According to the current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication, Austria has been assessed as Level 1. Exercise normal precautions.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

U.S. Tri-Mission Vienna does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The American Citizens’ Services unit (ACS) cannot recommend a particular individual or location, and assumes no responsibility for the quality of service provided.

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Vienna as being a MEDIUM-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.

Please review OSAC’s Austria-specific page or original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password.

Crime Threats

Crime rates generally decreased slightly during 2017, except for a notable increase in reported cybercrimes. The most common crime experienced by Americans was purse/wallet snatching, typically in crowded public areas. Other crimes of opportunity included those in trains, restaurants, shopping areas, and crowded tourist areas in which the victim was distracted and usually not in direct physical control of valuables. These crimes were overwhelmingly non-violent; weapons were seldom used in the incidents reported.

Residential burglaries continued to be a significant concern but rates reported in 2017 reflect a slight decrease from prior years, especially in more affluent suburban neighborhoods and districts. In 2016, there were a small number of residential crimes reported involving physical violence and home invasion, though none specifically targeting Americans.

Vehicle theft reports remained approximately the same as 2016. 

In 2017, Americans reported occasional instances of assault by intoxicated or emotionally disturbed persons in/near bars and transit hubs, but they were not specifically targeted as Americans.

While violent crime was infrequent, when it occurred it was heavily covered by the media. Merchants and residences have been targeted in robberies, notably during the holiday shopping season. Occasional armed bank robberies were reported year-round.

Most organized crime is related to burglary and property, rather than violent crime.

Austrians typically purchase goods and services using cash or bank transfers (Erlagschein) and do not use credit cards as frequently as Americans do, so credit card fraud is less prevalent than in the U.S.

Cybersecurity Issues

Cybercrime generally followed worldwide trends. Beginning in 2015 and continuing through 2017, Austrian law enforcement increased – in terms of size, scope, and intensity – its response and prevention efforts for cybercrime.

Transportation-Safety Situation

For more information, please review OSAC’s Report, “Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.”

Road Safety and Road Conditions

Austria has a vast network of highways and roads, all in good condition, and traffic typically flows in an organized manner. In large cities, roads are shared by a complex tram and bus system, creating unique driving hazards. There is a large network of mountain roads requiring good, attentive driving skills.

Speed limits are:

Country roads – 100km/h;

Autobahn/highways – 130km/h;

Towns – 50km/h.

Construction zone speed limits may differ from the general limits.

Electronic radar detectors are located on all autobahns, motorways, and in cities to assist the police with speed enforcement. Austria employs cameras in controlled speed zones, and drivers may be ticketed automatically for speed violations. All vehicles on the Austrian Autobahn (highway) must have a toll vignette for passenger vehicles or a toll transponder for heavier commercial vehicles. Vignettes can be purchased at most gas stations and local Tabak-Trafik tobacco shops. Electronic vignettes can be purchased online.

The legal limit for blood alcohol is 0.05 BAC. Fines for violating this limit range from 218€ to 3,634€ and result in the suspension of the driver's license.

During heavy congestion on highways, when traffic significantly slows, Austrian law mandates that motorists leave a corridor for emergency vehicles to pass. The corridor forms to the inside of the right lane of traffic.

Public Transportation Conditions

Public transit systems are excellent. Most operate on the honor system, with random checks by plain-clothes ticket enforcement officers. Fines for riding without a validated ticket can be up to 100€ and must be paid on the spot. Pedestrians and drivers should be especially cautious around trams, as they are nearly silent and strike several pedestrians and vehicles each year.

Other Travel Conditions

In winter, some mountain passes become blocked by snow, sometimes for prolonged periods. Winter tires or appropriately rated all-season tires are required on cars during the fall and winter months. Carrying snow chains in winter is also highly recommended and may be compulsory in some areas.

Terrorism Threat

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Vienna as being a MEDIUM-threat location for terrorist activity directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.

Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns

There have been no recent terrorist attacks in Austria; however, the potential for terrorist-related incidents to occur must be taken seriously. Austria has experienced a number of residents going to Syria or northern Iraq to fight against government forces with jihadist groups and then returning. The threat of extremist violence from these individuals is of growing concern to authorities, and changes to the law were made in 2014 to give police greater investigative authority over suspected jihadists. More recently, according to local press, the international terrorist threat environment prompted the government to further alter its response mechanisms, providing the armed forces a greater complementary counterterrorism role.

