Austria changed entry rules: who is allowed to cross the border?

From December 20, 2021, entry into Austria is only possible for fully vaccinated persons or those who recovered from COVID-19, as well as Ukrainian citizens who have valid residence permits in Austria and the EU.

As explained by the Embassy, ​​these restrictions, as an exception, do not also apply to persons who are contraindicated for vaccination, if they provide a medical opinion.

New rules for entering Austria

For all tourists arriving in the country from outside the European Union, there is a requirement for a PCR test valid for 72 hours. A negative test result along with a vaccination or recovery certificate will allow you to cross the Austrian border without prior registration and quarantine.

So, if you have proof of receiving a full course of vaccination (at least 14 days, but no more than 270 days before entry) with a WHO-approved vaccine, or confirmation of recovery in the last 180 days (for example, in the Diia app) and a negative PCR test, you have there will be no problems entering Austria.

But mind you, although the country has approved all vaccines used in Ukraine for entry, Covishield, Sinopharm and Sinovac (CoronaVac) are not accepted as proof of immunization for entering any hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, entertainment centers, gyms, cultural institutions, cable cars / ski lifts, etc.

Note! If you are traveling with a certificate of recovery or vaccination but no test, you must complete online travel registration and quarantine upon arrival. At the same time, self-isolation can be terminated early, subject to the passage of PCR testing and a negative result after crossing the border.

For Ukrainian citizens who have valid residence permits in Austria, as well as contraindications to vaccination, it is allowed to enter without a certificate of full vaccination or confirmation of recovery from COVID-19 disease, subject to online registration and with a negative PCR test (not older than 72 hours ) followed by a mandatory 10-day quarantine after entry. The quarantine can be stopped upon presentation of a negative test result, but not earlier than 5 days after entry.

Teenagers between the ages of 12 and 18 are governed by the same rules as adults. Children from 6 to 12 years old need a negative PCR test and undertake to be quarantined. Children under 6 years old are not subject to quarantine restrictions.

General rules for crossing the Austrian border

For visa-free entry to Austria, you must have:

- biometric passport, which expires no earlier than three months before leaving the country;

- an insurance policy covering covid treatment and observation costs, valid in all EU countries.

There is no fixed amount of funds required for each day of stay. At the same time, according to local law, foreign nationals entering the country and not having a place of residence in Austria must have sufficient funds to stay there and return home.