The repair bonus that expired in May 2025 will be replaced on January 12, 2026, by the scaled-back “Device Saver Premium.” Half of the repair costs will be covered, up to a maximum of 130 euros per device, Environment Minister Norbert Totschnig (ÖVP) announced on Wednesday. Previously, the maximum subsidy was 200 euros. Repairs for bicycles including e-bikes, mobile phones, and luxury, wellness, or entertainment devices will no longer be subsidized.
New premium focused on household appliances
The focus of the subsidy program will now be “on those devices most commonly needed in households and that simultaneously require a lot of material,” the minister said. These include washing machines, refrigerators, freezers, vacuum cleaners, and cordless drills. Repairs of medical-care devices such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, ventilators, and blood pressure monitors will also be supported.
30 million euros per year for the ‘Device Saver Premium’
After the previous repair bonus expired, the subsidy model was revised to make it “cost-efficient and budget-friendly” for long-term use, Totschnig said. Given the current budget situation, the government must “turn every euro over twice.” For 2026 to 2028, the federal government has budgeted around 30 million euros per year for the new program.
The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber welcomed the “Device Saver Premium.” “Everyone benefits—above all the environment, but also consumers, who can enjoy their devices longer and save money,” said Manfred Denk, chair of the Federal Division for Trades and Crafts, at a joint press conference with Totschnig.
Repair partner businesses can register now
Beginning December 10, repair companies can register as partner businesses for the program. The website www.geräte-retter-prämie.at is the only official portal, and registration is free. Kommunalkredit Public Consulting (KPC) will review the registered companies. Consumers can apply for the “Device Saver Premium” starting January 12, 2026. The subsidy amount is paid directly to consumers.
The repair bonus was launched in April 2022 by then–Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens). Since the start, around 1.8 million vouchers have been redeemed. The program was temporarily suspended in 2023 due to subsidy fraud. A total of around 130 million euros from the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility and 124 million euros in national funds were available for the repair bonus. No EU funds are currently planned for the “Device Saver Premium.”
