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Vienna is preparing to launch the next round of its popular Reparaturbon (repair voucher) on April 22, 2026, reaffirming the city’s commitment to reducing waste and strengthening the circular economy. “Vienna should become a city without waste, where a good life is possible for everyone. Sustainable use of everyday items plays a key role in that,” said Vienna’s Climate Councillor Jürgen Czernohorszky.
This year, bicycles are once again eligible for funding through the city program, as federal subsidies for bike repairs have ended.
Simple Download, Immediate Savings
“The voucher can be downloaded easily from the internet and redeemed at participating businesses in the Vienna Repair Network,” Czernohorszky explained during the program presentation at the “Solemates” climbing shoe drop-off station inside the boulderbar near Vienna’s main train station.
The voucher covers 50 percent of repair costs, up to a maximum of 100 euros. “It’s a win for the climate, for local businesses, and for the wallets of Viennese residents,” Czernohorszky said. The city has allocated around 1.2 million euros for the program through 2027.
Climbing Shoes Now Among Eligible Items
Czernohorszky emphasized the cultural value of repairing rather than discarding: “A good life in our city is rooted in appreciation — for each other and for the things that shape our daily lives. Many items are dear to us. Thanks to repairs, we don’t have to part with them. The repair voucher makes that affordable for everyone.”
Solemates, a service created “by climbers for climbers,” aims to make climbing more sustainable by making shoe repairs as easy as buying new ones. Their first drop-off box was installed in 2022; today, worn climbing shoes can be left at the Blockfabrik, the Boulderbar Hauptbahnhof, and the Kletterhalle Wien.
District leader Marcus Franz added a pointed remark: “Repairing everyday items is something AI cannot do. In the past, repairing was normal — now we’re making it attractive again. With the repair bonus, people save money, we reduce waste, and we secure local jobs. That’s climate protection that makes a difference in daily life and in people’s wallets.”
More Than 55,800 Items Repaired Since Launch
The new voucher can be used for nearly all types of repairs — from guitars and teddy bears to wardrobes. Only electrical appliances are excluded, as they are covered by the nationwide federal repair bonus.
Since the program began in autumn 2020, more than 55,800 items have been repaired, saving over 3,209 tonnes of CO₂. For comparison: one hectare of forest absorbs around 13 tonnes of CO₂ per year. The repair voucher has therefore achieved the equivalent of more than 246 hectares of forest — roughly the size of Vienna’s districts Mariahilf and Josefstadt combined.
Michael Kienesberger, head of the city’s Environmental Protection Department, highlighted the broader impact: “The Vienna Repair Voucher supports both the circular economy and climate protection. It makes repairing more sustainable and significantly more affordable.”
NEOS Vienna environmental spokesperson Angelika Pipal-Leixner echoed this: “We don’t like parting with our favorite items. Throwing things away wastes resources. Repairing is active climate protection. Anyone who fixes their bike or favorite shoes conserves valuable materials and supports local businesses. It’s a turbo boost for the local economy and a win for the environment.”
How the Voucher Works
Starting April 22, residents can download the voucher via mein.wien.gv.at/wienerreparaturbon after registering with a verified City of Vienna account. The voucher covers 50 percent of repair costs up to 100 euros. If a repair turns out to be uneconomical, the voucher also covers cost estimates up to 55 euros.
The subsidy is deducted directly from the invoice at participating businesses. Each voucher includes an expiration date by which the repair must be commissioned, though the repair itself does not need to be completed by that date.
All participating businesses belong to the Vienna Repair Network and must meet strict criteria, including dedicating at least 50 percent of their work to repairs and servicing a broad range of brands.
- source: vienna.at/picture:Startseite – Reparaturnetzwerk
