Austria Travel: Lockdown Rules And Entry Requirements

The pandemic has made travel restrictions in Europe difficult. While the omicron variant has seen a higher number of infections, it has also resulted in fewer hospitalisations. Austria has responded to the current situation in this way.

Are Brits Allowed To Travel To Austria?

If they are fully jabbed, citizens or residents of the UK can enter Austria, provided they can show proof of their vaccination status. Two-shot vaccines such as AstraZeneca or Pfizer must have been received within 270 days of arrival. Those who received the Johnson & Johnson single-shot vaccine must show that they had received a booster within 270 days of arrival. A QR code must be used to prove vaccination. Travellers who have been fully vaccinated do not need to register or self-isolate upon arrival. If a child is travelling with an adult that does not require quarantine, children aged 12 and below are exempted from the requirement to submit a negative test.

If you are not vaccinated, you can present a negative PCR (valid for 72 hours) or a positive antigen test (valid for 24 hours). You must complete a pre-travel clearance and be placed in quarantine for 10 days if you are unable. If you have proof of recovery from a Covid-19-related infection within the last 180 days using the UK Covid Pass app or the EU Covid Pass, you may be allowed to enter Austria. For the most current information, visit the UK government webpage.

Pre-Travel Clearance And Entry Into Austria

Everybody entering Austria must show the following:

• Evidence of past infection or proof of full vaccination (at minimum 2 jabs). The medical document must show the date of the recovery. For guests from the UK, an NHS email/text confirming a positive test is sufficient.
• OR a negative DNA/PCR test (valid for 72 hours) or a positive LFT/antigen test (2 hours)
• This applies to all arrivals from all other countries.
• You can find more details at What proofs are accepted?
• You don’t need to prove your “3-G” status during your stay.

What proof is accepted?

You can also use the NHS Covid App, the EU Covid Pass or any international equivalent to prove your “3-G” status upon arrival. Download this form if your certificate isn’t in English or German.

Full Vaccination

• Two-dose vaccines: Valid for 270 days following the second dose. Between the first and second doses, it must be at most 14 days.
• The booster jab is valid for 270 days following the booster. Between the second and third jabs, it must be at most 90 days.
• The Johnson & Johnson jab lasts for 270 days. It expires 22 days after the initial dose.
• The first dose of the medication is valid for 270-days if it is properly absorbed and reabsorbed.
• Austrian entry is possible with BioNtech/Pfizer and AstraZeneca. You can also get mix and match vaccines.

Evidence of Recovery

• You can use proof of recovery for up to 180 days to allow you entry into Austria. You will need a medical certificate with the date of your recovery.
• Note: If you are travelling from the UK, an NHS email/text of positive tests is not sufficient.

COVID Test

• The validity of the PCR test is for 72 hours. A certificate must be issued by an authorised medical authority (such as a pharmacy or test centre) and should include the date and the time of the test.
• LFT/antigen testing is valid for 24 hours. Kits for DIY are not recognised.

Exceptions for Children

• Children younger than 12 years old do not have to present proof of vaccination/recovery or a test.

Entering Austria without “3-G” proof  

You must immediately self-isolate if you travel to Austria without proof that you have been vaccinated/recovered or with a negative test. You can leave quarantine as soon as you get a negative result from a test. You can find information about tests in Austria here.

Best Places To Visit In Austria

Austria, once part of a large European empire, still reflects the riches of its past glory. Vienna has been a shining beacon for classical music, architecture, art and pastries. Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart, and it’s home to many beautiful buildings. This landlocked country, while it is a significant part of Austria’s true greatness, is so much more than beautiful architecture and history.

It is a popular spot for skiers and hikers due to its location in the Alps. There are many beautiful views to enjoy. You will find charming towns nestled in the green hillsides, topped by rugged peaks.

The alpine resorts and pure mountain air are calling. Austria is a great example of how stunning mountain scenery, valleys, and lakes can look. Here are some of the top places to visit in Austria.

Vienna

When one thinks of Vienna as the capital, and largest city of Austria, elegant waltzes and Johann Strauss come to mind. The city still hosts more than 200 balls every year. The city is also known for its classical composers like Mozart, Brahms and Beethoven.

The Ringstrasse is home to most of the major architectural sites. This circular road marks the spot where walls once surrounded the ancient city. Architecture in the city ranges from Gothic cathedrals and Art Nouveau exhibition centres to Baroque palaces and modern art museums. The Schönbrunn Palace, Kunsthistorisches Museum, and Belvedere Palace are some of the highlights. They all feature works by Gustav Klimt, who is the city’s most prominent painter.

Its music culture is equally diverse. The awe-inspiring State Opera House hosts the Vienna Philharmonic, a world-famous orchestra. Visitors can also discover the new Vienna sound created by DJs at the city’s most popular nightclubs. Vienna offers many culinary delights, including sausage and schnitzel as well as chocolate and cakes.

There are many coffee houses in Vienna. Some are still in business for over 100 years. These coffee shops not only provide the finest coffee in the world but also offer a place to relax and enjoy the beautiful sights of the city along the Danube River.

