VIENNA — A wide range of new laws and regulations will take effect in Austria from October 1, affecting transport, online commerce, consumer rights, healthcare, education, energy and environmental sustainability. Among the most significant changes are stricter rules for electric mopeds, a new levy on certain parcel deliveries, expanded parental healthcare services, stronger protections for online consumers and measures designed to encourage product repairs instead of replacement. Stricter Rules for E-Mopeds Electric moped riders will face substantially tighter regulations from October. E-mopeds will no longer be permitted to use cycling…

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VIENNA, Sept. 29 – Vienna authorities and police will step up enforcement of new regulations for electric mopeds starting Thursday, as Austria introduces stricter requirements for the use of the increasingly popular vehicles. The City of Vienna announced that, from Oct. 1, police and the municipal Immediate Measures Group will conduct targeted inspections to ensure compliance with the new rules governing moped-style electric vehicles. Under the revised regulations, e-mopeds will no longer be allowed to use bicycle lanes. Operators must also ensure their vehicles have road registration, a license plate…

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VIENNA, Austria – Around 8,300 civil protection sirens will sound simultaneously across Austria on Saturday, October 3, 2026, as part of the country’s annual nationwide civil protection alarm test. The exercise will take place between 12:00 p.m. and 12:45 p.m. and is designed to test the operational readiness of Austria’s warning and alarm system while also familiarizing the public with the different emergency signals. Following an initial siren test, authorities will activate the three official warning signals: “Warning,” “Alarm,” and “All Clear.” Information about the exercise will be broadcast through…

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VIENNA, Sept. 27, 2026 — Austria will introduce a series of regulatory and consumer-related changes from October, including a new package tax for large online retailers, stricter rules for certain electric mopeds, simplified online contract cancellations and a temporary fuel price relief measure. One of the most significant changes is the introduction of a new package tax from Oct. 1, 2026. The levy amounts to €2 per package and applies to parcel deliveries linked to distance-selling transactions with private consumers. The tax is primarily aimed at large mail-order businesses, with…

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