Last update: November 15th, 2021.
Austria has been using the EU COVID Certificate since July, joining the rest of Europe in facilitating free travel across the bloc.
As the COVID-19 Delta variant runs rampant across the continent, many member states have started to tighten local restrictions to combat its devastating effects.
France, Germany, and Italy are amongst the countries in the EU that have implemented the local use of COVID passports to aid vaccinated citizens in gaining entrance to non-essential establishments, like bars and restaurants.
How does the EU COVID Certificate work in Austria?
The Austrian COVID pass rollout was met with approval, allowing citizens to travel freely across Europe in time for the summer months.
The certificate has been available from July 1st, but EU citizens who acquired their certificates in their home country could enter Austria even earlier.
The Austrian COVID Certificate can be printed or stored on your phone and will only contain basic information per the EU’s COVID certificate data protection policies.
The EU Commissioner for justice, Didier Reynders, has applauded the launch of this revolutionary program. “The EU Digital COVID Certificate provides European citizens with a common tool to allow them to move freely and safely again”, he said.
“It showcases Europe’s technological leadership in full respect of our values and principles: data protection, inclusiveness, and proportionality”, he explained.
The Austrian Green Pass app is available on the iStore, Google Play Store, and Huawei App Gallery and allows users to easily download and display their certificates.
Austria vaccine passport can also be downloaded at gruenerpass.gv.at.
COVID-19 travel requirements in Austria
Austria has three categories for entry, each requiring proof of vaccination or recovery or a negative PCR test.
The following countries are on the “safe” list and no quarantine is required for citizens from these locations:
- Andorra
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Vatican City
- Australia
- Canada
- Hong Kong
- Jordan
- Macau
- New Zealand
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Uruguay
- Vietnam
Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, and Suriname are considered as a “high epidemiological risk” and travelers from those regions can only travel for specific purposes other than tourism.
Travelers from high-risk countries will also need to quarantine for 10 days but can take a test on day 5 for early release. It is also mandatory to fill in a travel health certificate beforehand to obtain pre-travel clearance.
Travelers from other countries do not need to pre-register if they can provide proof of vaccination. They also need to self-isolate but are able to travel for tourism.
COVID certificate regulations in Austria
The rising COVID-19 infection rate in Saltzburg has been a cause for concern and subsequently led the local government to tighten restrictions.
A mask mandate has returned for retail spaces as well as businesses where customers and staff are in close contact. This includes hairdressers and beauty salons.
Proof of vaccination, recovery, or negative test result will also be mandatory for people working in close contact with customers from November 1st. There will be a 15-day grace period, thereafter it will be strictly monitored. Fines as high as €3,600 will be given to employers who do not comply.
The Austrian capital, Vienna, implemented similar rules in September as cases started rising sharply.
Austrian lockdown for unvaccinated residents
The Austrian government has set out a framework for a new lockdown that only applies to unvaccinated citizens.
If more than 500 COVID patients are in ICU, which is 25% of the country’s capacity, then unvaccinated people will be denied entry to bars and restaurants.
If the number grows to 600, a third of the capacity, unvaccinated people will be placed under lockdown.
Unvaccinated citizens are thus currently under lockdown, unable to leave their homes if not for essential reasons – grocery shopping, pharmacy, non-remote work… and getting vaccinated.
Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg, who was sworn in mid-October, released a statement saying “I will do everything I can to ensure that the health system in this country does not reach its limit and is not overloaded because we have too many procrastinators.”
He explained that the measures would only be put in place if the medical system starts to take strain and added that “we are about to stumble into a pandemic of the unprotected.”
Austria’s COVID-19 health situation
Austria is currently in its fourth wave of COVID-19. Cases are increasingly sharply, surpassing the previous peak of November 2020. As of mid-November 2021, Austria is recording some 10,000 new COVID-19 cases every day.
Since March, the country’s vaccine rollout has grown exponentially. Close to 65% of the Austrian population is fully vaccinated. Austria has administered some 12,300,000 doses of vaccines.