New Regulations for Entering Austria Announced

National border roadsign entering Austria

Austria has announced new guidelines for entering the country amidst the COVID-19 crisis. At this time, most entrants who cannot present a certificate no older than 4 days verifying that they have tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the country.

The following include the new guidelines announced by the Austrian government:

Categories of travelers that are now exempt from Austrian travel restrictions:

  • Freight traffic
  • Commercial traffic (except commercial passenger transport)
  • Repatriation trips
  • Family emergencies and other important family issues
  • Compulsory reasons for animal care, for individual cases
  • Residents of Vomp-Hinterriss, Mittelberg and Jungholz
  • Commuter traffic
  • Emergency vehicles
  • People who are subject to compulsory health insurance in Austria or have a treatment agreement with an Austrian hospital. This is subject to medical reasons deemed worthy of special consideration. An accompanying person is allowed.
  • Passengers and drivers of public transport, given that the transport service crosses foreign territory on its planned route without a stopover or for individual travelers coming from Austria who cross the foreign territory to reach their destination in Austria.
  • Agricultural and forestry sector seasonal workers. A 14-day quarantine is mandatory for this group.
  • Nursing and health personnel are allowed to enter Austria by rail or by bus, provided that the train goes from the starting station to the domestic terminus without further scheduled stops or the bus goes directly from the starting point to the starting point to the ending point without further scheduled stops. A 14-day self-monitored home quarantine is mandatory for this group.

Entry to Austria for third-country nationals

Third-country nationals are prohibited from entering the country from outside of the Schengen Area, with the following exceptions:

  • Staff of diplomatic missions and their families
  • Humanitarian workers
  • Nursing and health personnel
  • Seasonal workers in the agriculture and forestry industry
  • Transit passengers
  • Freight transit workers

A certificate no more than 4 days old for individuals entering must be presented to verify that they have tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. If one cannot be presented, the individual must go into a 14-day quarantine.

Rules for transiting Austria

According to the new rules, passage through Austria is permitted given that there is no stopover and departure is ensured. Exceptions are made for passenger and drivers of public transportation if the transportation crosses foreign territory on its planned route without a stopover.

Requirements for entering Austria by air

People eligible to enter Austria by air and remain in the country include the following:

  • Austrian citizens
  • Family members of an Austria citizen
  • EU/EEA citizens and family members
  • Swiss nationals and family members
  • Holders of an Austrian visa and/or residence permit
  • Holders of diplomatic passports

Each of these categories of people are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine upon entry of the country. However, Austrian, Swiss, or EU/EEA citizens that are able to present a certificate no older than 4 days that verifies that they have tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 will be exempt from the quarantine.

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