If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact  the Austrian representative authority in your country of residence. You will receive legally valid information on entry and health measures by the Austrian embassy/consulate.

Entry possible (if necessary with medical certificate and/or quarantine) for:

• EU/ EEA/Swiss nationals
• Third-country nationals, who are habitual residents of the EU/EEA or Schengen area (e.g. proof of registered residence should be at hand when crossing the border)
• Third-country nationals, who legally stay in the EU/EEA or Schengen area
• Third-country nationals, who are no residents of the EU/EEA or Schengen area but have a valid Visa D or a residence title*

^{* Researchers and students with a letter of admission can contact the Austrian representation in charge to apply for a visa D or a residence title. There are also other exceptions that allow a visa/residence title application, please see the pages in the sources.}

^{Last updated: 28 July 2020, 15:00 | Source: https://www.sozialministerium.at/Informationen-zum-Coronavirus.html}

Keep in mind that if you are quarantined, you must not leave your accommodation. We therefore recommend that you bring the following from your country of origin to Graz in addition to the documents and objects that you would take with you anyway:

• Medication that you take regularly (if necessary, observe import regulations - if you have any questions, please contact the Austrian representative authority)
• If possible: clinical thermometer
• Mouth-nose protection
• If possible: hand and surface disinfectant
• Sim card / phone card with international phone plan, if you are arriving from outside the EU

Attention: this information is currently being revised, please contact the Austrian representation in any case!

As a first step, please contact the Austrian representative authority in your country of origin.

As a general rule: medical certificate AND 10-day quarantine (starting July 27^th 2020) required
A medical certificate (download: template medical certificate German / English) with negative molecular biological SARS-COV-2 test, taken less than 72 hours before your entry, must be presented for the entry. In addition, you have to go into quarantine for 10 days after the arrival.

However, there are several exceptions*:

1. Entry without health measures (medical certificate/quarantine) is possible if you have your habitual residence in one of the countries on this list. This rule applies irrespective of the nationality and therefore also applies to third-country nationals living in those countries. You must be able to prove your habitual residence in case of a check and show that you only stayed in the countries on the list above in the 10 days prior to entering Austria. We recommend that you keep a proof of an officially registered residence with you when entering Austria.
   
   Example: A national of Kazakhstan with a habitual residence in the Netherlands and a valid residence permit from the Netherlands is allowed to enter Austria without a medical certificate and without having to go into a home quarantine, provided that the place of residence in the Netherlands can be proven and that the person did not stay in a country other than the one on the list mentioned above within the last 10 days.
   
   ^{There are also other reasons why an entry without health measures is possible, these are not explained here, as they do not usually apply to newly arriving students and researchers, see website of the Ministry of Social Affairs.}
    
2. Entry with medical certificate OR 10-day quarantine is possible if...
   Download: template medical certificate German / English
   
   ...you are an EU/EEA or Swiss national, or live in a common household with EU/EEA/Swiss nationals, 
   OR
   ...you are a third-country national and are allowed to enter on the basis of a valid visa D or Austrian residence permit*,
   
   AND enter Austria from a country that is NOT on these lists: List 1 / List 2
   
   In these cases, a medical certificate with a negative molecular biological SARS-COV-2 test, taken less than 72 hours before the entry, is necessary. Alternatively, you can go into a 10-day quarantine after entering Austria. Appropriate accommodation must be provided for the home quarantine, which may not be left during this period.
    
3. Entering Austria from a country with an increased Covid-19 risk is only possible without a medical certificate if you are an EU/EEA/Swiss national, or live in a common household with an EU/EEA/Swiss national, or if you have an Austrian visa D or a valid Austrian residence permit and cannot take a PCR-test in the risk country. In this exceptional case, you must take a PCR test in Austria within 48 hours of your arrival and must complete an additional 10-day home quarantine.

^{*There are more exceptions, which in our view do not generally apply to researchers/students. See Website of the Ministry of Social Affairs.}

<sup>Last Updated: 28 July 2020, 13:00

Sources: https://www.bmk.gv.at/service/corona/einreisebestimmungen.html And https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/eli/bgbl/II/2020/336</sup>

We recommend careful planning and preparation of the home quarantine, especially with regard to accommodation. As you are not allowed to leave your accommodation for 10 days, everything you need should be available on site upon arrival. Get familiar with the following topics at an early stage to prepare the home quarantine in the best possible way:

• Is the accommodation suitable for quarantine? See WHO regulations for quarantine
   
• Communication :
  • WiFi or internet access that can be used immediately after arrival
  • SIM card or phone
  • Laptop / computer
  • For employees: access to Graz University resources for home office (VPN access, email account etc.)
     
