Austria Country Profile & Guide Business & Tourist Travel Information
Austrian population Austria religion Austria history Austria economy Austria currency Austria road travel & other national information
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Austria Country Profile
Austria Population Austria has a population of over eight million people. 98% of indigenous people are German. Austria Religion The dominant religions are Roman Catholic (78%) & Protestant 5% Austria Language The official language is German - See related page for a English German Mini Phrase Guide
Austria Currency The official currency is the euro.
Austria Currency Controls
Controls on the amount of cash entering or leaving the EU apply in all Member States. Any person entering or leaving the EU has to declare the cash that they are carrying if this amounts to 10,000 euros or more/
This figure this includes cheques, travellers' cheques, money orders, etc. This does not apply to people travelling via the EU to a non-EU country, if the original journey started outside of the EU. It does not apply to people travelling within the EU.
Austria Recent History
Austria first gained its independence in 1918. Twenty years later it was incorporated into The Third Reich and following the fall of the same it was governed by America, France, The Soviet Union and The United Kingdom until 1955.
In 1995 it became a member of the European Union. In the late nineties restrictions were temporarily placed on the coalition Austrian Government's relationship with the European Union because of international concerns about the extremism one party in the coalition - the right wing Freedom Party. These measures were lifted in September 2000.
Austria Economy - Business
Since 2000 the country has experienced low inflation (annually around 2%) and a very low rate of growth rate of between 1- 2%. Unemployment at around 5% is also low compared with other some European Union Countries.
Austria's major trading partner is the European Union who buy around 70 - 75% of its exports. Former eastern block countries that are not EU members buy around another 6% of Austria's exports.
Travel In Austria
Throughout Austria public transport locally and between cities is excellent. For information on Austrian Rail Services please to to our European rail page. For information on Austrian Coach Services please to to our European Coach page. Local public transport information is given in the guides for Salzburg & Vienna.
Emergency Medical Treatment In Austria
Austria has a good standard of health care and has a free emergency medical treatment agreement for UK nationals. See related article.
Travelling with children in Austria
Single parents or adults travelling alone with children should note that Austria law requires documentary evidence of parental responsibility (e.g. a consent letter) before allowing lone parents or adults to enter or leave Austria with children.
Driving / Road Travel In Austria
Drivers must be 18 years with a 'full' driving licence from the country they normally reside in. Drivers must carry their driving licence, proof of their ownership or entitlement to drive the car and their car insurance details.
The legal limit for alcohol is 50 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. Drives of coaches and HGV are especially liable to be tested for drink driving where even a minor traffic offence is alleged.
All drivers must carry high visibility warning vests which have to be be worn day or night when leaving a vehicle whilst on the hard shoulder or any where if it breaks down. Only "hands free" mobile telephones are allowed whilst driving.
On Austrian motorways (“Autobahn”) and "S" roads you must display a Motorway Vignette in windscreen. These vignettes can be purchased at border crossing and major petrol stations. Heavy on the spot fines are issued to motorists without one.
Drivers of larger vehicles over 3.5 tonnes including caravans have to pay a road toll by attaching a go box to their windscreen. Further details of this system are available here
Austria Skiing Resorts Austrian Alps
Austria has numerous ski resorts, offering exceptional ski run and excellent 'apres ski' faculties. Please see the euroski page. Skiers should note that is some areas of Austria there is a risk of avalanches.
This risk remains in some parts during the summer where the highest mountain tops are snow covered. Skiers and those going to resort areas should take advice on avalanche and weather before you travelling and whilst you are at the resort.
