At its summer cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Austria’s federal government launched a reform plan aimed at easing and accelerating various approval procedures—particularly for large infrastructure projects. In addition to major administrative processes, the coalition intends to expedite environmental impact assessments and introduce measures in the energy sector. Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) emphasized the goal is to strengthen Austria’s position as a competitive business location.
The reform of the General Administrative Procedures Act (AVG), which aims to accelerate large-scale proceedings, is expected to enter the consultation phase this week, said Economic Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP) at a press briefing after the cabinet meeting. Soon to follow will be the Renewable Energy Expansion Acceleration Act (EABG), and in the fall, a revision of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act (UVP-G) will also be submitted for public consultation.
Reforms to Support Economic Development
“We need better conditions,” Stocker said before the meeting, emphasizing that the aim is “to enable, not to prevent,” in order to enhance the competitiveness of industry and business. “Many projects fail not due to a lack of capital or innovation, but because of lengthy and complex procedures.”
To address this, the government is pushing forward a package to reform approval processes. Stocker referred to changes already announced Monday by a reform group made up of federal, state, municipal, and city representatives regarding AVG large-scale proceedings.
More Efficiency in AVG Large-Scale Procedures
An electronic public disclosure platform will be introduced to increase efficiency. All major procedural steps will be clearly documented and binding for all involved, according to the government. Authorities will be given the option to set deadlines for additional submissions from involved parties. Investigations can also be closed for specific aspects of a case, making late objections inadmissible. The eight-week summer recess for these procedures will be eliminated.
Faster Environmental Reviews Planned
Stocker also announced changes to environmental impact assessments (UVPs), calling them a “central tool for environmental protection.” Currently, he said, these procedures take too long and involve an “overregulated appeals process” that often blocks projects. “Only in Austria do party rights go so far as to allow project delays or cancellations,” the Chancellor stated.
Hattmannsdorfer added that especially the third section of UVP procedures will be simplified, with full procedural concentration at the federal level. He also mentioned plans to modernize the regulation of citizen initiatives, aligning them more with popular petitions. “We want to curb citizen initiative tourism,” he said, referring to groups founded in Vienna that act in other regions.
The minister stressed the urgency of speeding up procedures. On average, UVP reviews currently take 25 months. “Our goal is to cut that time in half.”
Stocker: Securing Austria’s Economic Future
Another key element is the proposed Renewable Energy Expansion Acceleration Act (EABG), which aims to speed up the approval process for building power plants, storage facilities, grid lines, and other infrastructure needed for the energy transition. “If we want Austria to remain a secure business hub (…), we must act now,” Stocker said.
A one-stop-shop system for these processes will be introduced, Hattmannsdorfer explained. Currently, approval of a wind farm may involve up to eight different authorities. “Centralizing the process will significantly speed it up.” Standardized criteria and thresholds will be set for exemption or determining which type of permit process applies. Rooftop solar installations and small ground-mounted systems may be exempt in the future.
Infrastructure Minister Peter Hanke (SPÖ) called the reform “an important step.” “It’s about speed, and speed is currently an advantage,” he said regarding the one-stop-shop approach, calling it “essential.”
Deregulation State Secretary Josef Schellhorn (NEOS) highlighted the positive effects of the reforms: “If we want cheaper energy, we need to shorten these approval processes.”
Babler Cites Additional Measures
Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ) said the reforms will simplify administration “for both the people and the economy.” He pointed to additional upcoming initiatives, including the new Electricity Industry Act (ElWG), submitted for consultation in early July, which aims to lower electricity prices.
Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr—speaking on behalf of NEOS leader and Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, currently visiting the U.S.—added that the government is “working hard” even during summer. The “reform partnership” established in June between federal, state, and local governments is a mandate to continue working through the summer months.
Some Reforms Require Two-Thirds Majority
Some of the announced reforms will require a two-thirds majority in Parliament and thus support from opposition parties. While changes to the AVG entering consultation this week can be passed by simple majority, parts of the UVP-G and EABG are constitutional laws and therefore need two-thirds approval.
