Entry Regulations:
Austria is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Treaty. EU citizens only need an official identification card for entry into Austria; nationals of other states must enquire about the valid entry requirements to Austria for their respective country before the journey.
Travellers must, however, carry along their identification cards.

Customs Regulations:
Austria is a member of the European Union and EU nationals are subject to the rules and regulations of the European Union. A valid passport assures admission for three months for citizens from non-EU contries.
Nationals of non-EU contries may bring with them duty free "personal travel requisites", i.e. such articles as are required for their personal use or consumption or for their professional activities.

Climate
Austria is located in a temperate climatic zone, with a Central European climate influenced by the Atlantic. The four seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter) each have typical temperature and climatic characteristics.

Due to the topographical diversity and the relatively large West-East expansion, there are three differentiated climatic regions:
East: Pannonian climate with a continental influence - low precipitation, hot summers but only moderately cold winters.
Alpine Regions: Alpine climate - high precipitation (except inner alpine valley regions such as the upper Inntal), short summers, long winters.
Rest of the country: transient climate influenced by the Atlantic (in the West) and a continental influence in the South-east.

New Year's Day
2006 January 1
2007 January 1

Epiphany
2006 January 6
2007 January 6

Easter Monday
2006 April 17
2007 April 9

Labour Day
2006 May 1
2007 May 1

Ascension Day
2006 May 25
2007 May 17

Whit Monday
2006 June 5
2007 May 28

Corpus Christi Day
2006 June 15
2007 June 7

Assumption of the Virgin
2006 August 15
2007 August 15

National Holiday
2006 October 26
2007 October 26

All Saints'Day
2006 November 1
2007 November 1

Feast of the Immaculate Conception
2006 December 8
2007 December 8

Christmas Day
2006 December 25
2007 December 25

Boxing Day
2006 December 26
2007 December 26

Foreign convention organisers, who are VAT registered in the country of their headquarters, are also liable to be registered for VAT in Austria and have to charge customers (convention delegates and Austrian exhibitors) Austrian VAT.

Austrian VAT charged by hotels and other suppliers (input tax) may be set off against total VAT owed to the tax authorities. As in other EU member states, therefore, Austrian VAT does not represent a cost burden!

VAT returns are to be completed by a "fiscal representative" (accountant) if the convention organiser is not resident or registered in Austria.

Advertising services performed by the organisers for foreign companies, e.g. those exhibiting their products at a convention, are invoiced without VAT (according to the EU reverse charge system).

Foreign, non-VAT registered, non-profit organisations are also exempted from VAT in Austria. They charge no VAT and cannot recover input tax. Provisions applying to them are the same as those in other EU member states.

Austrian VAT is levied at 10 % on accomodation and food, and 20 % on all other supplies of goods and services.

Once you have decided to hold your convention in Austria, your accountant can arrange for the necessary returns to be made to the Austrian tax authorities.

If the need arises, please turn to a specialist Austrian accountant.
The application for repayment is to be directed to the Graz tax office (Finanzamt Graz-Stadt) no later than six months after the end of the calendar year in which the convention was held.

Graz Tax office / Finanzamt Graz-Stadt (FA68)
Conrad-von-Hötzendorf-Strasse 14-18
8010 Graz
Tel +43 (0) 316 881
Fax +43 (0) 316 817 608