Austria Travel Guide

🇺🇸 US State Department Advisory

Reissued after periodic review without changes. Exercise normal precautions in Austria. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Austria. If you decide to travel to Austria: Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  X/Twitter . Review the  Country Security Report  for Austria. Visit the CDC ...

✈️ Planning a Trip?

Despite advisories, many travelers visit Austria safely every year. Check our guides for practical tips:

🚨 Emergency Numbers

ℹ️ Mountain rescue: 140 (Alpine rescue). ÖAMTC road assistance: 120. All emergency operators speak German and English.

🏥 Healthcare Summary

Austria's public hospital system is excellent. Vienna General Hospital (AKH Wien) is one of the largest hospitals in the world. University hospitals in major cities have English-speaking staff.

Insurance: Travel insurance strongly recommended for non-EU visitors. EU citizens should carry their EHIC card. Consider ski/mountain rescue insurance if doing Alpine activities — rescue operations are very expensive.

💊 Medication Restrictions

Austria follows EU regulations on personal medication imports. Travelers from outside the EU should carry a doctor's letter (in English or German) listing all medications with generic names, and keep medications in original packaging. For controlled substances (opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants), obtain a Schengen travel certificate from your home country's health authority before departure.

• Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium) — RESTRICTED: Prescription required. EU/EEA travelers can use a Schengen certificate. Non-EU travelers should carry a doctor's letter and original packaging.
• Adderall / amphetamines — RESTRICTED: Controlled under Austrian narcotics law. Requires Schengen certificate (EU) or doctor's letter with apostille (non-EU). Max 30-day supply.
• Cannabis / CBD — CAUTION: Cannabis is illegal. CBD products with <0.3% THC are legal but enforcement can vary. Do not bring cannabis products.
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) — RESTRICTED: Controlled substance. Requires Schengen certificate (EU/EEA) or attested prescription (non-EU). Max 30-day supply.
• Codeine / opioids — RESTRICTED: Prescription required. Schengen certificate needed for EU/EEA travelers. Non-EU: doctor's letter and original packaging.

🙏 Cultural Tips

Tipping: Round up the bill or add 5-10% in restaurants. Say the amount you want to pay when handing over cash (e.g., 'Stimmt so' means keep the change). Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory.

Cultural taboos to avoid:

• Confusing Austria with Australia
• Assuming all Austrians speak like Germans — there is regional pride
• Being late to appointments or dinners
• Overly casual behavior in formal settings (operas, museums)
• Jaywalking — Austrians wait for pedestrian signals

🎭 Tourist Scam Guides

Common scams to watch out for in Austria: