Entry into Austria from ‘virus variant states’

As the new variants of the COVID-19 virus, including India’s Delta variant, continue to spread and cause casualties, governments worldwide continue to impose restrictions on travellers from countries affected by the mutated strains.

This is the case for several European countries, including Austria.

To prevent the spread of the new strains of COVID-19 into the country, the Austrian government has created a list of ‘virus variant states’ (designated as Appendix B2) to which strict travel restrictions have been applied. Aircraft from these countries are also banned from landing in Austria for the time being.

The ‘virus variant states’ currently include:

• Brazil
• India
• South Africa
• The United Kingdom

Nevertheless, there are some exceptions to these restrictions for travellers from India, which are outlined in full below. Those who still doubt whether they are exempt from the measures should contact the Austrian Embassy in India for clarification.

Requirements to enter Austria from Appendix B2 countries

All travellers from Appendix B2 countries who wish to visit Austria are not currently permitted entry if they have been in any of the states with new variants of the COVID-19 virus within the previous 10 days.

Exceptions include:

• Austrian citizens
• Persons who have a place of residence in Austria or are normally resident in Austria
• Travellers visiting for humanitarian reasons
• Those who have a compelling reason to visit in the interest of the Republic.

Travelers who wish to enter Austria from a ‘virus variant state’ are currently required to have proof of a negative test result for COVID-19 obtained through a molecular testing method. The test must have been issued no later than 72 hours before arrival.

Providing a negative PCR result is a mandatory requirement, even for those who have been vaccinated against coronavirus or recovered from COVID-19 infection. Nevertheless, passengers younger than 10 years old are exempt from the test requirement if accompanied by an adult.

It is also compulsory to undergo a 10-day quarantine upon arrival in Austria. Additionally, Austrian citizens and residents who have been in virus variant countries within the past 10 days must also take a PCR test within 24 hours of their arrival.

Travelling to Austria from a low-risk country

The mandatory Austria quarantine rules do not apply to travellers, including Indian citizens, who are arriving from countries that have been designated as Appendix A by the Austrian government. These are states that have a low incidence of infection.

They currently include:

Travellers from low-risk countries, including those visiting for tourism, can enter Austria if they present one of the following types of proof of non-infection of COVID-19:

• Negative LAMP, PCR, or TMA test result issued within 72 hours of arrival
• Negative COVID-19 antigen test result issued at most 48 hours before arrival
• Coronavirus recovery certificate stating the traveler has recovered within the past 6 months
• Antibody test showing evidence of neutralising antibodies, no more than 3 months old
• Certificate of vaccination against COVID-19

These documents are accepted in either German or English. In the case of the certificate of vaccination, the vaccine used must be one of those that have been authorized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Alternatively, it must have passed the Emergency Use Listing Procedure established by the World Health Organization (WHO).

If a traveler from a low-risk country is unable to present any of these documents, then they are required to take a PCR test on arrival, or within a maximum 24 hours of their entry to Austria. 

Entering Austria from other countries

Travellers who plan to arrive from a state other than those listed in either Appendix A or B are subject to additional Austria entry restrictions.

Travel from any other country is currently prohibited with only a few exceptions. These include students undertaking higher education in Austria or those visiting for essential work reasons.

While those who have been vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 do not need to be quarantined on arrival, arriving passengers who only have a negative test result are still required to self-isolate for 10 days.

Nevertheless, if they obtain a negative test result on day 5 of the quarantine, they are able to cut short their self-isolation.

All travellers should also note that they must complete an online pre-travel clearance form before each entry to Austria. This is a mandatory Austria entry requirement no matter the visitor’s country of origin.