Within its western part, the border runs roughly from east to west, but from a point south of Salzburg to its eastern end, located at the tripoint of Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic, it runs in a mainly northeastward direction.

The eastern tripoint between the countries of Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic is located at 48°46′18″N 13°50′22″E / 48.77167°N 13.83944°E / 48.77167; 13.83944, near the villages of Schwarzenberg am Böhmerwald and Bayerischer Plöckenstein.

The western tripoint is located between Germany, Austria and Switzerland, at approximately 47°33′N 9°34′E / 47.550°N 9.567°E / 47.550; 9.567, in the eastern part of Upper Lake Constance.

The border was confirmed in a treaty between the countries in 1972, after having been defined by a number of agreements, likewise with preceeding conflicts, between the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Bavaria in the 19th century.

These temporary border controls were scheduled to be removed on 12 May 2020, although they are liable to be extended in six-month periods.