Page 348 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Austria

346  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Personal Security and Health

Austria is one of Europe’s safest countries. Tourists are unlikely
to encounter any violence (though there has been an increase
in petty crimes such as pickpocketing in busy tourist areas),
and the police and emergency services are easy to contact.
Visitors should take the normal precautions, such as not
leaving baggage unattended. Pharmacists are respected and
their advice is often sought by locals. A visit to a pharmacy,
unless the problem is serious, is probably the easiest choice if Typical SOS sign seen on a regular
you are feeling unwell. U-Bahn platform
ments are also free of charge,
but getting free treatment can
involve a lot of bureaucracy.
Britons should be sure to get a
European Health Insurance
Card (EHIC), available from post
offices or the Internet, before
travelling. It is also a good idea
to take out full health insurance.
Visitors from other countries
should establish what is
required to cover their medical
treatment, either with their
home embassy or with their
medical insurance company.
If you are ill, it is best to go
to a clinic at a state hospital.
Uniformed police officers (Polizei) in front of a police patrol car In Vienna, the main hospital
(and the largest in Europe) is
Police bank. Contact your consulate the Allgemeines Krankenhaus
In Vienna, in the provincial if you lose your passport, or if (General Hospital) in the ninth
capitals, and in all the larger it is stolen. As a precaution, it is district. People without insur­
towns, public order is main­ a good idea to leave your ance or money to pay for
tained by the Polizei. The police passport in your hotel safe and medical services are cared
also run lost property depart­ carry a photocopy with you. for at the Krankenhaus der
ments (Fundbüro), which can Barmherzigen Brüder (Brothers
be found in any district police Lost Property of Mercy Hospital), which
station. In the provinces, also runs a free emergency
policing is carried out by Go to the nearest police station dental clinic. In a medical
the Gendarmerie. in the first instance. If they do emergency, call an ambulance
not succeed in restoring your (Rettungsdienst).
property within seven days,
Personal Security then try the Lost Property
and Property Office. For property lost on Health Precautions
Most areas of Austria are very railways or the Schnellbahn, go In Austria, as everywhere in
safe. However, it is always a to the Westbahnhof in Vienna western Europe, tick­borne
good idea to consult hotel and enquire in person. encephalitis is a possible
concierges or speak to your danger wherever there are
host for local advice. In Vienna, Accidents and
the police has reported a rise
in petty crime, such as pick­ Emergencies
pocketing, at city train stations Britain has a
and on­board trains. There have reciprocal arrange­
also been incidents around ment with Austria
St Stephen’s Cathedral. whereby emergency
In case of a theft, report it hospital treatment is
without delay to the nearest free if you have a
Polizeiwache (police station). British passport.
Credit and debit card thefts Visits to doctors,
should be reported immediately dentists or
to your credit card company or outpatient depart­ Policeman riding a motorcycle

346-347_EW_Austria.indd 346 12/09/17 2:46 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.6)
Date 7th January 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm