Travelling to Austria during the pandemic

Several groups of people are allowed to travel to and enter Austria in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic. The specific points to keep in mind depend on the country from which they want to travel to Austria, their nationality and particularly their family situation.

All people who travel must register online (”pre-travel clearance“) before entering the country. This applies to nationals of all countries – and also to Austrian citizens.

Austrian nationals are permitted to enter Austria from all countries. Whether or not they are required to go into quarantine depends on where they are travelling from and what the purpose of their visit is:

• If Austrians travel to Austria from one of the following countries, they must present a medical certificate, negative test results, a vaccination certificate (“Impfzertifikat”) or certificate of recovery (“Genesungszertifikat“) from COVID-19 at the moment of entering the country, or else they have to promptly present a negative antigen test (“Antigen-Test”) or PCR test after entering the country (in any case within 24 hours): Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Principality of Liechtenstein, Romania, San Marino, Sweden, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland Vatican or Cyprus.
• If Austrians travel to Austria from United Kingdom, Brazil, India or South Africa, they must present a medical certificate or negative test results (sample taken in a PCR test which is less than 72 hours old or less than 48 hours old for an antigen test) when entering the country. Or else they must undergo the test within 24 hours and go into quarantine for at least five days. The quarantine can first be ended on the basis of a negative PCR or antigen test. The day in which the person entered the country is considered to be day zero, not day one.    
   
• If Austrians travel to Austria from another country, the situation depends on whether the people are vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 or not. People who can present a vaccination or recovery certificate do NOT have to go into quarantine. People who do not have a vaccination or recovery certificate must show negative test results or undergo a PCR test or antigen test within 24 hours and go into quarantine for a period of at least five days. The quarantine can first be ended on the basis of a negative PCR or antigen test. The day in which the person entered the country is considered to be day zero, not day one.    

Medical certificates or test results are valid for 72 hours starting with the sample taken in the PCR test and for 48 hours starting with the sample taken in the case of the antigen test. Antigen self-tests are not considered to be sufficient proof.

In the case of entering the country with a vaccination certificate, the following pre-requisites must be fulfilled: a) either the first vaccination must have been administered at least 22 days (but less than three months) beforehand or b) the person must have the second vaccination, in which case the first vaccination must not be more than nine months old. Only one vaccination is necessary in the case of vaccines which only require one vaccine dose (only Johnson & Johnson at present), or in the case of a COVID-19 infection (at least 21 days before the vaccination) or if there is proof of neutralising antibodies. In this case the vaccination must not be older than nine months.  

In the case of a recovery certificate issued by a doctor or public authorities, the certificate affirms that the person survived a past infection with COVID-19 during the previous six-month period. Proof of neutralising antibodies (not older than three months) is also considered to be a recovery certificate.  

What is meant by “professional purposes”?

There are exceptions to the rules relating to entry bans or quarantine regulations for individuals who enter Austria for business/professional purposes (depending upon which country the person enters Austria from).

Entering Austria for professional purposes exists if this is directly related to the person’s professional activity. Even if the person left Austria for professional reasons, entry for professional reasons must exist when returning to the country. However, there must be a time connection with the business appointment (for example, if the business appointment is scheduled for three days, then there is no stay allowed for several weeks on the basis of trips made for professional reasons).

For example, entry for professional purposes include caregivers or nurses providing 24-hour care. However, everything considered to fall under the category of "professional purposes" is not explicitly regulated. Entering Austria for the purpose of a personal job interview may be considered as being for professional purposes if the physical presence of the person is considered to be absolutely necessary.

You will always have to show in a “credible” manner that your entering Austria is for professional purposes, for example on the basis of a business letter from a company, bills of delivery, order confirmations, appointment confirmations for a personal interview and so on.

Which rules apply to people who enter Austria for professional purposes from the following countries: Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Principality of Liechtenstein, Romania, San Marino, Sweden, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland Vatican or Cyprus.?

Anyone travelling to Austria from one of these countries (regardless of whether the trip is for professional purposes or not) must present a medical certificate, negative test results (sample taken in a PCR test which is less than 72 hours old or less than 48 hours old for an antigen test), a vaccination certificate or a certificate of recovery (from COVID-19) at the moment of entering the country. If you are unable to show any of this, you must promptly present a negative antigen or PCR test after entering the country (in any case within 24 hours). In this case you will have to pay for the costs of the test yourself.

