Category: Austrian News

Vienna, December 2025 – The City of Vienna continues to experience significant migration flows, with international immigration driving population growth and shaping the city’s cultural landscape. Recent figures show that Austria hosts more than 2.5 million people with a migrant background, underscoring the importance of integration policies and community support. Migration Trends Integration Efforts The Austrian government has reinforced its integration framework, focusing on three pillars: Vienna has expanded programs in schools, community centers, and local organizations to foster inclusion, particularly for children and families. Community Response Despite challenges in…

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Since 1995, Austrian retailers have been permitted to open their doors on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The arrangement, negotiated between social partners, remains contentious. Employees working on the holiday are entitled to extra pay and compensatory time off. Which Stores Are Open Retailers are generally allowed to trade between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.. A Chamber of Commerce survey shows that most shops in Vienna plan to open, with larger chains taking advantage of the opportunity while smaller businesses often stay shut. Importantly, employees cannot be…

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Austrians are feeling the pinch of inflation in the energy sector, not only in terms of electricity and gas, but also in terms of fuel, where we are among the most expensive countries in Europe. While the EU is discussing the end of combustion engines, countries in northern Europe are pulling ahead in terms of the share of electric cars. The sharp rise in inflation in Austria is also noticeable at gas stations. Prices have risen significantly recently, putting Austria above the European average, according to the mobility club ÖAMTC.…

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Inflation and the state of healthcare are currently the most pressing worries for people in Austria. This emerges from a representative Ipsos survey, published Wednesday as part of the global “What Worries the World” study. The findings reveal that eight out of ten respondents believe Austria is heading in the wrong economic direction. Immigration and crime also remain significant sources of concern. Rising Anxiety Over Inflation and Healthcare Compared with the previous survey in April, fears of inflation have risen to 40 per cent (up seven points), while worries about…

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The sun will have a hard time breaking through the clouds in some areas over the next few days. Fog and clouds will obscure the sunshine in some areas. Rain and some snow will also be mixed in. The new week will then be reminiscent of spring – maximum daily temperatures of up to 14 degrees are possible at the beginning of the week. Already on Friday, the sky will remain cloudy, apart from sunny spells in East Tyrol and Upper Carinthia, as well as in places in the far…

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In Austria, employees traditionally receive their Christmas bonus in November, often referred to as the “13th month’s salary.” This special payment is transferred together with the regular wage, and in times of high inflation, it feels more like a “double salary” for many households. Higher Bonuses Thanks to Tax Changes This year, some workers will see larger bonuses due to adjustments in taxation and exemption thresholds. Net earnings have also risen in 2025, following the partial abolition of bracket creep earlier in the year. How the Bonus Is Calculated Christmas…

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The bird flu virus, which is currently rampant among wild birds, poultry, and mammals worldwide, could trigger a pandemic that is more severe than that caused by COVID-19. This is the warning issued by Marie-Anne Rameix-Welti, medical director of the Center for Respiratory Infections at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. The decisive factor is a possible mutation that would enable human-to-human transmission. Humans do not have antibodies against the H5 bird flu strain currently in circulation. Unlike COVID-19, the virus could also kill healthy people and children, according to fears.…

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The City of Vienna is preparing a broad package of fee increases as part of its ongoing efforts to stabilize municipal finances. A collective amendment, soon to be voted on in the state parliament, will raise costs across several areas—including administrative charges, dog taxes, and public-space usage fees. Administrative Fees City officials note that many fees have remained unchanged for decades despite rising expenses. Under the new amendment, the maximum cap for administrative fees will jump from €1,500 to €4,000. While exact rates will be set later by decree, around…

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A new Marketagent study takes a close look at how people in Austria plan to celebrate Christmas in 2025. The results show a clear picture. Even in a year shaped by rising prices and global tension, many hold tight to the core of what the holiday means to them. At the top of the list are simple ideas: family, the Christmas tree, and tradition. Cookies and Advent wreaths remain cherished staples. More than half of all respondents say that spending time with loved ones is the most important part of…

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