Category: Austrian News

Austria’s digital tax platform, FinanzOnline, is undergoing a major transition, with the government increasingly promoting ID Austria as the primary method of access. The change affects millions of taxpayers and introduces new rules for those who have forgotten their existing login credentials. Forgotten FinanzOnline Passwords? The Rules Have Changed Until recently, private users could reset forgotten FinanzOnline login details through an online self-service function. However, this option was discontinued on October 1, 2026. The Ministry of Finance is gradually shifting users toward ID Austria, the country’s digital identity system. Citizens…

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Austria is set for a significant change in weather as a cold front moves across the country, bringing widespread rain, snowfall at higher elevations, and a notable drop in temperatures. Meteorologists warned on Thursday that colder conditions will dominate the coming week, with temperatures in many regions falling below freezing during the early morning hours. On Friday, the snow line is expected to gradually descend from the northwest, ranging between 1,800 and 800 meters above sea level. Precipitation will ease across the country by midday, while clearer skies begin to…

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Almost one in three new Austrian citizens lives abroad, while Syrians remain the largest group among residents naturalized in Austria. VIENNA — Austria granted citizenship to 19,930 people between January and the end of September 2026, marking a continued rise in naturalizations across the country. The figure represents an increase of 2,281 people, or 13 percent, compared with the same period last year. A notable feature of the latest figures is the high proportion of new citizens living outside Austria. Of the total number of naturalizations, 5,759 individuals, or around…

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VIENNA, Nov. 12, 2026 – Viennese families planning to buy a real Christmas tree will have to wait a little longer, with the official Christmas tree market season set to begin on Dec. 12 across the Austrian capital. Despite a year marked by prolonged dry conditions, Christmas tree growers in Lower Austria say customers can expect good-quality trees and largely stable prices this season. According to the Association of Lower Austrian Christmas Tree Producers (ARGE NÖ), prices for domestic Christmas trees are expected to remain broadly unchanged compared with previous…

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Millions of driving licences in Austria will need to be replaced over the coming years. The requirement affects not only old pink paper licences but also older card-format licences issued before January 2013. Meanwhile, several changes to driving licence regulations have taken effect since September 2026. Austria is gradually phasing out older driving licences as part of a Europe-wide standardisation effort. All licences issued before 19 January 2013 must be exchanged for the current EU credit card-style driving licence by 19 January 2033. The mandatory exchange applies to both traditional…

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BRUSSELS, Nov. 1 – Millions of products ordered online and imported into the European Union from non-EU countries will now be subject to a new €2 processing fee as part of the bloc’s efforts to tackle the growing influx of low-cost imports. The new charge, which comes into force on November 1, applies to parcels arriving from third countries such as China and the United States. According to EU member states, online marketplaces rather than consumers will be responsible for paying the fee, which will be collected by national authorities.…

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VIENNA – Millions of people in Austria will notice an additional deduction on their November payslip or pension statement as the annual e-card service fee becomes due once again. The charge will increase to €26.85 in 2026, affecting not only employees but, for the first time, a large number of pensioners. The fee becomes payable on 15 November 2026 and is generally deducted automatically from November salaries or pensions. No separate application or bank transfer is required. Around 5.2 Million People Expected to Pay According to estimates by Austria’s umbrella…

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VIENNA – Motorists in Austria are facing higher costs from January 1, 2027, as a series of new regulations take effect. The changes include increased vehicle taxes on new petrol and diesel cars, a more expensive motorway vignette, and new taxation rules for employees using electric company cars for private purposes. The measures are expected to affect a wide range of drivers, particularly those planning to purchase a new combustion-engine vehicle and workers who benefit from electric company cars. Higher NoVA Tax for New Petrol and Diesel Cars One of…

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VIENNA – New rules for marginal employment (“geringfügige Beschäftigung”) will take effect in Austria from January 1, 2027. While the monthly earnings threshold for marginal employment will remain unchanged at €551.10, employers meeting certain conditions will face significantly higher payroll-related charges. According to financial information portal Finanz.at, the annual adjustment normally applied to the marginal employment threshold has been suspended for 2027. At the same time, the flat-rate employer levy (“Dienstgeberabgabe”) will increase from 19.4 percent to 23 percent, raising costs for affected businesses. Earnings Limit Remains Frozen In Austria,…

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