Which rules apply when you enter Austria for professional purposes from Brazil, India or South Africa?

In principle, it is not permitted to travel to Austria from these countries. It is only allowed in exceptional cases. However, entering the country for professional purposes is considered to be a valid exception. When entering the country, you must present a medical certificate or negative test results (sample taken in a PCR test which is less than 72 hours old or less than 48 hours old for an antigen test) when entering the country and go into quarantine for at least five days. The quarantine can first be ended on the basis of a negative PCR or antigen test. The day in which the person entered the country is considered to be day zero, not day one.    

Which rules apply when you enter Austria for professional purposes from another country?

You are allowed to travel to Austria from these countries and do not have to go into quarantine when entering Austria for professional purposes if you can show a medical certificate or negative test results (sample taken in a PCR test which is less than 72 hours old or less than 48 hours old for an antigen test) when entering the country.  You can also show a vaccination or recovery certificate. If you cannot show any of this, you will principally have to go into quarantine for ten days immediately after arrival. However, you can end your quarantine as soon as you can show negative test results.

In the case of entering the country with a vaccination certificate, the following pre-requisites must be fulfilled: a) either the first vaccination must have been administered at least 22 days (but less than three months) beforehand or b) the person must have the second vaccination, in which case the first vaccination must not be more than nine months old. Only one vaccination is necessary in the case of vaccines which only require one vaccine dose (only Johnson & Johnson at present), or in the case of a COVID-19 infection (at least 21 days before the vaccination) or if there is proof of neutralising antibodies. In this case the vaccination must not be older than nine months. 

In the case of a recovery certificate issued by a doctor or public authorities, the certificate affirms that the person survived a past infection with COVID-19 during the previous six-month period. Proof of neutralising antibodies (not older than three months) is also considered to be a recovery certificate.  

The same applies when you travel to Austria from a different country than all the ones mentioned in the examples above.

What does the landing ban (“Landeverbot”) mean for you?

There is a landing ban in Austria for passenger flights which come directly from United Kingdom, Brazil, India and South Africa. At present, this rule is valid up until 20 June 2021. Exceptions exist, for example flights to transport nursing staff and healthcare professionals. Please also note the landing bans imposed by other countries!

Are you allowed to stay overnight in a hotel?

Staying overnight in tourist accommodations or lodging establishments (e.g., hotels) is permitted. However, in this case you have to prove that you have negative test results, have been vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 (as described above).  

Are you allowed to take your family with you on your business trip?

You are allowed to take your family with you when you travel to Austria from one of the following countries:Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Principality of Liechtenstein, Romania, San Marino, Sweden, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland Vatican or Cyprus.. Entering Austria is possible from these countries. However, in this case your family members must show a medical certificate or negative test results (sampling in a PCR test which is less than 72 hours old or less than 48 hours old for an antigen test) when entering the country, or they can also show a vaccination or recovery certificate. Or else, they can take a PCR test or antigen test within 24 hours after entering the country.

You are generally not allowed to take your family with you if you are travelling from Brazil, India and South Africa, because entering Austria for professional purposes is only conceived in exceptional cases.  

In general, if your family travels to Austria from another country, the situation depends on whether your family members are vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 or not. People who can present a vaccination or recovery certificate do not have to go into quarantine. People who do not have a vaccination or recovery certificate must show negative test results or undergo a PCR test or antigen test within 24 hours and go into quarantine for a period of at least five days. The quarantine can first be ended on the basis of a negative PCR or antigen test. The day in which the person entered the country is considered to be day zero, not day one.    

You are an EU or Swiss national but do not live in Austria yet. You have got a job in Austria. Are you allowed to enter the country at all? If yes, what must you take into consideration?

Yes, you are allowed to enter Austria and it does not matter which country you are living in at the present time. Whether or not you must go into quarantine depends on where you are coming from and whether you are vaccinated or have recovered (see details above). Entering the country to begin work in Austria is considered to be your professional purpose.

Your family members who live with you in the same household are also permitted to enter Austria with you, regardless of which nationality your family members have. Here, the situation also depends on the country from which your family members are travelling from.

