Category: Austrian News

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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VIENNA, Sept. 27, 2026 — Austria will introduce a series of regulatory and consumer-related changes from October, including a new package tax for large online retailers, stricter rules for certain electric mopeds, simplified online contract cancellations and a temporary fuel price relief measure. One of the most significant changes is the introduction of a new package tax from Oct. 1, 2026. The levy amounts to €2 per package and applies to parcel deliveries linked to distance-selling transactions with private consumers. The tax is primarily aimed at large mail-order businesses, with…

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VIENNA – Austria has introduced a sweeping update to its driving licence regulations, bringing shorter waiting periods for repeat tests, harsher penalties for exam cheating and new rules for licence holders, professional drivers and foreign motorists. The changes took effect on September 1, 2026, under the country’s 23rd amendment to the Driving Licence Act. The reform affects a wide range of areas, from examination procedures and replacement documents to international driving permits and licence conversions. One of the most notable changes benefits learner drivers who fail a theory or practical…

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Vienna says goodbye to summer as the calendar autumn officially arrives — but the weather isn’t quite ready to play along. Vienna is preparing to bid farewell to summer, as the calendar autumn officially begins in Austria overnight. According to the astronomical calendar, autumn starts on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at exactly 2:05 AM. At that moment, the sun reaches the autumn equinox point, when day and night are roughly equal in length. With that, the warm season comes to an end in the early hours of the morning from…

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The next seasonal clock change is approaching, with daylight saving time set to end on October 25, 2026. On that date, clocks across much of Europe will be turned back by one hour, marking the return to winter time. People looking to remember the date can follow the usual rule of thumb: the clock change takes place on the last Sunday of October. In 2026, that falls on October 25. In the early hours of Sunday morning, clocks will be moved back from 3 a.m. to 2 a.m. The change…

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Austrian families will have to adjust to reduced financial support from 2027 after the government approved measures in its 2027-2028 double budget that will affect household finances. While some benefits are not being directly cut, the continued suspension of inflation adjustments means their real value will continue to decline as living costs rise. One of the most significant changes concerns key family benefits, including family allowance and childcare benefits. According to financial portal Finanz.at, neither payment will be indexed to inflation in 2028, marking the third consecutive year without an…

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VIENNA – Austrians depositing large amounts of cash into their bank accounts may be asked to explain where the money came from, even though there is currently no fixed threshold below which banks are guaranteed not to conduct additional checks. Cash deposits from legitimate sources such as long-term savings, the sale of a vehicle, or insurance payouts are generally permitted. However, banks are required to monitor customer transactions as part of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulations. If a deposit appears unusual compared with a customer’s typical banking activity, financial…

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Austria’s pensioners are set to receive another increase in 2027. But the amount will depend on the size of the pension, with monthly increases ranging from around €43 for lower pensions to more than €200 for higher ones. VIENNA — Austria’s pensioners can look forward to more money in 2027, but the increase will not be the same for everyone. According to calculations published by Finanz.at, the planned pension adjustment will be applied in different stages depending on the current gross monthly pension. For pensioners with lower incomes, the increase…

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A recent cluster of Legionella infections has pushed the issue back into public focus, prompting Austria’s public health authorities to remind residents how to reduce their risk. The Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK) warned on Wednesday that knowing transmission routes and early symptoms can make a crucial difference — and that returning from summer holidays is a particularly sensitive moment. Hot‑Water Flushing Recommended After Time Away When water pipes sit unused for days or weeks, warm and stagnant water can create ideal conditions for Legionella bacteria to multiply. ÖGK chief medical officer…

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