The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is valid for nationals of EU and EFTA countries. The EHIC regulates care and reimbursement of costs in the event of illness for EU and EFTA citizens. In the event of illness, EHIC holders contact a contract doctor directly. Addresses are available from a regional health insurance fund. However, certain outpatient treatments can also be carried out in the outpatient clinics of the regional health insurance companies. The EHIC does not include repatriation after a serious illness or an accident abroad. Statutory health insurance companies are not allowed to offer this service. Only private travel insurance companies pay for return transport. It is therefore recommended that you take out health insurance abroad for the duration of your stay, which covers risks that are not covered by statutory health insurance companies. The emergency numbers are: Police: 133; ambulances: 144; Fire Department: 122. Check indexdotcom for more information.
Other risks
The standard vaccinations for children and adults recommended by the Robert Koch Institute (including against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), mumps, measles, rubella, pneumococci and influenza) should be refreshed before the trip if necessary. Nationwide, from April to October, there is a risk of transmission of Lyme disease from ticks, especially in grass, shrubs and undergrowth. Protection is offered by skin-covering clothes and insect repellents. Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is also transmitted by ticks. Areas below 1000 m as well as river valleys along the Danube, in Carinthia, in Styria and in Burgenland are particularly affected. Vaccination against this disease is recommended. Hepatitis B occurs. Vaccination against hepatitis B should be given during longer stays and close contact with the local population, as well as for children and young people in general. Austria is considered rabies-free. West Nile fever can occur during the summer months. Adequate protection against mosquito bites is recommended.
Health certificate
In Austria and all other EU countries, in addition to the digital COVID-19 vaccination pass (EU Digital COVID Certificate), proof of the COVID vaccination status with the vaccination card in paper form is also valid. Austria accepts the Swiss COVID certificate.
Money
Currency
1 euro = 100 cents. Currency code: €, EUR (ISO code). Banknotes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, coins in denominations of 1 and 2 euros and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.
Credit cards
Are accepted by numerous hotels, restaurants, shops and petrol stations in all major cities and holiday regions. Details from the issuer of the relevant credit card.
ATMs
Girocard With the Girocard (formerly EC card) such as the Maestro card, V Pay or Sparcard and PIN number, cash can be withdrawn from ATMs in the national currency throughout Europe. In many European countries it is also possible to pay with a debit card in shops. Cards with the Cirrus, V-Pay or Maestro symbol are accepted throughout Europe. Further information from banks and credit institutes. Attention: Travelers who want to pay with their bank customer card abroad and withdraw money should find out from their bank about the possibility of using their card before starting their journey.
Travelers cheques
Traveller’s checks are no longer available in Germany and Switzerland and are hardly available in Austria. In Austria, travelers checks can only be cashed in a few banks and exchange offices in the big cities.
Bank opening hours
In general: Mon-Fri 08.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.00/17.00 (headquarters are sometimes open all day and longer in the evenings). Sometimes different opening hours in the individual federal states. Exchange offices in airports and train stations are open daily from 08:00 to 22:00.
Foreign exchange regulations
There are no restrictions on the import or export of local and foreign currencies for travelers within the EU. Travelers entering or leaving the EU and having cash of €10,000 or more (cash includes traveller’s cheques, savings accounts, other currencies, checks made out to third parties, real value of precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum (gold coins with a gold content of at least 90 percent, uncoined gold in the form of bars, nuggets or nuggets with a gold content of at least 99.5 percent), precious stones (but not jewellery))) must declare this amount to the customs authorities (completed Keep form ZA 292 ready, downloadable from www.bmf.gv.at).
Currency Exchange
Foreign currencies and traveler’s checks are exchanged by all banks, savings banks and exchange offices in airports and train stations. Almost all travel agencies and hotels also accept foreign currencies.