If they are entering Austria from one of the following countries, your family members must present a medical certificate or negative test results (sample taken in a PCR test which is less than 72 hours old or less than 48 hours old for an antigen test) when entering the country or show a vaccination certificate or certificate of recovery from COVID-19 at the moment of entering the country, or else they have to promptly present a negative antigen or PCR test after entering the country (in any case within 24 hours): Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Principality of Liechtenstein, Romania, San Marino, Sweden, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland Vatican or Cyprus..

If your family enters Austria from Brazil, India or South Africa, the family members must show negative test results and go into quarantine for at least five days. The quarantine can first be ended on the basis of a negative PCR or antigen test. The day in which the person entered the country is considered to be day zero, not day one.    

If your family travels to Austria from another country, the situation depends on whether your family members are vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 or not. People who can present a vaccination or recovery certificate do not have to go into quarantine. People who do not have a vaccination or recovery certificate must show negative test results or undergo a PCR test or antigen test within 24 hours and go into quarantine for a period of at least five days. The quarantine can first be ended on the basis of a negative PCR or antigen test. The day in which the person entered the country is considered to be day zero, not day one.

Example 1: The German national Max Mustermann lives in Germany. He got a job in Austria. He travels from Germany to Austria to begin his work and does not have to go into quarantine. When entering the country, he must show negative PCR or antigen test results or present them within 24 hours.

Example 2: The German national Max Mustermann lives with his wife (who is also a German national) in Columbia.  The married couple can enter Austria together. They must present negative PCR or antigen test results when entering the country or present a vaccination or recovery certificate. He does not have to go into quarantine because he travels to Austria for professional reasons (beginning his work). If his wife is vaccinated or has recovered and can prove this with the relevant certificate, she also does not have to go into quarantine. Otherwise, his wife has to go into quarantine for at least five days because she does not travel to Austria from Columbia for professional purposes.

You are a third-country national, live in a third country and would like to be physically present in Austria to search for a job. Is this possible?

Unlike the times before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, you cannot simply travel to Austria and spend your visa-free days in the country. IYou can, however, come here for an interview if this cannot be done virtually. You should be able to proof why you need this exception (e.g. with the invitation of the company where you will have your interview). If you already have a job offer, you can apply for a residence permit at the competent Austrian representative authority (e.g. consulate or embassy) in your current country of residence. In many cases, your Austrian employer can also submit your application for you directly in Austria.
There is also a reason for an exception when you receive an invitation to get your residence permit from the Austrian authority. 

In both cases you must present a medical certificate, a test result (sampling for the PCR test less than 72 hours ago, for the antigen test less than 48 hours), or a vaccination or recovery certificate. Then you don't have to go into quarantine.

Attention: There are special regulations for entry from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea and for entry from Brazil, India, South Africa and the United Kingdom:

You can enter from  Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea without proof of an exemption if you have a medical certificate, a test result (less than 72 hours for the PCR test, less than 48 hours for the antigen test), or a Show vaccination or recovery certificate. If you are unable to show any of these, you must carry out an antigen or PCR test immediately after entering the country (at least within 24 hours). You have to pay the costs yourself.

If you are coming from Brazil, India, South Africa or the UK for an interview, you must have a negative test result and be in quarantine for at least five days. The quarantine can only be ended from the fifth day with a negative PCR or antigen test. The day of entry is considered day zero, not day one. If you come to the country to collect your residence permit, you do not have to be in quarantine, as this is an officially imposed obligation. However, it is mandatory that you have a negative test result according to the above criteria.

You are a third-country national, live in a third country and can actually travel to Austria and the Schengen Area without a visa.  You have applied for an Austrian residence permit and the process is now complete: You have received an invitation from the residence authority to get your residence permit (“Aufenthaltstitel”). What do you have to consider when entering the country? 

Unlike during the times before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, you cannot simply travel to Austria and spend your visa-free days in the country. However, the invitation from the residence authority ("Aufenthaltsbehörde") is proof of a so-called officially imposed obligation for your entry to Austria.

If you are traveling from Brazil, India, South Africa or the UK, you will need to show the letter of invitation and a medical certificate or test result. A recovery or vaccination certificate is not enough! If you do not have any of this, you must go into quarantine and can only end this quarantine after five days.

