Lyla Lindsey
As of 23 July 2024, Austria has implemented a green pass requirement, which certifies an individual's vaccination or recovery status, or presents a negative test result. To gain access to restaurants, bars, cinemas, theatres, and other public spaces, individuals must present an entry test certificate. There are three types of tests available in Austria to determine whether an individual has an active virus infection: rapid antigen tests, polymerase chain reaction tests (PCR), and self-testing kits.
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What You'll Learn
Testing and contact tracing
As Austria slowly reopened after its second coronavirus lockdown, Chancellor Kurz tried to encourage a nationwide mass-testing drive. The aim was to identify and isolate symptom-free carriers of COVID-19. However, critics argued that testing was a waste of capacity when fewer than 1% of subjects were testing positive.
In March 2020, the Austrian Red Cross, in collaboration with Accenture Austria and the Uniqa private foundation, introduced the Stopp Corona app to trace contacts and prevent the spread of COVID-19. The app has been endorsed by the Austrian government, and it tracks infection chains by storing all contacts a user has had within two meters of another user over the previous 54 hours that lasted longer than 15 minutes. Users are warned if they have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 (or is at least suspected of having it). The app has been downloaded over 400,000 times, but this number is too low for it to be effective. According to an Oxford University study, around 60% of the population would need to use a contact-tracing app for it to be effective.
The Austrian government has clarified that having a contact-tracing app installed may not be used as a way of controlling access to public events, and it does not plan to make the use of a contact-tracing app mandatory. The app has undergone several updates to improve data protection, and data protection audits have assessed the app as being 'data protection friendly' to a large extent.
Regarding the Austrian app, one article explained that to protect privacy, an integrated statistics function was removed because it would have allowed users to be identified and traced. Several articles in Austrian newspapers have emphasized the importance of ensuring anonymity and data security.
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Vaccination and recovery status
Austria has implemented a variety of measures to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccination and recovery status verification. Here is an overview of the situation as of early 2022:
Vaccination Status
Austria has introduced a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for its residents. As of January 2022, the country ended its lockdown for unvaccinated residents, citing reduced pressure on intensive care capacities in hospitals. The Austrian government, led by Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Health Minister Wolfgang Mueckstein, emphasized that the mandate would come into effect soon after the lockdown lift. This decision sparked some protests and demonstrations against the country's coronavirus restrictions.
Recovery Status
Austria recognizes proof of recovery from COVID-19 as an alternative to vaccination status. Visitors to Austria who cannot provide proof of vaccination or a negative test result must quarantine upon arrival. This rule applies to most travellers, regardless of their country of origin. Within Austria, proof of recent recovery or vaccination is required to access various establishments, especially those with higher risks of transmission.
EU Digital COVID Certificate
The EU Digital COVID Certificate, implemented in Austria and across the EU, standardizes the recognition of an individual's vaccination, recovery, or test status. This certificate is required to access public spaces in Austria, including cultural, leisure, and sports facilities, tourist accommodations, bars, and restaurants. However, each country within the EU maintains the autonomy to define its specific entry requirements and rules, which may differ from other member states.
Green Technologies and Digital Transition
Austria's recovery and resilience plan addresses the urgent need for economic recovery and future preparedness. The plan focuses on green technologies, sustainability, and digitalization. Investments are directed towards increasing broadband coverage, digitalizing companies, improving education and training, and fostering sustainable practices. These measures aim to enhance Austria's resilience and adaptability in the face of the pandemic and future challenges.
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Rules and measures to prevent spread
In April 2025, Austria closed 24 border crossings with Hungary and Slovakia in a bid to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease and prevent it from entering the country. The disease, which poses no danger to humans, affects cattle and other cloven-hoofed animals. In response to the outbreak, Austrian health authorities conducted rigorous checks at the remaining open border crossings with Hungary and Slovakia.
