Category: Austrian News

Fines for violations of the cell phone ban behind the wheel will be increased – and significantly. Cell phone behind the wheel: higher fines to be paid in futureIf drivers are caught while driving, it will cost 100 euros instead of 50 euros. If payment is refused or drivers are caught in a speed trap with a cell phone in their hand, the fine can be up to 140 euros. Previously, it was 72 euros. The Traffic Committee of the National Council passed a corresponding amendment to the Motor Vehicle…

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Housing again became more expensive in the fourth quarter of 2022. The increases in operating costs, in particular, were considerable due to high inflation. At the end of the year, average rents, including operating fees, stood at EUR 8.9 per square meter, representing a price increase of 7 percent. Operating expenses increased by 6.2 percent across all rental segments, which was the “highest quarterly increase in the previous year since 2006,” according to Statistics Austria. Operating costs include fees for water, sewage, garbage collection, and common charges such as elevators,…

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The coming days will be spring-like mild, up to 20 degrees in large parts of Austria. Only on Sunday, a low will make itself felt again. In the coming days, significantly warmer air masses will reach us again in the gradually developing southwesterly flow and be slightly foehn. Only on Sunday an offshoot of the current Atlantic low Gerson will make itself felt—the weather outlook from UWZ man Roland Reiter in detail. On Friday, the sun will shine widely. Any early morning fog will quickly dissipate, and only a few…

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Corona pandemic trends in Austria have been declining again since early March. Mask requirement in Vienna’s public transport system to endFor the second year, the Covid forecasting consortium expects a decline in hospitalized Covid-19 patients. According to the latest forecast, the assessment assumes that the number of infected patients in intensive care units will remain roughly the same and show a downward trend in normal wards. Vaccination line at Austria Center Vienna to be closedThis is the current Corona situation in Austria’s hospitals1,336 Corona-positive patients were in Austrian hospitals on…

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Mayor Michael Ludwig has promised thousands of Vienna residents a new windfall. But the money is not directly deposited in the account. During his speech at the Vienna SPÖ club meeting, Vienna’s city leader Michael Ludwig announced a whole new relief package for citizens plagued by inflation. Several cash bonuses at once are intended to make housing affordable. Because the government is running out of time to decide on a possible rent break and no solution is in sight, Vienna is now moving forward with its 5-point program: A large…

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Corona numbers are high, but the free test program is about to end. “The positivity rate is still very high at 20 percent.” This was stated now by Univ. Prof. Dr. Michael Havel, CEO and founder of the Lifebrain lab, after the Vienna Corona lab, terminated 122 more employees. This would further align the location and staffing levels with current Corona requirements. Since the beginning of March, a negative PCR test no longer has to be presented when visiting hospitals and nursing homes – meaning the last testing requirement in…

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There will also be a climate bonus throughout Austria in 2023 – albeit in a slimmed-down version. Last year’s best-known cash bonus is making a comeback. The climate bonus was first paid out in 2022 as part of the eco-social tax reform – back then, it was coupled with an anti-inflation bonus and totalled 500 euros. This year, everyone registered in Austria for six months will receive their money, albeit in a slimmed-down version. This is because for this year, no “Antiteuerungsbonus” is planned – thus, 250 euros are omitted.…

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A varied weather week is ahead for Austria, especially with temperatures there are ups and downs. First, the inflowing polar air will be driven away, and on Monday, double-digit highs are expected again everywhere, with southern foehn locally even above 20 degrees. However, the cold air will make a comeback after a frequently wet Tuesday, including an Italian low, and snow will again be an issue on the northern side of the Alps on Wednesday. At the end of the week, the weather finally calms down, and with lots of…

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Due to technical problems, pensioners had to wait for their tax settlement. Now they can finally get their money. Finally, there is money; the wait is over. Retirees will be able to do their tax assessment on FinanzOnline starting in the middle of this week. Technical problems with the data transfer of annual pay slip previously prevented the submission of the employee tax assessment, as the Ministry of Finance explained on Sunday. These computer problems are now being fixed by IT experts from the ministry and the Pension Insurance Institution.…

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