You can enter from another country with a valid medical certificate, test result, vaccination or recovery certificate. If you show your letter of invitation to collect your residence permit, you do not have to go into quarantine.

Example: The American citizen Philipp Jones lives in the USA and has applied for a Red-White-Red – Card (“Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte”). He was notified by the Austrian Immigration and Residence Authority that the only thing he still needs to do is to enter Austria, have his fingerprints taken and present his original documents. As an American, he is generally permitted to travel to Austria without a visa. He can enter Austria with the invitation from the residence authority. He does not have to go into quarantine when entering the country if he can show a medical certificate, negative test results (sample taken in a PCR test which is less than 72 hours old or less than 48 hours old for an antigen test) or else show a vaccination or recovery certificate.

You are a third-country national and live in an EU member state or in Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland or the Vatican. You are in the middle of the process of getting an Austrian residence permit and would like to personally come to Austria to complete the process. Is this possible?

Yes, you can travel to Austria without a special visa as long as you have a valid residence permit for the country in which you live. You only have to make sure that you were not more than 90 out of the last 180 days in the Schengen Area, of course with the exception of the country in which you live. It does not matter if you are generally allowed to travel to Austria without a visa or not due to your nationality. Whether or not you are required to go into quarantine for five days depends on which country you are travelling from and whether you are already vaccinated or have recovered from the coronavirus.

If you already have an invitation from the residence authority to collect your residence permit, this is what is known as an officially imposed obligation to enter the country. In this case you are exempt from the quarantine obligation if you have a valid medical certificate, test result, vaccination or recovery certificate.

Example: The Russian national Irina Tolkova lives in Belgium and has applied for a Red-White-Red – Card. She was notified by Austria’s Immigration and Residence Authority that the only thing she still needs to do is to enter Austria, have her fingerprints taken and present her original documents. She is allowed to travel to Austria without a special visa because she has a valid residence permit for Belgium. She is not required to go into quarantine if she travels directly from Belgium to Austria and was only in Belgium in the previous ten days. When entering Austria, she has to show negative test results, a vaccine or recovery certificate or undergo the PCR or antigen test within 24 hours.

You are a third country national and live in a third country from which you are not allowed to travel without a visa. You are in the process of obtaining an Austrian residence permit. The Austrian Embassy asked you to apply for a Visa D. But can you even enter Austria despite the pandemic?

You can enter Austria as soon as you have an invitation to pick up a residence permit. This invitation is the proof of a so-called official obligation for your entry into Austria. If you do NOT have an appointment with the authorities, but still have a valid Visa D, for example, you can usually not enter Austria - unless you can prove another reason for an exception.

When you enter the country, you must show a medical certificate, a test result (sampling for the PCR test less than 72 hours ago, for the antigen test less than 48 hours), or a vaccination or recovery certificate. Then you don't have to go into quarantine. You can then enter from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea without proof of an exemption. If you are from Brazil, India, South Africa or the United Kingdom, you must - in addition to the invitation as proof of the exemption - show a negative test result according to the above criteria (a vaccination or recovery certificate is NOT sufficient) and then you do not have to be in quarantine .

Example: The Russian Irina Tolkova lives in Russia and has applied for a red-white-red card. She has received a notification from the Austrian embassy in Moscow stating that her application has been approved and that she must apply for a Visa D. As soon as Irina Tolkova has an invitation to collect your residence permit and your Visa D, she can travel to Austria. If she has already been vaccinated or recovered and has the appropriate certificates, she does not have to go into quarantine.

If you have any questions about how you and/or your family can travel to Austria and enter the country at the present time, or about which authorities you have to contact etc., please feel free to contact ABA Immigration and Residence Services.

You are an EU or Swiss national but do not live in Austria yet. You have got a job in Austria. Are you allowed to enter the country at all? If yes, what must you take into consideration?

Yes, you are allowed to enter Austria and it does not matter which country you are living in at the present time. Whether or not you must go into quarantine depends on where you are coming from and whether you are vaccinated or have recovered (see details above). Entering the country to begin work in Austria is considered to be your professional purpose.

