Vienna International Health Guide

Covid-19 in Austria: What Applies As of July 1?

The Austrian government has announced further relaxations of the Covid-19 measures starting in July. The curfew will be lifted and the obligatory FFP2 masks will be replaced by a normal mouth-nose protection in most public areas. Read more about what applies as of July 1.

Yesterday

Covid-19 in Austria: Free Test Offer to be Expanded

The Austrian Ministry of Health has announced that it will expand its pharmacy test offer even further. Soon, children from the age of 10 can pick up self-tests free of charge. Read everything about the new regulation below.

June 16, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: 2 Million Have Full Immunization

More than 2 million people and thus one in four of the vaccine-eligible population in Austria are fully immunized. In total, more than 6 million vaccines have been administered.

June 14, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: What Applies Now?

As of today, June 10, Austria faces fewer restrictions. While the curfew for restaurants is being extended to 12 a.m. now, even fewer restrictions will be in place in July. Read more about what applies now below.

June 10, 2021

Van der Bellen in Italy: "The Pandemic Can be Considered Overcome"

On his visit to Rome and the Vatican, Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen and his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella are optimistic that the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, such as lockdowns and travel restrictions, can be considered overcome.

June 8, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Half of the Population is Vaccinated

Half of the vaccine-eligible Austrian population has received its first Covid-19 vaccination. This number corresponds to about 4 million people, while close to 2 million people have already received full immunization.

June 8, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Possible Easing of Measures in Schools

With a high vaccination rate among the 12- to 15-year-olds and a low incidence rate, Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Education Minister Hein Faßmann can imagine relaxations of Covid-19 measures in schools. Read more below.

June 4, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Delay in Vaccination Progress

As assumed by the provinces, the Austrian government's plan to offer a Covid-19 vaccine to every willing Austrian or person that is living in Austria does not hold. Due to an increased demand, some will get their first vaccine in July.

June 2, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Will the Chancellor's Promise be Broken?

As of today, not all of Austria's nine provinces can imagine that all those who want to get vaccinated will in fact receive their first vaccination by June. Read about the recent developments below.

June 1, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Vaccine for 12- to 15-Year-Olds

After the approval of the EMA for the BionTech/Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine for children aged 12 to 15 years, Austria aims to have the more than 340,000 eligible children and adolescents vaccined by the end of August. Read more below!

May 31, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Easing of Measures in June and July

The Austrian government has announced a reduction of restrictive measures for June and July. A return to normality, as Austria's Chancellor Kurz has always promised, might be possible with a few exception by late summer. Find out more about every change below!

May 31, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Austrian Green Passport Soon Reality

The long awaited "Green Passport" is coming closer and closer. Austria's parliament has passed the necessary legal basis for the future proof of whether someone has been vaccinated, tested or has recovered.

May 27, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: 4.5 Million Vaccines Administered

Austria has administered more than 4.5 million Covid-19 vaccines. As of May 25, around 4.7 million vaccines have been administered to Austrians and to people who live in Austria. Read more about the current progress below!

May 26, 2021

Landing Ban for Flights from United Kingdom

Due to an increasing number of infection cases with the Indian mutation of Covid-19 in the United Kingdom, Austria has reintroduced a landing ban for airplanes coming directly from the UK.

May 25, 2021

Germany and Austria: "Current Incidents Demand Actions Against Anti-Semitism"

Austria's Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler has met with German Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble in Berlin to exchange views on the fight against anti-Semitism. Recent incidents had worried the German and Austrian politicians.

May 21, 2021

Vienna International Centre - Live-Ticker Coronavirus Situation: Several New Positive COVID-19 Cases, 347 Cases in Total

The Vienna International Centre (VIC, UNO City) and the Vienna International Centre Medical Service are reporting 5 new positive COVID-19 cases. The total number of VIC personnel who have tested positive is 347. Below you can see the latest updates of the four main Vienna-based United Nations organizations (United Nations Office at Vienna/UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN Industrial Development Organization and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization), as announced by UNIS and provided by the Vienna International Centre Medical Service.

June 25, 2020 · Updated: May 20, 2021; 17:25

Covid-19 in Austria: Company Vaccinations Continue

Besides the pre-registration and booking of appointments by individuals, Vienna offers a Covid-19 company vaccination program, which allows employers and their employees to receive vaccinations at an earlier time point.

May 20, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Vaccine Pre-Registration for Children Over 12

In four Austrian provinces, children over 12 years can now be pre-registered for a Covid-19 vaccine. Learn about where to register your children in the respective provinces below!

May 19, 2021

A Hymn to the Power of Nature - Your Free Top Therapist in Vienna

Do you sometimes feel lonely in the midst of people, overwhelmed by the stress of everyday life or a necessary decision, that you have been putting off for what feels like an eternity? If this or something similar applies to you, then the author wants to introduce you to one of the best consultants of all time. This one draws on thousands of years of experience and is only a few minutes` walk from you in most districts of Vienna: nature!

