Austria is nestled in central Europe and has a mix of beautiful Alpine scenery combined with historically important cities with the perfect mix of history and modernity.
It is home to some of Europe’s most beautiful cities including the capital Vienna, where you can explore the cobbled streets around the St Stephen’s Cathedral and take in the majesty of the Habsburg era by touring their many palaces spread across the city. For animal lovers, the famous Spanish Riding School with their beautiful white horses is likely to be at the top of the list.
Salzburg is the 4th largest city in Austria and one of the most beautiful. You can enjoy panoramic views from Salzburg’s fortress which overlooks the city, but once down in the streets it is possible to enjoy the many squares, churches and museums where you can learn all about Salzburg’s most famous resident, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
If you’re more interested in an action packed trip, Innsbruck is well worth a visit. Home to the Winter Olympics in both 1964 and 1976 and is surrounded by the Tyrolean mountains and not far from famous skiing resorts of Mayrhofen, Seefeld, Alpbach and Kitzbuhel – all of which can be reached in less than 90 mins from Innsbruck.
As well as being home to a number of perfect city breaks throughout the year, Austria boasts some of the world’s best ski resorts where you can follow in the tracks of the most famous alpine skiers by testing your skills at Mayrhofen, Ishgl and Obergurgl (among many others), or for those less experienced on the powder there are some great ski schools in Alpbach, Ellmau and Lech which are perfect for honing your skills.
Although it’s important to remember than no matter how experienced you are, it’s important to get Travel Insurance with Winter Sport Coverage to make sure that you’re covered for as many eventualities as possible.
Looking for the perfect Christmas market trip, then Austria should be right up at the top of the list. Salzburg with its many church spires and numerous squares makes for the perfect place to enjoy some Gluhwein, whilst Vienna’s more spread out Christmas markets mean that you can enjoy a different market in a different part of the city each day.
Austria isn’t just for the ski season though, walking, cycling and water sports on it’s mountains and lakes offer a fantastic summer experience for solo travellers and families alike.
Below is some more information about our products, for which Terms and Conditions apply. Please visit the policy information hub for full details.
What does travel insurance for Austria from Allianz Assistance cover?
As in most places in central Europe travel is very safe, Austria is no different, however you should still have travel insurance to protect you against unforeseen issues that may arise whilst your away.
Travel insurance can protect you from issues such as flight cancellation or lost baggage but also from injuries or medical assistance you may need whilst away – this can be particularly useful if you plan to take part in any winter sports where our Ski and Winter Sports insurance could protect you against things like avalanche closures and unused ski-pack costs.
Our Single Trip, Annual Multi-Trip and Backpacker policies can help keep you protected whether you’re heading to Austria for a skiing holiday, summer holiday or visiting Austria as part of a backpacking adventure across Europe.
Across our Single Trip and Annual policies, you can choose from our Bronze, Silver or Gold levels of cover. Depending on the level of cover you choose, you’ll be protected for:
*Not available with Bronze level cover.
**Only available with Gold level cover.
You can also purchase add-ons to ensure you’re fully covered for activities you’re taking part in. For example, if you’re heading on a ski holiday to one of Austria’s many resorts.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re travelling within the EU, then an EHIC or GHIC card is an important document to take. The GHIC is set to replace the EHIC card now the UK has left the EU. But, it’s not a replacement for travel insurance.
Either one of these cards entitle you to cheaper (sometimes free) emergency treatment in Austria. While the card entitles you to the same treatment as local citizens, you should be aware that some healthcare in Austria isn’t free. In addition, neither your EHIC nor your GHIC will not cover you in all circumstances, including medical repatriation.
For this reason, you should still take out travel insurance. That way, your medical bills will be included in your policy, and you’ll have cover for things like cancellations, delayed flights and delayed personal possessions too. Plus, as part of the telephone / video GP consultation service on our travel insurance for Austria, if the GP believes that you need a private prescription for medication, they can authorise this electronically and arrange for the medication to be sent to you*.
Despite the UK leaving the EU the EHIC remains valid for UK holders until the expiry date of their card. However, once your EHIC has expired you will have to apply for a Global Health Insurance (GHIC). The GHIC will take the place of the EHIC and can be applied for and ordered now if you don't already own an EHIC.
*You will have to pay for your medication and its delivery.
Austria is considered a very safe country to visit, but thefts and scamming still take place in busy cities and near tourist sites. Be extra vigilant around popular tourist attractions and keep your belongings and valuables out of sight in closed, zipped pockets.
In Vienna, one common scam is for locals to ask you to take a picture of them, then they drop the camera when you hand it back to them and blame you for the damage and demanding money. So be wary of taking people’s pictures unless you are confident they are also tourists.
Culturally, Austria is very similar to the UK. This extends to the culture around tipping, usually waiting staff will expect 10% but for exceptional service this can extend to 15-20% of the bill.
Although English is spoken widely and very well in most parts of Austria, the official language is German, so it would be useful to have a few conversational basics up your sleeve or even take a phrasebook with you.