Austria Changing Vaccination Requirements From February 1st

In the ever-changing rules on what's required to enter different ski nations this winter, those planning a trip to Austria in the latter half of the season will want to be aware of the latest changes there.

As of February 1, 2022, the validity period of vaccination certificates in Austria (green passport) will change.

They are really minor tweaks to the existing requirements and those fully double-vaccinated last year and recently boosted should be fine, but for those not triple jabbed or double-jabbed with evidence of a recent recovery from the virus, they could cause issues entering Austria.

However, it is worth noting by those who have not had a booster that the period for those who have been double vaccinated only (or single vaccine plus evidence of recovery from an infection), but have not had the booster, is only 180 days (6 months). So someone who had the two shots before 31st July last year, for example, and no booster, would not be able to enter Austria after 31st January this year – until they've had the booster.

However, for those who have had the booster vaccination certificate (3 vaccinations or recovery + 2 vaccinations) entry intro Austria is still valid for 270 days (9 months) covering all of the ski season and indeed much of the year through to next autumn for most.

For entry into Austria, vaccination certificates or other proof of vaccination continue to be valid for 270 days.

This affects all EU countries https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/coronavirus-response/safe-covid-19-vaccines-europeans/eu-digital-covid-certificate_en#new-proposals-on-the-validity-of-eu-digital-covid-certificate-and-the-coordination-on-safe-travel-in and Switzerland https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov/covid-zertifikat/covid-zertifikat-erhalt-gueltigkeit.html

Oh thanks, the Austrian National Tourist Office has been the only one to let us know. From the links it looks to be the shortening of validity of the first two jabs to six months that's pan-European, that seems to have been agreed before the effectiveness of boosters was determined? So is it right that part of it (6 months for 2 jabs) is all EU and the 9 months if you've had the booster is currently Austria only, or is that all EU/Switzerland too do you know?

I am driving to Italy in Feb and am thinking of going via rotterdam ..does anyone know about the dutch rules for transiting...they seem to want a letter from the country of destination now...very confusing

J2SkiNews, as I understand it as of 1. Feb. the EU are shortening the validity of vaccine certificates to 9 months (6 months + a 3-month grace period) after the administration of the last dose of the primary vaccination. For a single-dose vaccine, this means 270 days from the first and only shot. For a two-dose vaccine it means 270 days from the second shot. This is for the purposes of intra-EU travel and presumably travel the 3rd countries to EU countries.

As well this, some EU countries are also changing their requirements for their internal covid passes. In the case of Austria "to prove your "2-G" status during your stay IN Austria, from 1 February 2022, the validity of your 2nd vaccination will be reduced to 180 days. The booster jab remains valid for 270 days."

France seems to be reducing the interval between the 2nd dose and the booster to 4 months https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/actualites/A15121

I have also seen reports that Italy is dropping the pre-arrival test requirement if you are coming from another EU state but this does not appear to be reflected on the official websites yet. This will save us a few quid and a lot of hassle coming from Ireland :thumbup: .

Not at all clear whether this relaxation of the rules will apply to UK visitors :roll: .

According to reports in the Italian press, from 1 February to 15 March people traveling from List C countries, EU + CH will no longer have to take a pre-arrival test. No mention of List D counties i.e. the UK.

The validity of 1 and 2 dose vaccine certificates within Italy will be reduced to 6 months, but booster certificates will remain valid indefinitely. We will have to wait until the ordinance has been published to know for sure after which it will take them a day or two to update the English webpages on the Ministry of Health website.

Thanks SwingBeep!