A spontaneous city trip or a vacation during the first Austria-wide uniform autumn break - all this is difficult in view of the high numbers of infections in many places and stricter entry regulations. Many countries issue travel warnings for Austria or individual federal states - which makes it difficult for Austrians to enter many European countries.

 “If you want to travel abroad, you should find out about the current regulations at short notice, for whom and where which rules apply,” recommends ÖAMTC tourism expert Benjamin Hetzendorfer. "In general, what matters is where you stayed in the last ten to 14 days before entering the country."

It is also important: If a negative Covid-19 test is required, usually only the molecular biological test for Sars-CoV-2 (PCR test) carried out by laboratories is accepted abroad - antibody tests or gargle tests, however, usually not. “How the respective regulations are monitored differs from country to country. Almost everywhere there are currently more border controls, mostly random checks are carried out on entry, ”says the mobility club expert. "The main focus is on personal responsibility." But be careful: Failure to comply with the regulations can result in high penalties.

Germany is planning travel registration from October 15, without a negative test, reporting to the local health department is necessary

For tourist trips to Germany, travelers from the risk areas of Vienna, Tyrol and Vorarlberg need a negative COVID-19 test, which must not be older than 48 hours. Attention: The time at which the test result was issued always applies here. If you cannot show a negative test, you must report to the health department of the travel destination immediately after entering the country and start a 14-day quarantine at home. In the meantime, you can undergo a free test on site and “free” from the quarantine if the result is negative. From October 15, people from risk areas will probably have to register digitally before entering the country. Anyone who does not fulfill their obligation to register can risk high fines.

For travelers from risk areas there are in some federal states, such as B. Bavaria or Baden-Württemberg, also exceptions - including for commuters and when entering for family matters such as caring for relatives. Entry from other Austrian federal states is possible without restrictions. Even those who are leaving the airport in Schwechat in Lower Austria and have not been in Vienna, Tyrol or Vorarlberg 14 days beforehand do not have to go into quarantine. This is explicitly asked when entering Germany.

Up to CHF 10.000 fine for disregarding the quarantine in Switzerland

“There is a quarantine requirement for travelers from Vienna, Lower Austria and Upper Austria to Switzerland. A 'free testing' with the help of a negative test result is not possible here ”, says expert Hetzendorfer. "This regulation applies to all people who have been in one of the three federal states for more than 24 hours in the past ten days." Caution: If you avoid quarantine and get caught, you face a fine of around 9.300 euros.

Slovenia has put Tyrol, Vorarlberg and Vienna on the “red list”. Travelers from these federal states have to be in quarantine for ten days when entering Slovenia. Or a negative Covid-19 test must be presented, which must not be older than 48 hours upon entry and which can be proven to have been carried out in an EU member state, a Schengen member state or Slovenia.

“Transit through the countries mentioned is generally allowed, even for travelers from risk areas. Except for toilet or refueling breaks, however, no intermediate stops are permitted, ”explains the ÖAMTC expert.

Also observe the rules for returning - the holiday service and travel agency will help

Austria has also issued travel warnings and requirements for several countries and regions when returning to Austria - including still Croatia and more recently also when returning from Prague. A travel warning was also issued for the French regions of Ile-de-France with the greater Paris area and Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur with the port city of Marseilles. When returning from these regions, a test or quarantine requirement applies.

The holiday service of the mobility club is a help with travel planning: www.oeamtc.at/urlaubsservice - there you will find an interactive map of Europe that shows the conditions under which entry and exit is currently possible.