Vaccines For Visiting Austria: Accepted Immunizations

which vaccines are accepted in austria

Austria has implemented a series of measures to control the spread of COVID-19, including the '2-G rule' and the '3-G rule'. The '2-G rule' requires individuals to provide proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 to enter the country and access various indoor spaces. The '3-G rule' applies to hotels, restaurants, and other venues, where proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative test is required. All vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) are accepted in Austria. However, only EMA-approved vaccines are recognised for the '2-G rule' to access certain indoor facilities. Travellers with an 'EU Digital COVID Certificate' can enter Austria with proof of full vaccination, recovery, or a negative test.

Vaccines Accepted in Austria

Characteristics Values
Vaccines Authorised by the EMA BioNtech/Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Nuvaxovid (Novavax)
Vaccines Authorised by the WHO Covishield, Sinopharm, Sinovac
Validity of Vaccination Certificates 9 months
Validity of 2-dose Vaccination Certificates 270 days
Validity of Single-dose Vaccination Certificates 270 days
Validity of Booster Vaccination Certificates 180 days for adults, 210 days for under 18s
Validity of Negative PCR Test Results 72 hours
Validity of Negative Antigen Test Results 24 hours
Age Limit for Vaccination 14 years

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All vaccines authorised by the EMA and WHO are accepted

All vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) are accepted for entry to Austria. This includes the Covishield, Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines. However, these vaccines are not valid for accessing indoor facilities, such as tourist accommodations, restaurants, bars, and gyms.

To enter Austria, you must provide proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative test result. This is known as the '3-G rule'. Children under 12 are exempt from this requirement. Travellers with an 'EU Digital COVID Certificate' (EUDCC) are approved for entry if it includes proof of full vaccination, recovery, or a negative test result. All vaccines authorised by the EMA and the WHO are accepted as proof of vaccination.

The '2-G rule' applies to access many indoor services in Austria, such as hotels, restaurants, and ski resorts. For domestic use, only EMA-approved vaccines are accepted as 2G proof. The 2G rule requires proof of vaccination or recovery from Covid-19. The vaccines accepted as proof under the 2G rule are:

  • BioNtech/Pfizer
  • AstraZeneca
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Moderna
  • Nuvaxovid (Novavax)

The Austrian authorities have made an important announcement regarding the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. They have stated that "a single vaccination with Johnson & Johnson will only be recognised until January 3, 2022. After that date, a booster is required".

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The 2G rule: proof of vaccination or recovery from Covid-19

In Austria, you need proof of 2G (vaccination or recovery from Covid-19) to enter the country, to avoid the current lockdown (which is in place for people without 2G only), and to access many services ranging from hotels to restaurants to ski resorts. The 2G rule refers to the recovery and vaccination requirements. All persons, including travellers, are required to provide valid proof of recovery or vaccination to be permitted access to several indoor areas in Austria, such as bars, restaurants, and museums, among others.

The rules for entry are simpler. Vaccinations with approval from the EMA or the WHO are accepted. This includes Sinopharm, Covishield, and Janssen. Double-dose or single-dose vaccines are valid for 270 days. A certificate of recovery is valid for 180 days. For teenagers born before 1 September 2006, the 2G rule applies (full vaccination/recovery and PCR test or booster). Teenagers born after this date can use the first PCR test of their Holiday Ninja Pass to enter Austria.

For domestic use, the rules are more complicated because, in general, only EMA-approved vaccines are accepted as 2G proof. EMA-approved vaccines include BioNtech/Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Nuvaxovid (Novavax). However, there are some workarounds. According to Austria's National Vaccine Committee, people with a non-EMA approved vaccine can carry out a test for antibodies and receive a dose of an EMA-approved mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna). Foreign proofs of vaccination are accepted as 2G as long as they comply with Austria's rules, including being written in German or English.

It is worth being prepared with proof of what the government has said about non-EMA approved vaccines in case you are questioned. For example, one person with two doses of the Sputnik vaccine, an antibody certificate, and one dose of Pfizer was told by a border official that their proof was not sufficient, but they were ultimately allowed to enter the country.

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The 3G rule: proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test

In Austria, the "3G rule" requires that you provide proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19, or a negative COVID-19 test to enter restaurants, hotels, ski lifts, etc. This rule applies to both domestic and international travellers.

