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Austria will implement a broad package of new regulations beginning in September 2026, affecting schools, labour market controls, consumer protection, aviation security, and food safety. The measures, many of them part of legislative packages passed in late 2025, aim to tighten oversight, expand support systems, and strengthen transparency across multiple sectors.
Education: Headscarf Ban, Higher Penalties, and New Support Structures
A major change affects Austria’s schools: from the start of the 2026/27 academic year, a headscarf ban will apply to girls up to age 14 in both public and private institutions. The rule targets head coverings that “veil the head according to Islamic traditions.” Exceptions include lessons held outside school buildings and off-site school events.
The enforcement mechanism follows a graduated system:
- First violation: a clarifying meeting with the student and guardians
- Second violation: involvement of the school authority
- Third violation: notification of child and youth welfare services
- Final consequence: fines between €150 and €800, with possible substitute imprisonment of up to two weeks
The school law package adopted in December 2025 also introduces mandatory supervision for students temporarily suspended from class. Teenagers who have completed compulsory schooling and leave school early or are expelled must attend compulsory “perspective talks” to map out future education or training pathways.
Penalties for unjustified absenteeism will rise significantly—from €110–€440 to €150–€800.
To ease administrative burdens, a new “middle management” tier will be introduced at compulsory schools. Selected teachers will take on organisational and coordination duties, with reduced teaching hours. Up to four staff members may be assigned depending on school size. The model begins with schools of at least 15 classes and expands further in 2027/28. Higher secondary and vocational schools will also receive additional administrative resources, backed by €20 million annually.
Families will benefit from increased school travel allowances. Monthly support will double:
- Up to 10 km: €12–€30
- Over 10 km: €18–€45
The flat-rate contribution for student and apprentice travel cards will rise from €19.60 to €29.60.
Labour Market: Tougher Action on Undeclared Work
New rules for recipients of unemployment benefits and emergency assistance introduce stricter consequences for undeclared employment. If a person is found working without timely notification to the Public Employment Service (AMS), it will be presumed that they are no longer unemployed. Benefits must be repaid for at least six weeks; repeat cases require eight weeks.
Employers who fail to register such employment with social insurance authorities will face an eight‑week special contribution to unemployment insurance.
Medical Assessments: Right to Bring a Trusted Person
From 1 September, individuals undergoing medical assessments for the Pensionsversicherungsanstalt will have the right to bring a trusted person. This applies to evaluations for care allowance, invalidity or occupational disability pensions, and rehabilitation measures. Similar rights will extend to assessments commissioned by the Sozialministeriumservice and within social compensation law.
Driving Licence: Stricter Penalties for Exam Fraud
Austria is tightening controls on driving test fraud. Anyone caught using unauthorised technical aids during the theory exam will face an extended waiting period—18 months instead of nine—before retaking the test. Organisers or facilitators of such cheating will also face administrative penalties.
Meanwhile, the standard waiting period for retaking theory or practical exams will shorten from 14 to 12 days. Additional changes affect international driving permits and the validity of licence classes C and D for drivers over 60.
Aviation, Food Safety, and Consumer Protection
In civil aviation, new rules refine reliability checks for staff in safety‑critical roles, including clearer provisions on data protection and legal recourse in cases of negative results.
Food safety regulations will address staffing shortages in slaughter and meat inspections and introduce bans on certain psychoactive substances in food unless their use is considered traditional. Updates also affect online commerce and official inspections.
From 27 September, companies must provide clearer information on product durability and repairability. Rules against misleading environmental claims and business practices that encourage premature product replacement will be tightened.
A planned online withdrawal function for consumer contracts will follow on 1 October 2026.
- source: vienna.at/picture: pixabay.com
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