Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Reuters NewMedia - Thursday, December 05, 2002
Michael Leidig

The announcement has received heavy criticism from health experts and refugee workers who say the tests are both medically unnecessary and discriminatory.

Illnesses for which tests will be carried out include HIV, tuberculosis, leprosy, cholera, contagious polio, typhus, dysentery, diphtheria and several forms of hepatitis. An applicant who tests positive for any of the diseases from January 1 of next year will be denied a residency permit. Health Ministry spokesman Martin Glier told Reuters Health: "The details of the new regulation have not yet been finalized, but I can say I do not know what all the fuss is about. We are only introducing what other countries in Europe already have."

Those foreigners hoping to get residence permits in Austria for 6 months or more will from next year have to produce a health certificate either from Austrian doctors or health authorities in their own countries giving them the all-clear 3 months before their arrival.

Austria's conservative coalition government has been criticized for its anti-immigrant standpoint, and although new elections held last month saw the far-right performing badly, they remain in power while talks about a new coalition continue between the main parties.

The Health Ministry said the new regulation would apply only to immigrants applying for residence for the first time.

Foreigners already living in Austria will not have to produce a certificate if they are requesting an extension of their stay.

Head of section at the Ministry of Health, Hubert Hrabcik, also said he did not understand the criticism. He said all of the illnesses that had been named on the draft regulation were ones that were considered "epidemic" and could seriously affect a large number of people.

Among the critics of the new regulation were student organizations, who said the rule would not only affect asylum seekers and refugees but also students from other countries who wanted to take part in exchange schemes.

Andreas Karpfen from the International Student Associations of Austria said, "Medically, there is little point."

Criticism has also come over the cost of such tests, which many immigrants cannot afford. Ministry spokesman Glier told Reuters Health: "The costs will fall on each individual and will not be carried by the Austrian Ministry of Health or other health ministries as far as I am aware."

In Austria, the tests would cost around 500 euros.

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