Europe

No restrictions in this travel advice

Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all but essential travel to whole country

Avoid all travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all travel to whole country

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

• There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• There are complex driving laws in Austria, especially for caravan and motorhome owners. See Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel.
  
  
• If you intend to ski you should be aware that during and around the winter season there is a continued danger of avalanches in some areas of Austria. Even during summer time this danger still exists for snow covered areas. You should take advice on weather and avalanche conditions before you travel and also while you are in the resort. Helmets are also strongly recommended when skiing and for children under 15 their use is mandatory in most areas. See General - Skiing.
  
  
• Around 730,000 British nationals visit Austria each year (Source: Statistik Austria - Arrivals by Calendar Year).  Most visits are trouble-free. But you should be aware that during periods of severe weather other airports in Europe, including those in Austria might close and flights back to the UK could be delayed. Most visits are trouble-free. See General - Consular Assistance Statistics.
  
  
• We advise you to carry your passport with you at all times as proof of identification.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to Austria. Alpine conditions can be hazardous and you should ensure that your insurance covers winter/mountain activities. See General - Insurance.
  
  
• If you need to contact the emergency services in Austria call 112.
  

Safety and Security - Terrorism

There is an underlying threat from terrorism.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

See our terrorism abroad page.

Safety and Security - Crime

Most visits to Austria are trouble-free. There is a low rate of crime, but as in any European country petty crime does occur and you should take the usual precautions to avoid becoming a victim of crime.

• Do not leave valuables unattended.
• Be especially vigilant around major public transport hubs and city centre parks after dark.
• Pickpocketing can be a problem, especially in the major cities when tourists are targeted for their passports and money. Be aware that pickpockets operate in and around the city centre of Vienna, including restaurants, cafes, hotel lobbies and on public transport.

See our victims of crime abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel

Advice on driving outside the UK can be obtained from motoring organisations such as the AA and RAC. See our driving abroad page for further details.

Information and advice on driving in Austria can also be found in English on the website of the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology.

As of 1 January 2012 motorists in Austria must form an emergency corridor as soon as traffic ceases to progress and congestion is imminent on motorways or dual carriageways and highways, regardless of whether emergency vehicles are already in the vicinity or not. Guidance can be found here.

Only persons over 18 years of age in possession of a valid driving licence may drive in Austria. The only exceptions to this rule are those under 17 years old who drive for practice reasons under supervision and have met the relevant legal requirements. When driving in Austria, you should always carry a full British licence, ownership documents and insurance details.

In 2010 there were 552 road deaths in Austria (source: DfT). This equates to 6.6 road deaths per 100,000 of population compared to the UK average of 3.1 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2010.

The legal drink driving limit in Austria is 50 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood (the limit is10 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood if you have had your licence for two years or less and for coach and HGV drivers). Penalties for driving under the influence are severe.

High visibility warning vests are required for all drivers. They need to be stored within reach of the driver and must be worn day or night when exiting the vehicle on the hard shoulder or in the event of breakdown. You must also have a first aid kit and a warning triangle inside the car in case you break down. Only 'hands free' mobile telephones can be used whilst driving.

It is no longer compulsory for cars to be driven with headlights switched on throughout the day all year round. If you are travelling in a right-hand drive car you will need headlamp converters in the form of stickers that can be put on your headlights when you are driving on the right, so that motorists coming the other way are not dazzled.

If you use Austrian motorways ('Autobahn') and 'S' roads you must display a Motorway Vignette on the inside of the windshield of your vehicle as you enter Austria. Failure to have one will mean a heavy, on-the-spot fine. Motorway Vignettes are obtainable at all major border crossings into Austria and at larger petrol stations.

All vehicles above 3.5 tonnes maximum permitted laden weight and using the Austrian network of motorways and expressways are required to attach a small device - called the 'GO-Box' - to their windscreen. Note that this includes larger private vehicles such as motor caravans that are above the weight limit. If your vehicle is close to the weight limit you are advised to carry documentation confirming the maximum permitted laden weight. If your registration documents do not clearly state this, you will need to produce alternative certification e.g. from a weighbridge

The GO-Box uses the high frequency range to communicate with the around 400 fixed-installation toll points covering the whole of Austria, making it possible to effect an automatic toll deduction without slowing down or stopping the flow of traffic. The on-board devices can be obtained for a one-off handling fee of Euro 5.00 at approximately 220 sales centres in Austria and in neighbouring countries, or via the Internet. For further information, please consult the following website: http://www.go-maut.at.

If you are stopped by police on the motorway (‘Autobahn’) you should be aware that in all traffic-related matters police officers will be in uniform. Unmarked vehicles will have a flashing electronic sign in the rear window, which reads 'Stopp', 'Polizei' and "Folgen'.  Police officers may be in plain clothes but will identify themselves. If in any doubt contact the police on the emergency number 133. Drivers have the right to ask to speak to uniformed patrolmen. In addition, confirmation of plain clothes police officers patrolling the local area can be sought by calling the 133 number.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Hauliers

There is a ban on all lorries over 7.5 tonnes laden weight (without a trailer) or over 3.5 tonnes (with a trailer) which applies throughout the year on all motorways on Saturdays between 15:00 hours and 24:00 hours and all day on Sundays and Public Holidays. Lorries over 7.5 tonnes laden weight are also prohibited from using motorways throughout the year between 22:00 hours and 05:00 hours. There is a ban on lorries over 7.5 tonnes laden weight overtaking on several motorways. Drivers should look out for special prohibiting signs.

