Flag

An official website of the United States government

Travel Advisory Level 1: Exercise Normal Caution Travel Advisory Level 1: Reissued with updates to health information. Read More...
Travel Advisory
Updated: August 5, 2022
By
13 MINUTE READ
August 5, 2022

Traveling to Austria during COVID

Travel Information

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined Austria has a high level of COVID-19. Visit the CDC Austria page and the State Department’s Austria Country Information page for details.

U.S. Embassy Vienna frequently receives reports from U.S. citizen visitors who tested positive for COVID-19 just prior to their return flight to the United States, and subsequently had to remain in Austria while they recovered (typically 5-10 days, or longer), at their expense.

On June 10, 2022, the CDC rescinded the order requiring travelers to present a negative COVID test prior to boarding a flight to the United States. For your own safety and the safety of your fellow passengers, we still recommend testing before and after any travel.

Do NOT travel to or from Austria if you are currently experiencing COVID symptoms or recently tested positive. 

On August 1, 2022, Austria rescinded the mandatory quarantine requirement. Per U.S. and Austria guidelines, you should not travel until 10 full days after you tested positive or first experienced symptoms. Airlines have the right to deny boarding to anyone who recently tested positive or exhibiting COVID-like symptoms.

It is each traveler’s responsibility to weigh the risks to decide whether to travel during this pandemic. U.S. citizens who choose to travel internationally including to Austria should be aware that they may face unexpected challenges related to COVID-19 as they attempt to return to the United States or attempt to travel to a neighboring country.

U.S. Embassies and Consulates do not provide medical care or lodging, and generally do not provide financial assistance except in the most dire circumstances.

If you chose to travel abroad, make contingency plans in case you must extend your stay in Austria.  The Department of State recommends all U.S. citizens traveling abroad to obtain international health and travel insurance that includes coverage for COVID-related trip cancellation and medical evacuation (medevac) coverage.  In general, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide coverage overseas, and many U.S. health insurance policies only provide minimal coverage abroad. If you are carrying prescription medication, bring extra to cover any potential quarantine period. Register your whereabouts with the U.S. Embassy by enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

IMPORTANT: U.S. Embassy Vienna cannot intervene in the quarantine, testing or boarding requirements of Austrian medical and immigration officials or airline personnel nor give you permission to enter or exit Austria, or to leave quarantine early.  The penalties for violating Austria’s COVID regulations and quarantine mandates are severe, up to and including fines and arrest.

What to do if you test positive in Austria

If you are having a medical emergency and require immediate help, dial 144 for an ambulance.

If you need a doctor but are not experiencing a life-or-death situation, click here for a list of English-speaking doctors in Austria.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms or have already tested positive, we recommend you dial 1450 from an Austrian phone (or +43-1-1450 from a U.S. phone).  If you need assistance in English, stay on the line through the German recording, wait for a live person to answer, then request an English speaker.  Your case officer will provide additional information and may schedule a mobile testing team to visit you at your hotel or home to conduct testing and contact-tracing.

On August 1, 2022, Austria rescinded the mandatory quarantine requirement for people who have tested positive for COVID-19. This means you can now leave your Austrian home or hotel provided you always wear a mask while visiting indoor places.  It does NOT mean you can immediately fly back to the United States.  Austrian and U.S. health officials recommend you do not travel until a full 10 days after you first experienced symptoms or tested positive.

Airlines have the right to deny boarding to any passenger who recently tested COVID positive or exhibiting COVID symptoms. The U.S. Embassy cannot intervene in the decisions of airline staff or government officials.

For the safety of yourself and your fellow passengers, the CDC recommends you take a COVID test before and after any travel. See our COVID-19 Information Page for a list of testing locations or ask your hotel front desk for recommendations.

Self-quarantine: If you recently tested positive for COVID in Austria, you may self-quarantine at a hotel or private home rentals such as AirBnB, at your own expense. Be aware that due to the summer tourist season, your current lodging may be fully booked and will be unable to extend your stay.  If you cannot find or afford lodging for an extended stay, you may be transferred to a quarantine facility operated by the Austrian government or a charity group.  In Vienna, Austrian Samaritans (Samaritarbund) operates a quarantine facility at Wombats Hostel, which provides lodging, on-site medical care and testing for foreign tourists; for information contact 0043-664-888-910.

Obtaining provisions while in self-quarantine: Many Austrian grocery stores, drug stores and Apotheke (pharmacies) provide delivery service. Mjam and Lieferando are the two most popular food delivery apps. If you need additional help, click here for provincial COVID care & support hotlines.

Optionally, you may report your case to Consular Section Vienna for tracking purposes. Please send an e-mail to ConsulateVienna@state.gov with the names of all members of your group, dates of birth, your contact information in Austria, and date you entered quarantine.

Further resources and information

The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs provides country-specific information and advice regarding COVID-19 on each U.S. Embassy’s website.  We update these resources whenever we receive new information and encourage U.S. citizens to review Travel Advisories and U.S. Embassy COVID-19 information pages before travel. U.S. citizens should also enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for regular updates and follow @TravelGov on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

In addition, some countries have imposed other travel requirements. These may include quarantine on arrival, mandatory COVID-19 testing requirements, proof of vaccination, travel restrictions, and closed borders. Some countries have also imposed travel restrictions requiring mandatory quarantine for those testing positive on departure, which could delay a traveler’s ability to travel to another country. Foreign governments in any country may implement restrictions with little notice. It is your responsibility to check the latest entry requirements for every country where you are traveling.

Useful Links:

,
Alerts, Consular Affairs, Messages For U.S. Citizens, News, Notification, Security and Emergency Messages, Travel and Tourism, U.S. and Austria, U.S. Citizen Services