Category: Austrian News

Vienna’s housing market is heading into another challenging year, with experts warning that rents will continue to rise significantly in 2026. According to a new market assessment released on Tuesday by the real estate consultancy EHL Immobilien, a sharp decline in construction activity combined with persistently high demand is driving prices upward—most notably in districts outside the Gürtel. Construction Slump Deepens Supply Shortage EHL describes the current situation as marked by a “dramatic shortage of supply.” For the first time in nearly a decade, the number of newly completed apartments…

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Mayor Michael Ludwig and City Councillor Barbara Novak visit construction site ahead of Thursday’s opening Vienna, 22 January 2026 – This Thursday marks the start of the 31st season of the Wiener Eistraum, Vienna’s iconic winter attraction. Since its debut in 1996—exactly 30 years ago—the event has become a beloved fixture of the city’s cultural calendar and is now considered one of Europe’s largest mobile ice-skating venues. Running for 46 days, one week longer than last year, the Wiener Eistraum will welcome visitors daily from 10:00 to 22:00. With more…

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Austria witnessed an extraordinary celestial display on Monday night, as vivid auroras illuminated the sky from Vorarlberg to Vienna. Christian Möstl, head of the Austrian Space Weather Office at GeoSphere Austria in Graz, described the event as an “incredible aurora” — a rare spectacle at these latitudes. Western Austria Glows, Vienna Gets a Subtle Show Clear skies in western regions offered the most striking views, with bright red, green, and violet hues dancing above the Alps. Even in the east, where fog and city lights usually drown out faint phenomena,…

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Vienna is facing a spell of harsh winter weather as GeoSphere Austria issues a severe cold warning for the capital, Lower Austria, and parts of eastern Austria. While much of the country enjoys clear skies and sunshine, the east remains locked in a deep freeze. Persistent Fog in the West and South Across western and southern regions, pockets of fog and low stratus clouds linger throughout the day. Basin and valley areas are particularly affected, especially in East Tyrol and Carinthia, where some locations may remain grey and dim from…

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Shoppers in Austria may notice a pleasant surprise on their next receipt. The federal government has announced a targeted reduction of value‑added tax (VAT) on a range of essential food items, aiming to ease pressure on household budgets. During an interview on ORF’s Pressestunde on Sunday, Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ) confirmed which products will benefit from the new reduced tax rate. The measure focuses on staple foods and locally produced agricultural goods—items that form the backbone of many Austrian households’ daily meals. The newly introduced VAT rate will be…

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Austria’s Finance Ministry has issued an urgent warning about a surge in fraudulent emails sent in its name, targeting both private citizens and businesses across the country. The scam involves fake payment reminders designed to pressure recipients into transferring money to foreign accounts. Fake Payment Notices Circulating According to the ministry, the deceptive emails claim that outstanding payments must be settled immediately. Attached to these messages is a forged payment reminder intended to create a sense of urgency. Cybercriminals hope that recipients will react quickly and transfer funds without verifying…

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Austria is heading into a chilly stretch of days as a mix of clouds, fog, and occasional sunshine shapes the weather from the weekend into early next week. According to a Thursday forecast from Geosphere Austria, temperatures remain low nationwide, and although no fresh snowfall is expected, light rain could once again lead to patches of black ice in some regions. Friday: Sunshine in the West, Fog in the East High pressure dominates on Friday, bringing bright and sunny conditions to western Austria and higher elevations. In contrast, inner‑alpine basins,…

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Few national documents carry as much symbolic and practical weight as a passport. It’s more than a booklet of pages and stamps — it’s a key that unlocks the world. And in 2026, Austria once again holds one of the most powerful keys on the planet. According to the annual Henley Passport Index, the Austrian passport grants visa‑free access to 185 countries worldwide. This impressive reach secures 4th place globally, alongside nations such as Finland, Germany, and Norway. For Austrian citizens, it means smoother travel, fewer bureaucratic hurdles, and the…

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Austria remains firmly under the spell of persistent fog and low clouds, with large parts of the country waking up to thick mist on Thursday. The most stubborn fog stretches across low-lying areas in the north and east, as well as inner‑alpine basins and valleys. In the eastern lowlands, the fog is especially tenacious, barely lifting throughout the day. Outside the fog zones, denser cloud bands move in from the west, particularly affecting northern and eastern regions. A few isolated raindrops may fall from these clouds, though most areas are…

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