What are Austria's current Covid rules and how are they changing?
After Austria announced that most restrictions would be lifted in what the chancellor called a "spring awakening", here's an overview of the Covid restrictions currently in place and how they are set to change.
The rules listed below are the national rules, which are a minimum level. That means individual regions can choose to implement their own stricter versions. Where these are already known, we have included regional variations.
Dining and drinking out
Restaurants and bars are subject to a midnight curfew; apres-ski venues and nightclubs are completely closed.
The 2G rule (proof of vaccination or recovery from Covid is required for entry) is currently required for all food and drink establishments except take-away, and this is currently set to change
Eating and drinking is only allowed while seated, and FFP2 masks must be worn except while seated at your table, including if you are collecting food for take-away.
From February 19th, the 2G rule will change to 3G (meaning a negative test is possible as an alternative) from February 19th, except in Vienna which will retain the 2G rule.
From March 5th, nightclubs and apres-ski venues will re-open.
From March 5th, the midnight curfew for restaurants will be removed.
From March 5th, FFP2 masks will no longer be required.
Hotels
The 2G rule currently applies to hotels.
From February 19th, this will change to 3G (meaning a negative test is possible as an alternative), except in Vienna where the 2G rule will stay in place.
Events
Events of over 50 people are only permitted if there is no eating or drinking so that FFP2 masks can be worn at all times.
There is a midnight curfew on events.
From March 5th, the curfew limit and upper limit on attendees will be lifted; consumption of food and drinks will be allowed.
Shopping
For non-essential retail stores, proof of 2G is no longer required. FFP2 masks are compulsory in all retail venues, including non-essential retail as well as supermarkets and pharmacies.
From March 5th, FFP2 masks will only be required in essential retail (eg. supermarkets, pharmacies, post offices and banks). Some regions may choose to keep the mask requirement in non-essential retail; Vienna's mayor has said this may be the case in the capital.
Hairdressers and beauty salons
In services requiring close physical contact (such as hairdressers and beauty salons) the 3G rule currently applies, meaning a recent negative Covid-19 test result can be shown for entry as an alternative to vaccination or recovery. It is mandatory to wear FFP2 masks in these businesses regardless of your vaccination status.
From March 5th, the FFP2 requirement will be lifted.
Culture
At cultural venues like museums and galleries, there is no longer any entry restriction, but you need to wear an FFP2 mask.
From March 5th, the FFP2 requirement will be lifted.
Work
A 3G requirement is in place for all workplaces where you can't rule out contact with another person, and a general recommendation to work from home if possible is in place.
Travel
Entry to Austria is basically covered by the 2G+ rule, meaning that you need a full course of a vaccination (two doses, or one dose of Johnson & Johnson) and either a booster dose or a recent negative PCR test. In a few special cases, more lenient rules apply.
From February 22nd, the 3G rule will reply (proof of full vaccination or recent recovery or a negative PCR test).
Useful links
Current Covid measures – Austrian Health Ministry (in German)
FAQ on Covid – Austrian Health Ministry
Multilingual information on Covid-19 from the Health Ministry
Covid-19 information from the Austrian Tourist Board
Information on booking your Covid-19 vaccine from Austrian authorities
Information on booking a Covid-19 test from Austrian authorities
24-hour health advice hotline to call if you experience Covid-19 symptoms or have been in contact with someone who tested positive: call 1450 from Austrian phones or +43 1 1450 from foreign phones
Comments
See Also
The rules listed below are the national rules, which are a minimum level. That means individual regions can choose to implement their own stricter versions. Where these are already known, we have included regional variations.
Dining and drinking out
Restaurants and bars are subject to a midnight curfew; apres-ski venues and nightclubs are completely closed.
The 2G rule (proof of vaccination or recovery from Covid is required for entry) is currently required for all food and drink establishments except take-away, and this is currently set to change
Eating and drinking is only allowed while seated, and FFP2 masks must be worn except while seated at your table, including if you are collecting food for take-away.
From February 19th, the 2G rule will change to 3G (meaning a negative test is possible as an alternative) from February 19th, except in Vienna which will retain the 2G rule.
From March 5th, nightclubs and apres-ski venues will re-open.
From March 5th, the midnight curfew for restaurants will be removed.
From March 5th, FFP2 masks will no longer be required.
Hotels
The 2G rule currently applies to hotels.
From February 19th, this will change to 3G (meaning a negative test is possible as an alternative), except in Vienna where the 2G rule will stay in place.
Events
Events of over 50 people are only permitted if there is no eating or drinking so that FFP2 masks can be worn at all times.
There is a midnight curfew on events.
From March 5th, the curfew limit and upper limit on attendees will be lifted; consumption of food and drinks will be allowed.
Shopping
For non-essential retail stores, proof of 2G is no longer required. FFP2 masks are compulsory in all retail venues, including non-essential retail as well as supermarkets and pharmacies.
From March 5th, FFP2 masks will only be required in essential retail (eg. supermarkets, pharmacies, post offices and banks). Some regions may choose to keep the mask requirement in non-essential retail; Vienna's mayor has said this may be the case in the capital.
Hairdressers and beauty salons
In services requiring close physical contact (such as hairdressers and beauty salons) the 3G rule currently applies, meaning a recent negative Covid-19 test result can be shown for entry as an alternative to vaccination or recovery. It is mandatory to wear FFP2 masks in these businesses regardless of your vaccination status.
From March 5th, the FFP2 requirement will be lifted.
Culture
At cultural venues like museums and galleries, there is no longer any entry restriction, but you need to wear an FFP2 mask.
From March 5th, the FFP2 requirement will be lifted.
Work
A 3G requirement is in place for all workplaces where you can't rule out contact with another person, and a general recommendation to work from home if possible is in place.
Travel
Entry to Austria is basically covered by the 2G+ rule, meaning that you need a full course of a vaccination (two doses, or one dose of Johnson & Johnson) and either a booster dose or a recent negative PCR test. In a few special cases, more lenient rules apply.
From February 22nd, the 3G rule will reply (proof of full vaccination or recent recovery or a negative PCR test).
Useful links
Current Covid measures – Austrian Health Ministry (in German)
FAQ on Covid – Austrian Health Ministry
Multilingual information on Covid-19 from the Health Ministry
Covid-19 information from the Austrian Tourist Board
Information on booking your Covid-19 vaccine from Austrian authorities
Information on booking a Covid-19 test from Austrian authorities
24-hour health advice hotline to call if you experience Covid-19 symptoms or have been in contact with someone who tested positive: call 1450 from Austrian phones or +43 1 1450 from foreign phones
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.