Travelling Abroad from Austria: Documents, Registration and Travel Warnings

Before travelling abroad from Austria, booking a ticket and accommodation is not enough. You should also check the validity of your travel documents, the destination’s entry rules and its security situation. The following overview explains what to consider in 2026.

In brief

• Check the entry rules, required document validity and visa requirements before travelling. Some countries require a visa even for transit.
• Many countries require electronic travel registration (Reiseregistrierung). Where possible, use the links provided on the official travel registration website.
• Since 1 October 2025, there have been four security levels (Sicherheitsstufen). The highest is a travel warning (Reisewarnung).
• In cases of culpable conduct, the state may recover up to 10,000 euros from a person, or up to 50,000 euros in cases of grossly culpable conduct.
• The emergency number is available around the clock: 05 01150-4411 (from abroad: +43 1 90115-4411).

Which travel document do you need?

When planning your trip, check the destination country’s entry rules (Einreisebestimmungen) in good time. In particular, find out:

• how long your travel document must remain valid,
• whether you need a visa (Visum),
• whether you need to complete advance travel registration.

Some countries require a visa even if you are only passing through. Country-specific details can be found under “Einreise & Ausreise”.

If you discover shortly before departure that your passport has been left at home or has expired, you can have a temporary passport with limited validity issued (Notpass). However, not every country accepts it as equivalent to a passport.

You should also check the validity of your vehicle documents and driving licence before travelling.

Electronic travel registration before entry

An increasing number of countries require registration before entry, usually in electronic form. The systems differ considerably from country to country.

Keep two points in mind:

1. Registration does not guarantee entry. The final decision on entry is made by border police.
2. Watch out for scams. Where possible, use only links listed on the official travel registration website.

Do not confuse this with the free travel registration (Auslandsregistrierung) offered by the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs. It can be completed online or using the Auslandsservice app. Its purpose is to allow the authorities to reach you and your nominated emergency contact quickly by email or telephone in an emergency.

Security levels in 2026

On 1 October, the system was simplified: instead of six levels, there are now four security levels.

1. Good security situation

Guter Sicherheitsstandard.

2. Security risk

An increased danger exists. Possible reasons include street robbery, violent demonstrations, natural disasters, terrorism risks and epidemics.

3. High security risk in a specific area

Non-essential travel should be avoided. Possible reasons include clashes resulting in fatalities, a high terrorism risk, disasters and epidemics.

4. Travel warning

Travel should be avoided. People already in the area should make contact, while those living there should leave the country. Possible reasons include war, civil-war conditions, martial law and epidemics.

A travel warning generally appears only in a special crisis situation involving a general danger to life. The assessment is based not on individual tragic events, but on the overall situation in the region.

What happens if you travel despite a warning?

Travelling to an area covered by a travel warning can have serious consequences:

• consular assistance may be available only to a very limited extent,
• an insurer may invoke an exclusion and refuse payment even if the policy is still active,
• the state may recover the costs of rescue or protective measures.

Possible amounts recovered per person

• Culpable (schuldhaft) conduct: up to 10,000 euros.
• Grossly culpable (grob schuldhaft) conduct: up to 50,000 euros.

Conduct is considered grossly culpable in particular when a person fails to give sufficient consideration to publicly available danger information. This applies not only to dangerous regions, but also to mountain rescue abroad or rescue operations after an avalanche. This rule does not apply to travel for humanitarian or public-interest purposes.

Who can you call in an emergency?

• BMEIA customer service (Bürgerservice): 05 01150-3775 from Austria; +43 1 90115-3775 from abroad.
• Emergency number, 24 hours a day: 05 01150-4411 from Austria; +43 1 90115-4411 from abroad.

If there is no Austrian representation in the destination country, Austrian citizens can contact the embassy of any other EU Member State in an emergency, such as a death, serious illness, violent crime or arrest. It must provide consular protection under the same conditions as it provides protection to its own citizens.

Before departure, write down the address and telephone number of the Austrian embassy or consulate in the destination country. Keep a copy of your passport separately from the original.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Austrian Federal Ministry’s travel registration cost?

It is free. Registration can be completed online or in the Auslandsservice app.

If I register in the destination country’s system, will I definitely be allowed in?

No. Registration is not a guarantee. The border police always decide on entry.

What should I do if my passport has expired just before departure?

You can have a temporary passport with limited validity issued (Notpass), but not every country accepts it as equivalent to a passport.

Can I cancel an organised trip if there is a warning for the destination?

The Package Travel Act (Pauschalreisegesetz) allows you to cancel free of charge before departure in the event of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances. A travel warning is a strong indication that these conditions exist. If the cancellation is justified, the organiser must refund the amounts paid within 14 days at the latest.

Practical steps before departure

1. Check the destination’s Einreisebestimmungen, including document validity, visas and transit requirements.
2. Complete any destination-country electronic Reiseregistrierung through its official website.
3. Complete the free Auslandsregistrierung online or in the Auslandsservice app.
4. Check the current Sicherheitsstufen and any Reisewarnung for the destination.
5. Review your passport, vehicle documents and driving licence, and keep a passport copy separately.
6. Save the local Austrian embassy or consulate details and the emergency numbers 05 01150-4411 and +43 1 90115-4411.
7. Check your insurance conditions and the cancellation rules under the Pauschalreisegesetz before travelling.

Disclaimer: This article is based on information available online and does not constitute advice. Use it at your own responsibility. If you need professional advice, contact a lawyer, legal professional, healthcare professional, employment-law or labour-market specialist, or another relevant professional.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at