Austria visa and international health insurance guide

January 04, 2019

Austria houses some of Europe’s most beautiful mountainous landscapes, palatial architecture, grand museums and urban centres full of delicious cuisine, rich history and powerhouse cities of art, music and culture like Vienna. These are just a handful of reasons why so many tourists flock to this multifaceted country each year. There’s a lot to get excited about when organizing your visit. To fully enjoy your adventure, make sure you give yourself peace of mind and organize your travel insurance policy, so you can kick back, relax and enjoy your vacation knowing that you have got all your bases covered.
 
Aside from finding the right cover for you, here are some other important travel tips to be aware of before you set off on your adventure:

Visa Information for Austria

Do I Need to Get a Visa to Visit Austria?    

No

If you are an American Citizen with a valid US passport visiting Austria for up to 90 days, then you don’t have to purchase a visa.

Travel Documents You Will Need:

A valid U.S. passport.

All passports must have a minimum of 6 months before expiration. That is 6 months from that date of your travel departure, and your passport should also have at least two blank pages for stamping.


Health and Medical Advice

Before jetting off on your travels, you should check for any health risks, required vaccinations and any epidemic breakouts occurring in Austria. It’s also a good idea to find out where the nearest hospital to where you are staying is, in case of an emergency.

Do I Need to be Vaccinated When Travelling to Austria?

You’re not required to get any vaccinations when travelling to Austria, but we would highly recommend that you get protected against Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B and rabies as well as getting your routine vaccinations updated. The standard vaccines are:

•    MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
•    Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis
•    Influenza
•    Polio
•    Chickenpox

Book an appointment at your local practitioner or find your local Passport health clinic. You should book an appointment, at the latest, four to six weeks before your trip, giving enough time for the vaccinations to take effect.

Travel Health Updates in Austria

Currently, there are no reported epidemics occurring in Austria.

To keep up to date on any breakouts, visit the CDC website.

Emergency Contact Information in Austria

No one ever wants to have to call the emergency services while they’re on vacation, but unfortunately accidents happen and it’s important to be prepared for when they do.

•    The European emergency number is: 112

•    Police emergency contact number in Austria: 133

•    Fire emergency contact number in Austria: 122

•    Ambulance and Medical contact number in Austria: 144


Austrian Local Laws and Customs

• You’re required to have your passport readily available at all times in case you are asked to identify yourself by Austrian authorities.
• The Austrian government is extremely strict on drug use and possession, punishments can include extensive fines and lengthy prison sentences.
• In Austria, it’s illegal to wear in a public place any piece of clothing or object that covers or distorts facial features.

Safety and Security


Terror Attacks

Due to recent terror attacks in Europe over the last few years, the risk of an attack is a global concern and Austria has increased its internal security to protect both its citizens and visitors. Although no major terror attacks have happened in Austria, in January 2016 a terror attack was prevented in Vienna so it’s important to stay vigilant and be aware of any possible safety concerns.

Petty Theft and Crime

Austria has one of the lowest levels of serious crimes in the world and street crime is also at a low level. But, like any other country with popular tourist destinations, some places in Austria are known for being hot pickpocketing zones. Be alert and keep your belongings with you at all times, especially in crowded areas like train or metro stations and popular public areas like Vienna. It’s always a good idea to keep valuable belongings or extra spending money in a hotel safe, if you have one.


U.S. Embassy in Austria
U.S. Embassy Vienna
Boltzmanngasse 16
1090 Vienna, Austria
Telephone: (+43-1) 31339-0

Useful Tips for Austria

Official Languages: German
The official language of Austria is German, but English is widely spoken throughout the country.

Currency: Euro
Before your trip to Austria make sure to exchange enough euros for your spending requirements and to get the best exchange rates.

Austrian Plug Sockets: Type F
Austria uses the type F plug socket. You will need a plug adapter If you don’t have one already.

You will also need to buy a voltage converter or transformer as the standard Austrian voltage is higher than in the U.S (120 V). Its best to go for a converter which can also alter the frequency as the U.S. frequency rate is 10 Hz higher than in Austria and so may be dangerous to use without a converter.

© 2018 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated. For informational purposes, UHG does not guarantee the correctness or completeness of the information.