Category: Austrian News

Austria has to make savings, and several things will become significantly more expensive. Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer (SPÖ) presented the double budget for 2025 and 2026 on Tuesday. Around a third of the savings will be made on the revenue side, which means that several things will become more expensive, such as the fees for the e-card or those for documents such as passports, driving licenses, etc. But because the subsidies for the climate ticket are also being cut back, people will also have to dig deeper into their pockets…

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In all likelihood, the measures to protect against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) will end on May 20. Accordingly, border controls and army assistance missions are to be ended if no further cases occur, as the office of the responsible State Secretary Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig (SPÖ) confirmed an ORF report on Tuesday. “Farmers are sitting on pins and needles”However, a spokesperson for the State Secretary told APA that the final decision will not be made until next week. An ORF report confirmed on Tuesday that the minor crossings that were closed to Slovakia…

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On May 8, 2025, Austria commemorated the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe with the “Festival of Joy” (Fest der Freude) at Vienna’s Heldenplatz. Organized by the Mauthausen Committee Austria (MKÖ), this annual event honors the victims of National Socialism and celebrates liberation from Nazi rule. This year’s theme, “80 Years of Liberation from National Socialism—Never Again and Peace in Europe,” emphasized the importance of remembering past atrocities to safeguard democracy and peace today. The evening featured speeches from Austrian President Dr. Alexander Van der…

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Ten days before his semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), Austria’s representative JJ completed his first rehearsal in Basel on Monday. “I can’t even put my feelings into words,” said the 24-year-old. Johannes Pietsch (born April 29, 2001, in Vienna), stage name JJ, is an Austrian-Filipino singer and countertenor. He will represent Austria at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel. It was his premiere on the ESC stage, and “Wasted Love” was performed three times. “We’ve been working towards this moment for months—we’ve developed, prepared, and rehearsed everything.…

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Not only is the start of the new week rainy, but Geosphere Austria’s entire forecast until Friday is also rainy. Clouds, cool temperatures, and recurring precipitation will dominate the weather in Austria in the coming days. A rainy start to the week in AustriaUnder the influence of disturbances, it will be widely overcast on Monday. The sun will only appear briefly, if at all, and regionally in the south. The most precipitation will fall in the country’s south, with the least generally falling in the east and northeast. In the…

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According to the latest data from Statistics Austria, 3.7 percent of the population in private households lives in so-called “absolute poverty.” According to the EU definition, a further 1.529 million people – around 16.9 percent – are at risk of poverty or exclusion. Particularly affected: People with a low level of education. “Every tenth person with at most a compulsory school leaving certificate does not reach the EU minimum standard of living,” according to the Statistics Austria report. Anyone who cannot afford at least seven of the 13 defined everyday…

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This is accompanied by rain, thunderstorms, and even snow, which is returning in wintry fashion. From the first hot day to snow and rainToday in Vienna, there is bright sunshine and temperatures around 27°C. In other parts of the country, particularly in the east and south, summery temperatures of between 28 and 30°C are also being reached. However, these unusually warm conditions for the beginning of May will be short-lived. Plummeting temperatures from SaturdayFrom Saturday, a cold front will move across Austria from the north. This will bring a significant…

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The pension system will undergo some changes starting next year. On Friday, the first changes will be reviewed—namely, the corridor pension and the allocation of the first pension adjustment. A partial retirement and a sustainability mechanism are also being worked on. The ÖVP and NEOS party leaders presented the roadmap without the Social Democrats. However, all three parties emphasized that this does not indicate a rift in the government. NEOS party leader Yannick Shetty spoke to journalists about the “biggest pension reform in 20 years.” This was necessary to keep…

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A travel document is required every time you cross a border, even when traveling within the European Union and the Schengen area. This also applies to short trips abroad, for example, to Austria’s neighboring countries. Travel document required for every trip abroadEven in a borderless Europe, you must be able to prove your identity at all times. A travel document is required every time you cross a border, even when traveling within the EU and the Schengen area. This also applies to short trips abroad. Crossing the border without a…

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