Austria travel advice

Travel Summary

• On Tuesday 1 September low-cost airline SkyEurope Airlines suspended its operations and filed for bankruptcy. SkyEurope Airlines announced the cancellation of all its European flights including all scheduled flights from all its hubs, including Vienna, Bratislava and Prague. Travellers that booked directly with the airline are unlikely to get a refund and should make enquiries with alternative carriers. Travellers that booked with a credit card may be able to get a refund at a later date, and should make enquiries with alternative carriers. Travellers that booked via a tour operator should contact them to make alternative flight arrangements. A large number of carriers operate from Vienna airport, some of whom are offering special rates for passengers with outstanding SkyEurope reservations. Travellers are advised to contact the airlines direct for further information.
  
  
  
• There have been confirmed human cases of the H1N1 virus - swine flu in Austria (source: Austrian Health authorities). A policy of containment, with testing and treatment with anti-virals is being followed. This may involve quarantine in hospital for some days until the patient is clear of the virus. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at: www.who.int/ has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. Check Swine Flu for further information. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can also be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.
  
  
• 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. The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Austria in 2007 were for: replacing lost and stolen passports (over 100 cases); deaths, mainly due to natural causes (17 cases); and arrests or detentions (12 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.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

You should take normal, common sense precautions to avoid becoming a victim of crime. Do not leave valuables unattended. Be aware that pickpockets and muggers operate in and around the city centre of Vienna, including restaurants, cafes, hotel lobbies and on public transport. You should be especially vigilant around major railway stations and city centre parks after dark.

Drivers, especially on the "Autobahn" in Lower Austria, should be wary of approaches by bogus police, in plain clothes, a baseball cap marked "Polizei" and travelling in unmarked cars. In all traffic-related matters police officers will be in uniform. Unmarked vehicles will have a flashing electronic sign on the rear window, which reads "Stopp", "Polizei" and "Folgen". Police officers may be in plain clothes but in any case will identify themselves unasked. If in any doubt contact the police on the emergency number 133. Drivers have the right to ask to speak to uniformed patrol men. In addition, confirmation about plain police officers patrolling the local area can be sought by calling the 133 number.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Austria Country Profile

Local Travel

Road Travel

Only persons over 18 years of age holding valid driving licences may drive in Austria. The only exceptions to this rule are under 17 year olds who drive for practice reasons under supervision and have met the required legal conditions.

When driving in Austria, you should always carry a full British licence, ownership documents and insurance details. In 2007 there were 691 road deaths in Austria (source: BMVIT). This equates to 8.3 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.0 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2007 (source: DfT).

The legal limit in Austria is 50 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood (and/or 10 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood for beginners, coach and HGV drivers) and penalties for driving under influence are strict.

High visibility warning vests are required for all drivers. They need to be stored within reach of the driver and must be worn day or night when exiting the vehicle on the hard shoulder or in the event of breakdown. Only "hands free" mobile telephones can be used whilst driving.

From 1 January 2008, it will no longer be compulsory for cars to be driven with headlights switched on throughout the day all year round.

If you use Austrian motorways (“Autobahn”) and "S" roads you must display a Motorway Vignette on the inside of the wind shield of your vehicle as you enter Austria. Failure to have one will mean a heavy, on-the-spot fine. Motorway Vignettes are obtainable at all major border crossings into Austria and at larger petrol stations.

All vehicles above 3.5 tonnes maximum permitted laden weight and using the Austrian network of motorways and express ways are required to attach a small device - called the “GO-Box” - to their windscreen. Note that this includes larger private vehicles such as motor caravans that are above the weight limit. If your vehicle is close to the weight limit you are advised to carry documentation confirming the maximum permitted laden weight. If your registration documents do not clearly state this, you will need to produce alternative certification e.g. from a weighbridge.

The GO-Box uses the high frequency range to communicate with the around 400 fixed-installation toll points covering the whole of Austria, making it possible to effect an automatic toll deduction without slowing down or stopping the flow of traffic. The on-board devices can be obtained for a one-off handling fee of Euro 5.00 at approximately 220 sales centres in Austria and in neighbouring countries, or via the Internet. For further information, visit the website at: http://www.go-maut.at.

