Prohibited holiday souvenirs can be very expensive

To ensure that your holiday fun doesn’t end quickly at customs control, you should be careful with certain souvenirs From snake wine and tiger claws to sandalwood bead sets, customs officials at Vienna Airport have seen it all. “A glance at the import regulations saves travelers trouble and often a lot of money,” emphasizes State Secretary for Finance Barbara Eibinger-Miedl. In principle, all products for personal consumption are exempt from customs duties or import taxes within the EU. However, anyone purchasing alcohol or tobacco must still comply with specific regulations…

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Acceptance of artificial intelligence on the rise in Austria

Austrians are less enthusiastic about artificial intelligence (AI) than people in other European countries. However, acceptance has recently increased in this country as well: according to a recent study by management consultancy EY, 64 percent view AI positively, 12 percentage points more than a year ago. In Europe, the average is 70 percent, 7 percentage points more than in 2024. Almost eight out of ten respondents in Europe (78 percent) currently use AI applications, representing a six percentage point increase from the previous year. Austria is also at the bottom…

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Power outage in several districts of Vienna

Several districts in Vienna are currently affected by power outages. Wiener Netze is already working to fix the problem. At the start of the week, some districts of Vienna remain without power. On Monday morning, July 7, there are increasing power outages. Are you also affected? Power outage in districts of Vienna According to Wiener Netze, a power outage occurred on Monday morning in the 10th, 12th, and 13th districts, as well as in Vösendorf. Work is already underway to fix the problem. The outage has already been fixed in…

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Torrential rain, storms, hail: summer takes a break

In the coming days, Austria will continue to be spared from excessive heat—at least for now. Instead, it will remain rather chilly. However, it is likely to be sweaty work for the emergency services. On Sunday, there is an increased risk of severe weather, with violent thunderstorms expected in the east and southeast! Ahead of the storms, temperatures are expected to rise on Sunday, reaching a maximum of 23 to 30 degrees. However, the risk of thunderstorms will increase during the day, first in the mountains and then in the…

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Extreme weather across the country: Here’s what to expect next

Only a few clouds are moving across western Austria. In Vorarlberg and Tyrol in particular, there is an increased risk of short but heavy showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. These conditions may be accompanied by heavy rain, hail, and strong gusts of wind. Thunderstorms may also occur from Pinzgau (Salzburg) to the Salzkammergut (Upper Austria). The current severe weather warning map from the Severe Weather Center. The Austrian Severe Weather Center has therefore issued advance warnings – currently affecting Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg, Carinthia, Upper Austria, and Styria. The warnings…

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Prescription fee, transport etc. for patients increase starting July 1

The government’s austerity measures will result in numerous fee increases starting July 1. For example, it will become more expensive to issue passports and driver’s licenses, and the service fee for the e-card will also increase. Citizens will notice that the Austrian Health Insurance Fund is also suffering from austerity measures in the form of deductibles for patient transport. Deductibles for patient transport will therefore be reintroduced in July. For patient transport, i.e., trips without paramedics, by taxi or transport service, this will be equal to the prescription fee, currently…

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AMS: These new rules apply to unemployed persons starting in July

Anyone who is unemployed and has deregistered with the AMS due to illness, a stay abroad, training, or parental leave must re-register with the AMS on the first day after the interruption ends, starting July 1. Re-registration can be done by telephone, in person, or via the eAMS account. In the case of illness-related interruptions, a doctor’s note is still required, even for illnesses lasting only one day. Kopf: “More clarity, more efficiency” Re-registration can only take place after the interruption has ended, even if it is known earlier. In…

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Starting in July: Changes for drivers and others in Austria

Starting on July 1, 2025, there will be more changes for drivers and others in Austria. Specifically, certain things will cost more. Starting today, Tuesday, motorists will once again be asked to pay more. Issuing a driver’s license will cost €29.50 more in the future, bringing the total to €90. The fee for issuing a registration certificate will also increase significantly: in the future, registering a car will cost around €265. The reason is a tax increase “These fee increases are already the fifth and sixth tax and levy adjustments…

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Heatwave brings temperatures of up to 38 degrees to eastern Austria

With large parts of Europe already groaning under the heat, Austria is also set to experience hot weather in the coming week. Experts at Geosphere Austria are forecasting temperatures of up to 38 degrees in eastern Austria on Thursday. There is no sign of any cooling off for the time being. A heat warning is in effect from Wednesday for Vienna, Burgenland, large parts of Lower Austria, Upper Austria, and Styria, as well as the central region of Carinthia, the Tyrolean lowlands, and the Rhine Valley in Vorarlberg. Due to…

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