Category: Austrian News

VIENNA — Austria is set to make continued employment beyond the statutory retirement age more financially attractive through a new tax-advantaged “Aktivpension” scheme approved by the National Council on September 23. The reform aims to encourage older workers to remain in the labor market by introducing tax exemptions and reducing pension insurance contributions for eligible employees and self-employed individuals. According to tax adviser and social insurance expert Wolfgang Höfle of TPA, the centerpiece of the initiative is a new “activity allowance” that will exempt up to €15,000 of annual earnings…

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A fraudulent SMS and WhatsApp scam that first circulated in 2025 has reappeared, targeting Austrian taxpayers with fake messages claiming their FinanzOnline ID is about to expire. The messages are designed to look as though they come from Austria’s tax administration and urge recipients to renew their allegedly expiring FinanzOnline account. To do so, users are instructed to click on a link included in the message. However, the link does not lead to the official FinanzOnline platform. Instead, it directs victims to a counterfeit website created by cybercriminals seeking to…

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VIENNA – Austria’s passport remains one of the most powerful travel documents in the world, ranking 10th globally in the latest Passport Reports index. The Austrian passport achieved 173 mobility points and a global access rate of 87.4%, reflecting the broad range of destinations accessible with minimal entry restrictions. According to the ranking, Austrian citizens can travel visa-free to 119 countries and territories. A further 44 destinations allow entry through visa-on-arrival systems or other simplified entry procedures, while 10 destinations require travelers to obtain an electronic travel authorization before departure.…

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VIENNA, Oct. 3, 2026 – Vienna’s public transport operator Wiener Linien is accelerating its digital transformation, with the WienMobil app becoming an increasingly important hub for ticket purchases, journey planning and customer services. At the same time, some traditional services are being phased out as more passengers shift to digital channels. According to Wiener Linien, the WienMobil app recorded around 1.7 million active users during the second quarter of 2026, underlining its growing role as a daily travel companion for residents and visitors alike. The app allows passengers to purchase…

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VIENNA – Ticket prices on Vienna’s public transport network are set to rise again at the beginning of 2027, with operator Wiener Linien preparing another fare adjustment linked to inflation. The extent of the increase has not yet been determined, with details expected to be announced later this autumn. The annual adjustment is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which increased by 3.2 percent between August 2025 and August 2026, according to Statistics Austria. While the inflation figure provides the framework for the revision, Wiener Linien has not yet…

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VIENNA, Oct. 1, 2026 — Austria experienced an exceptionally warm September that brought an end to a remarkably long-lasting period of midsummer-like weather, according to the preliminary monthly climate report released by Geosphere Austria. Temperatures exceeded 30 degrees Celsius well into September, extending a season of unusual warmth. The highest temperature of the month was recorded on Sept. 8 at the Geosphere Austria monitoring station in Pottschach, Lower Austria, where the thermometer reached 34.7 degrees Celsius. The last day with temperatures above 30 degrees was Sept. 9. The prolonged heat…

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VIENNA — A wide range of new laws and regulations will take effect in Austria from October 1, affecting transport, online commerce, consumer rights, healthcare, education, energy and environmental sustainability. Among the most significant changes are stricter rules for electric mopeds, a new levy on certain parcel deliveries, expanded parental healthcare services, stronger protections for online consumers and measures designed to encourage product repairs instead of replacement. Stricter Rules for E-Mopeds Electric moped riders will face substantially tighter regulations from October. E-mopeds will no longer be permitted to use cycling…

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VIENNA, Sept. 29 – Vienna authorities and police will step up enforcement of new regulations for electric mopeds starting Thursday, as Austria introduces stricter requirements for the use of the increasingly popular vehicles. The City of Vienna announced that, from Oct. 1, police and the municipal Immediate Measures Group will conduct targeted inspections to ensure compliance with the new rules governing moped-style electric vehicles. Under the revised regulations, e-mopeds will no longer be allowed to use bicycle lanes. Operators must also ensure their vehicles have road registration, a license plate…

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VIENNA, Austria – Around 8,300 civil protection sirens will sound simultaneously across Austria on Saturday, October 3, 2026, as part of the country’s annual nationwide civil protection alarm test. The exercise will take place between 12:00 p.m. and 12:45 p.m. and is designed to test the operational readiness of Austria’s warning and alarm system while also familiarizing the public with the different emergency signals. Following an initial siren test, authorities will activate the three official warning signals: “Warning,” “Alarm,” and “All Clear.” Information about the exercise will be broadcast through…

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