Austria's Neighbor Count: How Many Countries Border It?

Austria is a landlocked state with a population of over 8,823,054. It is surrounded by Liechtenstein, Slovenia, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. Austria has eight neighbouring countries, with only Switzerland and Liechtenstein not belonging to the EU.

Austria shares a border with Germany

Austria's border with Germany is marked by signs between Bavaria in Germany and Tyrol in Austria. The two countries share a close relationship, with Austrians often described as a Germanic ethnic group closely related to neighbouring Germans. This relationship has been strengthened by Austria's membership in the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) since 1955, which has facilitated cooperation and daily interchange with its neighbours.

Historically, the border between Austria and Germany was heavily guarded during the Cold War, as Austria shared a border with the Eastern Bloc countries of Hungary and Czechoslovakia. However, since the removal of the "Iron Curtain" and the enlargement of the EU in 2004, relations between Austria and its neighbours have improved significantly. Austria's exports to Central and Eastern Europe have nearly tripled, and border controls between treaty states have been abolished for all intents and purposes.

Austria's border with Germany is particularly significant due to the close cultural and historical ties between the two countries. Both nations have a long history of cooperation and exchange, with German being the official language in both Austria and Germany. Additionally, the two countries share a strong economic relationship, with Germany being one of Austria's largest trading partners.

Austria's border with Switzerland is divided by Liechtenstein

Austria is a landlocked state with a population of over 8,823,054. It is surrounded by Liechtenstein, Slovenia, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. Austria's border with Switzerland is divided by Liechtenstein, with the shortest boundary stretching through the Alpine Rhine into Lake Constance, and the longest extending through the Grison Alps. The boundary is 112 miles long. Liechtenstein is a double-landlocked state, bordered by Austria to the north and east, and Switzerland to the south and west. It is the fourth smallest European state, occupying an area of about 62 sq miles.

Austria has a mountainous terrain, with its highest point reaching 12,461 ft above sea level. 68% of the country is over 1,640 ft. It occupies an area of about 32,385 sq miles and became a member of the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) in 1955.

Since the end of the Cold War, the Austrian military has been assisting border guards in preventing border crossings by illegal immigrants. This assistance ended when Hungary and Slovakia joined the EU Schengen Area in 2008, effectively abolishing internal border controls between treaty states.

Austria's neighbours include Hungary and the Czech Republic

Austria is a landlocked state with a population of over 8,823,054. It is surrounded by Liechtenstein, Slovenia, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. Austria has eight neighbouring countries in total.

Austria's relations with its neighbours have been put on a new basis since the major EU-enlargement of 2004, particularly with the formerly communist states. Austria's exports to Central and Eastern Europe nearly tripled since 2004, and relations have become ever closer at all levels of government, regions, and municipalities.

Switzerland and Austria share a boundary in two places. The 112-mile-long Austria-Switzerland boundary is divided by Liechtenstein, with the shortest stretch extending through the Alpine Rhine into Lake Constance, and the longest through the Grison Alps.

Austria has a close relationship with its neighbour, Germany

Austria's relationship with Germany is particularly notable given their shared history. Since the end of the Cold War and the removal of the "Iron Curtain", Austria's relations with its neighbours have been put on a new basis. Austria's bilateral relations with its neighbours have reached an entirely new quality, with exports to Central and Eastern Europe nearly tripling since 2004.

Austria's close relationship with Germany is also reflected in their shared language. German is the official language of both countries, and it is widely spoken throughout Austria and Germany. This shared language facilitates communication and cultural exchange between the two countries.

In addition to their historical and cultural ties, Austria and Germany also have strong economic links. They are both members of the European Union (EU) and the Schengen Area, which allows for the free movement of goods, services, and people between the two countries. This has further strengthened their relationship and facilitated trade and cooperation in various sectors.

Overall, Austria and Germany have a long-standing and close relationship, characterised by shared history, culture, language, and economic ties. Their proximity and mutual cooperation in various domains have contributed to the development of a strong bond between the two countries.

Austria's border with Slovakia is now open

Austria has eight neighbouring countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia and Italy. Austria's border with Slovakia is now open. This means that travel between the two countries is possible, and relations between the two countries are close. Since the major EU enlargement of 2004, Austria's relations with its neighbours have been put on a fundamentally new basis, with relations becoming ever closer at all levels of government, regions and municipalities. Austria's exports to Central and Eastern Europe have nearly tripled since 2004. The Covid-19 pandemic also led to a new dimension of cooperation with neighbouring countries.

Frequently asked questions