Leslie Massey
Austria has a number of restrictions on what you can and cannot bring into the country. As a member of the European Union, Austria complies with all EU rules, including the Common Agricultural Policy, which has restrictions on farm products. There are also restrictions on the import of animals, plants, and other goods from non-EU countries, as well as certain non-tariff barriers in the pharmaceutical, telecom, and biotechnology sectors. If you are travelling with a pet, you must notify the airline in advance, and the total weight of the pet and carrying container must not exceed 8 kg. Meat and meat products, especially pork and wild boar, are prohibited, and there are limits on the quantity of animal products tourists can bring into the country. Tobacco products, narcotics, sexual enhancers, and weapons are also prohibited.
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What You'll Learn
Meat and meat products
If you are travelling to Austria from another EU country, you can carry meat or meat products with you as long as they are for your own personal consumption. However, it is important to note that there are restrictions on bringing meat and meat products into Austria if you are travelling from a non-EU country. In this case, you are not allowed to bring any meat or meat products with you.
If you are travelling to Austria from a non-EU country, it is important to declare any meat or meat products that you are carrying. If you do not declare these items, they may be confiscated and destroyed, and you may face fines or criminal prosecution. The specific regulations and restrictions on importing meat and meat products into Austria may change frequently due to disease outbreaks, so it is essential to check the latest information before travelling.
It is also important to note that there are restrictions on bringing certain types of meat and meat products into Austria, even from within the EU. For example, you should not bring any meat or meat products, especially pork and wild boar meat, from private production and slaughtering. To reduce the risk of an outbreak of African swine fever in Austria, it is recommended to buy groceries from certified Austrian retailers or controlled farm sellers.
In summary, when travelling to Austria, it is important to be aware of the restrictions and regulations regarding the importation of meat and meat products. These restrictions are in place to protect the health of animals and the economy. By following these regulations, you can help reduce the risk of disease outbreaks and ensure a safe and enjoyable trip to Austria.
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Narcotics and sexual enhancers
The import, export, acquisition, possession, and production of narcotics are all strictly regulated in Austria under the Suchtmittelgesetz (SMG), or the Austrian Act on addictive substances. The illegal use of drugs is a criminal offence in Austria, and it is not tolerated or legal in small amounts. The SMG also contains rules for the illegal handling and dealing of substances that it calls psychotropic substances, which are listed in the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
If you are taking prescription medication, it is recommended to use the form according to Annex X of the Addictive Drugs Regulations. The amount you bring with you may not exceed your requirements for 30 days. For stays longer than 30 days, you can have the medication prescribed by an Austrian doctor. In such cases, a letter from your doctor at home is useful.
If you are found to be importing narcotics into Austria, you may be criminally prosecuted, even if you did not commit any other criminal offence in the country. More severe offences, such as dealing large amounts of drugs, are considered to damage Austrian interests and can result in a prison sentence of up to 10 or 20 years, or even life imprisonment.
It is important to note that the Austrian criminal justice system emphasizes treatment over punishment for "small-time" and addicted offenders. Prosecution may be terminated with a probationary period and the requirement to participate in therapy.
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Tobacco products
If you are travelling to Austria from an EU country, you are allowed to bring in tobacco products duty-free, provided you are over 17 years old, you have paid tax on these goods, and they are for your own personal use. However, bringing in more than 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco or 800 tobacco sticks for e-cigarettes may lead to you being questioned by customs officials. If you are entering Austria from Hungary, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania or Bulgaria, the tax-exempt quantity is 300 cigarettes, and any number above this must be declared and appropriate duties paid.
For travellers arriving from a non-EU country, different rules apply. You may bring in 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco or 800 tobacco sticks for e-cigarettes duty-free, provided you are 17 or over. If you exceed these amounts, you must demonstrate that the goods are for your personal use.
Vaping is not banned in Austria, but there are some restrictions in place. E-cigarettes and related products can only be sold in registered tobacco shops, and their sale to minors is prohibited. Additionally, vaping is not allowed in cars where minors are present or in other places where smoking bans apply.
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Live animals
When travelling with live animals to Austria, there are several important regulations to keep in mind. Firstly, all pets must be declared to the customs office at the airports of Vienna, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz and Klagenfurt when entering the country. This declaration is mandatory even if no special documents are required for the pet. The so-called "red channel" exit must be used at these airports, indicating that goods are being imported.
It is essential to ensure that your pet meets the vaccination requirements. For travel to Austria, pets must have a working microchip, also known as a transponder, before receiving their rabies vaccination. The microchip allows a veterinarian to scan and verify the vaccination status of the animal. If your pet is entering Austria from the United States, it is important to note that a "primary" rabies vaccination is only valid for one year according to EU rules. Therefore, a booster rabies vaccination is required within 12 months of the primary vaccination to maintain validity.
Additionally, specific import conditions apply when entering Austria from certain countries. For example, if your pet is coming from peninsular Malaysia, it must not have had contact with pigs in the 60 days prior to export, must test negative for Nipah disease, and must not have lived in areas where cases of Nipah disease have been confirmed. Similarly, cats entering Austria from Australia must not have resided in regions where Hendra disease cases have been reported within the previous 60 days.
Furthermore, flights to Austria with pets should preferably be direct or transit through another EU Member State or a listed third country. If transiting through an unlisted country, a Transit Declaration is required, stating that the pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the designated areas. It is also important to check with your chosen airline or shipping line, as they may have their own policies and requirements for transporting live animals.
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War materials
When travelling to Austria, it is important to be aware of the restrictions on what you can and cannot bring into the country. While some items may be allowed in certain circumstances, others are strictly prohibited. War materials, in particular, fall under strict regulations.
Firearms and ammunition are considered war materials and are subject to strict controls. If you need to bring firearms or ammunition into Austria, it is crucial to register them with the relevant authorities. Failure to do so may result in confiscation and legal consequences. Ensure that you are familiar with the local laws and regulations regarding the possession and transportation of firearms and ammunition.
Explosives and incendiary materials, including explosive and incendiary devices, fireworks, flares, party poppers, and other pyrotechnic items, are strictly prohibited for transport and possession. These items pose a significant safety risk and are not allowed under any circumstances. Transporting or possessing such materials can lead to severe penalties, including criminal charges.
Additionally, certain tools and devices with potential weapon applications are restricted. For example, crowbars, drills, drill bits, and tools with a blade or shaft longer than 6 cm that could be used as weapons are not permitted in carry-on baggage. It is important to declare and properly pack these items if they are necessary for your travel.
Magnetised materials, such as unshielded permanent magnets without installed holding rods, are also classified as dangerous goods. These items can interfere with navigation and communication systems, posing safety risks. Therefore, they are forbidden for transport and must be handled according to local regulations.
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Frequently asked questions
Citizens of the European Union will not need a visa. Nor will certain other nationalities, including Americans, Australians, and Canadians, for stays of less than 90 days.
European airlines are beginning to crack down on the weight of carry-on baggage. To avoid having to check in your luggage, make sure to weigh it before you get to the airport.
To pack light, you can leave out toiletries and non-prescription medication. Both can be easily purchased in Austria.
In accordance with its European Union membership, Austria complies with all the European Union rules. There are restrictions on the import of farm products and certain non-tariff barriers exist in the pharmaceutical, telecom, biotechnology, refrigerant, and legal and accounting services sectors.
Leave your fancy suits and ties at home. Although Austria is steeped in conservatism, a shirt will do just fine for a night out at a restaurant or the theatre.
