Damon Mcknight
Austria will be open for tourism this summer, with restrictions being lifted in stages. From May 19, hotels, museums, theatres, and cinemas were allowed to reopen, and people could eat outdoors. From June 9, people were allowed to eat indoors, and sport could resume outdoors. The rest of the restrictions were set to be lifted on June 30. However, authorities have said that random health spot checks will be performed on foreigners entering the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reopening of hotels, accommodation providers and businesses | 19th May 2021 |
| Reopening of museums, theatres and cinemas | 19th May 2021 |
| Outdoor dining allowed | 19th May 2021 |
| Indoor dining allowed | 9th June 2021 |
| Outdoor sports allowed | 9th June 2021 |
| Curfew | 23:00 |
| Foreign visitors allowed with | Health pass |
| Remaining restrictions lifted | 30th June 2021 |
| Border crossings with neighbours | Open from 16th May 2020 |
| Borders fully relaxed | 15th June 2020 |
| Border restrictions with Germany lifted | 15th May 2020 |
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What You'll Learn
Summer activities in the mountains
Austria is a great destination for a summer holiday in the mountains. The Tyrol region in particular offers a range of activities for visitors. If you're looking for adventure, try hiking in the Alps, or head to one of the region's top swimming lakes to cool off. For a more relaxing experience, take a boat ride on Lake Hallstatt or enjoy wine tasting in the Wachau Valley.
Mountain biking is a popular activity in Austria, with many great routes to choose from. The Zillertal Alps, for example, offer impressive heights of up to 3,509 meters. The Styria region is another great option for mountain biking, with its mix of landscapes and cultural attractions.
If you're looking for a more urban experience, Innsbruck offers an alpine-urban vibe, while Kitzbühel is a good spot for luxury seekers. Families with children might prefer Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, which offers a range of activities for all ages.
Austria is also known for its music, and summer is a great time to take in free concerts and events. Vienna, for example, is considered the "City of Music", and in June, the Vienna Philharmonic performs in the open air.
In terms of COVID-19 restrictions, Austria began easing measures in April and May of 2021, with hotels, museums, theatres, and cinemas reopening in May. Foreign visitors were allowed to return with a health pass. As of May 2021, it was predicted that a third of Austria's population would have received their first dose of a vaccine by mid-May.
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Reopening of hotels and restaurants
As of May 12, 2021, Austria is set to reopen for tourism on May 19, 2021. Hotels, accommodation providers, and businesses can reopen on this date, with Chancellor Kurz citing the country's vaccination scheme as the reason for the relaxation of measures.
From May 19, people can also travel without restriction beyond the 10km (6-mile) current limit, giving a boost to movement to and within the Alps and the Pyrenees. Museums, theatres, and cinemas can also reopen, and people can eat outdoors. However, those visiting restaurants and hotels will need to show evidence of a negative test.
On June 9, people will be allowed to eat indoors, and sport can resume outdoors. The curfew will be pushed back to 23:00, and foreign visitors can return with a health pass. The rest of the restrictions are set to be lifted on June 30.
Austria also opened its border to some traffic from Germany on May 15, 2020, and border crossings with Switzerland and France began to open on May 16, 2020, under tightly controlled conditions.
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Austria's vaccination scheme
Under the scheme, eligible injuries that result in death, disability, or serious bodily harm are covered. Payments can include periodic payments, lump sum payments, care allowances, disability pensions, and funeral expenses. The quantification of vaccine-related damage is based on tariffs, individual assessments, or fixed sums for non-permanent injuries. Medical and funeral expenses incurred by victims can also be covered, with evidence required from the applicant.
However, in September 2024, Austria's new Health Minister, Johannes Rauch, announced the suspension of mandatory COVID-19 vaccination. Minister Rauch urged people to continue getting vaccinated, highlighting the potential emergence of new variants and the uncertainty of the virus's future trajectory. Despite the suspension, Austria recorded nearly 50,000 new COVID-19 infections, filling hospital beds in Vienna once again.
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Border restrictions
In terms of cross-border travel, Austria has implemented various measures at different times. In May 2020, Austria started to reopen its borders with neighboring countries, including Germany, Switzerland, and France, under tightly controlled conditions. By May 15th, 2021, Austria had opened its borders to some traffic from Germany, and Slovenian borders were also reopened to EU travelers, exempting them from mandatory quarantine. However, non-EU residents traveling to Slovenia were still required to undergo a 14-day quarantine, and individuals exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms were turned away at the border.
As Austria's alpine tourism relies heavily on German visitors, the reopening of borders with Germany was significant. Authorities conducted random health spot checks on foreigners entering the country, although these were fewer than in the initial phases of the pandemic. Additionally, the ski resort of St. Anton shared its plans to reopen for the summer season starting on June 19th, with cautious opening steps and clear safety concepts in place.
Overall, Austria's border restrictions and reopening plans have been characterized by a careful approach, taking into account vaccination progress and the country's fight against the pandemic. The easing of restrictions and the reopening of borders have been implemented in a phased manner, with health and safety measures in place to ensure the well-being of both locals and foreign visitors.
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Cultural and historical influences
Austria is a country steeped in history and culture, with a rich musical heritage. It is the birthplace of many famous composers, including Johann Strauss, Franz Liszt, Michael Haydn, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Vienna, the country's capital, is known as the "City of Music", and for good reason. Each June, the Vienna Philharmonic performs in the open air, and the city has a thriving classical music scene year-round.
Austria has also produced several notable economists, scientists, philosophers, and innovators in medicine and psychology. Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, and Viktor Frankl all called Austria home. The country's intellectual legacy extends beyond the arts and humanities, with groundbreaking scientific discoveries being made within its borders. The structure of DNA was discovered by Watson and Crick in Austria, and Mendel laid the groundwork for genetics with his experiments in botany.
Austria's geographical location has also played a significant role in its history and culture. Located in Central Europe, it shares borders with Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. This proximity to other countries and cultures has influenced Austrian cuisine, art, architecture, and language. The country's stunning landscapes, from the majestic Alps to the picturesque lakes and valleys, have long attracted visitors seeking natural beauty and outdoor activities.
The country's alpine tourism industry is a significant economic driver, with popular ski resorts like St. Anton and Ischgl offering summer activities and attracting visitors from neighbouring countries. The summer season in Austria is a time when the country truly comes alive, with numerous cultural events and festivals taking place across the nation. From music and theatre to local traditions and folklore, there is much to discover and explore.
Austrian culture is also known for its unique traditions and customs, which vary across the different regions and reflect the country's diverse cultural influences. From the famous Viennese Waltz, which originated in the 18th century, to the traditional greeting of "Guten Tag" for "hello" and "Tschuss!" for "goodbye", Austria is a country that embraces and celebrates its cultural and historical heritage.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Austria reopened its borders for tourism on May 19, 2021. Border crossings with neighbouring countries were also opened on May 16, 2021, with June 15, 2021, set as the date to fully relax borders and restrictions on inter-EU travel.
As of May 19, 2021, museums, theatres, and cinemas were allowed to reopen, and people could eat outdoors. On June 9, people were permitted to eat indoors, and sport could resume outdoors. A curfew was put in place for 11:00 PM, and foreign visitors could enter with a health pass. The remaining restrictions were set to be lifted on June 30, 2021.
Austria is known for its stunning landscapes, art, architecture, music, culture, history, and foreign language. There are also summer activities available at ski resorts, such as hiking and other outdoor sports.
Popular tourist destinations in Austria include Vienna, the "City of Music," and Hallstatt.