Your family members who live with you in the same household are also permitted to enter Austria with you, regardless of which nationality your family members have. Here, the situation also depends on the country from which your family members are travelling from.

If they are entering Austria from one of the following countries, your family members must present a medical certificate or negative test results (sample taken in a PCR test which is less than 72 hours old or less than 48 hours old for an antigen test) when entering the country or show a vaccination certificate or certificate of recovery from COVID-19 at the moment of entering the country, or else they have to promptly present a negative antigen or PCR test after entering the country (in any case within 24 hours): Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Principality of Liechtenstein, Romania, San Marino, Sweden, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland Vatican or Cyprus.

If your family enters Austria from Brazil, India or South Africa, the family members must show negative test results and go into quarantine for at least five days. The quarantine can first be ended on the basis of a negative PCR or antigen test. The day in which the person entered the country is considered to be day zero, not day one.    

If your family travels to Austria from  another country, the situation depends on whether your family members are vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 or not. People who can present a vaccination or recovery certificate do not have to go into quarantine. People who do not have a vaccination or recovery certificate must show negative test results or undergo a PCR test or antigen test within 24 hours and go into quarantine for a period of at least five days. The quarantine can first be ended on the basis of a negative PCR or antigen test. The day in which the person entered the country is considered to be day zero, not day one.

Example 1: The German national Max Mustermann lives in Germany. He got a job in Austria. He travels from Germany to Austria to begin his work and does not have to go into quarantine. When entering the country, he must show negative PCR or antigen test results or present them within 24 hours.

Example 2: The German national Max Mustermann lives with his wife (who is also a German national) in Columbia.  The married couple can enter Austria together. They must present negative PCR or antigen test results when entering the country or present a vaccination or recovery certificate. He does not have to go into quarantine because he travels to Austria for professional reasons (beginning his work). If his wife is vaccinated or has recovered and can prove this with the relevant certificate, she also does not have to go into quarantine. Otherwise, his wife has to go into quarantine for at least five days because she does not travel to Austria from Columbia for professional purposes.

You are a third-country national, live in a third country and would like to be physically present in Austria to search for a job. Is this possible?

Unlike the times before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, you cannot simply travel to Austria and spend your visa-free days in the country. Instead, it makes sense to apply to the Austrian representative authority (consulate or embassy) in the country in which you live for a Visa DJob Seeker Visa (“Visum D zur Arbeitssuche”).  By getting a Visa D, you become part of a group of exemptions who are still allowed to travel to Austria. At the present time you are not allowed to enter Austria if no other exceptions exist. For further information on applying for a Visa D, you are welcome to contact ABA Immigration and Residence Services (“ABA Servicestelle für Einwanderung und Aufenthalt”).

An exception exists for travelling to Austria from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore or South Korea. If you travel to Austria from one of these countries, you can enter the country without a Visa D. However, when entering the country, you must show a medical certificate, negative test results (sample taken in a PCR test which is less than 72 hours old or less than 48 hours old for an antigen test) or else show a vaccination or recovery certificate. If you cannot show any of this, you must undergo an antigen or PCR test promptly (in any case within 24 hours). In this case you will have to pay for the costs of the test yourself.

You are a third-country national, live in a third country and can actually travel to Austria and the Schengen Area without a visa. You are in the middle of the process of getting an Austria residence permit (“Aufenthaltstitel”) and would like to personally come to Austria to complete the process (e.g., for the last appointment with authorities). Is this possible?

Unlike during the times before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, you cannot simply travel to Austria and spend your visa-free days in the country. However, you can credibly show your trip to Austria for professional purposes with an invitation from the Immigration and Residence Authority (“Aufenthaltsbehörde”) and an invitation letter from your future employer. In any case, please take the quarantine rules into consideration (refer to details present above).  

If you travel to Austria from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore or South Korea, you do not need to present such invitation letters. However, when entering the country, you must show a medical certificate, negative test results (sample taken in a PCR test which is less than 72 hours old or less than 48 hours old for an antigen test) or else show a vaccination or recovery certificate. If you cannot show any of this, you must undergo an antigen or PCR test promptly (in any case within 24 hours). In this case you will have to pay for the costs of the test yourself.

