Austria's Quarantine: What's Happening And What's Next?

As of August 2022, Austria is no longer mandating quarantine for SARS-COV-2 infected persons. Instead, they must follow certain traffic restrictions and wear an FFP2 mask outside their private living area. Since the initial lockdown in 2020, the Austrian government has eased or tightened restrictions depending on the country's infection rates.

Austria has implemented a green pass requirement, which certifies vaccination or recovery status or a negative test result. The country also uses the Stopp Corona app, provided by the Austrian Red Cross, for contact tracing.

Austria has also imposed quarantines on arrivals from specific countries, such as the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway, due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. These travellers must quarantine for 10 days, which can be reduced to five with a negative COVID-19 test result.

Austria's mandatory quarantine for visitors from certain countries

Austria has imposed a mandatory quarantine on all arrivals from 'high-risk' countries. As of February 2021, a 'high-risk' country is defined as any country with a 14-day incidence rate of more than 100 positive cases of coronavirus per 100,000 residents.

As of April 2021, only arrivals from Australia, Iceland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and the Vatican were exempt from the mandatory quarantine. However, as of May 19, 2021, Austria changed its quarantine rules.

As of August 2024, quarantine for SARS-COV-2 infected persons is no longer mandatory in Austria. Instead, certain traffic restrictions apply to them. Outside their private living area, infected persons are required to wear an FFP2 mask at all times if there is a risk of infection for others.

As of December 2024, visitors from certain countries without proof of vaccination, a negative test, or recovery from COVID-19 must quarantine on arrival. These countries include Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Azerbaijan, the Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, the British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, the Cayman Islands, the Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, the Comoros, the Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Curaçao, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, the DR Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Eswatini, Ethiopia, the Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gabon, the Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guernsey, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, the Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mali, Malta, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, the Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sint Maarten, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, the Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the US Virgin Islands, the USA, Uganda, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, the Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Austria's mandatory quarantine for infected persons

As of August 1, 2022, Austria has removed the mandatory quarantine for infected persons. Instead, certain traffic restrictions apply to them. Outside their private living area, infected persons are required to wear an FFP2 mask at all times if there is a risk of infection for other persons.

In December 2021, Austria tightened its rules around quarantine after coming into contact with a Covid-19-positive person, in response to data showing the new Omicron variant is more transmissible. Under the new rules, anyone who has come into contact with someone who tested positive for the Omicron variant has to quarantine for 14 days. There is no option to end the quarantine early with a negative PCR test result.

In December 2021, Austria imposed a quarantine on arrivals from the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway, which are classified as "virus variant areas". The quarantine period is 10 days but can be reduced to five with a negative Covid-19 test result. People who are fully vaccinated and have received their booster shot are exempt from quarantine if they can present a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure.

Austria's entry requirements for visitors from high-risk countries

Austria has lifted its COVID-19 travel restrictions, and travellers are not required to provide proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19, or a negative test result. However, if you are entering from countries or areas with a high epidemiological risk, you must provide proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative test result. You must also complete the pre-travel clearance form and self-isolate for 10 days, which can be shortened with a negative test after 5 days.

Austria's entry requirements for fully vaccinated visitors

As of January 2022, Austria has implemented the following entry requirements for fully vaccinated visitors:

• All travellers entering Austria must show proof of full vaccination or recovery, as well as a negative PCR test or proof of a booster shot.
• A PCR test is mandatory for travellers who are fully vaccinated with two doses (or one shot of Johnson & Johnson) or have recovered and been vaccinated with one dose.
• No PCR test is required for those who are fully vaccinated with a booster or have recovered and are fully vaccinated.
• Travellers from the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway must have the booster and a 48-hour PCR test to enter Austria.
• EU+ citizens and residents can enter without a booster dose or a negative PCR test but must quarantine for ten days, with the option to be released after five days with a negative PCR test.
• All passengers, regardless of their country of origin, must fill out a pre-travel clearance form at least 72 hours before entering Austria.
• All incoming travellers should have travel insurance that covers COVID-19 for the duration of their trip.
• Masks are required in enclosed environments and on public transportation.
• Restaurants are open with restrictions, and bars are closed.
• A health pass may be required to enter hotels or other venues, as non-essential businesses are closed until further notice.

Austria's mask mandate

Austria has implemented a number of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, including a mask mandate. Here is some detailed information about Austria's mask mandate:

Austria first introduced facemasks on April 6, 2020. Initially, citizens were required to wear masks indoors, in shops, on public transport, and even in outdoor public spaces. The government has since amended these requirements and regularly updates its guidelines.

FFP2 masks have been mandatory in certain settings, such as supermarkets, petrol stations, banks, pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes, and public transport. This requirement applies to all visitors. In retail shops, masks have been mandatory for unvaccinated individuals and only recommended for vaccinated or recently recovered persons. Masks are not required in restaurants, bars, and other hospitality venues where entry tests are required.

As of August 1, 2022, new COVID regulations came into effect in Austria. While quarantine is no longer mandatory for infected individuals, they are subject to certain traffic restrictions and must wear an FFP2 mask at all times outside their private living area if there is a risk of infecting others. Infected employees are also required to wear FFP2 masks at work if contact with other people cannot be avoided. Employers must ensure their employees comply with the applicable protective measures.

In public indoor spaces, FFP2 grade masks are required across Austria. In restaurants and cafes, guests must wear masks when not seated at their tables.

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