26.06.2020
As of June 15, measures in Austria have been relaxed. People now only need to wear a mask on public transport and in the health sector, such as in pharmacies, hospitals etc.
Entry to Austria (generic rules)
As of 16 June, the following applies: People entering Austria from the Schengen area and from the European non-Schengen countries (Andorra, Bulgaria, Ireland, Croatia, Monaco, Romania, San Marino, Vatican, United Kingdom and Cyprus) must provide a medical certificate, in German or English, proving that they have a negative COVID-PCR test result. The certificate must not be older than 4 days at the time of entry. As an alternative, a 14-day self-monitored home quarantine or quarantine in a suitable accommodation must be undertaken.
The entire regulation does not apply to people who enter Austria from the 32 European countries listed in Annex A and (cumulatively) have their residence or usual habitation in Austria or in one of these countries.
Entry from outside the Schengen area
People entering Austria must provide a medical certificate in Germanor Englishconfirming a negative COVID-PCR test result (certificate must be not older than 4 days at entry) or undertake a 14-day self-monitored home quarantine or quarantine in a suitable accommodation (If quarantine is refused, entry will be prohibited). There is the possibility of free-testing during quarantine. The quarantine may be interrupted only in case an immediate departure from Austria is ensured. These provisions apply to: Austrian citizens, EU/EEA citizens, Swiss citizens and members of their families living in the same household, holders of an Austrian visa D or a photo identification card, in accordance with § 95 FPG (photo identification for holders of privileges and immunities in Austria) or persons with a right of residence or documentation of the right of residence, in accordance with the Austrian Settlement and Residence Act or the Austrian Asylum Act, which authorises them to stay in Austria.
The following categories of third country nationals are allowed to enter the country from anywhere (whether or not they come from the Schengen area or from Andorra, Bulgaria, Ireland, Croatia, Monaco, Romania, San Marino, Vatican City, the United Kingdom and Cyprus):
- Members of staff from diplomatic missions and members of their families living in the same household.
- Employees of international organisations and members of their families living in the same household.
- Humanitarian aid workers.
- Nursing and health personnel.
- Seasonal workers in agriculture, forestry and tourism.
- Passengers in transit.
- Drivers engaged in freight transport.
Exemptions from testing and quarantine requirements
Upon entry, individuals are exempt from testing or quarantine requirements in case they are carrying out one of the following:
- Goods transport operations.
- Commercial transport operations.
- Repatriation trip or flight.
- Transfer journey or flight.
Driving bans
With effect from 18 May,weekend and holiday driving bans for trucks over 7.5t and trucks with trailers, has been reapplied. As of today, AISÖ has not received information concerning a summer driving ban calendar. Subject to neighbouring countries’ behaviour, it is possible that, at best, a very short calendar could be issued.
Restrictions at borders
Austria - Italy
Since 16 June, Austria has opened its borders with Italy. All border crossings between Austria and Italy are open again. From this date, neither a negative SARS-CoV-2 test nor a 14 quarantine is required. Sporadic border controls continue to be carried out.
Austria - Germany
Coming from Germany, entry into Austria has been possible since 4 June, without the obligation to have a medical certificate or the obligation to quarantine at home. There are no systematic border controls being carried out.
Austria -Switzerland
Since 4 June, complete freedom of travel between Austria and Switzerland has been restored.
Austria - Hungary
Since 5 June, there are no more border controls. However, border crossings between Austria (AT) and Hungary (HU) are only permitted at these official border crossing points: Klingenbach, Deutschkreuz, Nickelsdorf and Heiligenkreuz. Commercial traffic between AT and HU is not subject to restrictions anymore.
Austria-Slovenia:
All border crossings between Austria and Slovenia are open again, but only Slovenian and Austrian citizens are allowed to use them. All other citizens may only use the following border crossing points: Karawanken Tunnel, Loibltunnel and Spielberg Motorway, as well as Spielfeld Bahnhof, which only relevant to rail traffic.
The regulations are not applicable to the transport of goods or the carriage of goods. Freight transport runs smoothly across all open border crossings with the Republic of Slovenia; as long as the relevant documentation (order and delivery documents, note documents, driver's passport or ID card and proof of employment) are available.
Austria - Slovakia
Borders are open and freedom of travel between Austria and Slovakia is restored. Since 4 June, individuals are free to enter Austria from Slovakia.
Austria- Liechtenstein
Since 4 June, border controls and health checks have been discontinued
Austria-Czech Republic:
All border crossings between Austria and the Czech Republic are open.
Source: AISÖ
04.06.2020
On 3 June, the Austrian government published decree BGBl. II No. 253/2020, which lifts temporary border controls at the internal borders with Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Border controls are maintained at the border with Italy.
Source: AISÖ
18.05.2020
With effect from 18 May, the weekend and holiday driving ban for trucks over 7.5t and trucks with trailers, has been reapplied.
Source: AISÖ
06.05.2020
On 6 May, the Austrian Government extended controls at border crossing points with Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany until 31 May.
Source: AISÖ
05.05.2020
Following recent updates on prolongation of controls at the Austrian border, AISÖ has provided further details on the current situation in Austria.
On the border with Italy, smaller border crossing points are closed. Open border crossings are: Brenner, Sillian, Reschenpass and Thörl-Maglern. Traffic can be monitored via webcams here.
