can provide valid proof of vaccination or recovery from infection. Vaccination certificates are accepted if the traveller has received a double or single dose of a vaccine authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the World Health Organisation (WHO). It's important to note that some vaccines, such as Covishield, Sinopharm, and Sinovac, may not grant you access to public spaces like hotels, restaurants, and bars. Recovery certificates must be in the form of a medical certificate confirming a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection within the last 180 days, certified by molecular biology testing.
EU Digital COVID Certificate:
Austria recognises the EU Digital COVID Certificate, which can be used by EU citizens and residents to facilitate their entry into the country. This certificate serves as proof of vaccination, recovery from infection, or a negative COVID-19 test result. Holding this certificate can make your onward travel to Austria smoother, as it exempts you from additional restrictions.
Travel for Tourism:
It's important to monitor the latest updates regarding travel restrictions to Austria. Due to the COVID-19 situation, Austria has implemented temporary lockdowns, and travel for tourism may be restricted during these periods. Ensure you check the current measures on the Official Travel Portal before planning your onward travel.
Country-Specific Requirements:
Entry requirements to Austria may vary depending on the country of departure. Austria maintains its national classification of risk areas, and travellers from countries with a high epidemiological risk may be refused entry or subject to mandatory quarantine upon arrival. It is strongly advised that travellers from outside the EU/Schengen area consult the specific rules and requirements for their country of departure.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, all travellers entering Austria must show a negative molecular biological COVID-19 test (e.g. PCR), proof of vaccination, or recovery from infection.
If you are unable to present a negative test result, you must take a COVID-19 PCR/LAMP/TMA or antigen test within 24 hours of arrival and present the negative result at a control.
Children under 10 are exempt from needing a negative COVID-19 test to enter Austria. Children between the ages of 12 and 17 must show a negative COVID test, proof of vaccination, or proof of past infection.
Travellers are required to wear FFP2 masks or their equivalent in all public transport, stations, taxis, and vehicles of taxi-like companies. The EU Digital COVID Certificate is also required to access public spaces, such as bars, restaurants, museums, swimming pools, and large events.