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Reader question: What are the rules for commuting between Austria and Slovakia?

Many people cross the Austrian-Slovakian border for work. Here's a look at the latest rules that apply.

Published: 17 January 2022 15:40 CET
A Slovak police officer checks the papers of travelers crossing the Bratislava-Berg border crossing between Austria and Slovakia during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic on June 4, 2020.
A Slovak police officer checks documents at the AUstrian border. Photo: Joe Klamar/AFP

What are the rules for travel between Austria and neighbour Slovakia for cross-border commuters at the moment?

Entry to Slovakia from Austria

People who are fully vaccinated against Covid can enter Slovakia from Austria for any reason, without needing to quarantine or present a negative test result — although you need to do a pre-travel registration. Note that proof of recovery is not accepted for entry.

If you are a commuter, you also have the option to enter Slovakia with a negative PCR test result no older than seven days (but not an antigen test) even if you are not fully vaccinated. Slovakia considers you to be a commuter if you have permanent or temporary residence in Austria (or another EU country) and work in Slovakia, or vice versa, or if you live less than 100 km from the Slovak border regardless of your purpose of travel.

Austrian or Slovak PCR tests are accepted, but it’s recommended to have the result in either English or Slovak.

If you are entering Slovakia using a PCR test rather than proof of vaccination, you will need proof from your employer that you are a cross-border commuter in case you are asked to show this.

You also need to register on the Slovak government website before you travel using the eHranica registration form. If you are fully vaccinated, you only need to register on this website once every six months (choose the option “I am a fully vaccinated person and I have proof of this”).

If you are a cross-border commuter entering with a PCR test you need to register every month (choose the option “I am not a vaccinated person”; then under the heading “I have an exemption from home isolation, choose the option “I have an exception that requires a negative PCR test result not older than 7 days”, and under Additional entry conditions choose the option “I have a certificate stating that I have an employment relationship, a similar employment relationship…”).

Only a very few kinds of workers are exempt from this registration, primarily transport employees such as bus or truck drivers.

Entry to Austria from Slovakia

People who regularly commute to Austria either for work, study, or for family purposes have a special exception to the general travel rules. If you travel between the two countries at least once per month for one of these reasons, you can enter Austria as long as you have proof of 3G (full vaccination, recent recovery from Covid-19, or a negative PCR test).

Regular commuters may use either a PCR or antigen test. If you cannot meet the 3G criteria, you need to fill out Austria’s pre-travel clearance form before travel and enter quarantine on arrival.

You also need to have proof of your reason to travel in case this is requested. This could include confirmation from your employer that you need to commute for work, for example.

For non-commuters entering Austria from Slovakia, as with most EU/EEA countries, the 2G+ rule applies.

This means that in order to enter Austria from Slovakia, as a general rule you need proof of full vaccination (two doses, or one dose if you got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) or medical proof of recovery from Covid-19 within the last 180 days.

As well as this, you also need either proof of a booster dose or a negative PCR test. If you have had a full course of the vaccination and have also recovered from Covid in the last 180 days, you do not need a booster or negative test.

Useful Links

The Slovak government’s Covid information portal

Austria’s Chamber of Commerce has a page (in German) to stay updated on the situation for commuters

The Chamber of Commerce has also created a draft confirmation of employment letter in German, Slovak and English. Download it here

Austria’s entry rules are summarised by the Austrian Health Ministry

The portal to register your travel to Slovakia, if needed, is called eHranica and an English-language version is available here.

The Slovak regulation which sets out the exemption for commuters (in Slovak)

The information in this article was correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication, but The Local cannot provide legal advice and we recommend confirming information with official authorities before you travel.

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WORKING IN AUSTRIA

Four steps to take immediately after losing your job in Austria

Losing a job can be a nightmare for a foreigner in Austria. Here’s what you need to do to protect yourself and get back on track as soon as possible.

Published: 17 September 2024 16:39 CEST
Four steps to take immediately after losing your job in Austria

Losing a job in Austria can involve significant challenges, especially for foreigners.

