On Nov. 15, Austrian government officials announced a nationwide lockdown beginning Tuesday, November 17 until Sunday, December 6 to combat the spread of COVID-19. All retail businesses, shopping centers, schools and offices will close, with the exception of grocery stores, pharmacies, drugstores, post offices, banks, gas stations and “Tabak/Trafik” convenience shops. Restaurants, bars, cafes, museums and theaters remain closed since a partial lockdown went into effect Nov. 2. Hotels remain closed to tourists.
Austria has imposed a 24-hour nationwide, stay-at-home curfew, except to buy groceries or essential goods, to travel to/from work where home office is not possible, to provide care for another person, or to exercise outdoors. Mask-wearing is mandatory on public transportation and indoor businesses. Violations of lockdown regulations are subject to heavy fines and potential law enforcement action.
REDUCTION OF CONSULAR SERVICES
U.S. Embassy Vienna has suspended all routine consular services until at least December 7, 2020. All applicants with previously-scheduled appointments will be contacted to re-schedule. The Consular Section remains open for emergencies only.
American Citizen Services
- U.S. Consulate Vienna is open for emergency services only, including renewal of expired or expiring passports (see below). If you have an urgent matter or need to travel immediately, please email ConsulateVienna@state.gov.
- Passport services: The Consular section will currently accept passport applications from citizens whose passports have expired, will expire by Dec. 31, or first-time issuances. Applicants who are renewing an adult 10-year-passport (DS-82 form) can renew by mail. Check requirements for renewal by mail here. To renew by mail in Austria, Click here for details.
Non-Immigrant Visa and Immigrant Visa services
All visa appointments are restricted to emergency travel only. If you have an emergency travel need, please e-mail ConsulateVienna@state.gov. All travelers remain subject to Presidential Proclamation 9993, which suspends travel from most Schengen countries including Austria.
- National Interest Exemptions (NIE) will only be considered for applicants with existing U.S. visas or ESTA approvals. Please e-mail ConsulateVienna@state.gov with a scanned copy of your visa or ESTA approval and travel plans.
Actions for U.S. citizens in Austria:
- Follow the instructions of Austrian authorities. While in Austria, U.S. citizens are subject to Austrian law.
- Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
- Read U.S. Embassy Vienna’s COVID-19 Information Webpage
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
- U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
For emergency services, please contact U.S. Consular Section Vienna:
U.S. Embassy Vienna
U.S. Consular Section
Parkring 12A
1010 Vienna, Austria
Telephone +43-(0)1-31339-7535
Emergency +43-(0)1-313390
Fax +43-(0)1-5125835
Email: ConsulateVienna@state.gov
Website: U.S. Embassy Vienna
U.S. Department of State – Consular Affairs
From the United States: 888-407-4747 or +1 202-501-4444