• Facility : Are all necessary items in the accommodation? Also think of bedding, sheets, towels, ...
   
• Food supply: Do you have acquaintances / friends / family in Graz who can take care of you during the quarantine, i.e. grocery shopping?
   
• Medical care: What medication do you need during quarantine and can you bring it with you?
  • Clinical thermometer: if possible, bring a clinical thermometer with you so that you can check your temperature to document it, if necessary.

If your "buddy" (only for exchange students!), neighbors, acquaintances or relatives can not supply your food or necessary medication during quarantine, you can use the following services:

• Team Austria 
  ^{This website is in German only, please use automatic translator function of your webbrowser to navigate.}
  An initiative within the framework of neighborhood aid, organized by the Red Cross and volunteers. On the website you can fill in your contact details and that you are in quarantine, you will then be contacted within 24 hours. 
   
• Veloblitz (delivery costs vary)
  ^{This website is in German only, please use automatic translator function of your webbrowser to navigate.}
  Bicycle courier service in Graz. Charges are made per kilometer traveled, weight of the goods to be transported and a stop charge.
   
• Delivery services:  Lieferando , Mjam or Velofood (delivery costs vary)
  ^{These websites are in German only, please use automatic translator function of your webbrowser to navigate.}
  Contactless delivery partially possible.

Yes, the police or the health department can carry out checks at the specified place of residence. If you fail to comply with the quarantine and thereby endanger others, a severe sentence has to be expected. If you are not at the specified location during a check, fines of up to €1,450 are possible.

You can take a molecular biological SARS-CoV-2 test for the entry in your country of residence. Please contact the Austrian representation in your country of residence in case of additional questions. 
Important: The "medical certificate" form is necessary for the entry as confirmation of your test result! You can find more information on the website of the federal ministry | Download: Medical certificate template: German /  English

Under certain circumstances you can also take a test in Austria after your arrival, for example at the airport in Vienna (rapid test). You have to register in advance, the test costs €190. Plan for an additional stay of several hours while waiting for the test result.

^{Last updated: 27 July 2020, 16:00}

If you are a prospective student or researcher at the University of Graz, you can contact the Austrian representation in charge for an appointment for the visa or residence permit application. You should attach a confirmation of your status, such as an admission letter (students) or a hosting agreement/proof of employment (researchers). Please individually check the website of the embassy in charge for details.

In case of additional questions, you can contact the respective contact person:

• International esearchers (staff & visiting scholars) & degree-seeking students: welcome(at)uni-graz.at
• Exchange students: incoming.exchange@uni-graz.at / erasmus.incoming(at)uni-graz.at / erasmusplus.intl.incoming(at)uni-graz.at

^{Last updated: 27 July 2020, 07:30 | Source: www.aussenministerium.at}

If you are an EU / EEA or Swiss citizen, you do not need a residence permit. Third-country nationals must apply for a residence permit for stays of more than 6 months:

A) If you currently live outside of the EU/EEA or Schegen area, please contact the Austrian representation in the country of your residence. 

B) If you already legally stay within the EU/EEA or Schengen area and/or have a valid Schengen residence permit, you could be allowed to apply for the residence permit directly in Graz. Please also see the OeAD website for further information.


B) Initial application in Graz
Due to Covid-19, the application process changes in Graz are as follows:

• Initial applications must be made in person, an appointment has to be scheduled by email with the responsible officer of the authority in Graz. Please attach the completed and signed application form and a scan of the required documents to the email.
• For the personal appointment, please bring all the necessary documents in their original form as well as copies of them and the completed application form. Please do not take large bags or backpacks with you, as these have to be checked on site, which leads to delays. There are no lockers. 
• After submitting the documents, you will receive the residence permit by post (RSa letter, personal acceptance necessary!).