In April 2020, Austria implemented rules and measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A decree issued on March 31, 2020, mandated the wearing of protective masks for customers shopping in grocery and drug stores. This decree built upon existing restrictions and added new measures, which included:
- Encouraging employees of grocery and drug stores to wear protective masks
- Providing customers with free protective masks if they did not have their own
- Requiring customers to wear protective masks to enter the premises
- Exempting small grocery and drug stores (under 400 square meters) from new additional hygiene rules but requiring them to follow general COVID-19 rules, such as regular handwashing, use of disinfecting lotion, and maintaining a safe distance of at least one meter
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Federal government responsibilities
The Federal Government of Austria has taken several measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country. On March 13, 2020, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced that several areas, including the tourist village of Ischgl, would be put under quarantine. However, the announcement caused panic, leading to tourists fleeing the ski resort. On March 16, 2020, the Austrian Federal Government imposed a strict nationwide lockdown, including closures of schools, shops, and cancellations of cultural and sports events. The government also implemented social distancing measures and restricted gatherings.
The Austrian government also took steps to address the economic impact of the pandemic. On March 14, 2020, Finance Minister Blümel announced a crisis response fund and a new model for short-time work to mitigate the financial consequences. The Austrian Parliament passed the COVID-19 law, providing a legal framework for further restrictions on public life. The government faced criticism for its handling of the outbreak at ski resorts, with a commission finding "serious miscalculations" and poor communication by local and federal officials.
As the pandemic progressed, the government continued to adapt its response. In April 2020, some restrictions were relaxed, and the number of new infections remained low throughout the summer. However, there were outbreaks in tourist places, enterprises with poor working conditions, and elderly care homes. The government was reluctant to impose another lockdown as cases rose in the fall. On March 15, 2022, the government made COVID-19 vaccination mandatory, a decision that was later abolished on June 23, 2022, as vaccination rates increased and pressure on the health system decreased.
Overall, Austria has been recognized as one of the most successful European countries in handling the pandemic, with a low hospitalization rate and fatality rate compared to its neighbors. The government's early lockdown measures, rigorous testing and health monitoring programs, and the public's adherence to self-isolation guidelines contributed to this success. By February 1, 2023, the Austrian government announced the phasing out of all COVID-19 protective measures and special provisions by June 30, 2023, signaling a return to pre-pandemic life.
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COVID-19 statistics
As of July 23, 2024, Austria has implemented a green pass requirement, also known as the 3G rule or entry tests, which mandates certification of vaccination or recovery status or a negative test result. The Green Pass App displays QR codes that are scanned for entry to various venues. This digital certificate is also required for travel. Austria also uses contact tracing in public spaces to identify and notify potentially infected individuals. The Stopp Corona app, provided by the Austrian Red Cross, facilitates this process.
There are three types of tests to determine an active virus infection in Austria: rapid antigen tests, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, and self-testing kits. Antibody tests are also available to detect the presence of antibodies in the bloodstream from a previous infection or vaccination. Rapid antigen tests are administered by trained staff and consist of a nose and throat swab. These tests are offered free of charge at testing centers, participating pharmacies, or dedicated laboratories, with results available within 15 to 30 minutes. PCR tests are generally used for individuals with COVID-19 symptoms or those who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive. While PCR tests are typically nose and throat swabs, saliva or gargle tests can also be performed in certain cases. Similar to rapid antigen tests, PCR tests are free of charge in pharmacies and laboratories, but results may take up to 24 to 48 hours.
In Austria, access to restaurants, bars, cinemas, theatres, and other public spaces where people congregate is permitted only with an entry test certificate. If an individual tests positive, they must immediately self-isolate and inform all their recent close contacts. The recommended quarantine period is between 10 to 14 days, and follow-up tests are required. Individuals are advised to visit a doctor or hospital only if they experience a high fever or breathing difficulties after the second week of quarantine.
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Frequently asked questions
If you test positive for COVID-19 in Austria, you must immediately self-isolate and inform all your recent contacts. You must also call the Corona-Gesundheitshotline (corona health hotline) at 1405 or your local health authority (Gesundheitsamt). Quarantine can last between 10 to 14 days, and you must book follow-up tests.
Austria has implemented a green pass requirement, which means that a digital certificate is required to enter venues such as restaurants, bars, cinemas, and theatres. There are three types of tests available: rapid antigen tests, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, and self-testing kits. Antibody tests are also available to determine if you have antibodies in your bloodstream from a previous infection or the vaccine.
The official website for information, support, and services related to coronavirus in Austria is Oesterreich.gv.at. This website provides statistics on COVID-19 cases, infection rates, deaths, and hospitalization, as well as information for each Bundesland (federal state).
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