Vaccination Requirements For Entry Into Austria

As of November 2021, Austria had imposed a national lockdown and made vaccinations mandatory. The lockdown was initially for 10 days, but it could be extended to a maximum of 20 days if the number of cases did not decrease. The country had one of the lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe, with only 65.7% of the population fully vaccinated.

Do I need to be vaccinated to enter Austria?

As of November 2021, Austria had one of the lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe, with only 65.7% of the population fully vaccinated. In response to a surge in COVID-19 cases, the Austrian government imposed a national lockdown, initially for 10 days, starting on Monday, November 22, 2021. The lockdown was extended to the whole population after an initial lockdown for the unvaccinated failed to curb the spread of the virus.

Entry Requirements

From February 1, 2022, Austria will make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory. People may need to show proof of vaccination to clear basic bureaucratic hurdles, such as enrolling in school and other public institutions. However, this does not apply to cross-border commuters or people entering from border areas.

Testing and Quarantine Requirements

All travellers entering Austria, including those who are vaccinated, recovered, or have a valid negative COVID-19 test result, must complete an entry form before their arrival. This requirement does not apply to transit passengers who do not leave the airport or those entering Austria for urgent medical reasons.

Travel Advice

The Austrian government advises against non-essential travel abroad. However, it has lifted the general advice against non-urgent travel to the following countries:

• Countries in the Schengen area
• United Kingdom
• Andorra
• Australia
• Bulgaria
• Canada
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Georgia
• Ireland
• Japan
• Morocco
• Monaco
• New Zealand
• Romania
• Rwanda
• San Marino
• South Korea
• Thailand
• Tunisia
• Uruguay
• Vatican/Holy See

What are the current entry requirements for Austria?

As of November 2021, Austria had some of the strictest entry requirements in Europe. The country was the first in Europe to impose mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations and the first western European country to impose widespread restrictions after curbs on unvaccinated people failed to slow the spread of the virus.

Entry Requirements:

• As of February 1st, 2022, Austria made vaccinations mandatory.
• From February 2022, people may need to show proof of vaccination to clear basic bureaucratic hurdles like enrolling in school and other public institutions.
• From February 2022, travellers entering Austria who have not been vaccinated or have not recovered from COVID-19 will have to present a negative test result. They will then have to be tested again after four to seven days.
• All travellers entering Austria – whether vaccinated, recovered or with a negative test – must also complete the entry form (Passenger Locator Form, SwissPLF).
• The test and entry form requirements do not apply to travellers in transit through Austria without stopping, drivers who transport people or goods professionally, and cross-border commuters or people entering from border areas.
• Austria's intensive care doctors welcomed the government's decision to impose a lockdown.
• Austria has one of the lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe — only 65.7% of the population is fully vaccinated.

What is the vaccination rate in Austria?

As of June 30, 2023, the full vaccination rate in Austria was 74.76%, compared to 74.25% the previous year. This is higher than the long-term average of 44.80%.

As of 2024, all restrictions on entry into Austria related to COVID-19 have been lifted. Evidence of vaccination or testing is no longer required for entry or transit.

What are the rules for unvaccinated people in Austria?

As of February 1st, 2022, Austria has made vaccinations mandatory for its citizens. This decision was taken by the Austrian government to curb the fourth wave of coronavirus cases in the country. The country had initially introduced a lockdown for the unvaccinated, but as the cases continued to rise, the government extended it to everyone.

The national lockdown will initially last for 10 days, after which the government will assess the situation. If the number of cases has not gone down sufficiently, the lockdown can be extended to a maximum of 20 days. During the lockdown, most stores will close, and cultural events will be canceled.

The Austrian government has also imposed certain restrictions on unvaccinated people. They will need to show proof of vaccination to clear basic bureaucratic hurdles like enrolling in school and other public institutions.

What is the situation with COVID-19 in Austria?

As of February 2022, the COVID-19 situation in Austria is moderate. More than 74% of the population has been vaccinated, but COVID-19-related concerns are still in place. In fact, Austria has made vaccination obligatory for its citizens.

In terms of travel, Austria is open to visitors. However, there are different requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers.

Vaccinated Travellers

To be considered fully vaccinated, a traveller must have received both doses of a double-dose vaccination or one dose of a single-dose vaccination at least 14 days before arriving in Austria. The following vaccine drugs are approved in Austria:

• AstraZeneca (including Covishield)
• BioNTech/Pfizer (Comirnaty)
• Johnson & Johnson (COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen)
• Moderna
• Novavax
• Sinopharm SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell), Inactivated (InCoV)
• Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine, SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell), Inactivated

If a traveller is fully vaccinated with two doses (or one dose for Johnson & Johnson), they must present:

• A certificate of full vaccination against COVID-19 in paper or electronic format (the EU digital COVID certificate is also valid)
• A negative PCR test that is no more than 72 hours old

The PCR test is not required if the traveller has:

• Two vaccine doses (or one dose for Johnson & Johnson) + one booster
• Recovered from COVID-19, then been vaccinated with two doses (or vice versa)
• Recovered, been vaccinated once, and recovered again

Children under the age of 12 are exempt from vaccination or tests if they are accompanied by vaccinated or recovered parents.

Unvaccinated Travellers

Unvaccinated travellers can enter Austria but must present:

• A negative PCR test that is no more than 72 hours old
• A completed Pre-travel Clearance Registration

If the traveller has recovered from COVID-19, they must also present documentation confirming recovery that is no more than 180 days old. A PCR test is not required for recovered travellers if they have:

• Recovered from COVID-19, then been vaccinated with two doses (or vice versa)
• Recovered, been vaccinated once, and recovered again
• Been vaccinated once, then recovered, then been vaccinated a second time

Testing and Quarantine

Upon arrival in Austria, unvaccinated travellers must undergo self-isolation for ten days. The self-isolation period can be terminated no earlier than day five if the traveller gets a negative PCR test result. The day of arrival is counted as day zero.

Other Measures

• Only fully vaccinated (two doses) or recovered visitors are allowed to enter all public and cultural venues.
• Wearing masks is mandatory inside.

Frequently asked questions