Europe

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

• Health
• General
 

Travel Summary

• There is a general 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 the Road Travel section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• If you intend to ski you should be aware that during and around the winter season there is 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. See the General (Skiing) section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• Around 802,000 British nationals visit Austria each year (Source: Statistik Austria – Arrivals by Calendar Year). Most visits are trouble-free. 40 British nationals required consular assistance in Austria in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (16 cases); hospitalisations (12 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (6 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (105 cases).   If you need to contact the emergency services in Austria call 112.
  
  
• We advise you to carry your passport with you at all times as proof of identification.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to Austria. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and travel insurance for more details.