The budget of Austria’s Ministry of Education will grow by half a billion euros each in 2025 and 2026, reaching €12 billion and then €12.5 billion, respectively. At the same time, the ministry will contribute €76 million to budget consolidation efforts in 2025, Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) announced to journalists. Savings will be made by not filling some administrative vacancies and by eliminating team teaching in very small classes. However, planned expansions in German language support and the “Chancenbonus” (opportunity bonus) will proceed.
Not coincidentally, the education budget was presented first among all detailed budgets. Given that 86% of its expenditures are personnel-related—primarily teachers’ salaries—it continues to grow even in times of austerity. Most of the budget increase will go toward public sector pay raises. Additionally, some measures agreed upon by the previous government and new initiatives from the current ÖVP-SPÖ-NEOS coalition are being funded. Due to rising student numbers and increased need for German language instruction, nearly 900 additional teaching positions are expected.
Two-Thirds of Savings in Administration
Two-thirds of the savings—€51 million—will come from administrative areas. Only one in three open positions in the ministry will be filled, with similar steps planned for regional education directorates and teacher training colleges. Additional savings will come from reduced spending on nursing schools and delayed infrastructure grants.
The team teaching model will also be revised: it will no longer apply in very small classes of 14 or fewer students, except those with inclusion priorities. This measure should save about €6.7 million and will impact all Austrian federal states. In Vienna alone, around 100 such small classes exist.
Relief for School Principals on Track
One measure that represents both an investment and a savings effort is the planned hiring of administrative staff to support school leadership at compulsory schools—a policy originally introduced by the previous government. These roles will be phased in gradually using a new step-based model, reducing long-term annual costs from €62 million to €47 million. Hiring will depend on individual federal states’ plans, but larger schools will likely be prioritized.
Ten million euros will be invested in new early childhood education training spots. Also moving forward as planned from the 2026/27 school year is the €65 million annual “Chancenbonus,” which allocates additional funding to schools facing greater social and educational challenges. Other reforms such as a second mandatory kindergarten year and a new subject on democracy will only begin in 2027.
Focus on Savings Outside the Classroom
In total, Austrian ministries must save about €1.1 billion under the current budget consolidation plan. “That’s a massive burden,” Wiederkehr said, but added that education was given special priority. As a result, the ministry is still able to invest in some areas, and it tried to avoid making cuts that would directly impact classrooms. “It wasn’t easy to both consolidate and invest,” he said. Ministry Secretary General Martin Netzer added: “I’ve seen much tougher budgets negotiated without months of debate.”