Birgit Adelsberger · May 16, 2021

Eine Hymne an die Kraft der Natur - Ihr kostenloser Spitzentherapeut in Wien

Fühlen Sie sich manchmal einsam obwohl mitten unter Menschen, überfordert, vom Stress des Alltags, oder einer notwendigen Entscheidung, die Sie seit einer gefühlten Ewigkeit vor sich hinschieben? Wenn dies oder Ähnliches auf Sie zutrifft, dann möchte die Authorin Sie bekannt machen, mit einem der besten Berater aller Zeiten. Dieser greift zurück auf eine jahrtausendelange Erfahrung und ist in den meisten Bezirken Wiens nur wenige Gehminuten von Ihnen entfernt: die Natur!

Birgit Adelsberger · May 16, 2021 · Updated: May 16, 2021; 19:39

Diplomats and International Community Become Eligeable for Vienna's Vaccination Programme

The Vienna vaccination portal introduced the "international community" category for selection. This means that all diplomats and staff of International Organisations have become eligeable for appointments to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. Find out here about the exact modalities.

May 11, 2021

Austria Wants to Include Western Balkans for Green Passport

At working meetings in Albania and North Macedonia, Austria's Minister for European Affairs Edtstadler has spoken out in favor of including Western Balkan states in the EU's "Green Passport". Why and how? Read more!

May 11, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: More Than One Third Vaccinated

The Austrian Covid-19 vaccination progress is picking up pace. More than one third of the vaccine-eligible population has received its first immunization. For more information about the exact progress, read below.

May 11, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: What Will the Rules Be for the New Normal as of May 19?

Today, the new rules for the planned opening from May 19 were presented. The curfew restriction will be dropped. There will be far-reaching relaxations in the areas of catering, hotels, closed sports venues, cultural facilities and recreational businesses. These will be accompanied by security measures such as access tests, hygiene and distance measures, capacity restrictions and mandatory registration of guests.

May 10, 2021

Vienna Also Opens on May 19.

Finally, Vienna has also officially confirmed that the long-awaited opening will take place on May 19. The planned relaxations also bring further steps towards normality in the retail sector. You can find out exactly what this means below.

May 6, 2021

Lockdown Ends: Austria to Open Up on May 19

The Austrian government has announced openings beginning May 19. Most establishments closed due to the Corona pandemic will be allowed to reopen. These include restaurants, cultural and event venues, lodging establishments, schools, gyms and sports facilities. The key points of the announced opening steps at a glance.

May 4, 2021

Lockdown Ends in Vienna and Lower Austria: What's Permitted Now

On Monday, the hard lockdown finally came to an end in Vienna and Lower Austria. With the end of the hard lockdown, stores and body-related service providers, museums, zoos and other leisure businesses are allowed to reopen. What residents of Vienna and Lower Austria are now allowed to do again, read below.

May 3, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: 3 Million Vaccines Administered

Austria has administered 1 million Covid-19 vaccines in 19 days. The 3 million mark was exceeded on April 29, only 19 days after Austria has cracked the 2 million mark. In May and June, the new Austrian Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein expects further increases of the vaccination progress.

May 3, 2021

Why Austria Is NOT One of the Best Countries in the World

Why a top "Quality of Life" rating is not enough to rank among the "best" countries in the world, and why expat destinations like Canada, Japan, Germany, Australia and even Switzerland are uncatchable ahead of Austria.

April 30, 2021

Kosovo's Parliament Speaker and Sobotka Agree on Continued Cooperation

Kosovo's Parliament Speaker Glauk Konjufca and Austria's National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka agreed on continuing the bilateral cooperation with the Western Balkans Scholarship Program during a virtual meeting. The fight against the ongoing pandemic, EU accession and other bilateral topics were also on the agenda of the meeting.

April 29, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Vienna Ends Lockdown

Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig announced the end of the lockdown in Vienna for May 2. Starting next Monday, the retail sector as well as body-related services will reopen, while the FFP2-mask requirement in selected outdoor areas will also be suspended. Ludwig, however, wants to be cautious with regard to the Austrian-wide opening steps starting May 19.

April 28, 2021

Austria Provides Covid-19 Aid for India

India will receive antiviral drugs worth EUR 2 million from Austria for the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Only recently, India has recorded a massive increase of infection numbers, which is why Austria and other countries have assured their help by providing various drugs and medical supplies.

April 28, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Openings Start May 19

The Austrian government headed by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has announced the opening plans for the near future. On May 19, previously closed sectors such as the tourism, events and sports sector will re-open, while restaurants and schools will also return to "normal" business. Entry requirements will be put in place in order to keep the risk of infection relatively low.

April 26, 2021

OSCE Counter-Terrorism Conference: Schallenberg Demands Fight Against Different Virus

At the virtual OSCE Counter-Terrorism Conference, Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg demands to fight against "the virus of hatred, intolerance and contempt for humanity." He wants to remove breeding ground for radicalization and fight counter terrorism with all means of the rule of law.

