On July 1, 2021, a new entry regulation will come into force in Austria. This brings some relief for travelers, but is sometimes vaguely worded, so that there is a lot of leeway for the authorities in terms of interpretation.

An important change affects transport companies, which are required to inform their passengers about entry regulations and the consequences of violations. This only applies if the person actually enters the country, as mere transit (e.g. passing through by car, train or long-distance bus, as well as changes in aviation) are excluded. In this case the regulation does not apply.

From July 1, 2021, passengers will have to demonstrate during checks that they have been in countries that Austria classifies as having a "low risk" in the last few days. If this cannot be made credible, a negative corona test must be submitted or, if necessary, the health authority may request it. This must then be done in Austria within 24 hours. Otherwise, the evidence for the Green Pass is sufficient.

As part of the “Green Pass”, PCR tests (maximum 72 hours old), rapid antigen tests (maximum 48 hours old) and now also self-tests (maximum 24 hours old) are recognized. In the case of self-tests, however, it is necessary that these are officially recorded, for example via apps from the federal states. In addition, the first vaccination dose after three weeks, evidence of a survived infection (maximum 180 days old) and a positive antibody laboratory test (maximum 90 days old) apply. Evidence that there is a “low epidemiological risk” can be presented as a QR code or traditionally as documents as part of the Green Passport, depending on how the traveler prefers it.

The following countries fall into this category: Albania, Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Principality of Liechtenstein, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Czech Republic, Hungary, the Vatican, United States of America, Vietnam and Cyprus.

Vaccinated persons can enter from almost all countries without quarantine

The UK, Brazil, India and South Africa are classified as so-called virus variant areas. Residents from Austria as well as EU and EEA citizens can enter the country, but this is subject to certain conditions. The pre-travel clearance must be filled out, a negative corona test must be presented upon entry and then a ten-day quarantine must be started - you can only free yourself from this after five days at the earliest. There are some exceptions for business trips, for example. Non-EU citizens coming from the four countries are still prohibited from entering the country unless they can prove that they are resident in Austria.

For all other countries that are not explicitly mentioned in the ordinance, the rule applies that entry is only possible with proof of vaccination, convalescence or testing. Both PCR and antigen results are still recognized. Positive antibody laboratory results are also recognized. The so-called pre-travel clearance must be completed. A quarantine has to be started afterwards, from which vaccinated persons are excluded. The prerequisite is that the last necessary vaccination dose was vaccinated at least 14 days before entry. In this case, the pre-travel clearance also does not apply. Children up to 12 years of age have to present a negative test, but are exempt from quarantine when accompanied by a vaccinated adult.