CONTENT|CONTENU

TRAVEL REPORT
Austria

1. RECENT UPDATES

Section 4 has been updated (Schengen Area).

See our Global Issues page for information on the H1N1 Flu Virus.

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

Austria

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Most Canadian visitors to Austria do not experience problems. There are no serious security or safety concerns. Ensure valuables, passports and other travel documents, are secure at all times.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

The crime rate is low. However, petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse-snatching occurs in train stations, pedestrian shopping areas, restaurants, cafés, hotel lobbies, tourist sites, and aboard public transport, particularly in larger urban areas. Exercise caution around city parks and major railway and subway stations after dark.

Avalanche Alert: Avalanches following huge snowfalls have resulted in deaths. Mountaineers and skiers should note that mountain rescue is expensive and often not included in standard travel insurance. Special coverage should be purchased. For high-altitude mountaineering and ski touring, travellers should hire a professional guide. Do not venture off established trails, especially in early or late winter. Avoid hiking alone. If you do, tell a friend, relative, or somebody where you are lodging: (a) where you are going, (b) what your planned route is, and (c) when you expect to be back.

The emergency number for police is 133, ambulance 144, fire department 122, and 120 or 123 for roadside assistance.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Austrian authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller's responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Republic of Austria and its consulates, for up-to-date information.

A Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Austria and must be valid until your departure from the country.

Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays less than 90 days)
Business Visa: Not required (for stays less than 90 days)
Student Visa: Required

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Schengen Area

The member states of the European Union (EU) (not including Romania, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom and Ireland), along with Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland (which are not in the EU), make up the Schengen Area, which has common rules regarding visas and controls at external borders.

The external land, air, and sea border controls of nine countries that joined the EU in 2004 (the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia) have been removed. Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus are not yet part of the Schengen area.

In the Schengen Area, Canadian travellers do not need visas for short-term visits (up to 90 days within a six-month period), but some countries require you to register with local authorities within three working days of your arrival. It is important to get your passport stamped when entering the Schengen Area. The absence of an entry stamp from the initial Schengen port of entry could create difficulties during subsequent encounters with local police or other authorities throughout the Schengen area.

If Canadians overstay the permitted 90 days in the Schengen Area, they may be fined or deported. To visit longer than 90 days, Canadians must either obtain a long-stay national visa or have been outside the Schengen Area for at least 90 consecutive days before re-entering.

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Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

EU legislation on the amount of cash that can be carried was implemented on June 15, 2007. Canadians crossing one of the external border control points of the EU will have to make a declaration to customs upon entry or exit if they have at least 10,000 euros, or the equivalent in other currencies, in cash, cheques, money orders, traveller's cheques, or any other convertible assets in their possession. Failure to report such a sum will be considered an offence. This does not apply to Canadians travelling within the EU or in transit to a non-EU country. The purpose of this legislation is to prevent illegal activities, such as money laundering. For more information on the new EU legislation and links to EU countries' sites, consult http://ec.europa.eu/eucashcontrols.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Austria - VIENNA, Embassy of Canada
Address: Laurenzenberg 2, A-1010, Vienna, Austria
Tel.: 43 (1) 531-38-3000
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 00-800-2326-6831
Fax: 43 (1) 531-38-3910
E-Mail: vienn-cs@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.Austria.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Vienna and follow the instructions. You may also call the Department in Ottawa toll-free at 00-800-2326-6831.

Please note that toll-free numbers are inaccessible for cellphone users in Austria.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

Information and recommendations on tick-borne encephalitis in Europe can be obtained through the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine website.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

The standard of health care is high, and excellent medical care is widely available.

Tick-borne encephalitis occurs in wooded areas from spring to autumn. If you plan to visit forested areas, you should seek advice regarding inoculations before leaving Canada.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Austria are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which enables a Canadian imprisoned in Austria to request to be transferred to Canada to complete the sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Austrian authorities.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Penalties for drinking and driving are strict. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05%. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines, and driving licences will be confiscated immediately.

Possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs may result in jail sentences and heavy fines.

You are required to carry identification documents at all times.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Road conditions are generally good. Mountain roads are often narrow and covered with snow and ice during winter. Roads may close due to avalanches. Travellers intending to use mountain roads should carry snow chains in the car.

Turning right on a red light is not permitted. A blinking green light is equivalent to an amber light in Canada and does not mean that you have the right-of-way to turn left.

Winter tires are mandatory. All vehicles must have a first-aid kit and a warning triangle, as well as high visibility vests for all passengers in case of breakdown. The use of a cellular telephone while driving is prohibited, unless fitted with a hands-free device.

Highway travel requires the purchase of an "autobahn vignette" (sticker), which must be affixed to the car's windshield. "Autobahn vignettes" can be purchased at all major border crossings, at major gas stations, and small "tabak" shops located in Austrian towns. Failure to comply can result in heavy fines, which must be paid on the spot.

You must be 18 years old to drive in Austria.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended and may be requested by local authorities if the Canadian driver's license is issued in French.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The currency is the euro (EUR). Traveller's cheques and credit cards are widely accepted at main hotels, shops, and restaurants. Smaller establishments may only accept cash. ABMs are widely available.

Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Avalanches present a risk and have resulted in fatalities during winter. The areas of Lech, Zuers, Stuben, Montafon, Vorarlberg, Tyrol and the Salzburg Alps have been affected. Towns and ski resorts may be snowed in and roads made impassable after heavy snowfalls. Austrian authorities have warned skiers not to leave marked slopes. More information can be found on the Avalanche Centre website. If you are planning a mountaineering or skiing holiday, you are advised to visit the Austrian National Tourist Office website for information on weather and safety conditions. Advice should be followed carefully.

Canadians should know the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Canada in Vienna (see Section 5 above) in the event of an emergency.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Adoption by foreigners is almost impossible in this country or region.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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