April 23, 2021

EU and Austria Provide 650,000 Covid-19 Vaccines for Western Balkans

In a joint project, the European Commission and Austria more than half a million Covid-19 vaccines are provided to Western Balkan states, starting in May 2021. Both Commission President Von der Leyen and Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg stress the importance of having no "white spots on the vaccination map, wherever they may be."

April 21, 2021

Batet Lamaña and Sobotka Discuss Spanish-Austrian Relations

The President of the Spanish Chamber of Deputies Meritxell Batet Lamaña and her Austrian counterpart, National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka held a virtual exchange on Covid-19, the fight against terrorism and anti-Semitism as well as numerous foreign policy issues.

April 20, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Additional Doses Speed Up Vaccination Campaign

Due to the additional Covid-19 vaccine doses from BionTech/Pfizer for the European Union, Austria is able to speed up its vaccination program. According to Austria's Chancellor Kurz, 6 million people in Austria can get their first vaccination by mid-July.

April 16, 2021

Austria Receives Additional 500,000 Covid-19 Vaccines in Q2

After successful negotiations between the European Commission and BionTech, the vaccine producer has agreed to deliver 50 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine in the second quarter of 2021, instead of in the fourth quarter. This means an additional 1 million doses for Austria which will be administered from April to June.

April 15, 2021

Mückstein Becomes New Austrian Health Minister

After the resignation of former Austrian Health Minister Rudolf Anschober, Wolfgang Mückstein has been presented as the successor. The general practitioner and head of the primary care center in Vienna will be sworn in on Monday, April 19, by President Alexander Van der Bellen.

April 14, 2021

Austria's Health Minister Resigns

Austria's Health Minister Rudolf Anschober resigns. After health issues in recent weeks, Anschober steps back knowing that "he would not be able to give 100 percent." Until the announcement of a successor, Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler will take over Anschober's duties. Successor Wolfgang Mückstein already named.

April 13, 2021 · Updated: April 13, 2021; 13:03

Covid-19 in Austria: Vienna and Lower Austria Extend Lockdown

Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig and the Governor of Lower Austria Johanna Mikl-Leitner have decided to extend the current lockdown until May 2. The ongoing shutdown in the two provinces would have lasted until April 18, but is now extended due to "the current situation being one that is too serious", according to Ludwig.

April 13, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: 2 Million Vaccinations Administered

Austria has administered two million Covid-19 vaccines. After recording the strongest vaccination day since the beginning of the vaccination process, around 1.4 million Austrians have already received their first shot, while 600,000 are fully vaccinated already.

April 9, 2021

Raab Criticizes Turkey's Withdrawal from Istanbul Convention

Austria's Women's Affairs Minister Raab sharply criticized Turkey's withdrawal from Istanbul Convention at a high-level EU conference with other EU Ministers for Women's Affairs. According to Raab, "Turkey's decision disregards and endangers the lives of millions of women and girls."

April 8, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Eastern Austria Extends Lockdown

Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland have decided to extended the current lockdown until April 18. After discussions with experts and Austria's government, an extension of initially planned "Easter rest" was announced, because of the critical situation in the intensive care units in eastern Austria.

April 7, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Lower Austria and Burgenland Extend Easter Lockdown

The "Easter rest" has now also been extended in the provinces Lower Austria and Burgenland until April 11. After Vienna, the two provinces have decided to prolong the lockdown until a week after Easter. The applicable rules for the eastern region of Austria include a 24 hour curfew, closure of the retail sector as well as closure of body-related services and cultural institutions.

April 1, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Vienna Adds Outdoor FFP2 Mask Obligation

In order to further break the ongoing Covid-19 wave in Vienna, the City Mayor Michael Ludwig has announced a outdoor FFP2 mask obligation for certain, usually frequently visited areas in the city center. These areas include the Donaukanal, Stephensplatz, Schwedenplatz, Karlsplatz and Maria-Theresien Platz.

April 1, 2021

WKO Heads: "We Cannot Afford a Pause in Vaccination"

The heads of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce (WKO) are delighted about the possible acquisition of the Russian Covid-19 vaccine "Sputnik V" by the Austrian government. Furthermore, they hold on to their idea of using companies for vaccination programs, similar to the implementation with in-company testing.

March 31, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Anschober Demands Responsibility from Austrians

Austria's Health Minister Rudolf Anschober demands from the Austrian population to refrain from traveling, avoid physical encounters and comply with protective measures around Easter. Since many people want to spend Easter with their loved ones, the already critical situation in many hospitals could worsen by irresponsible behavior during the holidays.

March 30, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Vienna Will Extend Easter Lockdown

Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig has announced an extension of the so-called "Easter rest" until April 11. Following the advice of many health experts and due to the critical situation on Vienna's intensive care units, the measures originally planned for April 1 to April 6 are now extended until April 11, with further extensions possible.

March 30, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Vaccine Delivery Will be Tripled in Second Quarter

Austria's Health Minister Rudolf Anschober announces a massive increase of Covid-19 vaccinations for the second quarter. Due to the tripled delivery volume compared to the first quarter and longer intervals between the first and the second vaccination, the number of vaccinated Austrians will increase rapidly in the near future.

March 29, 2021