Austria – Up to 2,200 euros more: this bonus will increase from 2024

The family allowance, the multiple-child supplement and the child deduction, the childcare allowance and the family time bonus, and the school starting allowance are adjusted annually in line with inflation. For 2024, families in Austria will receive 9.7 percent more from 1 January due to the valorization. That is up to 2,200 euros more per year. “By increasing family benefits in line with inflation, we have been able to achieve significant relief for families in Austria. I am very proud of this because families are the heart of our society…

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Almost seven billion schillings were not exchanged

As of November 30, 6.8 billion shillings worth 497 million euros had still not been exchanged. Of these, three billion schillings are banknotes, and 3.8 billion schillings are coins. Most shillings are found in books between the pages, in laundry boxes, and generally during house clearances. The Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB) informed the APA in response to an inquiry. This year alone, 900,000 10-groschen pieces were exchanged. A total of just under 56,000 schilling banknotes and 2.7 million schilling coins were exchanged. This resulted in a total of 17.2 million shillings,…

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Austria: What will change in health insurance in 2024

The new year 2024 will improve the health sector for those with health insurance. Examinations such as prostate MRI and coronary CT will be covered by health insurance throughout Austria, and there will be a subsidy for psychological treatment. Reimbursement of costs following visits to elective doctors will be faster starting July 1 because they will have to send their fee notes digitally to the health insurance fund. Implementation of the recently adopted healthcare reform is also set to begin. Changes to health insurance benefits for those with health insurance…

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Blowing out birthday candles: this is what really ends up on the cake

For many people, blowing out the candles on the birthday cake to the invited guests’ cheers is simply part of the fun. But anyone who thinks the act is completely harmless is mistaken. At most birthday parties, a piece of cake is served. Under certain circumstances, however, these can be teeming with viruses and bacteria. Up to 1400% more bacteria are possibleAccording to the study Bacterial Transfer Associated with Blowing Out Candles on a Birthday Cake, published in the Journal of Food Research, there are sometimes a few not-so-nice surprises…

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Austria: What 2024 will bring for salaries

The public sector and the metalworkers will be scratching at the 10 percent mark. Pensioners are also in this range. In the retail sector, salary increases are still being debated. According to WIFO, inflation could fall to 3.2 percent in 2024. This is how salaries will look in 2024Salaries in the public sector will rise by 9.15 percent on January 1, at least by 192 euros. For the lowest salaries, this means an increase of 9.71 percent. Bonuses and allowances will also be increased by 9.15 percent. Directly affected are…

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Higher CO2 tax makes refueling more expensive as of 1.1.

The CO2 tax will be raised at the turn of the year, with 45 euros to be paid for one ton of carbon dioxide in the future. This will also affect refuelling, so ARBÖ recommends filling up your car before January 1st. Driving will be more expensive in 2024 due to climate protection measuresFrom January 1, 2024, a liter of diesel will be 3.7 cents more expensive, and a liter of petrol will cost 3.4 cents more, ARBÖ President Peter Rezar calculated today. However, he is concerned that there could…

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Beware of this travel booking scam

Criminals are increasingly trying to rip off holidaymakers on the internet. There is now a particularly dangerous scam on one booking platform.Booking.com is one of the largest travel portals on the internet, offering a wide range of accommodations and flights. However, caution is advised on such booking platforms, as fraudsters are trying to rip off holidaymakers with a new scam. Shortly after the accommodation has been booked, the supposed host gets in touch via WhatsApp and writes that something went wrong with the booking and that the credit card details…

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Home loan savings, pensions, transfers | Money and finance: What will change in 2024

The premiums for home loan savings and state-subsidized retirement provision (“Zukunftsvorsorge”) will remain unchanged in 2024. The home loan and savings premium will again be 1.5 percent, while the premium for future provisions will remain 4.25 percent. In the coming year, a maximum deposit of 1,200 euros per year will also be subsidized for building society savings, with a maximum premium of 18 euros. The maximum possible subsidy for future provisions, on the other hand, will increase slightly. The upper limit for subsidized payments is linked to the ASVG maximum…

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Pope Francis’s traditional Christmas message on Christmas Day focused on the war in the Middle East

In his traditional Christmas message on Christmas Day, Pope Francis focused this year on the war in the Middle East. The head of the Catholic Church called for a quick and lasting solution at the negotiating table. The Pope also called for peace in other conflict regions and compared abortions as a “massacre of innocents” to the suffering of children in war. Francis called on Christians to say “no” to war and weapons. “For if a man whose heart is unsteady and wounded has the instruments of death in his…

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