Back to destinationsAustria
General Information
- Capital City:
- Vienna
- Population:
- 8.4 million
- Area:
- 32,378 square miles
- Language:
- German
- Electricity:
- 220V AC 50Hz
- Direct Dial:
- 43
- Driving:
- Driving is on the right. National or EU licence required. International Driving Permit recommended. Minimum driving age is 18
- Currency:
- Euro (EUR 1 = 100 Cents)
Business Hours
- Bank:
- 0800-1230 & 1330-1500 Mon-Wed & Fri, 0800-1230 & 1330-1700 Thur (local variations)
- Office:
- 0800-1230 & 1330-1700 Mon-Fri
- Shops:
- 0800-1800/1900/1930 Mon-Fri, 0800-1700 Sat (local variations)
- Public Holidays:
- <b>2012</b> 01 Jan : New Year's Day 06 Jan : Epiphany 06 Apr : Good Friday 01 May : National Holiday 17 May : Ascension Day 07 Jun : Corpus Christi 15 Aug : Assumption 26 Oct : National Day 01 Nov : All Saints' Day 08 Dec : Immaculate Conception 25 Dec : Christmas Note: When holidays fall on a Sunday, the next working day is normally used in lieu.
Business and social hints
- General:
- Business is usually conducted in German. Many executives speak a second language including English. Smoking is generally accepted but restricted in some public places. The minimum drinking age is 16 years. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, be punctual and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated
- Tipping:
- 10-15% service charge is added to the bill, additional tips of around 5% are customary. Tips for taxis are around 10%
- Clothing:
- Light clothes for summer should be supplemented with warmer wear & rainwear. Thermals for winter months
- Emergency Services:
- Police: 133. Fire: 122. Ambulance: 144
- Hotel Classification:
- Hotels are officially classified by either the Federal Association of Austrian Hotelkeepers (5-star properties only) or the hotel-keepers' trade group in each Federal Province (1-star to 4-star properties) using the standard 1-star up to 5-star system. In addition, a few independently minded properties tack an unofficial half star onto their official rating. Hotels designated "Garni" are bed and breakfast only. Some pensions are included in the normal hotel categories, so a row of stars may not always indicate a high degree of luxury.
Vienna
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Temperature °C | 1 | 3 | 8 | 15 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 20 | 14 | 7 | 3 |
| Minimum Temperature °C | -4 | -3 | -1 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 3 | -1 |
| Average Humidity (mornings) % | 81 | 80 | 78 | 72 | 74 | 74 | 74 | 78 | 83 | 86 | 84 | 84 |
| Average Humidity (afternoons) % | 72 | 66 | 57 | 49 | 52 | 55 | 54 | 54 | 56 | 64 | 74 | 76 |
| Average Rainfall | 39 | 44 | 44 | 45 | 70 | 67 | 84 | 72 | 42 | 56 | 52 | 45 |
- Import Allowances:
- For persons of 17 years of age or older: 1) Travellers entering from non-EU countries (including Canary Islands, Channel Islands & Gibraltar) tobacco products for passengers aged 17 and older: a) 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos (max 3g each) or 50 cigars, 250g smoking tobacco b) 1 lit of spirits of more than 22% proof or 2 lit of up to 22% proof c) 2L sparkling wine or liqueur and 2L of still wines d) 50gr of perfume & 250ml of eau de toilette e) Other goods to the value of EUR 175 ( EUR 90 for travellers under 15 years) 2) Travellers entering from EU countries (goods obtained duty & tax paid - guidance levels): a) 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars & 1 kg of tobacco, except if entering from the b) 10 lit of spirits over 22%, 20 lit of fortified , 90 lit of wine (of which, a max of 60 lit of sparkling wine) & 110 lit of beer
Participant of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC scheme) which allows visitors on short-term stays to other member countries to use the public health care sector for free or reduced-cost medical treatment and emergency care. EHIC replaces the E111 form. <b>Please note:</b> The EHIC scheme is not an alternative to travel insurance. It will <b>not</b> cover any private medical healthcare or the cost of things such as mountain rescue in ski resorts repatriation to the UK lost or stolen property etc. For full details on eligibility and how to apply for a card visit www.nhs.uk or click<a href="https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do"> here</a>
- Compulsary Vaccinations
- None.
- Recommended Immunisations
- None required, however for those travelling to Austria frequently or intending to spend extended time there, Tick-Borne Encephalitis should be considered.
- Risks
- None. <b>GENERAL INFO FOR ALL TRAVELLERS:</b> Details listed can occasionally change at very short notice and it's recommended that all travellers seek advice from their Practice Nurse, GP or Travel Clinic when planning a visit to Austria. It should be noted that some vaccinations and treatments may require one or more visits and should be planned well in advance of travel. Primary courses and boosters should always be up to date as recommended for life in the UK. This should include vaccines given to special groups due to complications or risk exposure such as Hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly etc.
The following DO NOT require a visa: 1) Nationals of Austria. 2) For an unrestricted length of stay by: a) Holders of British passports endorsed "British Citizen". b) Holders of British passports endorsed "British Overseas Territories Citizen" or "British Subject" which must contain a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode issued by the UK. c) Holders of Identity Cards issued by Gibraltar endorsed "Validated for EU travel purposes under the authority of the United Kingdom". d) Holders of passports issued by Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep. of), Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland. e) Holders of a Residence Permit issued by Monaco or a Schengen Member State. 3) For stays up to 3 months in a 6 month period by: a) Holders of passports issued by Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR China passports), Israel, Korea (South), Japan, Macao (SAR China passports), Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, St.Kitts and Nevis, Uruguay, USA, Vatican City and Venezuela. b) Holders of Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) passports providing the passport includes a Personal ID number. c) Holders of British passports endorsed "British National (Overseas)". d) Holders of biometric passports issued to nationals of Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Macedonia (FYROM) and Montenegro. e) Holders of biometric passports issued to nationals of Serbia holding normal passports providing the passport is not issued by the Coordination Directorate ("Koordinaciona uprava").
Entry requirements may change from time to time and should be checked with the Austrian Embassy or Consulate.
Embassy
Austrian Embassy London 18 Belgrave Mews West London SW1X 8HU Tel: +44 20 7344 3250 Fax: +44 20 7344 0292 e-mail: london-ob@bmeia.gv.at consulate@austria.org.uk website: www.bmeia.gv.at/en/embassy/london.html
Airports
- Graz
- Innsbruck
- Klagenfurt
- Linz
- Salzburg
- Vienna
