Six weeks out is the point to confirm the basics rather than assume they're already sorted. Check that your pet has a working, registered microchip, and if not, get one implanted now — it needs to be in place before or alongside the rabies vaccination, and the animal needs to be at least 12 weeks old for that vaccination to count toward Austria's entry requirements.

Book the rabies vaccination appointment with real margin before your travel date. The vaccine must be given at least 21 days before entering Austria, and if this is your pet's first rabies vaccination ever, build in extra buffer in case your vet recommends a follow-up check.

This is also the right moment to find out whether your dog's breed appears on the Listenhunde list for whichever Austrian state (or states) your route actually covers — covered in detail in the Documents section — since the muzzle-and-leash obligation in a state like Vienna applies even to a short visit, and it's much easier to plan for than to discover on arrival.