Damon Mcknight
Austria's border policy has changed over time, with the country implementing various measures during the COVID-19 pandemic to contain the spread of the virus. On June 9, 2020, Austria announced it would reopen its borders to Italy and lift quarantine requirements for travellers from over 20 other European countries. This easing of restrictions occurred after Austria faced tensions with Italy for imposing coronavirus-related checks due to Italy's high infection and death rates. On June 16, 2021, Austria lifted border controls for travel from more than two dozen countries, including Greece and Croatia. As of December 20, 2021, Austria mandated that all tourists and business travellers entering the country must be fully vaccinated. During lockdown periods, Austria's borders remained open for essential travel only. As of June 26, 2021, Austria's borders were fully open to 51 out of 32 countries and partially open to the remaining 32.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 26 June 2021 |
| Number of countries open to | 51/32 |
| Number of countries partially open to | 0/32 |
| Open to tourists from | EU, Schengen zone, UK |
| Vaccination requirements | Mandatory for tourists and business travellers |
| Travel type | Essential travel only during lockdown |
| Border checks | Lifted with Italy |
| Quarantine requirements | Lifted for travellers from over 20 European countries |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's borders open to tourists from the EU, the UK, and the Schengen zone
Austria's borders are open to tourists from countries in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the Schengen zone. As of June 26, 2021, Austria's borders were fully open to 51 out of 32 countries.
Austria is part of the Schengen Area, which operates as a single state for international travel purposes. It has common external border controls and a common visa policy, but no internal border controls. The Schengen Area was created through the Schengen Agreement, which was signed on June 14, 1985, by five of the ten member states of the then European Economic Community. The purpose of the Schengen Area is to expand the individual freedoms of citizens and improve security within Europe. Citizens of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia can enter the Schengen Area without a visa.
Austria joined the Schengen Area in 1997. In June 2021, Austria lifted checks at its border with Italy and ended the requirement for the quarantining of travellers arriving from over 20 European countries. However, the UK was not included in this list due to its higher infection rate.
As of December 20, 2021, Austria made vaccinations a mandatory entry requirement for tourists and business travelers. During lockdown periods, Austria's borders are open only for essential travel.
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Austria lifts checks at its border with Italy
Austria has lifted border checks with all neighbouring countries except Italy. While Austria has opened its borders to neighbouring states, some of its western neighbours have maintained entry requirements. Austria's borders are open for essential travel only during a lockdown period that will last until at least January 17.
On June 16, Austria lifted checks at its border with Italy and ended the requirement for the quarantining of travellers arriving from over 20 European countries. However, the UK was not included in the list of countries that could bypass the quarantine requirement. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said, "We are opening Austria's borders to all EU, EFTA (European Free Trade Association) and EEA (European Economic Area) states with four notable exceptions – those are Sweden, Great Britain, Spain and Portugal." Health Minister Rudolf Anschober cited Britain and Sweden's higher infection rates as a factor in keeping restrictions in place.
Austria's border with Italy remains subject to restrictions. Italy has opened its borders for EU citizens, including Austrians, but Austria has not reciprocated, saying the virus is still too prevalent in its southern neighbour.
Austria's borders are generally open to tourists from the EU, the Schengen zone, and the UK. Vaccinations are a mandatory entry requirement for tourists and business travellers.
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Austria's borders open for essential travel only during lockdown
Austria has had several border restrictions in place over the past few years. In 2021, Austria extended its lockdown until at least February 7, tightening border controls to slow the spread of COVID-19. During this time, Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer urged that "travel should be kept to an absolute minimum".
In December 2021, Austria made vaccinations mandatory for entry into the country for tourists and business travellers. The country's borders were open for essential travel only during this lockdown period, which was set to last until at least January 17, 2022.
Austria's borders are typically open to tourists from the EU, the Schengen zone, and the UK. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Austria applied stricter travel rules, including ending quarantine requirements for travellers from over 20 European countries but maintaining restrictions on visitors from the UK, Sweden, Spain, and Portugal due to higher infection rates in those countries.
In April 2025, Austria closed 24 border crossings with Hungary and Slovakia due to a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. This highly infectious disease primarily affects cattle and other cloven-hoofed animals, and Hungarian and Slovakian authorities implemented immediate health control measures, including the culling of livestock and the introduction of restricted zones. Austrian health authorities conducted rigorous checks and deployed police resources to the few open border crossings to prevent the spread of the disease into Austria.
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Austria makes vaccinations mandatory for entry
Austria has been one of the strictest countries in Europe regarding COVID-19 vaccination mandates. On February 5, 2022, Austria became the first country in Europe to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for all adults. The law, which was initially proposed by then-Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg in November 2021, was passed by the Bundesrat, Austria's upper house of parliament, on February 3, 2022.
The new law made COVID-19 vaccination compulsory for all citizens above the age of 18. By March 15, 2022, all households were informed about the new law by mail. Police were authorised to conduct spot checks on the immunisation status of citizens and issue fines ranging from €600 to €3600 for non-compliance.
However, the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination mandate was short-lived. On March 10, 2022, it was announced that the legal requirement to have the COVID-19 vaccine would not be enforced as planned, following a report by experts that it was "not proportionate" due to the milder Omicron strain of the virus. Despite the suspension, Health Minister Johannes Rauch stated that the committee would meet again in three months to re-evaluate the situation and decide on the future of the vaccination mandate.
Even before the implementation of the mandatory vaccination law, Austria had some of the strictest COVID-19 regulations in Europe. In November 2021, the country introduced rules barring unvaccinated individuals from restaurants, hotels, and large events. Additionally, the government imposed a national lockdown specifically for unvaccinated individuals. These measures were implemented due to Austria's low vaccination rate and the surge in COVID-19 cases across Europe.
As of June 2021, Austria's borders were fully open to 51 out of 32 countries, with no restrictions for tourists from the EU, the Schengen zone, and the UK. However, during lockdown periods, travel to Austria was limited to essential purposes only. As of December 20, 2021, Austria made vaccinations a mandatory entry requirement for tourists and business travellers. The accepted vaccines for entry into Austria include BioNTech/Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Covishield, Covaxin, Covovax, Johnson & Johnson (single dose), Moderna, Nuvaxovid (Novavax), Sinovac, and Sinopharm.
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Austria's neighbours' entry requirements
Austria's neighbours include Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and Italy. As an EU member, Austria follows the Schengen area rules for entry requirements.
Germany
Germany has temporary border controls in place for entry. Travellers must show proof of vaccination (within 360 days) or a certificate of recovery. A health certificate is no longer required for arrivals from the EU, except for the UK.
Czech Republic
There is a test station at the border with the Czech Republic.
Slovakia
In 2025, Austria closed two dozen border crossings with Slovakia and Hungary due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Cars and pedestrians must cross over an epidemic rug to prevent the virus from spreading, and the police are searching vehicles for meat products.
Hungary
Hungary had its first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 50 years in 2025, leading to the closure of many border crossings with Austria.
Switzerland
Switzerland is not an EU member but is part of the European Economic Area (EEA).
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is also not an EU member but is part of the EEA.
Italy
Austria has a protective function vis-à-vis Italy for the Austrian and Ladin minorities in South Tyrol. Austria and Italy have had negotiations regarding the autonomy of South Tyrol.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria opened its borders to tourists from the EU, the Schengen zone, and the UK on June 26, 2021.
Yes, as of December 20, 2021, Austria made vaccinations a mandatory entry requirement for tourists and business travelers.
Yes, Austria had border restrictions in place for Italy until June 16, 2020, when it lifted quarantine requirements for travellers from over 20 European countries.