The Transport Ministry and ASFINAG (the semi-privatised motorway operator) are continuing to carry out stringent checks on HGVs. It is therefore vital that such vehicles are roadworthy, and are correctly documented. Vehicles found to have defects are likely to be impounded until the completion of necessary repairs.


Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel in Winter (1 November-15 April)

All vehicles with up to 3.5 tonnes laden weight must use winter tyres on all wheels in wintry road conditions (snow, slush, ice). Snow chains on the driving wheels will only be allowed as an alternative where the road is fully covered by snow and/or ice and the road surface will not be damaged by the chains. Chains or summer tyres will not be allowed for slush conditions. Heavy fines or temporary loss of vehicle may be imposed on those who ignore this legislation.

See our driving abroad page.


Safety and Security - Local Travel - Air Travel
The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 are also being implemented in Austria.  For more general information see airline security.

Political Situation
Austria Country Profile

Drug laws are similar to those in the UK. Possession or trafficking of drugs will be dealt with severely and if convicted a lengthy prison sentence is usual.

Under Austrian law, you are required to have your passport readily accessible at all times. If you do not carry your passport with you, your passport must be in the same district as you and you must be able to access it within one hour. A UK driving licence is not recognised as an official form of ID.

See our your trip page.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity

You must hold a valid passport to enter Austria. For stays of up to three months your passport must be valid for the proposed duration of your stay; you do not need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this. However, it is always sensible to have a short period of extra validity on your passport in case of any unforeseen delays to your departure. You do not have to wait until your old passport expires to apply to renew it. Any time left on your old passport when you apply will be added to your new passport, up to a maximum of nine months. For passport applications in the UK, you should apply to the Identity and Passport Service. For stays of longer than three months, contact the Embassy of the country to which you are travelling.

Entry Requirements - Visas

You do not need a visa to enter Austria but you must hold a valid British passport. EU citizens can travel to Austria up to the expiry date of their passports. Other citizens need at least three months’ validity.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with Children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that Austria requires documentary evidence of parental responsibility (e.g. a consent letter) before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Carrying such a letter of consent (downloadable from our website) is a precautionary measure recommended by the UK and Austrian authorities. It does not, however, automatically guarantee the problem-free movement of minors who are not travelling with the person legally exercising parental care over them.  For information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Austrian Embassy in London.

Contact your GP around eight weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. Country specific information and advice is published by the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), and useful information about healthcare abroad, including a country-by-country guide, is available from NHS Choices.

If you are visiting Austria you should obtain a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but it entitles you to state provided medical treatment that may become necessary during your trip. Any treatment provided is on the same terms as Austrian nationals, so if an Austrian national is required to pay a fee towards their treatment, you would also have to pay the same fee. The EHIC will not cover medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or non-urgent treatment, so you should make sure you have adequate travel insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation. See our EHIC page and the NHS - About the EHIC page.

In the 2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 15,000 adults aged 15 or over in Austria were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 0.3% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. If you are referred to a medical facility for treatment you should contact your insurance/medical assistance company immediately.

Our Travel Health pages offer further advice on how to stay healthy when overseas.

General - Insurance

You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to Austria. Alpine conditions can be hazardous and you should ensure that your insurance covers winter/mountain activities. Check for any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake while in Austria.  See our travel insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then see our when things go wrong page.

General - Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

General - Skiing

If you are planning a skiing holiday you should contact the Austrian Tourist Agency in London (tel: 0845 101 1818) for advice on weather and safety conditions before travelling. Off-piste skiing is highly dangerous. All safety instructions should be followed meticulously given the danger of avalanches in some areas and in particular in times of heavy snow accumulation. Always check with the local tourist offices on current snow/weather conditions upon arrival. Avalanche beepers (receivers) are the most common rescue devices and, when properly used, provide the fastest way of locating an avalanche victim. You can get avalanche information by telephoning (Tel:  +43 512 581839) or by visiting the following websites: http://www.lawine.at or:  http://www.avalanches.org. Take extra care during the spring season, as this is when avalanches most commonly occur. 

General - Money

Legislation on the controls of cash entering or leaving the EU applies in all Member States. Any person entering or leaving the EU will have to declare the cash that they are carrying if this amounts to 10,000 Euros or more; this includes cheques, travellers' cheques, money orders, etc. This will not apply to anyone travelling via the EU to a non-EU country, as long as the original journey started outside of the EU or to those travelling within the EU.

General - Consular Assistance Statistics

Around Around 730,000 British nationals visit Austria each year (Source: Statistik Austria - Arrivals by Calendar Year).  Most visits are trouble free. 33 British nationals required consular assistance in Austria in the period 01 October 2010 - 30 September 2011 for the following types of incident; 11 deaths; eight hospitalisations and 14 arrests for a variety of offences. During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (42 cases).