Category: Austrian News

Vienna – Giving lucky charms is just as much a part of New Year’s Eve as a bottle of sparkling wine or enjoying unique culinary specialties. On average, Austrians will spend 126 euros per head on New Year’s Eve celebrations this year. “An important sales boost for domestic retailers,” says Rainer Will, Managing Director of the Austrian Retail Association, commenting on the results of the market researchers from Reppublika. Food and beverage retailers are the main beneficiaries of the turnover of around 600 million euros, but other sectors, such as…

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The turn of the year is just around the corner, and the Viennese usually celebrate New Year’s Eve in a very traditional way, with lots of culinary delights from close family or friends. Fireworks, toasts, and the Danube Waltz are a must. According to a recent study conducted by KMU Forschung Austria on behalf of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, 6 out of 10 Viennese (62 percent) plan to celebrate the turn of the year. This festive mood is also reflected in consumer spending, which averages 60 euros per person.…

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The flu epidemic has begun in Austria. The Center for Virology at the Medical University of Vienna (MedUni Vienna) has reported a significant increase in influenza viruses in clinical samples. Cases of real flu are rising throughout Europe; experts still advise vaccination. In the previous week, a more than four-fold increase in cases of real flu (influenza, note) was observed in clinical samples nationwide compared to calendar week 50, MedUni Vienna’s Center for Virology announced on Monday. The Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) reported 905 sick days due to influenza.…

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TasteAtlas has selected the 100 best food travel destinations in the world. From street food gems to culinary traditions, the ranking is a must for anyone who plans their vacation by taste. Vienna is among the top ten. With 8th place in the current ranking, Vienna proves why it deserves a top position worldwide regarding culinary delights. The Austrian capital leaves cities such as New York (12th place) and Madrid (11th place) in its wake. Whether it’s Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, Zwiebelrostbraten, or apple strudel, the variety and quality of the…

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Since 24 December 2024 is a Tuesday and working day, parking tickets are generally required in Vienna at Christmas, remind the ÖAMTC traffic experts. As 24 December is not a public holiday, parking tickets are required in Vienna’s nationwide short-term parking zones between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. or a parking sticker in the zones with parking space management. All regulations concerning shopping streets, train stations, hospitals, and parking lots for residents are also in force in Vienna at Christmas. Beware of short-stay parking and residents’ parking lots in Vienna…

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Now that amalgam fillings will be banned at the end of the year, the struggle to find a free alternative is proving tedious. An agreement was reached just before Christmas, but not for all patients in the country. While no solution has yet been found with the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK), the Insurance Institution for Public Employees, Railways, and Mining (BVAEB) and the Dental Association have now agreed on amalgam fillings. From 1 January 2025, filling materials, glass ionomer cement, and alkalies will be covered by health insurance instead…

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The weather remains exciting, with temperatures well below freezing and a varied mix of sun, clouds, and precipitation. Here is a detailed preview of the days leading up to Christmas. Sunny Saturday morning, cloudy afternoonThe influence of an intermediate high will initially calm the weather, but this will not last long. After local patches of early morning fog clear in the south, the sun will appear everywhere. However, from the afternoon onwards, denser clouds will move in from the west, especially along the northern side of the Alps. Above around…

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A change in the weather shortly before Christmas will most likely result in snowfall across Austria. This means the chances of a white Christmas are extremely good—even in Vienna. Chances of a white Christmas are decreasingAustria has a good chance of a white Christmas this year. As the experts from Geosphere Austria forecast, an area of low pressure will cause snowfall—even heavier—in the west on Monday. On Christmas Eve, Tuesday, there should also be scattered snowfall in the eastern lowlands. In the first half of Friday, it will be widely…

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Every year again: Even if you have firmly resolved to have done all the important shopping by Christmas, you can always forget something. After all, the pre-Christmas stress should not be underestimated.Whether it’s a few last presents or missing groceries for the holidays, local retailers have the following opening hours on 24 December. Generally, shops are open from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve. This is because workers are employed; therefore, regular working hours end at 1 p.m. on 24 December.However, confectionery shops and flower stores can stay…

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