Drivers need to take action now to apply for an extension of their parking sticker in good time. Large suburbs are particularly affected. Vienna is a short-term parking zone. Only those who have applied for a parking permit can park their cars on the streets for longer. A total of 402,000 Viennese are in possession of a parking sticker, which is valid for a minimum of four months and a maximum of two years. A large number of renewals are due in February. 50,000 parking stickers expire and have to…
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First forecast: This is how the Christmas weather will be
Mild air masses. In the new week, the Alps will be under the influence of a high-pressure system over Western Europe. Mild Atlantic air will reach us and bring temperatures up to 12 degrees. It will, therefore, be very mild. Remnants of snow at low altitudes will melt. According to initial forecasts, a weak disturbance front with scattered rain is set to move through starting Thursday. On Friday, the snow line will be around 400 to 700 meters. The fourth Advent and Christmas forecast indicates that more low-pressure areas will…
Read MoreAustria: Cost of energy for households will increase in 2025
The new year will bring higher gas and electricity bills. The main reasons for this are higher grid costs and the fact that from January, the levies, which were reduced to a minimum during the energy crisis, will once again apply in full. The expiry of the electricity price cap on December 31, 22024, may also lead to higher costs. Household energy bills will rise by several hundred euros a year, depending on the province and energy consumption. Electricity charges for households are expected to rise by an average of…
Read MoreAustria: Ministry of Finance warns: Beware of this e-mail!
On Saturday, the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) once again warned about an email scam circulating: criminals are trying to obtain people’s personal data by sending messages in the ministry’s name. Specifically, potential victims are led to believe that they will receive a 500-euro refund but will have to disclose their credit card details to do so. Links then lead to fake websites in the FinanzOnline style. The ministry stated that the e-mails with the subject “The processing of your refund has begun” are fake. It also said the requests…
Read More2025 will see income increases and higher pensions
Wages, salaries, and pensions will be adjusted again next year, measured as always against last year’s inflation. As a result, the increase in income in most major sectors will be around four percent.The new collective agreement for the public sector will apply for the next two years. The agreement for the coming year provides for an average increase of 3.5 percent with social grading of a minimum of 82.40 euros and a maximum of 437.80 euros. An agreement was also reached for 2026, where a further 0.3 percent will be…
Read More2025 brings deposit on cans and higher energy bills
2025 will be marked by an economic downturn, crises, and global warming. But there is also plenty to celebrate, such as the anniversaries of the end of the Second World War, the State Treaty, and Austria’s accession to the EU. Citizens will face many changes, such as introducing a deposit on cans and plastic, new teleworking regulations, and standardized chargers. Many things will become more expensive, but salaries and social benefits will also increase. As always, the benchmark for wages, salaries, and pensions was last year’s inflation. In the public…
Read MoreAustria: Weather will be milder again next week
The weather will be milder again next week. Due to a warm front that will hit Austria on Monday, the experts at Geosphere Austria are forecasting temperatures of up to ten degrees. However, the weekend will still be unsettled. High air pressure will continue to dominate the weather on Friday. Very sunny weather will prevail in the mountains, but in many basins and valleys, but also in the east and southeast, fog or high fog is to be expected. The wind will blow weakly in the Danube region and the…
Read MoreIt’s getting more expensive again: Driving as a luxury—What will change in 2025
No new year is complete without new burdens for car owners. Above all, the increase in the CO₂ price will be felt by Austrians in their wallets—diesel and petrol will be more expensive again. An overview. The two major automobile clubs, ÖAMTC and ARBÖ have already gained an overview of what is in store for motorists at the turn of the year. In a nutshell: The more emissions a vehicle emits, the more expensive it will be. The debate is also focusing on the regional climate bonus, which was introduced…
Read MoreAustrians are spending more on gifts again
Retailers have drawn a first, satisfied balance of the Christmas business. On average, we spend 386 euros on gifts. December is the most important month of the financial year for most Austrian retailers and is considered the “5th quarter” within the industry. Christmas business determines whether the financial year ends successfully or not. In 2024, this crisis applies more than ever, even though this year’s starting position was primarily characterized by loss limitation due to the economic recession, countless bankruptcies, and below-average consumer sentiment. The good news, according to the…
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