Category: Austrian News

Basel, Switzerland – Austria’s Eurovision hopeful JJ has stormed into the grand final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest with his powerful popera anthem “Wasted Love,” cementing his status as one of the top favorites to win. The 24-year-old countertenor, who boasts Filipino-Austrian heritage, delivered a show-stopping performance in Thursday’s second semi-final, securing one of ten coveted spots in Saturday’s ultimate showdown. From Semi-Final Triumph to Final AmbitionsStarting in sixth position—a lucky omen reminiscent of Austria’s 2014 winner Conchita Wurst—JJ captivated audiences and jurors alike with his soaring vocals and…

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While we still had to pay 13.80 euros for the e-card last year, the fee will rise to 25 euros this year. The reason for this is the government’s cost-cutting measures. Some Austrians probably don’t even know they are paying a fee. We are talking about the annual fee for the e-Card. This is due every year in mid-November and is deducted from the following year’s salary. In most cases, the Christmas bonus is also paid out with it, so the slight deviation—last year, the fee amounted to 13.80 euros—is…

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ÖGK warns of phishing mail: Fraudsters promise a 450-euro refund. Many policyholders are unsettled—tips to protect against data theft on the website. A “Heute” reader had recently submitted documents to the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK). She was waiting to hear back and expected a refund. When an email arrived shortly afterwards with the subject “Refund: 450.40 euros,” everything seemed logical to her: logo, transaction number, official tone of voice, and a button for payment—everything looked genuine. But the message was fake. The fake email seemed particularly credible because she…

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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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