England-Austria: Bordering Countries Or Not?

England and Austria are two countries in Europe, but they do not share a border. Austria is a landlocked country in central Europe, sharing borders with Germany and the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. England, on the other hand, is part of the United Kingdom, which is located in western Europe and separated from mainland Europe by the North Sea and the English Channel. Given the distance between the two countries, there are no direct land borders between them.

Austria's neighbouring countries

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It shares its borders with eight countries: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Austria's longest international border is with Germany, at 815.9 km or 507.0 miles. The border runs from east to west in its western part, and then in a northeastward direction from a point south of Salzburg to its endpoint at the tripoint of Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. The border between Austria and Germany also passes through several rivers, including the Danube, Inn and Salzach.

The easternmost point of Austria is in the village of Deutsch Jahrndorf, in the state of Burgenland, which is also the tripoint between Austria, Hungary and Slovakia. The westernmost point of the country is in the town of Feldkirch, Vorarlberg, near the Rhine River, which forms the tripoint between Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Austria's landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The highest elevation in the country is the Grossglockner, at 3,797 or 3,798 metres, located in the Central Alps.

Travel rules between Austria and England

England and Austria do not share a border. Austria is bordered by eight countries: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

Passport and Visa Requirements

For travel between Austria and England, your passport must meet the following requirements:

• Be less than 10 years old from the date of issue
• Have an expiry date at least three months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area
• Have at least three months' validity remaining on the date of entry

Additionally, it is strongly recommended that your passport is valid for at least six more months when entering Austria.

UK nationals do not need a visa to enter Austria for short-term holidays or business trips (up to 90 days in any 180-day period). However, you may need to show proof of a return or onward ticket, as well as proof that you have enough money for your stay.

If you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you must meet the Austrian government's entry requirements, which may include obtaining a visa or work permit. Contact the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Austrian Embassy for specific information.

Travel Insurance and Driving Licenses

It is highly recommended that travellers from England to Austria purchase travel insurance. While the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) previously provided EU citizens with access to a wide range of healthcare options, it is no longer valid. Certain individuals can apply for a UK-GHIC (UK Global Health Insurance Card), which offers similar benefits.

If you plan to drive in Austria, you can use your UK card driving licence. However, if you have a paper driving licence or a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man, you will need to obtain an International Driving Permit.

Pet Travel and Restricted Goods

When travelling with pets to Austria, they must have a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, and an animal health certificate. Additionally, there are strict rules regarding goods that can be brought into and taken out of Austria. You must declare any cash or travellers' cheques valued at 10,000 euros or more, and certain food items, such as meat and milk, are prohibited from being brought into EU countries.

Austria's Schengen membership

Austria has been a member of the Schengen Area since December 1, 1997, and of the European Union since January 1, 1995. The country is bordered by Germany and the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. It does not share a border with England.

Austria's membership of the Schengen Area means that it has removed border controls with other Schengen countries, allowing free movement of people between them. However, temporary border controls were reintroduced in 2015 in response to the European migrant crisis. These temporary controls were scheduled to be removed in May 2020 but could be extended in six-month periods.

Austria has been a vocal opponent of the full accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Area, citing concerns about undocumented immigration. In 2023, Austria blocked the accession of the two countries, which had met all the technical requirements to enter the borderless area in 2011. However, in 2024, Austria agreed to partial accession for the two countries by air and sea, with land borders remaining restricted. This partial accession is due to come into effect on March 31, 2024, following Austria's "Air Schengen" proposal.

In December 2024, Austria dropped its remaining objections to the full accession of Romania and Bulgaria, allowing them to become full members of the Schengen Area from 2025. This decision came after the two countries signed a "border protection package" agreement, addressing Austria's concerns about undocumented immigration.

Austria's role in the EU and NATO

England does not border Austria.

Austria has been a member of the European Union since 1995. It is a federal parliamentary republic with a chancellor as the head of government and a president as the head of state. The country is divided into nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna. Austria ranks fifth in the European Union in terms of GDP per capita, with €46,200, well above the EU average of €37,600.

Austria is not a member of NATO but has had formal relations with the alliance since 1995 when it joined the Partnership for Peace programme. As a neutral country, Austria's assistance to Ukraine amid Russia's invasion has focused on non-military support, including humanitarian aid and donating to the International Trust Fund to support demining efforts. The Austrian military also participates in United Nations peacekeeping operations and has deployments in several countries, including Kosovo, Lebanon, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Austria's relationship with NATO and the EU is underpinned by its geographic position at the centre of European traffic between east and west along the Danubian trade route and the Alpine passes. This has embedded the country within a variety of political and economic systems. Austria's commitment to neutrality has been a significant aspect of its foreign policy and relations with the EU and NATO. This stance was enshrined in the country's constitution in October 1955 with the Declaration of Neutrality. The Declaration prohibits Austria from joining a military alliance, hosting foreign military bases, and participating in wars.

Austria's stance on neutrality has been a subject of debate, particularly following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. While some Austrian politicians have argued in favour of joining NATO, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer stated that the country would maintain its neutrality policy. Opinion polls indicate that membership is not widely popular among Austrians, with only 21% supporting NATO membership and 60% opposed, according to a 2023 survey.

Vienna as a hub for international organisations

England does not border Austria. Austria is bordered by Germany and the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia, Italy and Switzerland to the south, and Liechtenstein and Switzerland to the west.

Vienna is a globally important hub for international diplomacy, home to many international institutions and organisations. The city is host to almost 50 international and quasi-international organisations, 124 embassies and 199 multilateral representations, employing around 12,700 people.

Vienna is one of only four headquarters of the United Nations, along with New York, Geneva and Nairobi. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) are also based in Vienna. The presence of these organisations has had a positive economic impact on Austria, with an annual net effect of more than 500 million euros and the creation of around 10,000 jobs.

Vienna is also the seat of a number of other international organisations, including:

• The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
• The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
• The International Peace Institute (IPI)
• The International Vaccine Institute (IVI)
• The International Monetary Fund's Regional Resident Representative Office for the Western Balkans
• The International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA)
• The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD)
• The Secretariat of the Energy Community
• The International Organization for Migration (IOM)
• The Wassenaar Arrangement (WA)
• The Secretariat of The Hague Code of Conduct (HCoC)
• The European Space Policy Institute (ESPI)
• The European Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA)
• The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)

Frequently asked questions