Austria is playable from January 1st, 976 to 1 July 1260, 26 August 1278 to March 12th 1938 and May 8th, 1945 to the present day.
See also: 
Germany, 
Prussia, 
Hungary, 
Bohemia, 
Netherlands, 
Burgundy, 
Russia, 
Bavaria, 
Italy, 
Switzerland, 
Holy Roman Empire, 
European Union
Strategy
Present Day
Although the days of the Holy Roman Empire are long and gone, however, you are in the European Union instead! This means that your old Austrian ideas that helped you in the HRE will help you once again in the EU! The strategy remains similar to a regular Austrian strategy, and that is: focus on diplomat means for expanding the country (this doesn't you mean you can't expand aggressively, of course!) By doing this you can get closer and closer to forming a centralized European nation state, far more power than the old HRE would have ever been!
Unite the House of Habsburg
Requirements:
- Is
Styria - Primary culture is Austrian
- Austria does not exist
- Is not a nomad nation
- Is not a subject nation
- Is not in a regency
- At Peace
- Owns as core Wien (134)
Upon Enactment:
- Country changes to Austria
- Gain10 Prestige
Austrian Ideas and Traditions
Traditions:
- +10% Morale of Armies
- +30% Better Relations Over Time
Ideas:
- Imperial Ambitions: +10% Imperial Authority & −15% Diplomatic Annexation Cost
- Military Frontier: −10% Fort Maintenance & +15% National Garrison Growth
- Fugger Banks: +0.05 Yearly Inflation Reduction & −1 Interest Per Annum
- Habsburg Dominance: +2 Diplomatic Reputation
- Edict of Restitution: +2% Missionary Strength
- Austrian Court: +1 Diplomatic Relations
- Hofkriegsrat: +30% Reinforce Speed & +3% Discipline
Ambitions:
- +50% Chance of New Heir