^{Note: This procedure relates to the application in Graz. If you live outside the city of Graz, the process may be different!}

If you have further questions, please contact the contact person at the University of Graz:

• Exchange students: incoming.exchange (at) uni-graz.at / erasmus.incoming (at) uni-graz.at
• International staff / researchers and degree-seeking students: welcome (at) uni-graz.at

^{Last updated: 09 July 2020, 16:00 | Source: Amt der Steiermärkischen Landesregierung, Abteilung 3}

In order to open a bank account in Austria, you must have already registered your main residence in Austria. Please contact a bank of your choice and inquire about any changes in the procedures for opening a bank account due to Covid-19. If possible, bring some cash (Euros) for the first weeks.

Stay at home and call 1450, which is the official hotline for health councelling and measures related to Covid-19 symptoms. You will receive further information on how to proceed and possible testing by them.

Yes, if you move to Austria you have to register:

1. Registration of residence in Graz
   Persons who are moving to Austria for the first time must register their residence within 3 working days after moving into their accommodation by law. Due to the current situation with Covid-19, you need an appointment to register your residence for the first time. If you have already lived in Austria, the registration could also be carried out online, please contact the registration service directly. If you need to go into a home quarantine after entering the country, please contact the Welcome Center (exchange students: your contact person in the International Relations Office) well in advance to find a solution for registering your place of residence.
    
2. EU / EEA and Swiss citizens: Confirmation of Registration  (in addition to step 1)
   For stays of more than 3 months, EU / EEA or Swiss citizens must register with the Office of the Styrian State Government  (Paulustorgasse 4, 8010 Graz) within 4 months of moving to Graz. This registration costs about 30 € and is mandatory! You currently need to make an appointment with the responsible officer at the government to register.

Attention : Steps 1 and 2 take place independently - the responsible offices are in different buildings!

^{Last updated: 09 July 2020, 16:00 | Source: www.graz.at  / www.verwaltung.steiermark.at/}

Please note the information for your group:

• Newly arriving international staff of the University of Graz: 
  You are insured with the mandatory public insurance from the first day of employment with the provider BVAEB, if your monthly income at the University of Graz exceeds the minimum employment threshold (460.66 Euro/month). The HR department registers you for comprehensive health, pension, unemployment and accident insurance; you do not have to take action yourself. You can contact the Welcome Center for more information
   
• Exchange students:
  • EU / EEA citizens  can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from their home countries, as this is also valid in Austria. Please contact your insurance in the country of residence about the benefits and use of the insurance in Austria.
     
  • Non-EU / EEA citizens staying for a semester (up to 6 months), must take care of a suitable insurance that meets the visa requirements. In this regard, please contact the responsible Austrian representation authority in the country of residence.
     

  • Non-EU / EEA citizens  staying for an academic year (2 semesters): You have to take out self-insurance for students with the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK). From the end of August onwards, you will find detailed information on an information platform linked here. If you have any questions, you can contact the responsible contact person in the International Relations Office .

• Prospective students with a letter of admission:

  • EU / EEA citizens: if you have health insurance within the EU / EEA, ask the insurance in your country of residence whether your insurance will also be valid in Austria. If you meet the requirements, you can take out student insurance with the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK). From the end of August onwards, you will find detailed information on an information platform linked here. You can contact the Welcome Center for more information.

  • Non-EU / EEA citizens : You need an insurance covering all risks in Austria that is equivalent to the statutory insurance to get a residence permit. If possible, you can take out student insurance with the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK), alternatively there are also private insurance policies that meet the requirements. For more information you can contact the Welcome Center.

^{Last updated: 09 July 2020, 16:00}

The websites of most Austrian federal ministries are mainly offered in German. We recommend that you download a browser e.g. Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge etc. with an automatic translation function (check the language settings). This will allow you to read German websites in English or other languages. Even if the translation is not perfect, it grants you access to up-to-date information.

• Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection: https://www.sozialministerium.at/Informationen-zum-Coronavirus/Coronavirus---Haeufig-gestellte-Fragen.html
• Ministry of European and International Affairs: https://www.bmeia.gv.at/
• Ministry of the Interior: https://www.bmi.gv.at/
  • Entry & Covid-19 (English version): https://www.bmi.gv.at/bmi_documents/2513.pdf 

^{Last updated: 09 July 2020, 16:00}

You can find all news and updates on this website.

If you have any questions about a visa / residence permit or about entry with health measures, please also contact the Austrian representation in your country of residence.