On the border with Switzerland, the following border crossings are open:
- Tirol – Pfunds (Goods/passenger traffic)
- Vorarlberg – Mäder (Goods/passenger traffic
- Vorarlberg – Lustenau (Goods/passenger traffic)
- Vorarlberg – Hohenems (Goods/passenger traffic)
- Vorarlberg – Wohlfurt (Goods traffic)
On the border with Hungary, traffic can be monitored via webcams here and here.
On the border with Slovakia, the following border crossings are open for goods transport.
- Kittsee – Bratislava/Jarovce
- Hohenau – Moravský Svätý Ján (between 05:00 - 24:00 also trucks up to 7.5t)
On the border with the Czech Republic, Czech commuters entering Austria must have the following documents:
Drivers and companies are advised that double manning is permitted, provided that appropriate safety distances (1m), masks and the general COVID-19 rules of conduct are observed. It is mandatory to wear a mask in public places (when entering service stations, toilet facilities, petrol stations – inside).
Source: AISÖ
21.04.2020
On 21 April, AISÖ confirmed that the weekend traffic ban for goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes will be suspended until 17 May.
Source: AISÖ
15.04.2020
On 10 April, the Austrian Government granted a further relaxation of driving and rest time rules. The following relaxations apply to national and international transport from 14 April until 15 May:
· Art. 6.1: replacement of the maximum daily driving limit of 9 hours with one of 11 hours.
· Art. 6.2: replacement of the maximum weekly driving limit of 56 hours with one of 60 hours.
· Art. 6.3: replacement of the maximum fortnightly driving limit of 90 hours with one of 100 hours.
Relaxations set out by the previous decree are no longer in place.
Source: ITF
09.04.2020
On 6 April 2020, AISÖ confirmed that in Austria, the weekend and holiday driving ban for trucks over 7.5 tonnes will be suspended until 19 April 2020. However, members should be aware that the sectoral driving bans currently in place in the Tyrol region will remain valid.
25.03.2020
The Ministry of Social Affairs has issued a new regulation which restricts the entry into Austria from land border crossing points of those persons living in or transiting from the following neighbouring countries:
- Italy
- Switzerland
- Liechtenstein
- Germany
- Hungary
- Slovenia
Those wanting to enter Austria must present a medical certificate that can be filled out in German, English or Italian, which proves that their test for SARS-CoV-2 is negative. The medical certificate must not be older than four days at the time of entry, otherwise the authorities may refuse entry.
This regulation does not apply to freight or commuter traffic . This regulation came into force on 20.3.2020.
Source: AISÖ
24.03.2020
Tyrol has issued another Regulation (attached in German only). This Regulation extends the existing measures to 12 April 2020.
In order to prevent the further spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), it is prohibited to enter public places on the entire national territory, while security of the supply chain and the free movement of goods for all municipalities has been guaranteed.
Some of the most important provisions are contained in paragraph 3 of the new Regulation:
1) The entrance to and departure from the municipalities within Tyrolean territory shall be prohibited.
2) Paragraph 1 shall not apply to:
General trips by suppliers (e.g. food transport) and provision of general services (e.g. road service, waste collection, service companies, public administration, public road and rail transport).
Supply-critical public infrastructure (e.g. electricity and water supply).
3) In order to ensure the security of the supply chain and the free movement of goods, transit through municipalities on Austrian territory is permitted.
Source: AISÖ
Throughout Austria, the weekend traffic ban for heavy goods vehicles above 7.5 tonnes will be suspended until 3 April 2020 with immediate effect. This measure has been discussed and coordinated with Italy and Bavaria in order to avoid border waiting times as much as possible.
The driving bans for trucks over 7.5 tonnes to the Klingenbach and Deutschkreutz (Burgenland) border crossings have also been lifted to relieve pressure from the Nickelsdorf border point.
At the Austria-Hungarian border:
- Border crossings to be used by international freight traffic departing from or ending in Hungary:
o Hegyeshalom / Nickelsdorf.
o Sopron / Klingenbach (transiting vehicles over 7.5t allowed until 05:00 on 20 March).
o Kópháza / Deutschkreutz (transiting vehicles over 7.5t allowed until 05:00 on 20 March; vehicles over 7.5t with Austrian or Hungarian licence plates permitted until 00:00 on 23 March).
o Rábafüzes / Heiligenkreuz
- Border crossings to be used by AT-HUN bilateral freight transport (in addition to the three mentioned above):
o Bucsu / Schachendorf.
o Koszeg / Rattersdorf.
o Rábafüzes / Heiligenkreuz.
In addition, the government has announced a temporary relaxation of the enforcement of driving and rest times for drivers in order to eliminate bottlenecks caused by the current crisis. The measures lifted are those in Articles 6 to 9 of the EU Regulation No. 561/2006. This exception applies from 16 March 2020 to 14 April 2020. Measures lifted are the following:
- Art. 6(1): replacement of the maximum daily driving limit of 9 hours with one of 11 hours;
- Art. 6(2): replacement of the maximum weekly driving limit of 56 hours with one of 60 hours;
- Art. 6(3): replacement of the maximum fortnightly driving limit of 90 hours with one of 100 hours;
- Art. 7: replacement of the minimum daily breaks requirements by imposing a break of 45 minutes after 5 and a half hours;
- Art. 8(2): Reduction of the daily rest requirements from 11 to 9 hours;
- Art. 8(6): Weekly rest period of at least 24 hours after six 24-hour periods.
Further details can be found in the Regulation.
Source: AISÖ
