Category: Austrian News

Christmas tree disposal in Vienna: 609 collection points open until January 17 – free and climate-friendly. After the holidays, Vienna’s environmentally friendly Christmas tree collection begins again. Until January 17, 609 collection points will be available throughout the city. They are open around the clock and marked with signs reading “Christbaum-Sammelstelle” (Christmas tree collection point). Trees can also be dropped off at all MA 48 waste collection sites throughout the year. Important: Christmas tree decorations, tinsel, and hooks must be removed beforehand so that the trees can be recycled. The…

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Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen used his 2026 New Year’s address to urge citizens to embrace what he called a “European patriotism,” warning against the growing tendency to disparage the European Union and stressing the need for Austria to remain capable of reform. Speaking against the backdrop of an increasingly unstable global environment, Van der Bellen emphasized that Europe remains “a place many people envy,” and cautioned that it must not be talked down. Belief in the European project, he said, is essential for the continent’s future. “Europe Is…

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The new week will bring freezing temperatures, but it will be sunny in many places. With the turn of the year comes winter: In the coming days, a cold snap will bring frost down to minus 20 degrees. Snowfall will remain local for the time being, but the sun will still shine often. Vienna weather in detail The first Geosphere forecast of the year promises a prolonged period of wintry weather. The coming days will see a steady cooling: maximum temperatures will initially drop from plus seven degrees to a…

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Changes in 2026: social assistance, care allowance, electricity price cap, tampon tax & vignette – an overview of what will change in Austria from January 1. When the new year begins on Thursday, Austrians will have to adjust to numerous changes. Some of the most important ones are:

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Vienna will raise its parking fees substantially beginning 1 January 2026, marking one of the most notable adjustments to the city’s parking system in recent years. According to information released on Tuesday by the Austrian automobile association ÖAMTC, previously issued parking vouchers with tariffs valid until 31 December 2025 may still be used for a six‑month grace period, ending 30 June 2026. However, the ÖAMTC has once again criticised the city for refusing to allow any exchange or refund of “old” parking vouchers after the grace period — even if…

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Austrians are entering 2026 with noticeably subdued optimism. According to the 54th annual New Year survey conducted by IMAS and published on Sunday, confidence levels remain almost unchanged from the previous year. In November, 27 percent of respondents looked toward the new year with concern, 34 percent described themselves as skeptical, and roughly one third expressed a positive outlook. Lingering Crises Weigh on Public Mood The overall sentiment remains clouded by ongoing global and domestic challenges. Persistent inflation, rising prices, the war in Ukraine, and the conflict in the Middle…

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Raclette instead of quiet, resolutions instead of abstinence. In Vienna, the turn of the year is celebrated with enjoyment, tradition, and conviviality. According to a recent survey by KMU Forschung Austria on behalf of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, 66 percent of Viennese take part in the celebrations. Each of them spends an average of 80 euros on snacks, drinks, decorations, or fireworks. Full shopping bags and a noticeable boost in trade Around the turn of the year, many Viennese go shopping once again. Food, lucky charms, and sparkling wine…

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As Austria prepares to ring in the New Year, the usual festive cheer is increasingly accompanied by skepticism and concern about what lies ahead. Two surveys conducted around the turn of the year reveal a clear trend: while most people still prefer celebrating New Year’s Eve with family and friends, younger Austrians are noticeably more optimistic about 2026 than older generations. A Moment of Reflection Amid Festivities When New Year’s Eve arrives, fireworks light up the sky and champagne corks pop across the country. Yet for many, the transition into…

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Austria’s motorway vignette is entering a historic transition. The year 2026 will mark the final appearance of the classic adhesive vignette—this time in a striking fiery red—before the system moves entirely to digital tolling. Alongside the symbolic farewell, motorists will also face price adjustments across all vignette categories. Last Adhesive Vignette Before Full Digital Switch For drivers, 2026 brings several notable changes. Most importantly, it is the final year in which a physical sticker vignette will be available. The 2026 edition, released at the end of November 2025, can be…

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