Austria's Neighbors: A Guide To Bordering Countries

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe with a total of eight neighbouring countries. To the north, Austria shares borders with Germany and the Czech Republic. To the east, it borders Slovakia and Hungary. In the south, it is bordered by Slovenia, Italy and Switzerland. Finally, to the west, it shares a border with Liechtenstein.

Austria's northern neighbours: Germany and the Czech Republic

Austria's northern neighbours are Germany and the Czech Republic. Germany and Austria share a 497-mile (801 km) boundary, the longest Austria has with any of its neighbours. The relationship between the two countries is rooted in deep historical connections, cultural ties, and lively economic interactions. Germany is also Austria's biggest neighbour in terms of area, with the two countries sharing a border that is rich in geographical diversity.

The Czech Republic is another of Austria's northern neighbours, with the two countries sharing a 360-mile-long (580 km) border stretching from east to west. This borderland is a place of cultural exchange and vibrant trade.

Austria's relationships with its northern neighbours are a regional priority of its foreign policy. The country pays special attention to its immediate neighbours, with whom it has longstanding historical links, common borders, geographical similarities, intense economic interrelations, and close cultural exchanges.

The COVID-19 pandemic gave Austria's cooperation with its northern neighbours a new dimension. In response to the pandemic, Austria teamed up with its neighbours, including the Czech Republic, to form the "Central Five" to combat the pandemic as a unit.

Austria's eastern neighbours: Slovakia and Hungary

Austria's eastern neighbours are Hungary and Slovakia. Austria shares a 331km (205mi) border with Hungary and a 105km (65mi) border with Slovakia.

Austria and Hungary have a long shared history. The two countries were united as the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 1867 to 1918. This was a constitutional monarchy consisting of two sovereign states with a single monarch, who was titled Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. The empire was geographically the second-largest country in Europe and the third most populous. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was dissolved after World War I, when Hungary terminated the union.

Austria and Hungary continue to have strong economic ties. Trade with Hungary and Slovakia accounts for a significant portion of Austria's trade flows. Since the EU enlargement of 2004, Austria's exports to Central and Eastern Europe have nearly tripled. Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia have also formed an ad hoc format of regional cooperation called the "Central Five". This group has worked together closely to address the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Austria and Slovakia also have strong historical ties. Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is less than an hour's drive from Vienna, Austria's capital.

Austria's southern neighbours: Slovenia and Italy

Austria's southern neighbours, Slovenia and Italy, share a border with Austria that stretches 330km and 404km, respectively. Both countries have a unique history and distinct culture, and their relationship with Austria is marked by geographical similarities and close economic and political ties.

Slovenia

Slovenia is a small country in Central Europe, characterised by its diverse topography, including the European Alps, the Dinaric Alps, and the Pannonian and Danubian lowlands. It has a population of around 2 million people and is known for its picturesque landscapes, such as Lake Bled.

Historically, Slovenia was largely controlled by the Habsburgs of Austria, who ruled over the Holy Roman Empire and its successor states. After World War II, Slovenia became part of Yugoslavia and fell under communist rule. With the dissolution of Yugoslavia in 1991, Slovenia established a multiparty democratic system and rapidly developed economically, attracting migrants from other Balkan countries. It joined the European Union in 2004.

Slovenia and Austria share a border with a length of 330km. This shared border has resulted in some interesting cultural exchanges, such as the influence of Styrian German on the northern Slovene dialect. Additionally, the two countries have strong economic ties, with many Austrians visiting Slovenia for vacations and vice versa.

In recent years, Slovenia has been investing significantly in its rail and road infrastructure, narrowing the gap with Austria in terms of transportation. However, Austria still spends considerable amounts on upgrading and maintaining its rail network, which may explain why some perceive Austrian infrastructure as more advanced.

Italy

Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe with a long Mediterranean coastline. It has a rich history, having been the centre of the Roman Empire and a major cultural hub during the Renaissance. Italy has a population of over 60 million people and is known for its diverse regional cultures, cuisine, and fashion industry.

Austria and Italy's shared border stretches 404km, and their relationship has been shaped by historical events. After World War I, South Tyrol, which had been an integral part of Tyrol and under Austrian rule for centuries, was ceded to Italy under the Treaty of Saint-Germain in 1919. This led to tensions and the oppression of the German-speaking population in South Tyrol during the Fascist regime.

To address these issues, Austria and Italy negotiated the Paris Agreement in 1946, which aimed to protect the autonomy and cultural identity of the German and Ladin minorities in South Tyrol. This agreement has been a cornerstone of Austria's foreign policy, and both countries continue to work together to promote peaceful coexistence and cultural exchange.

Austria and Italy also have strong economic ties, with Italy being one of Austria's top trading partners. Additionally, the two countries have a history of cooperation in the European integration process, particularly within the framework of European regional cooperation programmes.

Austria's western neighbours: Switzerland and Liechtenstein

Austria's western neighbours, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, are both landlocked countries in Central Europe. They are two of the nine countries that share a border with Austria.

Switzerland

Switzerland is a non-European Union member state that shares a 158km (98-mile) border with Austria. It is one of the founding members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and has a comprehensive set of agreements with the EU. Switzerland is known for its stable political and social situation, excellent infrastructure, and diverse cultural programme. Zurich, one of its cities, is located by the lakeside and has a strong financial sector.

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked country, bordered by Switzerland and Austria. It is one of the smallest countries in Europe, with an area of just over 160 square kilometres (62 square miles) and a population of 40,023. It is a semi-constitutional monarchy headed by the prince of Liechtenstein, currently Hans-Adam II. Vaduz is the capital and Schaan is the largest municipality. German is the official language, and Catholicism is the official state religion. Liechtenstein is known for its strong financial sector, low corporate tax rates, and high standard of living.

Austria's closest neighbouring capital city: Vienna

Vienna, the capital of Austria, is located on the eastern edge of the country, around 50km west of Slovakia and its capital, Bratislava. Vienna is the closest neighbouring capital city to Austria, with Bratislava being just a short trip away. Vienna is also around 60km northwest of Hungary and 60km south of Moravia in the Czech Republic.

Vienna is the cultural, economic, and political centre of Austria and is the country's most populous city, with just over two million inhabitants. It is also one of nine federal states of Austria. The city is located on the banks of the Danube River and is traversed by the Wienfluss (Vienna River). Vienna is surrounded by Lower Austria and is the capital of the state of Lower Austria.

Vienna has a rich history, dating back to the Romans, who set up the military camp of Vindobona in the 1st century. The city has been the seat of the Babenbergs, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It became the capital of the Republic of German-Austria in 1918 and then the First Republic of Austria in 1919. Vienna has played a significant role in European and world politics, including hosting the Congress of Vienna in 1814-15.

The city is known as the "City of Music" due to its musical legacy, with many famous classical musicians, such as Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn, having lived and worked there. Vienna is also home to several opera houses, theatres, museums, and palaces. It has a vibrant coffee house culture, with traditional cafés serving a wide variety of coffee drinks and pastries.

Vienna is a walkable and bike-friendly city, with an extensive public transportation network, including metro, tram, and bus lines. The city has a lively student population, with around 200,000 students studying at its local universities.

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