Entry into Austria and pre-travel clearance

The numbers of new infections are going down in many countries, so alongside the reopening of the economy it is also possible to introduce a relaxation of the rules regarding entry into Austria. The key element of the amended COVID-19-Einreiseverordnung 2021 (COVID-19 Entry Regulation 2021) is the focus on 3 means of verification that you are not infected: for all types of entry into the country, evidence of a vaccination, a current test, or recovery from COVID-19 is required. As evidence of vaccination, all of the vaccines which have been authorised by the EMA or have successfully passed the evaluation process of the WHO are recognised. When entering from so-called virus variant states there are even stricter rules.

The COVID-19-Einreiseverordnung 2021 principally contains three categories, whereby no state is currently in Appendix B1:

1. Entry from states with a low incidence of infections (Appendix 1): Three means of verification of non-infection are allowed, no quarantine

These states are listed in Appendix 1 of the COVID-19-Einreiseverordnung 2021; they include EU/EEA states as well as third countries with a low incidence of COVID-19. Every type of entry into the country is possible from these countries – including tourist travel.

For entry into the country, a current test or evidence of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 is required. If you cannot provide such proof, you need to register using the pre-travel clearance form and to have a test carried out promptly or at least within 24 hours of entering Austria. Evidence of vaccination can be provided by a document issued in German or English (e.g. a yellow vaccination pass) mentioning a vaccine which has been authorised by the EMA or which has completed the WHO’s EUL process (Emergency Use Listing Procedure). See Appendix C^{German text} for vaccines. Evidence of recovery from COVID-19 must take the form of confirmation in German or English from a doctor or a public authority (such as an official self-isolation order) of having recovered from the infection in the last 180 days. Evidence of neutralising antibodies (an antibody test) is also considered to be proof of recovery, but should be no more than 90 days old.

The following states are currently in Appendix 1: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, the Duchy of Liechtenstein, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malta, Moldavia, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, United States of America, Vietnam, the Vatican.

2. Entry from ‘virus variant states’ (Appendix 2: PCR test and quarantine)

The opportunity to enter Austria from ‘virus variant states’ is still very restricted. Essentially, only Austrian citizens and persons who have a place of residence or are normally resident in Austria may enter the country. However, it is also possible to enter for humanitarian reasons or for compelling reasons in the interests of the Republic.

For persons entering from a virus variant area, or who have been in such an area during the last ten days, the following applies as previously: entry is only possible with a negative molecular test result (e.g. a PCR test). In this case, obligatory testing also applies to persons who have been vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19. Austrian citizens and persons who have a place of residence in Austria who have been in a virus variant state in the last ten days may enter the country, but have to take a molecular test (such as PCR test) within 24 hours. The test result has to be presented to the authorities if a check is carried out.

Appendix 2: Botswana, Brazil, Eswatini, India, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Entry from other states which are not in either Appendix 1 or Appendix 2 is principally allowed. When entering the country, evidence of a current test, vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 has to be provided, and you need to register using the pre-travel clearance form.

Persons who have been vaccinated (full immunisation is given 14 days after the second vaccination of a two-dose vaccine or 21 days after the first dose of a one-dose vaccine) do not have to go into quarantine after entering the country, but those persons who have only been tested or have recovered from COVID-19 do have to self-isolate.

Quarantine can be ended by obtaining a new negative test result on the fifth day after entry (whereby the day of entry counts as ‘day zero’). Quarantine and compulsory registration using the pre-travel clearance form do not apply to regular commuter travel.

The exemptions for commuters remain unchanged and, as previously, do not apply to entry from virus variant areas.

The obligation to self-isolate applies to children up to the age of twelve too, but is waived when their parents or guardians are exempted from quarantine.

It is principally necessary for all persons wishing to enter the country from states which are not listed in Appendix 1 to complete an online registration form (pre-travel clearance) before each entry into Austria. This can be filled in 72 hours before entry at the earliest. Commuters can use them more than once but have to renew them every 28 days. Obligatory registration via the pre-travel clearance form is not required for entry from a state in Appendix 1 if the person can present evidence of a test, vaccination or recovery when arriving in the country. This also applies to commuters from these countries. This means that persons who only have a test carried out after they have arrived in Austria still have to register in advance using the pre-travel clearance form.

The last amendment to the COVID-19 Einreiseverordnung 2021 came into effect at midnight on Thursday 8 July 2021 and provisionally applies until 31 August 2021 (inclusive).

Further links

• FAQ: Entry into Austria (→ BMSGPK)^{German text}

Legal basis

• COVID-19-Einreiseverordnung 2021