Austrian Neutrality

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Austrian neutrality has been in place since its resolution on 26. October 1955 – one day after the withdrawal of the occupying troops from Austria – a fundamental element in Austrian foreign policy. Since 1965, 26 October is in memory of the National Day of the Alpine Republic.

Constitutional definition
The legal provisions can be found in the Neutrality Act 1955 and in the current version of the Federal Constitution. With the phrase “perpetual neutrality” a common term of international law was used. Austria has largely maintained military non-alignment following EU accession, but is participating in the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy.

Federal Constitutional Law of 26 October 1955 on the Neutrality of Austria
Article 1
(1) For the purpose of permanently asserting its independence to the outside world and for the purpose of the inviolability of its territory, Austria freely declares its perpetual neutrality. Austria will maintain and defend it by all means at its disposal.

(2) Austria will not join any military alliances for these purposes in the future and will not permit the establishment of military bases of foreign states on its territory.

Article 9(a) 1 Federal Constitutional Act
Austria is committed to comprehensive national defence. Its task is to preserve the external independence as well as the inviolability and unity of the federal territory, in particular for the maintenance and defence of perpetual neutrality. The constitutional institutions and their capacity to act as well as the democratic freedoms of the inhabitants must also be protected and defended against violent attacks from outside.

Art. 23 j Federal Constitutional Act
(Source:)
(1) Austria participates in the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union on the basis of Chapters 1 and 2 of Title V of the Treaty on European Union, as amended by the Treaty of Lisbon, which is laid down in Art. 3 para 5 and in art. 21, par. 1 provides in particular for the observance or respect of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. This includes participation in tasks according to art. 43, par. 1 of this contract
Article 43(1) of the Treaty on European Union: The missions provided for in Article 42(1), the implementation of which the Union may have recourse to civilian and military means, shall include joint disarmament measures, humanitarian and rescue missions, military advisory and support missions, conflict prevention and peacekeeping missions and crisis management missions, including peace-building measures and post-conflict stabilisation operations. All these missions can contribute to the fight against terrorism, including through support: