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Which of Austria’s neighbours can I enter – and what are the rules?

Some countries have bans in place for entry from Austria, while others require quarantines and testing. Here are the rules for entering Austria’s neighbours.

Published: 3 May 2021 14:41 CEST
Updated: 5 May 2021 22:22 CEST
Which of Austria’s neighbours can I enter - and what are the rules?
A test station at Austria's border with the Czech Republic. Photo: CHRISTOF STACHE / AFP

Austria is expected to relax its quarantine on May 19th. This will make it easier for people to visit Austria, while it will also allow Austrians to go away and come home without having to quarantine. 

While some residents of Austria might be looking to head further afield for holidays, some might want to go a little closer to home. 

Austria shares a border with eight other countries: Germany. Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Italy. 

The rules for entry in these countries vary. Here’s what you need to know. 

What is the current situation? 

Currently, while Austrians are not prevented from leaving the country for travel, the strict quarantine rules for anyone returning has taken away the incentive for many. 

As at May 3rd, people arriving or returning from all but a small handful of countries need to quarantine for between ten and 14 days in Austria. 

Only arrivals from Australia, Iceland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the Vatican will not have to quarantine (as at May 3rd). 

READ MORE: Austria to wind back quarantine rules on May 19th

The Austrian government has advised against all unnecessary travel “especially vaccine travel”. 

As at May 19th, this quarantine will be relaxed. 

The following indicates the rules for entering Austria’s neighbours. Please note that these rules often change. An official list of entry rules can be found here. 

Germany

Everyone arriving in Germany will have to quarantine on arrival – and will also need to present a negative test. 

The requirements do not apply to people from the enclaves Kleinwalsertal and Jungholz. 

The test can either be a PCR or an antigen test – and must not be older than 48 hours. 

Everyone entering will also be required to fill out a digital entry form. 

The quarantine applies for ten days and can be left on the fifth day with a negative test. 

Transit through Germany is permitted without a test or quarantine. 

Please note that the rules can be different in each of Germany’s 16 federal states. 

Switzerland and Liechtenstein 

Switzerland and Liechtenstein operate their border policies in tandem. 

Whether you will have to quarantine or not will depend on which Austrian federal state you arrive from. 

Arrivals from from Burgenland, Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Carinthia, Salzburg and Vienna will be required to quarantine for ten days and present a negative PCR test. 

Arrivals will need to fill out the following form. 

Slovenia

Everyone arriving from Austria must undertake a ten-day quarantine when entering Slovenia, unless they can provide a negative PCR test result which is less than 48 hours old. 

Cross-border workers are allowed to enter but must present evidence of a negative PCR or antigen test which is less than seven days old. 

The Czech Republic

Non-essential travel to the Czech Republic is banned at present, meaning that tourism is not allowed. 

Anyone entering the country will need to present a negative PCR test (72 hours or fresher) or an antigen test (24 hours or fresher). 

Another negative PCR test will be needed to leave quarantine. 

All entrants must register with the following form. 

Hungary

Tourist travel is currently forbidden in Hungary, although commuters and cross-border workers can enter without quarantine or testing requirements. 

Hungarian citizens and residents can enter from Austria but need to complete a ten-day quarantine. 

Slovakia 

All arrivals in Slovakia are required to quarantine and register on arrival. 

The quarantine lasts 14 days but can be ended from the eighth day with a negative test. 

The quarantine can be ended on the 14th day without a negative test. 

Registration can be done at the following link. 

Italy

Everyone entering Italy from Austria must register online at the following link before entering the country. 

You must also submit a negative PCR or antigen test which is less than 48 hours old. 

All entrants must undertake a five-day quarantine, from which you need a PCR or antigen test to be allowed to leave on the fifth day. 

Cross-border commuters are exempt from the requirement.

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TRAVEL

Ten unforgettable places to stay in Austria

Talk about a land of contrasts: Between alpine chalets, imposing fortress and, well, sewage pipes, there’s no shortage of unusual and unforgettable plays to stay in Austria.

Published: 22 February 2024 16:46 CET
Ten unforgettable places to stay in Austria

Here are ten of the most spectacular, historic, unique or just plain weird places to stay on an Austrian getaway. 

Steirisch Ursprung Erlebnishotel – Relive the good old days

Eggersdorf by Graz, Styria

Let’s start our list by taking one giant step back… in time. The Erlebnishotel’ Steirisch Ursprung‘ (Styrian Origin Experience Hotel) has been designed to celebrate Styrian culture, folk art and cuisine of the 19th century, with rooms themed those of a typical farmer, as well as a wedding suite…

…and an ‘erotic room’ full of spicy paintings and carvings for those seeking a romantic getaway.

If you fancy a drop, you’re lucky – the hotel has its own brewery and pub, where you can sample the local beer in two-hundred-year-old surroundings. 

Hotel Schafbergspitze – Spectacular views from Austria’s first mountain hotel

St Wolfgang in Salzkammergut, Upper Austria

If you love a good view – and have no fear of heights – the Hotel Schafbergspitze is your destination. 

Austria’s first mountain hotel was opened in 1864, with guests travelling to the hotel by a cog railway that climbs around 1190 metres over almost six kilometres. 

The hotel features 17 rooms and a restaurant serving hearty local cuisine, which you can walk off exploring the Schafbergspitze’s summit, with stunning vistas in every direction. 

https://twitter.com/_NATUREBEAUTY__/status/1698300920751337895

Dasparkhotel – Stay in a sewage pipe, anyone?

Ottensheim, Upper Austria

You may not want to gaze across the Alps from your double bed. You may want to stay in a sewer pipe instead. Fortunately, Austria’s dasparkhotel covers you, in the charming market town of Ottensheim, near Linz. 

Three stylishly appointed cabins have been constructed from repurposed sewer pipe, with comfy bedding, electrical outlets and storage space. 

Doesn’t sound very appealing? How about this – staying at dasparkhotel is free, although donations are welcome. 

Hotel Schloss Matzen – Live the high life

Reith im Alpbachtal, Tyrol

The hill on which Hotel Schloss Matzen sits has been desirable real estate since Roman times when it was a fort defending trade routes through the region. Since the castle was built in the 12th century, it’s passed through the hands of some of Austria’s oldest and most renowned families – each who left a mark as stewards of the region. 

Since 2007, it has been home to a gorgeous luxury hotel, where each room evokes past grandeur within the eight-hundred-year-old structure. 

It’s a common location for weddings, with the castle’s beautiful gardens and striking silhouette as a gorgeous backdrop for photos. 

Hotel Burg Bernstein – Red knights, white ladies and stunning vintages

Bernstein, Burgenland

We continue the castle theme with Hotel Burg Bernstein, once a fortress protecting Austria’s eastern borders. Consequently, it has a long and bloody history. 

Somewhat unsurprisingly, the castle has a reputation for being haunted by not one but two resident ghosts: ‘Red Ivan’, a furious 13th-century knight who has a habit of appearing to children, and the ‘White Lady of Bernstein’, a veiled figure who may be a 15th-century murder victim.

If that’s not your thing, be of good cheer: The castle also offers wine courses showcasing the region’s vintages. 

Historical tours are also available that explore the lives of previous tenants, including Lazlo Almasy – the explorer whose exploits helped inspire the novel and film, ‘The English Patient’.  

Hotel Rogner Bad Blumau – Soak in the surroundings

Bad Blumau, Styria

Looking like a technicolour Hobbiton, the Hotel Rogner Bad Blumau was designed by famed Austrian architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser in the nineties to take advantage of the thermal springs discovered on the site twenty years prior. 

When you’re done soaking and admiring the lively design of the place and eating extraordinarily well in the restaurant, there’s a ‘geomantic’ path designed by artist Marko Pogacnik to balance your energy levels. 

Gästehaus Benediktinerstift Göttweig – Simple pleasures in a House of God 

Furth bei Göttweig, Lower Austria

You may want to nourish your soul in more holy surroundings. 

Gottweig Abbey has been looking over the town of Furth bei Göttweig for over a thousand years. 

Reaching a golden age in the 18th century, the abbey is an artistic treasure house, with plenty to explore throughout its buildings and grounds. 

As is the trend with many monasteries, Benediktinerstift Gottweig has opened its doors to visitors seeking a little solace, with simple, but comfortable rooms and a restaurant with regional dishes based on local produce. 

Iglu-Dorf Innsbruck Kühtai

Kühtai, Tyrol

One of four ‘igloo village’ hotels across the DACH region, Iglu-Dorf Kühtai offers several lodgings for couples, families and groups. Cool temperatures and warm blankets make for a great night’s sleep; many of the igloos are far more spacious than you’d think.

Outside the igloos, there’s a bar, winter sports close by and frequent events to keep you entertained during your snowy excursion. 

Hotel Sacher – An Austrian Icon

Vienna

You knew we’d need to mention the Hotel Sacher to get through this list. 

The Vienna icon first opened its doors in 1876 by restauranteur Eduard Sacher. 

While he – and the hotel – are known for the world-famous Sachertorte he created, we can’t forget Anna Sacher, Eduard’s widow, who single-handedly transformed the hotel with her iron will and charisma into the Vienna stalwart it is today.

Today, run by the equally impressive Gürtler family, it’s Vienna’s only privately-owned luxury hotel. While the restaurant is a giant tourist magnet, the luxurious rooms with their belle epoque style are a more exclusive highlight. 

Honey Farm – Bzz Bzz

Himmelberg, Carinthia

We end with simple pleasures – and a little natural sweetness. 

For several years, Arno Kronhofer and his family have opened their farm at Himmelberg in the country’s south to visitors, where guests can watch and experience raising bees, harvesting honey, and enjoy a country vacation!

In tribute, many of the rooms in the renovated barn feature designs inspired by beehives, with wood, linen and honey-coloured accents filling rooms with golden light.

Have any recommendations for unusual or unforgettable hotel stays in Austria? Let us know in the comments! 

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