Mask Mandate In Austria: What You Need To Know

In the past, Austria has made mask-wearing mandatory in grocery stores, public transport, health facilities, pharmacies, and other places where social distancing is difficult. In 2023, the country made it compulsory to wear masks in shops and for lorry drivers loading and unloading goods. In Vienna, stricter COVID-19 rules were enforced, including an FFP2 mask mandate on public transportation and in certain indoor spaces. However, as of 2025, Austria has relaxed its mandatory mask-wearing rules, no longer requiring face masks to be worn in shops.

Mask-wearing in Vienna

As of August 2022, Vienna has enforced stricter COVID-19 rules than the rest of Austria, including an FFP2 mask mandate on public transport and in indoor spaces at stations, platforms, airports, and pharmacies. This mandate was initially set to expire on August 23, 2022, but it was extended until October 23, 2022.

In July 2021, Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig announced an extension of protection measures, including the mandatory wearing of FFP2 masks in all stores and at indoor cultural events, due to the rising number of new COVID-19 cases.

In April 2020, Austria's government made it mandatory to wear protective masks in grocery and drug stores to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This decree included additional measures, such as requiring employees of grocery stores to wear gloves in customer areas and disinfecting shopping cart handles and other frequently touched surfaces regularly.

In June 2023, Austria's chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, announced that citizens must wear basic face masks in supermarkets to curb the spread of the coronavirus. These masks were to be provided for free upon arrival, and while they might not prevent the wearer from getting sick, they could help prevent the spread of droplets from sneezing and coughing.

In October 2023, Austria made it mandatory to wear FFP2 masks on public transport and when visiting shops, including for lorry drivers loading and unloading goods.

Face coverings in grocery stores

In March 2020, Austria made it mandatory to wear protective masks in grocery stores to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This decree included additional measures such as requiring employees to wear gloves and providing customers with masks free of charge.

In June 2023, Austria's chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, reiterated the importance of wearing masks in supermarkets to curb the spread of the coronavirus. He stated that masks could help prevent coughing and sneezing on others. At this time, masks were also mandatory in public transport, health facilities, and places where social distancing was challenging.

However, by mid-June 2020, Austria relaxed its mandatory mask-wearing rules as the country transitioned to a phase of "fewer rules, more self-responsibility." Mask-wearing was no longer mandatory in shops, although it remained mandatory in other settings like public transport and pharmacies.

In July 2021, Vienna, the capital of Austria, continued to enforce stricter COVID-19 rules, including the mandatory use of FFP2 masks in all stores and indoor cultural events. This extension of protection measures was due to the rising number of new coronavirus cases.

By January 2023, Austria had reinstated stricter mask-wearing regulations, making FFP2 masks mandatory for everyone, including lorry drivers loading and unloading goods in shops.

FFP2 masks on public transport

As of October 2023, Austria has made it mandatory to wear FFP2 masks on public transport. This regulation applies to everyone, including lorry drivers, customers, and staff at petrol stations. FFP2 masks are also required in pharmacies and enclosed spaces at stations, platforms, stops, train stations, and airports.

FFP2 masks, also known as N95 masks or 'respirators', are made of several layers of fabric and paper and have built-in filters. They protect the wearer from breathing in hazardous contaminants in the air and offer more protection than fabric or surgical masks.

The mandate for FFP2 masks on public transport in Austria has been subject to change and has been extended several times. Initially implemented in May 2022, the mandate was set to expire on August 23, 2022, but it was quietly extended until October 23, 2022.

It is important to note that mask mandates in Austria can vary between regions. For example, Vienna has enforced stricter COVID-19 rules than the rest of the country, including an FFP2 mask mandate on public transportation. In contrast, other parts of Austria may not have the same level of restrictions.

In addition to public transport, Austria has also made it mandatory to wear masks in other settings, such as grocery and drug stores, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These measures were implemented in 2020 and included additional hygiene rules for stores, such as providing customers with masks free of charge and encouraging social distancing.

Face masks in pharmacies

In April 2020, Austria made it mandatory to wear face masks in grocery and drug stores to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This decree included a number of additional measures, such as providing customers with masks free of charge if they did not have their own, requiring employees to wear gloves, and implementing social distancing rules.

Since then, mandatory mask-wearing in Austria has been relaxed. However, as of July 2021, the mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig, announced that mask-wearing would remain mandatory in the city due to the growing number of new coronavirus cases. This included wearing FFP2 masks in all stores and at indoor cultural events.

As of August 2022, Vienna continues to enforce stricter COVID-19 rules than the rest of Austria. While the rest of the country does not require mask-wearing on public transport, Vienna has extended the FFP2 mask obligation in public transport and enclosed spaces, including pharmacies. This means that, in Vienna, customers must wear FFP2 masks in the customer areas of public pharmacies.

It is important to note that these rules are subject to change as the COVID-19 situation evolves, and different regions within Austria may have varying requirements.

Masks for lorry drivers

As of January 2025, Austria has made wearing an FFP2 face mask mandatory when using public transport or visiting shops. This regulation applies to everyone, including lorry drivers.

FFP2 masks, also known as N95 masks or 'respirators', protect wearers from breathing in hazardous contaminants in the air. They are made of several layers of fabric and paper and have built-in filters. These masks are said to be more protective than fabric masks or surgical masks.

When to Wear an FFP2 Mask

Lorry drivers must wear FFP2 masks when loading and unloading from shops. Customers and staff at petrol stations are also required to wear FFP2 masks. When in the cabin or leaving the truck, a face mask of any kind is deemed acceptable.

Vienna's Requirements

Vienna has stricter COVID rules than the rest of Austria. In addition to the FFP2 mask obligation in public transport, Vienna also requires masks in pharmacies and enclosed spaces at stations, platforms, stops, train stations, and airports.

International Requirements

Internationally, the requirements for lorry drivers vary. For example, in February 2021, Italy set up testing centres at the Italian-Austrian border, requiring drivers to show a negative test result within 48 hours of entering Tyrol from Italy. In contrast, in January 2021, Bulgaria exempted drivers of trucks carrying out international transport of goods from the requirement to present a negative PCR test for SARS-CoV-2.

Frequently asked questions