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Over the past three years, the climate bonus has increased to 1,010 euros for all eligible persons in Austria. However, tens of thousands have not received it. We explain what still needs to be done.
Up to 500, up to 220, up to 290 euros. These were the three payment amounts of the climate bonus from 2022 to 2024. After the last wave was completed at the end of March, letters were sent to all those whose account details were unknown to the ministry. Since then, the bonus payment has gone quiet – with good reason: the climate bonus was abolished for cost reasons. However, tens of thousands of Austrians are still waiting for their money.
Almost 150,000 people are still waiting for their first climate bonus
The ministry said that there are actually still 146,370 outstanding claims for the very first bonus (as of 10 April 2025). This payout brought 500 euros for all Austrians at the start – with the exception of children and young people under the age of 18, who received 250 euros each. The only basic requirement was registering as a main resident in Austria for at least 183 days in 2022.
Second and third climate bonuses are also still waiting with the state in some cases
In 2023, the climate bonus was then paid out regionally. Depending on where you live, between 110 and 220 euros (half again for children and young people up to the age of 18) were paid into your account or delivered to your home by letter and vouchers. As of 10 April, 165,276 people are still entitled to this year’s benefit, according to information from the ministry. The final figures for 2024, with a payout of up to 290 euros, are not yet available, but tens of thousands of letters were returned to the state after the payout in the fall alone.
Anyone who still has an outstanding climate bonus claim
Many people will now be asking themselves how there are any outstanding claims at all, as nothing actually had to be actively done for the climate bonus. The ministry also has an answer to this when asked by 5 Minuten: “Those people who have not collected their RSa letter on time and have therefore returned it still have an open claim. Likewise, people who moved before the letter was delivered are still entitled to the climate bonus.” In the latter cases, the money could not be delivered and is therefore still waiting with the state for the actual “owner”.
How to still get the climate bonus
If you are one of those who should have received something but didn’t, don’t worry—the climate bonus is not lost. You can claim the money from 2022 for a total of five years after the end of the calendar year for which it was paid out (i.e., until the end of 2027), and for the years 2023 and 2024, you can claim it for three years.
- source: 5minuten.at/picture: hp
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