Traveling To Austria: Covid Testing Requirements And Entry Rules

Austria has implemented several COVID-19 entry requirements for travellers wishing to enter the country. Do you need a test to enter Austria? The answer is yes, but the type of test depends on your vaccination status and where you are travelling from.

Do I need a negative PCR test to enter Austria?

As of May 2024, there is no mandatory vaccination to enter Austria. However, travellers are required to present a negative PCR test result issued no more than 72 hours before their arrival. This rule applies to all travellers, regardless of their country of origin or vaccination status.

Additionally, travellers from China and the United Kingdom face additional requirements. Those coming from China must present a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours before arrival. Meanwhile, travellers from the UK are required to quarantine for ten days upon arrival, unless they meet specific vaccination requirements.

Austrian citizens and residents are exempt from providing a negative Covid-19 test certificate upon entry. However, they may still be asked to present one or complete a test in Austria and quarantine while awaiting the results.

It is important to note that the entry requirements for Austria may change, and travellers should refer to the latest official sources for the most up-to-date information before planning their trip.

Do I need to be vaccinated to enter Austria?

As of February 1st, 2022, Austria has made COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for its citizens. However, the requirements for entry into the country are different for non-residents.

Austrian citizens and residents will not be restricted from entering the country, regardless of which countries they have been to in the past ten days. They may, however, be asked to provide a negative COVID-19 test certificate or complete a test in Austria and quarantine while waiting for the results.

For non-residents, the requirements for entry into Austria depend on the traveller's country of origin and their vaccination status. Travellers from most European countries and a few non-European countries are allowed to enter Austria. Unless a European country is deemed high-risk, travellers from those countries will be allowed to arrive without any restrictions.

High-risk countries

Albania, Andorra, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Romania, Serbia, the Czech Republic, and certain regions in Belgium (Brussels and Wallonia), Bulgaria, Croatia, France (Île-de-France (Paris)), Spain (except the Canary Islands), Portugal (Lisbon and Norte) and the United Kingdom (North East, East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber) are deemed high-risk countries. Travellers from these countries will be partially restricted from entering Austria. This means they need to produce a negative coronavirus PCR test or be tested in Austria on arrival and may have to quarantine.

Non-European countries

As a default, countries outside Europe are considered high-risk, meaning that entry is not allowed. However, there are some exceptions. Travellers from Australia, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, and Uruguay can enter without restrictions and do not need to provide a negative test.

Children

Children under the age of 12 do not need to present a test result if they are travelling with an adult. If the accompanying adult is required to self-isolate, the child must do the same.

Do I need to quarantine when I arrive in Austria?

As of November 2021, travellers from the United Kingdom are required to quarantine for ten days upon arrival in Austria, with some exceptions. From February 2022, Austria has made COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory.

Who is exempt from the quarantine rule?

• Austrian citizens and residents
• People transiting through Austria without stopping
• Citizens of Austria, the EU Member States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and persons living in the same household with them
• Members of diplomatic missions and persons living in the same household with them
• The staff of international organizations and persons living in the same household with them
• Passengers travelling on business
• Humanitarian workers
• Those travelling for urgent family reasons (e.g. weddings, baptisms, birthday parties, visiting a life-partner, or taking care of a sick relative)
• Foreigners holding a national (D) visa issued by the Austrian authorities, a document issued under the Foreign Policy Act, a document of the right of residence under the Settlement and Residence Act or the Asylum Act
• A person accompanying an ill person receiving treatment at an Austrian hospital

Upon arrival, travellers will need to present a health certificate not older than 72 hours, which confirms that the traveller has taken a molecular biological SARS-CoV-2 test and the result was negative. If they do not hold a health certificate, they will need to take a molecular biological SARS-CoV-2 test within 48 hours of arrival. If the second test shows a negative result, the quarantine period might be reduced to five days.

What if I'm travelling from a high-risk country?

If you are travelling to Austria from a high-risk country, you will be required to show a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours before departure. You may also be subject to mandatory quarantine on arrival.

Travel eligibility

If you are travelling from a high-risk country, you will be allowed entry to Austria if you are:

• A national of an EU or Schengen member state
• A national of a third country with a valid residence permit issued by a Schengen state
• A national of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Uruguay, Canada, Georgia, New Zealand, or China (once the possibility of mutual entry is confirmed)
• A national of the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, or Macao (once the possibility of mutual entry is confirmed)
• A national of a country with an urgent need to travel

COVID-19 testing requirements

If you are travelling from a high-risk country, you will be required to show a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours before departure.

Quarantine

If you are travelling from a high-risk country, you may be subject to mandatory quarantine on arrival.

Do children need a test to enter Austria?

As of February 2022, children under the age of 12 do not need proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative PCR test if they are accompanied by fully vaccinated or recovered adults when entering Austria. However, if an accompanying adult is required to quarantine, the child must also quarantine and can only leave self-isolation at the same time as the adult.

Children aged 12 or over and born on or after 1 September 2006 can use a "Holiday Ninja Pass" to enter Austria. The pass allows them access to places that are usually only open to vaccinated people (e.g. bars and restaurants) if they take at least two PCR and one lateral flow test during a week-long period and record the results in the Holiday Ninja Pass. The PCR tests are valid for 72 hours, and the lateral flow test is valid for 48 hours, with the PCR test required when entering Austria counting as the first of the three required tests.

For anyone born before 1 September 2006, the adult entry rules apply. In order to enter Austria, everyone over the age of 12 must show proof of what is called 3G in Austria: full vaccination against COVID-19, recovery, or a valid negative test. If you do not have proof of vaccination or recovery, you will need to quarantine on arrival, even with a negative test.

Rules for Entering Austria

Vaccination proof is only considered valid for entry to Austria from 14 days after the second dose or 21 days after one dose of Johnson & Johnson. Arrivals providing proof of recovery from a past COVID infection must be able to present a medical document with the date of recovery. NHS emails or text messages providing notification of a positive test are not sufficient, according to the Austrian government.

Those who are not fully vaccinated and cannot prove they have recovered from a COVID infection within 180 days will not be permitted entry into Austria unless they have an exemption.

Frequently asked questions