Example: The American citizen Philipp Jones lives in the USA and has applied for a Red-White-Red – Card (“Rot-Weiß-Rot – Karte”). He was notified by the Austrian Immigration and Residence Authority that the only thing he still needs to do is to enter Austria, have his fingerprints taken and present his original documents. As an American, he is generally permitted to travel to Austria without a visa. He can enter the country with his invitation from the Immigration and Residence Authority and the invitation letter from his future employer. He does not have to go into quarantine when entering the country if he can show a medical certificate, negative test results (sample taken in a PCR test which is less than 72 hours old or less than 48 hours old for an antigen test) or else show a vaccination or recovery certificate.

You are a third-country national and live in an EU member state or in Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland or the Vatican. You are in the middle of the process of getting an Austrian residence permit and would like to personally come to Austria to complete the process. Is this possible?

Yes, you can travel to Austria without a special visa as long as you have a valid residence permit for the country in which you live. You only have to make sure that you were not more than 90 out of the last 180 days in the Schengen Area, of course with the exception of the country in which you live. It does not matter if you are generally allowed to travel to Austria without a visa or not due to your nationality. Whether or not you are required to go into quarantine for five days depends on which country you are travelling from and whether you are already vaccinated or have recovered from the coronavirus.

Example: The Russian national Irina Tolkova lives in Belgium and has applied for a Red-White-Red – Card. She was notified by Austria’s Immigration and Residence Authority that the only thing she still needs to do is to enter Austria, have her fingerprints taken and present her original documents. She is allowed to travel to Austria without a special visa because she has a valid residence permit for Belgium. She is not required to go into quarantine if she travels directly from Belgium to Austria and was only in Belgium in the previous ten days. When entering Austria, she has to show negative test results, a vaccine or recovery certificate or undergo the PCR or antigen test within 24 hours.

You are a third-country national and live in a third country. You are in the middle of the process of getting an Austrian residence permit. The Austrian embassy in your country has asked you to apply for a Visa D. Are you allowed to travel to Austria with a Visa D despite the pandemic?

Yes, you are allowed to travel to Austria with a Visa D, regardless of which nationality you have or where you live. Children can also get a Visa D. For further information on applying for a Visa D, you are welcome to contact ABA Immigration and Residence Services. Whether or not you are required to go into quarantine for five days depends on which country you are travelling from and whether you are already vaccinated or have recovered from the coronavirus.

An exception exists for travelling to Austria from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore or South Korea. When entering Austria, you must show a medical certificate, negative test results (sample taken in a PCR test which is less than 72 hours old or less than 48 hours old for an antigen test) or else show a vaccination or recovery certificate. If you cannot show any of this, you must undergo an antigen or PCR test promptly (in any case within 24 hours). In this case you will have to pay for the costs of the test yourself.

Example: The Russian national Irina Tolkova lives in Russia and has applied for a Red-White-Red – Card. She was notified by the Austrian embassy in Moscow that her application was approved and that she must apply for a Visa D. Irina Tolkova can travel to Austria and enter the country as soon as she has the Visa D stamped into her passport. After entering the country, she must go immediately into quarantine. She is only allowed to end her quarantine after five days, in order to undergo a PCR or antigen test. She does not need to go into quarantine if she is already vaccinated or has recovered and can show the relevant certificate.

If you have any questions about how you and/or your family can travel to Austria and enter the country at the present time, or about which authorities you have to contact etc., please feel free to contact ABA Immigration and Residence Services.

Special rules exist for you if you regularly commute (“pendeln”) to Austria for professional or business purposes:  

• You are permitted to come to Austria with a medical certificate, negative test results (antigen or PCR test) or if you can show a vaccination or recovery certificate. The other option for you is to undergo an antigen or PCR test immediately promptly entering the country (in any case within 24 hours).  
• This test may be a maximum of seven days old (starting at the time the sample was taken) when you come to Austria from an EU or EWR State.

• This test may be a maximum of 72 hours old (starting at the time the sample was taken) when you come to Austria from another country and you were not in another country in the previous ten days.   

• Registration for “pre-travel clearance“ must be done every 28 days. In addition, you also have to do the registration for “pre-travel clearance“ every time you change your place of residence (home address) or the place you are temporarily staying in.

Here you can download the form for the medical certificate.