For international travellers, the "2G rule" applies for entry into Austria, which means that proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 is required. All vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) are accepted for entry into Austria. The EMA-approved vaccines currently recognised by Austria include BioNtech/Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Nuvaxovid (Novavax). The Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine is only recognised until January 3, 2022, after which a booster is required for entry.

For travellers who have recovered from COVID-19, a certificate of recovery is valid for 180 days. Travellers must also present a negative PCR test result (valid for 72 hours) or an antigen test result (valid for 24 hours). Pre-travel clearance is required for travellers who have visited virus variant areas in the last 10 days, and entry may be prohibited unless proof of a booster dose and a negative PCR test result can be provided.

Children under 12 years of age are generally exempt from providing proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative test result. Teenagers born before September 1, 2006, are subject to the 2G rule and must provide proof of full vaccination, recovery, and a PCR test or booster.

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The EU Digital Covid Certificate (EUDCC)

In Austria, the EUDCC is recognised and accepted for entry into the country. Travellers with a valid EUDCC can present proof of full vaccination, recovery from COVID-19, or a negative COVID-19 test result. For proof of vaccination, double-dose or single-dose vaccines are valid for 270 days, and all vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) are accepted. This includes vaccines such as BioNtech/Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Nuvaxovid (Novavax). Additionally, vaccines authorised by the WHO, such as Covishield, Sinopharm, and Sinovac, are acceptable for entry into Austria but may not grant access to certain indoor facilities, including tourist accommodations, restaurants, and bars.

It is important to note that the requirements for EUDCC may vary depending on the traveller's country of departure and Austria's national classification of risk areas. Pre-travel clearance may be required for travellers coming from virus variant areas. Children under 12 years of age are generally exempt from providing proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative test result. Teenagers and adults, however, may need to follow the "3-G rule," which requires proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative test for accessing certain venues during their stay in Austria.

To maintain their EUDCC validity, individuals may need to receive booster shots after a certain period. For example, the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine was only recognised until January 3, 2022, after which a booster shot was required for continued validity. It is recommended to stay informed about the latest announcements from the Austrian authorities regarding any changes to the accepted vaccines and the validity periods of vaccination certificates.

The EUDCC is a valuable tool for facilitating travel and helping to manage the COVID-19 pandemic in a coordinated and safe manner. By providing standardised proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative test result, individuals can more easily navigate the varying requirements of different European countries, including Austria. It is important for travellers to stay updated on the specific requirements of their destination and to have the necessary documentation ready for a smooth journey.

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Non-EMA approved vaccines

In Austria, you need proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19, or a negative test result to enter the country and access many services, including hotels, restaurants, and ski resorts. This is known as the "3-G rule". To enter the country, travellers with an 'EU Digital COVID Certificate' (EUDCC) are approved for entry if it includes one of the following:

Only vaccines approved by the EMA are recognised for the "2-G rule", which is required for entry to several indoor areas in Austria, such as bars, restaurants, and museums. However, there are some exceptions and workarounds for non-EMA approved vaccines. For example, Covishield, Sinopharm, and Sinovac vaccines are acceptable for entry to Austria but cannot be used to access indoor facilities.

According to Austria's National Vaccine Committee, people with a non-EMA approved vaccine can carry out a test for antibodies and receive a dose of an EMA-approved mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna). There have been reports of travellers with two doses of the Sputnik vaccine, an antibody certificate, and one dose of Pfizer being allowed entry to Austria. However, on one occasion, a border official told them their proof was not sufficient.

The Health Ministry has stated that foreign proofs of vaccination are accepted as 2G as long as they comply with Austria's rules, including being written in German or English. It is possible to get foreign vaccine proofs converted by doctors for a fee.

Frequently asked questions

All vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) are accepted in Austria. This includes BioNtech/Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Nuvaxovid (Novavax).

Non-EMA approved vaccines are not accepted as 2G proof in Austria. However, there have been reports of travellers with non-EMA approved vaccines entering the country with additional proof of antibodies and an EMA-approved mRNA vaccine.

The validity of vaccination certificates in Austria has been shortened from 12 to 9 months. Double-dose or single-dose vaccines are valid for 270 days.

The "2G-rule" in Austria refers to the recovery and vaccination requirements. Travellers must provide valid proof of recovery or vaccination to be permitted access to several indoor areas in Austria, such as bars, restaurants, and museums.

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