Refugees:
Approx. 5,000 refugees. Many of them in transit.

Political situation:
Republic; from 1934 authoritarian corporate state; economic crisis, high unemployment. From 1936: Foreign policy aligned with that of Germany. March 1938: Austria annexed by Germany.

Conditions of entry:
Restrictive immigration policy; entry bans and rejections at the border ("deportation law"); proof of financial resources. Restricted access to the labour market ("domestic worker protection act").

Despite the common border and language, Austria was not frequently chosen as a country of asylum. Although some artists – including native Austrians – temporarily found a new field of activity, anti-democratic tendencies and the increasing influence of Nazi policies made the country an unsafe place of refuge. Political activity was hardly possible, freedom of assembly and freedom of the press were restricted. Large numbers attempted to flee after the annexation of Austria. In the period before annexation there had been massive riots against the Jewish population and opposition. Those who had already emigrated were also affected. For some, Austria now proved to be a trap.