You might worry about whether your residence status is at risk, how difficult it will be to find another position, and how you will support yourself while searching for a new job.

However, in Austria, you can take certain steps to protect yourself until you find your next opportunity.

Know your rights and negotiate your terms

If you get laid off, you have rights you should know.

If the contract is ended by mutual agreement (Einvernehmliche Auflösung), which your employer may offer even if the actual reason is dismissal, no notice period is required.

The contract can be terminated verbally or in writing, though written termination is recommended.

This type of termination allows you to negotiate the notice period and conditions with your employer, and you are expected to express your wishes. 

If you instead are dismissed (KĂĽndigung), which refers to your employer terminating your employment without a specific reason, they need to follow certain deadlines and notice periods.

White-collar workers should receive at least six weeks’ notice in Austria. Meanwhile, blue-collar workers are only required to get at least two weeks’ notice, periods that increase the longer you have worked for an employer.

During the notice time, you can either continue working or be placed on what is known as gardening leave, where you do not have to work but are paid as if you were still working.

Your employer can also terminate your contract immediately (Vorzeitige Entlassung) in cases of very serious violations, but this only happens in special circumstances, such as violating company rules.

If this happens, the employer will  need to calculate a final financial settlement, including any wages until the end of the employment relationship, unused holiday days and over-hours, etc.

In general, what is important to also remember is to check on remaining holiday days and unused overtime to make sure you receive appropriate compensation.

Consulting the Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer) or a work council (Betriebsrat) can help you understand your rights. For example, special rules apply to certain workers, such as parents, pregnant women, and those under 18, so it is a good idea to seek advice from your works council or union if this might affect you.

READ MORE: How to find a job in Austria in three months

Get all the important documents from your employer

Once you get laid off, it is essential to ensure that your company gives you all the necessary documents to move forward.

You are entitled to documents such as a Certificate of Employment (Arbeitsbescheinigung) and a Confirmation of Deregistration with the Health Insurance Provider (Bestätigung über die Abmeldung beim Krankenversicherungsträger).

It is also important to obtain a Confirmation of Work and Salary (Arbeits—und Entgeltbestätigung) and an Employment Reference (Arbeitszeugnis) for future job opportunities.

Sign up at AMS and get your unemployment benefits

Austria has strict rules regarding signing up at the Public Employment Service, AMS, after losing your job.

You must register as unemployed with the AMS no later than the first day of your unemployment. If you register later, gaps in your benefits, as well as in your health and pension insurance, may occur.

These gaps can also happen if you do not give AMS all the necessary information for your unemployment registration.

The unemployment benefits are calculated based on your previous income and personal situation.

Usually, you receive about 55 per cent of your previous net income. This amount can be a little bit adjusted based on your personal circumstances, such as if you have children or a spouse financially depending on you, which may entitle you to some extra payments.

Depending on your residence permit, you might not be able to receive long-term unemployment benefits. However, most employees can get unemployment insurance, which covers part of their previous salary while they search for a new job.

It can be a good idea to check in with AMS to get the details about your specific situation.

It is also important to know that if you receive unemployment benefits, you cannot leave the country, even for vacation. If you do need to travel, you must inform AMS in advance, and you will not receive benefits while you are away.

READ ALSO: Should I register with Austria’s unemployment agency AMS if I’m out of work?

Inform the immigration office 

If you are on a residence permit linked to your job, such as a Blue Card or any work visa, you must inform the immigration office, MA 35, about your situation as soon as possible.

Some permits require you to maintain employment to keep your visa valid. Reporting your job loss helps you avoid potential issues with your residence status and allows you to apply for a different type of permit if necessary.

If you, for example, have a Red-White-Red Card for highly qualified workers in shortage occupations and you lose your job within the first two years of residency in Austria, you must inform the immigration office (MA 35 in Vienna or the local Bezirkshauptmannschaft in other parts o the country) and apply for a new residence permit to avoid losing your right to live and work in the country.

In general, it is a good idea to ask the immigration office about your specific options with your current visa.

READ NEXT: What you should do if you lose your residence permit in Austria

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