Austria’s Winter Tire Law Starts November 1
Austria’s winter tire law runs Nov 1–Apr 15; drivers risk fines up to €10,000 for using summer tires in snow, warns ÖAMTC.
Vienna Marks Five Years Since Deadly 2020 Terror Attack
Vienna marks five years since the 2020 terror attack that killed four; leaders honor victims as Austria reflects on security reforms.
Mikl-Leitner Pushes for Constitutional Headscarf Ban in Schools
Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner demands a constitutional headscarf ban up to 8th grade, calling it vital for equality and child protection.
Cemetery Costs In Austria Rise 44% In Past Ten Years
Cemetery and burial fees up 44% in ten years, far above inflation; some Austrian graves now cost triple as families face new surcharges.
Raiffeisen Bank Profit Rises 21% as Russian Losses Deepen
Raiffeisen Bank profit climbs 21% to €1.03 B despite Russia losses; RBI trims risk, grows loans, and confirms 2025 outlook.
Austrian Airlines Criticizes Austria’s High Operational Costs
Austrian Airlines CEO Annette Mann calls for long-term aviation strategy as Vienna’s high costs and taxes strain airline profitability.
42 Climate Activists Charged with Property Damage in Vienna
Vienna prosecutors charge 42 “Last Generation” activists for property damage but drop criminal organization allegations.
BOKU Study Maps Europe’s New Wolf Hotspots
BOKU finds wolf conflict hotspots; ministry plans management as WWF calls for nationwide herd protection over wolf shootings.
Austria Plans New Drone Defense Strategy After European Incidents
Austria boosts drone defense after rising European incidents; Tanner calls drones major threats and plans tighter airspace protection.
Ryanair Pulls More Planes from Vienna over High Austrian Fees
Ryanair cuts two more Vienna planes, citing Austria’s high air taxes and airport fees as rivals Wizz, Level, and easyJet exit the city.
Study: Vienna’s Rent Prices Up 45% In A Decade
Vienna’s housing costs surged 45% in ten years, a study warns, as inflation and investor sales erode the city’s affordable housing model.
Graz Police Dismantle Violent International Drug Ring
Police in Graz arrested 11 suspects and seized drugs, weapons, and cash after dismantling a violent international narcotics gang.
2,000 Children In Austria Lack Health Insurance Coverage
Vienna’s child advocacy office warns 2,000 children in Austria lack health insurance and crisis centers are overcrowded and unsafe.
ÖGK Chief Calls For Cap On Private Doctor Fees
ÖGK head Andreas Huss calls for a cap on private doctor fees; Austria’s Medical Chamber rejects the proposal, citing doctors’ autonomy.
Nine In Ten Austrian Households Struggle With Energy Costs
EY study: 90% of Austrian households try to save energy, 17% can’t pay bills on time, and electricity costs continue to rise.
Austria Celebrates 70 Years Of Neutrality
Austria celebrates National Day with wreath ceremonies, open houses, and a major military exhibition at Vienna’s historic Heldenplatz.
Economy Minister Debates Extending 200-Euro Overtime Tax-Free Limit
Economy Minister Hattmannsdorfer calls to extend Austria’s higher 200-euro monthly tax exemption for overtime pay beyond 2025.
Towns Remove Gmeiner Statues, Debate Street Renamings
After abuse claims against SOS founder Hermann Gmeiner, Austrian cities remove statues and debate renaming streets and honors.
Austria’s Security Union Rejects 1.7% Offer As “Mockery”
Austria’s security union vida rejected a 1.7% wage offer, demanding a 3% inflation adjustment and better working conditions.
New Bank Transfer Rules Confuse Austrian Customers
Austria’s new bank transfer rules, requiring IBAN-name checks, spark confusion among customers and concerns from charities.
Tyrol: Three Armed Men Attack 27-Year-Old in His Apartment
A 27-year-old man was beaten, tied up, and seriously injured during a violent armed home invasion in Ampass, Tyrol; police seek three suspects.
Peršmanhof Groups Demand Apology After Police Report
Peršmanhof museum and activists demand an apology and reforms after a report on a controversial Carinthia police raid.
SOS Children’s Villages Founder Accused Of Child Abuse
SOS Children’s Villages confirms abuse allegations against founder Hermann Gmeiner, accused of assaulting eight boys between 1950–1980.
Car Of Missing Austrians Found In Czech Lake After 10 Years
A car linked to two Austrians missing since 2015 was found in the Czech Lipno Reservoir with human remains inside; DNA tests are pending.