St Anton am Arlberg

St Anton am Arlberg, located in the heart of the Tyrolean Alpine Alps, is one of Austria’s most loved ski resort towns. This region offers a wide range of ski areas that are suitable for all levels.

Skiers and non-skiers alike will enjoy the 9,215-foot Valluga Mountains. Two aerial tramways, known as Valluga Bahn, allow visitors to reach the top while taking in breathtaking views of the Lechtal Alps.

While most people associate St Anton am Arlberg with winter, it is also a popular summer vacation spot. The grassy meadows with lush, tree-lined forests and snowmelt make it a great place to go hiking, biking, and mountain biking.

The charming town of St Anton am Arlberg, surrounded by snow-covered mountains, is also charming. St Anton am Arlberg is small but has many traditional restaurants and cosy cafes.

Salzburg

Salzburg, located in central Austria near the German border, is perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Austria’s fourth-largest city is visited by tourists to see the sights that inspired so much music. Salzburg’s stunning beauty will captivate visitors in all seasons, thanks to its picturesque Altstadt old city, medieval fortress on the hill, and breathtaking Alpine scenery.

Salzburg, a historic city located along the banks of the Salzach River, is like something out of a book. If you want to see scenes from 1965’s “The Sound of Music”, then the must-see attractions are the Schloss Hellbrunn’s gardens, the Schloss Mirabell Palace and Gardens and the gazebo in Schloss Hellbrunn. The Trapp family home is also on the list. Mozart fans can visit his birthplace and see a reconstruction of his home with period instruments, portraits, and musical scores.

The Festung Hohensalzbury, a fortress that rises 120m (400 feet) above the city, is a 900-year old fortress. It was built more for display than defence. The castle’s real treasures are the views from its fortress. Most of the artefacts in the mediaeval castle were stolen during the Napoleonic Wars. The castle can be reached by foot or via a funicular from the 19th century.

Salzburg appeals to all senses, whether you’re wandering through Altstadt, the city’s old town, or taking in the Baroque architecture.

Salzkammergut

Salzkammergut, which stretches from Salzburg to the Dachstein Mountains’ prominent peaks, is one of Austria’s most beautiful regions. It is home to glimmering lakes and rolling hills as well as alpine valleys and spectacular mountain ranges. The region is familiar to those who have seen The Sound Of Music. It was shot in Salzburg and the adjacent Salzkammergut region.

Salzkammergut, which is wild and unspoiled for most of its length, is a paradise for outdoor lovers and nature lovers. Mountain biking and hiking are popular pastimes. Holidaymakers love to swim, fish, and go boating on the beautiful lakes of Hallstatter See and Mondsee.

Although the area is not populated much, it has a rich history that dates back to Neolithic times. It is named after the salt mines found in the area. There are pockets of civilization here and there. It is worth visiting charming lakeside towns like St Wolfgang or the stunning St Hallstatt. The stunning setting is often referred to by the latter as “the pearl of Austria”.

Visitors can also choose to relax at Bad Ischl or venture underground to discover the Dachstein Ice Caves at Obertraun. Paragliding is also possible from the high peaks of Krippenstein mountain.

Zell am See

The idyllic alpine town of Zell am See, nestled among the majestic Kitzbuhel Alpines, is just a few minutes away. It is located on the shores of a vibrant blue lake with cosy chalets and flower-filled meadows.

In the summer, watersports such as cycling and hiking are very popular. However, in winter, skiers and snowboarders flock to the town because of the amazing mountains and ski resorts that surround it. It is small, but its charming centre is worth visiting at any time of the year due to its cosy alpine feel. The Romanesque St. Hippolyte’s Church is one of the most popular attractions. It has an elevated walkway that dates back as far as the 16th century.

Zell am See is a very popular tourist spot due to its beautiful setting. It is also a major transport hub for the rest of the Salzburg region. Nearby is the towering Mount Grossglockner, Austria’s tallest mountain. Many people travel from the town to the breathtaking High Alpine Road below.

Zillertal Alps

The Zillertal Alps are found along the border between Austria and Italy. The Zillertal Alps are a stunning landscape in central Europe, with its towering glacial peaks and jagged mountain cliffs.

Zillertal is home to more than 85 glaciers, some of them reaching over 11,000 feet above sea level. The Hintertux Glacier, one of the highest in the world, is open for skiing and hiking 365 days per year. It is one of two ski resorts that are open all year round due to its high altitude.

The Zillertal Alps has hundreds of miles worth of trails for hikers, mountaineers, and backpackers. For beginners, you can hike along lower-level pastures. Advanced hikers will want to take a longer hike through the High Alps Nature Park. For those who want to take in the beauty of the Zillertal High Road, the 30-mile route is an option.

What Are The Rules For Brits Who Return To The Uk From Austria?

All Covid travel rules in the UK have been dropped as of 18 March 2022. It means that anyone returning from Austria to the UK does not need to fill out a passenger locator, take any tests or undergo any quarantine.