Finally also for Austrians: Entry from Croatia without quarantine.

The time has finally come: as announced by the Austrian government on May 28, 2021, as part of the general relaxations, entry into Austria, for example, from Croatia, Slovenia and Italy will soon be possible without subsequent quarantine.

Since the related press release regarding the amendment to the entry regulation was not given an exact date, SeaHelp editors asked the Office of the Press Secretary and Deputy Chief of Cabinet of the Cabinet of the Federal Minister Elisabeth Köstinger, Mr. Daniel Kosak, expressly after. “By mid-June at the latest, the entry regulation will be changed so that an entry for vaccinated, recovered and tested (3-G rule) without subsequent quarantine in Austria is possible”, was the quotable response. Tests for travel returnees, the spokesman added, are PCR and antigen tests, which can also be made up in Austria within 24 hours after returning from the respective countries.

The ministry’s press release states:

For Tourism Minister Elisabeth Köstinger, the most important relaxations also include further facilitations in the freedom to travel:

• This will be possible by Austria switching to the system of the Robert Koch Institute.
• The so-called “RKI list” designates more than 110 states as “risk areas”.
• No quarantine is required for vaccinated, recovered or tested persons from these defined countries.
  But attention: Vaccinated means: Only 22 days after the first vaccination there is free travel without quarantine

• So far, Austria has followed the ECDC system and led 3 different annexes with countries according to infection risk. This list contained however far fewer states, than the current RKI list. I.e. in the future also the countries Croatia, Indonesia, Bahamas, Canada, USA and United Arab Emirates, etc. will be considered. By Austria switching to the RKI list, the freedom to travel from mid-June will be significantly facilitated.

• This benefits both sides:
  • Travel abroad will be easier again for Austrians, without quarantine after returning home.
  • Tourism location Austria becomes attractive again for the cities important countries of origin (Arab region, USA, Russia).

Tourism Minister Elisabeth Köstinger “Freedom of travel is a key element for the tourism country Austria. By switching to the system of the RKI list, we set a big step of relief for vacation guests, but also for Austrians who want to spend their vacations abroad. This list contains more than 110 countries that can be visited by tested, vaccinated or recovered persons without having to go into quarantine after returning home. This benefits both sides: Our tourism location, by becoming attractive again for important countries of origin. All Austrians who want to spend their vacations abroad.”

Criticism: According to EU list Croatia should have been downgraded

Criticism of the recently announced measures express associations from the tourism industry, but also many boat and yacht owners. According to the previous system, that is, according to the ECDC list, the region of Croatia, so popular in particular with water sports enthusiasts from Austria, would have had to be classified in category A instead of category B1 by today’s Friday update of this list at the latest, which would have meant a discontinuation of quarantine for the return of Croatia travelers to Austria.

With the planned change of course, i.e. the switch to the German system, this process will be significantly delayed until “mid-June at the latest”, as they say. Remains to hope that one has in the Austrian Ministry of Tourism still a comprehension with the boat owners and the reclassification before the stated date to “no later than mid-June”.

Until then, the Austrian COVID-19 entry regulation applies to the return from Croatia:

1. Persons who enter the country with a vaccination certificate or a convalescence certificate or a medical certificate of vaccination or convalescence pursuant to § 2 shall carry this medical certificate of vaccination or convalescence or the vaccination certificate or the convalescence certificate and present it in the event of an inspection.
2. Persons who do not meet the requirements of item 1 shall carry a medical certificate of a negative test result or a test result in accordance with § 2 and present it during an inspection. If the medical certificate or the test result cannot be presented, a molecular biological test for SARS-CoV-2 or antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 must be carried out immediately, in any case within 24 hours after entry. In addition, a ten-day quarantine according to § 3 has to be started immediately. Quarantine shall be deemed to have ended if a molecular biological test for SARS-CoV-2 or antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 is performed no earlier than the fifth day after entry and the test result is negative. The cost of the test must be borne by the patient. The negative test result must be presented at a control.

And for vaccinated and recovered persons (Entry Regulations Austria – NEW since May 19, 2021):

The 2G rule (vaccinated, convalescent) is applied when entering from or after staying in the last 10 days in Annex B1 countries:

vaccinated and convalescent persons may enter quarantine-free with the following proof:

• for vaccinated persons: a medical certificate (according to the new Annex C or Annex D) on the vaccination status or a vaccination certificate in DE or EN.
• for convalescents: a medical certificate (according to the new Annex C or Annex D) or a medical or official certificate of convalescence in DE or EN about an infection survived in the last six months (e.g. Austrian segregation notice) or proof of neutralizing antibodies (not older than three months).

Tested: If the person entering the country is neither vaccinated nor recovered, or if neither vaccination nor recovery can be proven, a negative COVID test (PCR max. 72h old, antigen max. 48h old) must be proven upon entry by means of a medical certificate (according to the new Appendix C or Appendix D) or by means of a written test result in DE or EN. If the negative written test result or medical certificate cannot be presented, a test (PCR or antigen) must be performed immediately, at least within 24 hours after entry. Regardless of whether the test is already carried along or is made up for, additionally a 10-day quarantine must be started immediately. A “free test” from quarantine by means of negative PCR or antigen tests is possible at the earliest on the fifth day after entry.

Created a transitional regulation for unvaccinated and non-recovered persons, who at the time of the new admission of states in Annex B1, have already been there: For a period of 5 days after the admission of the state in Annex B1, unvaccinated and non-recovered persons with a negative test (PCR max. 72h old, antigen max. 48h old) can avoid quarantine. If they are unable to present a test upon entry, they must enter a 10-day quarantine from which they can be released at any time (PCR or antigen). If the test result is negative, the quarantine is considered to be over. (§14 para 18)

In plain language: entry Austria

This means in plain language: test at entry or 24 hours after, then 10 days quarantine, which can be canceled at the earliest on the 5th day by another negative test. Those who are vaccinated or recovered and can prove this by means of appropriate certificates are already exempt from quarantine. Should there be any changes in this regard, we will inform you here immediately.