Paskong Pinoy Returns to Vienna: A Celebration of Christmas and Compassion

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Vienna, Austria – December 7, 2025 – After two successful years of bringing joy and unity to the Filipino community in Vienna, Paskong Pinoy will once again light up the city with festive cheer and heartfelt generosity. The much-anticipated celebration will take place at Salvatorianer 1, 1100 Vienna, beginning at 5:00 PM. This annual event is more than just a Christmas gathering—it is a powerful expression of solidarity and compassion. Proceeds from the celebration will directly benefit street children and less fortunate families in the Philippines, ensuring that the joy…

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Shops Open on December 8: A Divisive Tradition

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Since 1995, Austrian retailers have been permitted to open their doors on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The arrangement, negotiated between social partners, remains contentious. Employees working on the holiday are entitled to extra pay and compensatory time off. Which Stores Are Open Retailers are generally allowed to trade between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.. A Chamber of Commerce survey shows that most shops in Vienna plan to open, with larger chains taking advantage of the opportunity while smaller businesses often stay shut. Importantly, employees cannot be…

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Fuel prices skyrocket in Austria

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Austrians are feeling the pinch of inflation in the energy sector, not only in terms of electricity and gas, but also in terms of fuel, where we are among the most expensive countries in Europe. While the EU is discussing the end of combustion engines, countries in northern Europe are pulling ahead in terms of the share of electric cars. The sharp rise in inflation in Austria is also noticeable at gas stations. Prices have risen significantly recently, putting Austria above the European average, according to the mobility club ÖAMTC.…

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Geminid meteor shower begins

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On the night of December 14, the most prolific meteor shower of the year—the Geminids—will reach its peak. Away from the distracting light of larger settlements, experts expect up to 150 shooting stars per hour between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. According to the Vienna Working Group for Astronomy (WAA), the spectacle will reach its peak around December 14. But even on the nights that follow, you can still see meteoroids burning up in the sky, provided the sky is clear. The period of visibility generally lasts from December 4…

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Austrians’ Biggest Concerns: Inflation and Healthcare Top the List

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Inflation and the state of healthcare are currently the most pressing worries for people in Austria. This emerges from a representative Ipsos survey, published Wednesday as part of the global “What Worries the World” study. The findings reveal that eight out of ten respondents believe Austria is heading in the wrong economic direction. Immigration and crime also remain significant sources of concern. Rising Anxiety Over Inflation and Healthcare Compared with the previous survey in April, fears of inflation have risen to 40 per cent (up seven points), while worries about…

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December feels like spring: up to 14 degrees!

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The sun will have a hard time breaking through the clouds in some areas over the next few days. Fog and clouds will obscure the sunshine in some areas. Rain and some snow will also be mixed in. The new week will then be reminiscent of spring – maximum daily temperatures of up to 14 degrees are possible at the beginning of the week. Already on Friday, the sky will remain cloudy, apart from sunny spells in East Tyrol and Upper Carinthia, as well as in places in the far…

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Archbishop-Designate Josef Grünwidl Calls for Truthful, Critical Journalism

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2 December 2025, Vienna, Austria — At an Advent reception for the Österreichische Rundfunk (ORF) and media professionals held at the Priesterseminar Vienna on 2 December 2025, Archbishop-designate Josef Grünwidl emphasized the vital role of quality journalism in safeguarding democracy and strengthening society. Addressing more than 150 guests—among them journalists, media leaders and members of the ORF Foundation Council—Archbishop Grünwidl spoke candidly about the importance of balanced reporting and the Church’s responsibility to welcome well-researched criticism. “I have no patience for exaggerated ecclesiastical oversensitivity,” Archbishop Grünwidl remarked. “Even when criticism…

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Last supermoon of the year: Full moon promises spectacular sky show

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On Friday night, the last supermoon of the year will shine over Austria. The December full moon will once again come unusually close to Earth, offering a rare spectacle in the sky that will not return until December 2026. Astronomy fans should look up tomorrow night. At 12:14 a.m. on December 5, the full moon will reach its closest position to Earth and once again appear as a supermoon, the third in a row after October and November. It will be worth taking a look at the moonrise tonight, provided…

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Austrian Passport changes – what this means for citizens

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Apply for a passport digitally: Austria is simplifying the application process for citizens and Austrians living abroad with a new online platform starting in 2026. Austria is declaring war on bureaucracy – more comprehensively than ever before: with a 114-point package, the federal government wants to reduce costs for companies by billions, relieve the burden on citizens, and modernize public authorities. Among other things, the government wants to expand the “Digital Consulate” – a project that will primarily benefit the approximately 600,000 Austrians living abroad. The aim is to create…

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