Austria Car Hire
Europe and Central Asia
AlbaniaI. Summary Drug trafficking is a significant problem in Albania, which is a major transit country for heroin from Afghanistan and Turkey destined for markets throughout Europe. Organized crime groups use Albania as a transit point for drug and other types of smuggling due to the country’s strategic location, weak police and judicial systems, and porous borders. The most common illegal drugs are heroin, marijuana, and to a lesser extent, cocaine. Heroin is typically transported through the "Balkans Route" of Turkey-Bulgaria-Macedonia-Albania, and on to Italy, Greece and the Netherlands. Cocaine is smuggled from South America, via the United States, Italy, Spain, Greece or the Netherlands, and ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
Rental cars are available trough car rental agencies locally or at nearby U.S. military bases. The Embassy provides for the sale of duty-free gasoline to Embassy employees via a tax-free gas card, billed monthly. Gasoline quality is comparable to American grades. Lead-free gasoline is always available and diesel is on-sale at most gas stations in Luxembourg and neighboring countries. ... During 3 weeks in May, pilgrimages are made from all parts of the country to the Cathedral, culminating in a procession of the statue of “Our Lady of Luxembourg” through the city streets. The “Schueberfouer” comes to town at the end of August, following an almost unbroken tradition of over 450 years. This annual street fair has all the usual attractions loved by children: bumper cars, carousels, shooting ranges-plus many temporary restaurants and two dance halls. Social Activities Among AmericansLast Updated: 1/9/2005 10:38 AMLuxembourg is a small post and there is no American Embassy club. An American Chamber of Commerce, an American Business Association of Luxembourg, and an American Women's ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
Thai law requires that all cars imported into Thailand have catalytic converters. If an employee’s car does not have one prior to shipping, it is usually possible to install a converter in Thailand; employees planning to ship a vehicle without a catalytic converter should contact the Embassy’s Customs and Shipping Office for details before shipping the car. Although there is a law limiting tinted windows it is generally not enforced. However, before shipping a vehicle with tinted windows please check with the Embassy for current regulations. Because traffic in Thailand moves on the left, right-hand drive vehicles are the norm and are safest for driving on open highways. However, left-hand drive cars may be shipped to Post and many employees use left-hand drive cars without problems in the cities. ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
The Embassy maintains a small Health Unit staffed by a Namibian nurse. It receives support from the regional medical officer and regional psychiatrist based in Pretoria, South Africa. In addition to providing routine primary care, immunizations, and counseling, the Embassy Health Unit’s primary function is to help orient patients to appropriate health care resources in Namibia. Windhoek has a small number of good private medical hospitals/clinics capable of providing emergency care and performing many routine procedures. In general, medical facilities in Windhoek are comparable in quality and breadth to those of a mid-size American city. ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
Unleaded gasoline is readily available. Following importation and registration of a POV, each Embassy employee is issued a petrol card to allow purchase of a limited amount (total of 900 liters per 3 months for the first car and 300 liters per 3 months for the second car registered under an employee's or a family member's name) of tax-free gasoline. Gasoline purchased through use of these cards from Petrol filling stations is about 60% cheaper than the standard pump price. All cars brought into the Republic of Slovenia must have a factory-installed catalytic converter; an older car that cannot be equipped with a catalytic converter cannot be used. ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
There are many acceptable and reasonable beauty shops that give both men’s and women’s haircuts as well as other services such as skin care, body care and nail care at reasonable prices. Some hair products are available locally, but employees are advised to bring a supply of their favorite brands. Photo developing facilities and print shops are available. Dry cleaning and tailoring shops are conveniently located. Car repair shops and car washes are abundant and inexpensive. ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
All vehicles operating in the Czech Republic must carry Third Party Liability Insurance. Vehicles not registered in the Czech Republic must carry liability insurance. If an unregistered vehicle is transported via car carrier then third liability insurance is not needed, but if an unregistered vehicle is driven into the Czech Republic, the car must have liability insurance (green card). ... Compact or smaller cars are preferred because of narrow city streets, fuel economy, and resale value. Any standard make car is suitable. Cobblestone streets and poor secondary roads are common and can be hard on a vehicle’s suspension. Post personnel have a mix of American, Asian, and European cars, which may be shipped to post at government expense. Service facilities for most makes of European and Asian cars are adequate. In addition, there are at least three facilities in Prague that can service many U.S.-made, U.S.-model cars that are not sold in Europe. ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
Temporary plates for vehicles are not issued. To register your car you will need your plates and your registration from the country in which it was last registered. These must be current and valid for at least 3 months after the car arrives in Geneva. If possible, remove the license plates before shipping your car and hand carry them, along with your registration. Should you need a license plate on the car for driving it to the ship, leave one on the car and hand carry the other. ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
European car parts are available and reasonable but Japanese parts are expensive. American car parts are both expensive and difficult to find. It is best to ship some items for your car such as oil filters, air filters, spark plugs, replacement windshield wiper blades, and headlights. ... International driver's licenses are useful for driving outside the country and can be obtained from AAA. Local third-party-liability insurance is mandatory under law in Serbia and Montenegro. International automobile travel insurance, which is called a green card, must be obtained not later than 1 month after your vehicle arrives at post. The green insurance card is valid for all European countries. There are different types of green card insurance depending on the length of time required. Comprehensive insurance is available, but can be very expensive. It is recommended that an insurance policy for collision be arranged with a company in the U.S. prior to arrival at post. ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
Many Embassies hold large national day receptions to which some of the staff are invited. Most receptions are in the evening, and sometimes spouses are invited to attend. Most of the representational allowance is used to take contacts to lunch during the workweek. Standards of Social ConductLast Updated: 2/18/2004 8:32 AM Officers may wish to bring an initial supply of about 300 calling cards with them. Informal cards are useful for invitations, reminders, and thank-you notes. Invitations and calling cards can be printed in Croatia, but at higher than U.S. prices. GSO can also provide blank caradstock with the Department Seal for you to print your own cards using an Embassy laser printer. [Read More]
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