Category: Austrian News

Icelandic airline Icelandair has published an analysis of European cities with a special winter atmosphere, in which Hallstatt in the Salzkammergut region came out on top and Austria is represented by a total of three cities. When the first frost sweeps across the land and the scent of mulled wine wafts through the streets, many people start looking for the ideal winter travel destination. Interest in this has risen significantly in Germany recently: 13,000 Google searches for the term “winter trip” last month represent an increase of 45 percent compared…

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Only in Copenhagen is the global language spoken better than in Vienna. There are various reasons for this. Every year, the EF English Proficiency Index publishes a ranking that compares countries and regions according to their average level of English proficiency. 2.2 million adults took a test that measures reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension. The results show that the English skills of Viennese people are the second best in a global comparison (countries where English is the national language are not tested). Vienna ranks behind Copenhagen but ahead of Stockholm,…

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Snow in Vienna: This weekend, there will be a light snowfall for the first time, with up to 1 cm of fresh snow and frosty nights in the suburbs. Things will get a little more exciting on Friday morning, according to Ubimet meteorologist Nikolas Zimmermann: Then “light snowfall is temporarily in sight again, this time with the southwest of Vienna having the best chances. With a little luck, it may also briefly dust the ground in the direction of Rodaun and Kalksburg.” Depending on the intensity, the snow line will…

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Although we are still in the middle of November, the flu is already making itself felt this year – about four weeks earlier than usual. After two relatively harmless flu winters, it looks as if Austria is facing a severe flu epidemic this time around. A look at Western Europe in particular is cause for concern: in the UK, for example, a new influenza variant called H3N2(K) is causing an early and severe start to the season. As reported by orf.at, this variant is also being closely monitored in Austria.…

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Polar cold air from the north and a low-pressure system over northern Italy, bringing plenty of moist air, are creating the conditions for the first snowflakes across Austria. Cold front brings pre-winter weather “The exact forecast of where and how much it will snow in the coming days is still uncertain,” said Josef Haslhofer of GeoSphere Austria on Wednesday. The first snowflakes are expected towards the end of the week, even at very low altitudes. Snow is falling in low-lying areas, especially in western Austria However, even small changes in…

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The shopping day “Black Friday” arrived in Austria years ago. This year, it will take place on November 28, but the signs are already clearly visible. Some retail segments are focusing on “Black Weeks” or even “Black November,” and the world’s largest online retailer, Amazon, is already advertising various discounts under the title “early Black Friday.” However, according to a study by the Austrian E-Commerce Quality Mark (www.guetezeichen.at), the risk of becoming a victim of internet fraud also increases every year around the time of the bargain hunt. One conclusion:…

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By 2040, Austria’s population will grow to 9.4 million. After that, a decline is expected. The growth is due to migration. Austria’s population is expected to continue growing until 2040. Statistics Austria announced this on Wednesday morning at a press conference at the APA Press Center. “The peak will then be reached with around 9.4 million inhabitants, before the population is expected to decline to 9.1 million by 2080,” said Manuela Lenk, Director General of Statistics. This trend is accompanied by progressive ageing, she said. By 2040: Proportion of people…

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Starting November 15, the service fee for the e-card will be collected. This fee is increasing significantly this year. Instead of €13.80, €25 will be charged for the first time. The adjustment is part of the austerity measures at the Ministry of Health, which must make significant savings by 2026. Cuts will be made in administration, subsidies, and communication measures, among other areas.The service fee is due in mid-November each year for the following year. The fee is collected by employers or by the agencies that pay unemployment benefits or…

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Unusually mild weather in Austria: In November, temperatures are rising to up to 21 degrees Celsius, with sunshine instead of frost and more hours of sun. While people in many places are still drinking mulled wine in their winter coats at the first Christmas markets, the next heat wave is on its way. Temperatures in the west will rise to 18 degrees Celsius, with up to 21 degrees possible on Thursday and Friday – especially in Vorarlberg, the Lower Inn Valley, Tennengau, the Alpine foothills, and Upper Styria. No sign…

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