Austria

Specific Information

12-month import window: Removal goods can be imported duty-free within 12 months from the change of residence. Partial shipments are permitted within this window. For partial shipments, a guarantee may be required, and a judgement will be made regarding whether the person transferred residence within 12 months from the initial customs clearance.

12-month resale restriction: After customs clearance, removal goods may not be sold, lent, pledged, hired out, or otherwise transferred for 12 months without first paying customs duties and VAT.

Grundlagenbescheid (basic assessment notice): Required if the personal property includes means of transport (motorcycle, car, trailer, camping caravan, pleasure boat, private aircraft), or if the applicant already had a normal place of residence in the EU, or if the applicant is keeping a residence outside the EU after establishing residence in Austria. Apply to the competent customs office before the planned import.

Intra-EU moves: For moves within the EU, no customs formalities are required as goods move freely within the EU single market. However, if the person previously had a residence in the EU before living outside the EU and is now returning, specific forms and potentially a Grundlagenbescheid are needed.

VAT: Standard Austrian VAT is 20%. For duty-free transfer of residence goods, both customs duty and import VAT are waived.

Duties & Taxes

Duty-free conditions (from non-EU countries): Per the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance (bmf.gv.at), personal property may be imported free of import duties and taxes when transferring normal place of residence to Austria, provided: the personal property belongs to the applicant; the items have been used at the former residence for a minimum of 6 months before the date of departure from the non-EU country; the applicant has lived at the previous residence abroad for at least 12 months (proof required); and the applicant is establishing normal place of residence in Austria.

Goods not eligible for exemption: Alcoholic products, tobacco products, commercial means of transport, and articles for use in a trade or profession (other than portable instruments of the applied or liberal arts).

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• All documents listed above for household goods, plus:
• Vehicle purchase or leasing agreement
• Invoice / delivery note
• Motor vehicle registration certificate from origin country
• Other documents showing registration and/or insurance abroad
• Grundlagenbescheid (mandatory for vehicles — apply before shipping)

Specific Information

Separate clearance required: Vehicles must be cleared separately from household goods and personal effects. Not every customs office is authorised for vehicle clearance — check with the destination agent.

Prior ownership: Vehicle must have been in the applicant's possession and use for a minimum of 6 months prior to the date of shipment. Documents supporting purchase and registration abroad must be provided.

Grundlagenbescheid mandatory for vehicles: Must be applied for at the competent customs office before shipping the vehicle. This is a critical step.

NoVA (Normverbrauchsabgabe): When first registering a motor vehicle in Austria, a standard consumption tax (NoVA) is due, payable at the local tax office. The NoVA ranges from 0% to 16%+ depending on fuel consumption/CO2 emissions. This tax applies even to duty-free imported vehicles.

Duties if not exempt: Per the U.S. Embassy in Austria, non-exempt vehicles are subject to 10% customs duty, 20% VAT (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer), and the NoVA. The amount depends on vehicle origin.

12-month resale restriction: Vehicles imported duty-free may not be sold within 12 months of Austrian customs clearance without first paying full duties and taxes.

Form T1: If arriving in Austria via personal vehicle, an application should be made to the Austrian Frontier Customs Office for a Form T1 (transit document).

Insurance: Foreign vehicles in Austria must have third-party liability insurance valid for the entire EU/EEA territory. Carry a valid Green Card (international insurance card) or purchase a one-month border insurance policy.

Driving: Driving is on the RIGHT-hand side of the road.

Pets

• EU Pet Passport (issued by an authorised EU veterinarian) From EU Member States
• ISO-compliant microchip (mandatory since 3 July 2011 for newly identified animals; tattoos applied before that date remain valid if legible) From EU Member States
• Valid rabies vaccination (administered after microchip, at least 21 days before travel) From EU Member States
• EU Health Certificate (non-commercial) — issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA/APHIS. Must arrive in Austria within 10 days of USDA endorsement. From Non-EU Countries (including the US)
• ISO-compliant microchip (ISO 11784/11785), implanted before rabies vaccination From Non-EU Countries (including the US)
• Valid rabies vaccination (administered at least 21 days after microchip, for animals 12 weeks or older; primary vaccination valid for 1 year for US-vaccinated pets per EU rules) From Non-EU Countries (including the US)
• Rabies antibody titration test (RNATT) — required from non-EU countries NOT on the Part 1 or Part 2 listed countries. The US is a Part 2 listed country, so a titer test is NOT required from the US. Required from unlisted countries; blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 3 months before travel. From Non-EU Countries (including the US)
• Written declaration that the movement is non-commercial (not for sale or change of ownership) From Non-EU Countries (including the US)

Official authority: The Austrian Federal Office for Food Safety (BAVG) and customs authorities handle pet import controls. Pets entering from non-EU countries must pass through designated border crossing points: Vienna-Schwechat, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz-Thalerhof, or Klagenfurt airports.

Maximum pets: Up to 5 dogs, cats, or ferrets per person. This may be exceeded for animals participating in competitions/exhibitions with written proof of registration, provided animals are over 6 months old.

Minimum age: Pets must be at least 16 weeks old to enter Austria (12 weeks + 21-day post-vaccination wait). Austria does NOT allow entry of unvaccinated young pets or pets not yet immune to rabies from non-EU countries.

No quarantine: Quarantine is not required if all documentation requirements are met.

No import permit required: Pet owners do not need an import permit when entering Austria with dogs, cats, or ferrets. Unaccompanied pets may need a permit.

Customs control: Pets are controlled by customs authorities. At airports, use the red channel to declare your pet. The health certificate must be stamped and signed by the inspecting official.

Tapeworm treatment: NOT required for Austria (unlike Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, and Northern Ireland).

Dog registration: All dogs in Austria must be registered with local authorities and the Central Pet Register (Heimtierdatenbank). A dog tax applies, varying by municipality.

Banned breeds: No federal breed-specific legislation, but some provinces and municipalities have restrictions (e.g., Vienna has a "Hundehaltegesetz" with requirements for certain breeds).

Duty-free: Pets may be imported free of duties.