Category: Austrian News

Most people aged 16 and older living in Vienna rarely or never drive a car, according to a VCÖ analysis based on data from Statistics Austria. “Car fasting” isn’t limited to the traditional fasting season in Austria. Nationwide, 34 percent of people aged 16 and over rarely or never drive. In Vienna, that number rises to 63 percent, according to the latest analysis by the Austrian Transport Club (VCÖ). Interestingly, outside Vienna, people in the western federal states drive significantly less than those in the eastern regions. 1.8 Million People…

Read More

Austria is heading into a remarkable weather turnaround this weekend, as a series of warm fronts push aside the recent snow chaos and usher in springlike temperatures. After days of deep winter conditions, large parts of the country can expect milder air, rising snow lines, and even sunshine — though not without some final bursts of unsettled weather. Sunday: Another Warm Front and Very Mild Air A second warm front will sweep across northern Austria on Sunday. From Salzburg eastward, frequent rainfall is expected until the afternoon, with the snow…

Read More

Severe winter weather has disrupted transportation across eastern Austria, forcing Vienna International Airport to temporarily suspend all operations early Friday morning. Heavy snowfall and icy conditions made safe takeoffs and landings impossible, airport spokesperson Peter Kleemann confirmed. “From the current perspective, individual departures should be possible again from 9:00 a.m., with landings expected to resume around 10:00 a.m. However, delays are still to be expected,” Kleemann said. Passengers were urged to check directly with their airlines for the latest updates on flight status. “If connections have been canceled, we ask…

Read More

Austria is in for a weather roller coaster: after a brief but intense return of winter, temperatures will rise quickly, bringing a distinctly springlike feel by the end of the weekend. Snow Warning as Winter Makes a Comeback A marked winter outbreak will deliver widespread snowfall on Friday, especially across eastern and southeastern Austria. According to Geosphere Austria, heavy snow is expected in the northeast and southeast during the morning hours. Precipitation will gradually ease in the afternoon, lingering the longest in the southeast and around the Arlberg region. Despite…

Read More

A powerful winter storm swept across Austria overnight, bringing the heavy snowfall that meteorologists had warned about. Large parts of the country woke up on Friday to several centimeters of fresh snow — with Vienna and Lower Austria particularly hard hit. In Vienna’s Donaustadt district and in St. Pölten, snow depths have already exceeded 15 centimeters. In Kornat, Carinthia, the situation is even more dramatic: snow levels have risen by more than 40 centimeters since Thursday. Roads Slippery, Public Transport Disrupted The significant amounts of new snow, combined with drifting…

Read More

A powerful Italian low-pressure system is set to dominate the weather on Thursday, bringing dense cloud cover and widespread winter conditions across much of the country. Precipitation will spread from the south into nearly all regions, with the initial snow line ranging between 400 and 1000 meters above sea level. As the afternoon progresses, colder air pushes in and the snow line drops significantly in all areas. The heaviest precipitation is expected during the morning along the southern Alpine regions and in the west, shifting gradually toward the northeast by…

Read More

Austria saw a sharp rise in naturalizations in 2025, according to new figures released on Wednesday by Statistik Austria. Around 25,000 people were granted Austrian citizenship last year—an increase of 14.6 percent compared with 2024. Two developments stand out: Vienna recorded the strongest growth, and nearly 10,000 new citizens live abroad. Large Share Without Austrian Residence Of the 25,000 naturalizations, 38 percent—exactly 9,583 people—do not reside in Austria. Most of them are descendants of victims of National Socialist persecution, who have a legal right to Austrian citizenship. Among those living…

Read More

Austria faces a week of unsettled and wintry weather, with temperatures remaining firmly below early‑spring expectations. While nights continue to bring severe frost in some regions, daytime highs will stay in the single digits. At least the eastern part of the country can look forward to more frequent sunny spells. Front System Moves In on Monday According to Geosphere Austria, another frontal system will sweep in from the west on Monday, gradually weakening as it crosses the country. Snow levels will rise from 600 to 1,300 meters, increasing the risk…

Read More

In Austria, the weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday—known as Fasching or Carnival season—are marked by color, costumes, and, above all, Krapfen. These golden, pillowy doughnuts have been part of Austrian pre‑Lenten customs for centuries, offering a final moment of indulgence before the fasting period begins. Krapfen have been associated with Carnival since at least the 17th century, when they became a symbolic treat for feasting before the austerity of Lent. Deep Roots in Austrian Food Culture The history of the Krapfen reaches even further back. Records show that a…

Read More