Coronavirus hotlines
Here you can find a number of hotlines, which can answer questions (general, travel, work, etc.) in relation to coronavirus, and can also provide advice.
Coronavirus hotline of the AGES (Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety): 0800 555 621
The AGES answers questions on the topic of coronavirus (general information about how it is passed on, symptoms and prevention) seven days a week on 0800 555 621.
Health advice hotline 1450
If you have genuine symptoms (a high temperature, a cough, shortness of breath), stay at home and please call the health hotline on +43 1 1450 to receive information on the next steps (diagnosis). 0:00 – 24:00.
Questions related to care and support – hotlines provided by the provinces
The following hotlines offer information in relation to 24-hour care and looking after family members when the carer(s) are unavailable or there are other problems due to the coronavirus measures.
Burgenland
- Care advice: 05/7600-1000
Carinthia
- Care hotline: 05/0536-22134
Lower Austria
- Care hotline: 02742/9005-9095
Upper Austria
- Hotline (Caritas): 05/1775-775
Salzburg
- Salzburg care advice: 0662/8042-3533
Styria
- Care hotline: 0800/500 176
Tyrol
- Coronavirus hotline: 0800/808030
Vorarlberg
- Care hotline: 05574/511-24105
Vienna
- Vienna Social Fund advice service: 01/24524
Ministry of Education
For questions relating to compulsory schooling, whether schools are open, universities and examinations, call the free hotline on 0800 21 65 95 or see bmbwf.gv.at.
Hotline of the Federal Ministry of the Arts and Culture, the Civil Service and Sport (BMKÖS) for sports-related questions
The hotline of the des Federal Ministry of the Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport for issues related to sport is available on +43 1 716 06-66 52 70 from Monday to Friday between 9.00 - 15.00. You can also send your questions by email to sport@bmkoes.gv.at.
Hotline of the Ministry of Finance
The Ministry of Finance has its own Corona hotline (050/233 770) for information on all financial and business questions, including various support funds, short-time working, deferral of tax payments and the extension of deadlines. Its website section also includes a collection of frequently asked questions.
The hotline is open from Monday-Thursday between 7.30-15.30 and on Friday from 7.30-12.00, and answers individual questions. In addition, queries can also be sent by e-mail to corona.hotline@bmf.gv.at.
Hotline of the Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs (BMEIA)
On its website www.bmeia.gv.at, the ministry provides an overview of all of the countries for which there is currently a travel warning, and answers questions about holiday and travel destinations. The service number of the BMEIA is +43 (0) 50 11 50 0. The Citizens Service number of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for emergencies abroad is +43 190 115 4411.
Hotline and websites of the Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer) and the ÖGB (Federation of Austrian Trade Unions)
For questions in relation to the coronavirus and employment law, the Chamber of Labour and the Federation of Austrian Trade Unions have set up a hotline on 0800 22 12 00 80 which is open from 9.00 – 19.00.
The website can be viewed at jobundcorona.at.
Hotline of the Economic Chamber (Wirtschaftskammer)
The Economic Chamber provides answers to questions on employment law, continued pay in case of illness and international supply chains on 0590900 4352 from Monday to Friday 9.00 – 17.00 or on the internet at wko.at.
The Social insurance Institution for the Self-Employed (SVS)
The Social Insurance Institution for the Self-Employed can be contacted regarding social insurance payments for businesses on +43 50 808 808 from Monday to Thursday between 7.30 – 16.00 and from 7.30 – 14.00 on Fridays.
Hotline for extraordinary alternative civilian service duty
The Agency for Alternative Civilian Service has set up a hotline on 0800 500 183 for issues related to extraordinary alternative civilian service. Information is also available at www.zivildienst.gv.at.
Citizens’ Service
The Citizens’ Service provides advice and orientation on social issues and helps members of the public to find their way in the social system. Telephone: 0800 201 611. Monday to Friday 8.00 – 16.00
Rat auf Draht (counselling hotline)
Emergency hotline on 147 for children and young people. Or see rataufdraht.at.
Ö3 Red Cross counselling hotline
Call 116 123 from 12.00 – 24.00 to talk to somebody about your worries.
Women’s helpline
Advice for women who are victims of violence on 0800 222 555 from 0.00 – 24.00.
Team Österreich
Voluntary work and helping others. More information at teamoesterreich.at.
Worries hotline on 142
On the emergency number 142 (Telefonseelsorge) free, confidential and professional telephone counselling is provided for people in crises and difficult situations.
Counselling is also available via mail or chat.
Association of Austrian Psychologists (BÖP)
Quick psychological help is provided free of charge and anonymously by the BÖP hotline on +43 1 504 8000 from Monday-Sunday from 9.00-20.00 or via e-mail at helpline@boep.or.at.
Crisis Intervention Centre: telephone and e-mail counselling.
Crisis intervention and counselling on the telephone is for people who are in a crisis situation due to external events and burdens. It is offered by the Crisis intervention Centre from Monday to Friday between 10.00 and 17.00 on +43 1 406 95 95 and is anonymous and free. Ongoing telephone support is also possible. Anonymous and privacy-protected e-mail-based counselling is also available at www.kriseninterventionszentrum.at
Trauma Support Austria
The non-profit organisation Traumahilfe Österreich has set up a hotline especially for people who are in quarantine. The aim is to provide personal support by phone to people suffering from the isolation of quarantine. The helpline is available daily throughout Austria at landline rates on Monday-Friday from 8.00-20.00 and at weekends from 10.00-16.00 on +43 1 413 00 44.
Telephone advice hotline of the Crisis Intervention Team of the province of Styria on 0800/500 154
This service is for people who are in quarantine because they have contracted the coronavirus, or belong to a vulnerable group (such as older people with previous or long-term illnesses). The staff of the crisis intervention team are available to talk to on 0800/500 154 daily from 9:00 – 21:00.
Psychotherapy Helpline of the Professional Association for Psychotherapy
Tel. +43 720 12 00 12, daily from 08.00-22.00
Psychotherapeutic crisis therapy offered by psychotherapists.
Competent. Free. Anonymous.
Board of Trustees of the Viennese Pensioners Homes
Free and anonymous online counselling by psychologists on issues such as loneliness, relationships, health, financial matters, programmes for senior citizens, and death, dying and mourning at www.rat-im-netz.at.