Category: Austrian News

February was unusually dull and wet this year, marking the cloudiest February in Austria since 2018. Sunshine levels were about 25 percent below the long‑term average, according to Geosphere Austria. Precipitation, on the other hand, was nearly 50 percent higher than normal. Temperatures made it the fourteenth‑warmest February ever recorded in the country. “Compared with the recent climate period from 1991 to 2020, February 2026 was 2.4°C warmer in Austria’s lowlands and 2.7°C warmer in the mountains. Relative to the 1961–1990 period, the month was 3.3°C warmer in the lowlands…

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Spring is moving in across the country, bringing a week of mild, sunny weather according to Sunday’s forecast from Geosphere. Temperatures will feel increasingly spring‑like, with highs reaching up to 18°C as high‑pressure conditions take over. Early Week: A Few Showers, Then More Sun At the start of the week, isolated rain showers are still possible before clearer, sunnier conditions spread in. Tuesday: Mostly Sunny, Increasing Showers Near the Alps Apart from some shallow fog—mainly in the western Danube Valley and occasionally in the east and southeast—the day starts bright.…

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Austria is facing a high pollen load as sunny weather and mild temperatures set in. Because many plants are producing large numbers of catkins this year, experts expect pollen concentrations to exceed last year’s levels. Allergy sufferers are preparing with medication and other remedies. “This will be a strong season for hazel and alder,” predicted Maximilian Bastl, head of the Vienna Pollen Service. Both the common hazel (Corylus avellana) and the Turkish hazel (Corylus colurna) are currently in bloom. Among the alders, the black alder (Alnus glutinosa) has already reached…

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In 2025, hospitals in Austria treated 824,400 people for accident-related injuries, either as outpatients or inpatients. According to the Austrian Road Safety Board (KFV), this represents a 2% increase compared to the previous year. Treatment costs rose by 7%, reaching three billion euros. Most injuries occurred at home (334,500 cases), followed by leisure and recreational sports (280,700), work and school (111,400), and traffic accidents (97,800). Accidents at home on the rise “The greatest risk of accidents is within your own four walls,” said KFV Director Christian Schimanofsky at a press…

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Austria recorded fewer cases of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in 2025 compared with the unusually strong infection year of 2024, according to new figures released on Thursday by the Austrian Vaccine Manufacturers Association (ÖVIH). Experts, however, warn that the risk remains unchanged for people without vaccination protection. A total of 132 hospitalised TBE cases were reported in 2025, marking a decline from 158 cases in 2024. Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna (MedUni Wien) said the latest season falls within the range of “typical annual fluctuations.” Upper Austria Leads Case…

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Austria’s road users will soon face noticeable changes. The government is pushing forward a comprehensive reform of the country’s Road Traffic Act (StVO), introducing stricter rules for e‑scooters, updated regulations for e‑mopeds, and clearer data‑protection standards. The revised law is expected to take effect in May. Infrastructure Minister Peter Hanke (SPÖ) calls the reform a “milestone for transport in Austria.” E‑scooter riders will feel the impact most: carrying additional passengers or transporting objects will be banned, and the legal alcohol limit will drop from 0.8 to 0.5 per mille. Helmets…

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Vienna currently has 402,877 residents with a parking permit (Parkpickerl). Four years after the city introduced the citywide short-term parking zone, a major wave of renewals is coming at the end of February. A total of 80,429 permits will expire, although 32,422 have already been renewed. The districts most affected are Hietzing, Floridsdorf, Donaustadt, and Liesing. This means that more than 48,000 permits still have no renewal application submitted. District offices are urging residents to apply for a new permit in time to avoid potential fines. Experience shows that many…

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Spring‑like warmth is spreading across Austria, raising the question many are now asking: Is spring arriving early this year? Recent forecasts point to unusually mild temperatures, abundant sunshine and only weak winds — conditions that feel more like late March than late February. Large parts of Austria are experiencing bright, calm weather. In the Danube region and the eastern lowlands, morning fog persists longer than usual, but it gradually dissolves as the day progresses. Away from these fog zones, skies remain mostly clear with only a few high clouds. Afternoon…

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The Vienna General Hospital (AKH Wien) and the university clinics it operates together with the Medical University of Vienna have reached 20th place in the World’s Best Hospitals 2026 ranking, moving up seven spots compared to last year. The ranking is commissioned by Newsweek and compiled in cooperation with data provider Statista. Strong improvement in global comparison After placing 27th the previous year, AKH Wien/MedUni Wien has now advanced into the top 20, positioning itself among the leading hospitals worldwide. The result highlights the close integration of patient care, research,…

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