In late 2014, police conducted a number of arrests of suspected jihadists and financiers of foreign fighters traveling to Syria. In 2016, Austrian authorities increased efforts to counter incitement of terrorist acts motivated by extremism and to combat the problem of foreign terrorist fighters. Press reported that Vienna police, on January 20, 2017, arrested a 17-year old Austrian, reportedly an ISIS sympathizer, on charges of planning a terrorist attack in a public space. Also, according to press reports, law enforcement authorities confirmed ongoing radicalization efforts by violent Islamist extremist groups in the country. Elsewhere in Europe, authorities made several arrests in connection with attacks in the region and acknowledged conducting increased surveillance of potential radical groups due to the heightened threat.  

Religiously-motivated extremism presents a potential threat to European security. Terrorist attacks on soft targets around the world underscore the concern of an ever-increasing transnational terrorist threat. If suspicious activity is detected, one should inform the police immediately. Austria is a transport and finance hub, and various international terrorist groups and individuals are believed to operate in the country, using it as part of their support base.

Anti-American/Anti-Western Sentiment

There was a small protest in Vienna following the January 20, 2017 U.S. inauguration. Pro-Israeli, Palestinian, and Kurdish groups demonstrated outside the U.S. Embassy during 2017.

Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Vienna as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.

Austria is a stable democracy.

Civil Unrest

Groups are generally free to protest, and peaceful protests concerning a variety of political causes are common in Vienna. Civil disorder associated with public protests or demonstrations is rare but does occur. Protest organizers must apply for a permit with the Vienna City government at least 24 hours in advance to request to protest. The permit delineates the parameters of the protest and advises the police of the planned activity. Police control for planned demonstrations is consistently very good; however, Americans should be aware of the possibility of any demonstration becoming violent and consider avoiding them when possible, especially when rival groups will be present.

Religious/Ethnic Violence

Austria experienced a decrease in the influx of refugees and asylum seekers in 2017 but continued to handle greater than usual numbers of displaced persons than in years before 2014. This influx continued contributing to anecdotal reports of some criminal activity where these groups congregate. Some violent and non-violent incidents involving this population were also reported in the press.

Post-specific Concerns

Environmental Hazards

Outdoor activities are very popular, particularly winter sports. Groomed ski areas are monitored for avalanche danger, and potential avalanches are brought down under controlled conditions. If participating in winter sports outside of controlled areas, individuals should receive avalanche avoidance training, heed avalanche danger cautions, monitor weather conditions, and carry rescue/survival gear. Austria experiences a number of deadly avalanches each year, including one that killed several American skiers in early 2015.

Privacy Concerns

There are very strict privacy laws that govern the release of personal information.

Drug-related Crimes

Drug-related criminal activity against Americans is rare. However, the use of knock-out drugs slipped into a victim’s drink has been reported both as a means of incapacitating a victim for theft of property and for disabling victims of sexual crimes. Police have, in recent years, aggressively targeted drug and drug-trafficking related crime.

Police Response

The quality of police services is comparable in training, efficiency, and expertise to that of police forces in most U.S. cities. Police authorities are highly professional, and people are expected to cooperate fully with police requests.

Crime Victim Assistance

In large cities and vacation resorts, an English-speaking officer is usually available to assist crime victims. Victims of any type of crime should notify the police immediately. Follow-up assistance is available through American Citizen Services at the U.S. Consulate, which can be reached at: +43 1 31339 7535.

Austrian emergency telephone numbers (all intend to have English speaking duty personnel):

National Police Emergency: 133

National Fire Emergency: 122

National Medical Emergency: 144

For local first responders, please refer to the Embassy’s Emergency Assistance page.

Medical Emergencies

Ambulance/Medical emergency response number: 144

Contact Information for Available Medical Services

For medical assistance, please refer to the Embassy’s Medical Assistance page.

Available Air Ambulance Services

Austrian Air Ambulance (+43 1 40 144) and Tyrolean Air (+43 512 224 22 100) have several aircraft that are air ambulance capable. Both airlines, based in Austria, have short (hours) response times for limited (less than 10) casualties.

International SOS (+49 6102 3588 100) can draw on a larger pool of continental air ambulance companies with arrival times of 12-24 hours.

Insurance Guidance

Visitors are advised to ensure they have adequate medical insurance that is valid for coverage in Austria.

Country-specific Vaccination and Health Guidance

The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for Austria.

OSAC Country Council Information

The Country Council in Vienna did not meet in 2017. Interested private-sector security managers should contact OSAC’s Europe Team with any questions.

U.S. Embassy Location and Contact Information

Embassy Address and Hours of Operation

Boltzmanngasse 16, 1090 Vienna.

Hours of Operation: 0800-1700, Mon-Fri, except holidays.

Embassy Contact Numbers

Embassy switchboard (24 hour): (+43 1) 31339 0

After-hours emergency Tel: (+43 1) 31339 0

Website: https://at.usembassy.gov/

Embassy Guidance

U.S. citizens traveling to Austria should register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to ensure they receive pertinent security updates and notices.

Additional Resources

Austria Country Information Sheet