Road Hauliers

There is a ban on all lorries over 7.5 tonnes laden weight (without trailer) or over 3.5 tonnes (with trailer) which applies throughout the year on all motorways on Saturdays between 15:00 hours and 24:00 hours and all day on Sundays and Public Holidays. Lorries over 7.5 tonnes laden weight are also prohibited from using motorways throughout the year between 22:00 hours and 05:00 hours. There is a ban on lorries over 7.5 tonnes laden weight overtaking on several motorways. Drivers should look out for special prohibiting signs.

The Transport Ministry and ASFINAG (the semi-privatised motorway operator) are continuing to carry out stringent checks on HGVs. It is therefore vital that such vehicles are roadworthy, and are correctly documented. Vehicles found to have defects have been impounded until the completion of necessary repairs.

Road Travel in Winter (1 November-15 April)

New legislation, which comes into force on 1 January 2008, demands that all vehicles with up to 3.5 tonnes laden weight use winter tyres on all wheels in wintry road conditions (snow, slush, ice). Snow chains on the driving wheels will only be allowed as an alternative where the road is fully covered by snow and/or ice and the road surface will not be damaged by the chains. Chains or summer tyres will not be allowed for slush conditions. Heavy fines or temporary loss of vehicle may be imposed on those who ignore this legislation.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Air Travel

The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 are also being implemented in Austria. For more general information see Airline Security.

Local laws and customs

Drug laws are similar to those in the UK. Possession or trafficking of drugs will be met with strict penalties and usually a lengthy prison sentence.

Under Austrian law, you are required to have your passport readily accessible at all times. If you do not carry your passport with you, your passport must be in the same district as you and you must be able to access it within one hour. A UK driving licence is not recognised as an official form of ID.

For more general informaton for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Entry requirements

Visas

Visas are not required to enter Austria but you must hold a valid British passport to enter Austria. EU citizens can travel to Austria up to the expiry date of their passports. Other citizens need at least three months’ validity.

Passport validity

You must hold a valid British passport to enter Austria. EU citizens can travel to Austria up to the expiry date of their passports. Other citizens need at least three months’ validity.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that Austria requires documentary evidence of parental responsibility (e.g. a consent letter) before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Carrying such a letter of consent (downloadable from the British Embassy in Austria is a precautionary measure recommended by the UK and Austrian authorities. It does not, however, automatically guarantee the problem-free movement of minors who are not travelling with the person legally exercising parental care over them.

For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Austrian Embassy in London.

Health

There have been confirmed human cases of swine flu in Austria (source: Austrian Health authorities). A policy of containment, with testing and treatment with anti-virals is being followed. This may involve quarantine in hospital for some days until the patient is clear of the virus. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at: www.who.int/ has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. Check Swine Flu for further information. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can also be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.

The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Austrian nationals. It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. For more general information see EHIC.

If you are planning to visit forested areas, you are advised to seek medical advice before you travel about inoculations for tick borne encephalitis, which is endemic from spring to autumn.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 9,800 adults aged 15 or over in Austria were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.2% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Austria and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

There were a number of confirmed cases of H5N1 infection in migratory birds in Austria in 2006. There have been none so far in 2007. No human infections or deaths have been reported.

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. As a precaution you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

You should read this advice in conjunction with Avian and Pandemic Influenza, which gives more detailed advice and information.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Skiing

If you are planning a skiing holiday it is advisable to contact the Austrian Tourist Agency in London (Tel: 0845 101 1818; website: Austrian National Tourist Office) for advice on weather and safety conditions before travelling. You should be aware that off-piste skiing is highly dangerous. All safety instructions should be followed meticulously given the danger of avalanches in some areas and in particular in times of heavy snow accumulation. For your own safety please always check with the local tourist offices on current snow/weather conditions upon arrival.

Avalanche beepers (receivers) are the most common rescue devices and, when properly used, provide the fastest way of locating an avalanche victim.

Avalanche information can be obtained by telephoning (Tel: +43 512 581839) or by visiting the following website: http://www.lawine.at website: http://www.avalanches.org. Extra caution should also be taken during the Spring season, as this is when avalanches most commonly occur.

Money

Since 15 January 2007 new legislation on the controls of cash entering or leaving the EU apply in all Member States. Any person entering or leaving the EU will have to declare the cash that they are carrying if this amounts to 10,000 euros or more; this includes cheques, travellers' cheques, money orders, etc. This will not apply to anyone travelling via the EU to a non-EU country, as long as the original journey started outside of the EU nor to those travelling within the EU.