OeNB: EU-US Trade Deal Carries Risks But Also Opportunities
OeNB says the EU-US trade deal weakens Europe against the US but boosts its position over China; €517B in planned investments doubted.
Austria’s Single-Family Home Prices Rise 2.2% In Early 2025
Austria’s single-family home prices rose 2.2% in early 2025 to €337,000, while real prices fell and sales increased by one-third.
Austria’s Hospital Stays Drop 16.5% Per Capita Since 2000
Hospital stays in Austria fell 16.5% per capita over 25 years, while average stay length dropped and medical procedures increased.
Constitutional Court Ends Ban on “Social Egg Freezing”
Austria’s Constitutional Court ruled the ban on non-medical egg freezing unconstitutional; the restriction will be lifted in April 2027.
Austria Carries Out First Deportation to Afghanistan Since 2021
Austria deported an Afghan man convicted of rape to Kabul, marking its first deportation to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan since 2021.
Brau Union Aims to Triple Non-Alcoholic Beer Sales in Austria
Brau Union plans to raise non-alcoholic beer sales to 10% of output as Austria’s beer consumption declines amid changing habits.
ÖVP’s Hattmannsdorfer Opposes SPÖ Rent-Gouging Proposal
Economy Minister Hattmannsdorfer rejected the SPÖ’s proposal for a new rent-gouging law, warning against “criminalizing” landlords.
AMS Limits Extra Earnings For Unemployed From 2026
Starting in 2026, unemployed individuals will only be allowed to supplement their unemployment benefits or emergency assistance with additional earnings in exceptional cases.
Kickl Calls For “Austria Basket” To Tackle Food Inflation
FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl is appealing to the grocery trade to launch a voluntary initiative to curb inflation in basic foodstuffs.
Austria’s Asylum Applications Drop 32% in 2025
Austria recorded 13,032 asylum applications in 2025, down 32% year-on-year, with more female and underage refugees than before.
Controlled Blast Fells 145-Meter Landmark In Trieben, Austria
The 145-meter “Long Ernst” chimney in Trieben, Styria, was demolished in a controlled blast, ending a major landmark of the region’s industry.
Austria Relaunches Repair Bonus as “Device Saver Bonus”
Austria relaunches its repair program as the “Device Saver Bonus” in December, focusing on household items with a €30M annual budget.
Vienna Insurance Group Buys Nürnberger For €1.38 Billion
Vienna Insurance Group acquires German insurer Nürnberger for up to €1.38B, its largest deal ever, expanding into Germany’s market.
Government to Ban E-Mopeds From Bike Paths Under New Traffic Law
Austria’s new traffic law bans e-mopeds from bike paths, adds helmet rules for e-bikes and scooters, and allows camera-based traffic control.
Serial Burglar Robs Seniors In Vienna, Stealing €600,000
Vienna police arrested a 49-year-old serial burglar accused of stealing seniors’ keys and looting homes, causing €600,000 in damage.
René Benko Sentenced to Two Years in Prison For Fraud
Ex-tycoon René Benko sentenced to two years in prison for fraudulent bankruptcy; acquitted in rent case but guilty over €300K gift.
200 Complaints Filed Against Supermarkets For Misleading Discounts
Vienna fined supermarkets for false price labels and missing discounts after 1,200 inspections; major chains increased profits by 60%.
Vienna Plans €2 Billion Savings To Cut 2026 Budget Deficit
Vienna plans €2B in savings for 2026 to cut its deficit to €2.65B, with fee hikes and reforms but no cuts to free kindergartens or schools.
Ikea Austria Fined €1.5M For Filming Shoppers’ PIN Entries
Ikea fined €1.5M in Austria for illegal video surveillance at its Vienna store, accused of filming shoppers and their PIN entries.
René Benko Pleads Not Guilty in Innsbruck Fraud Trial
Signa founder René Benko goes on trial in Innsbruck for allegedly hiding €660K from creditors; prosecutors seek up to 10 years’ jail.
AMS Chief: Red-White-Red Card Won’t Fix Labor Market Gaps
AMS chief Johannes Kopf warns Austria can’t fix labor shortages with immigration alone and urges better use of refugees and AI tools.
Bright Comet Lemmon to Light Up October Skies in Europe
Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) will be visible from mid-October, reaching magnitude 3 brightness and glowing faintly to the naked eye.
Parship Survey: 62% Of Singles In Austria Live Alone
A Parship survey shows 62% of Austrian singles live alone, while nearly half under 30 still live with parents and 17% struggle with rent.
New Housing Package Faces Heavy Criticism in Review
Austria’s new rent reform faces strong criticism: business groups warn of housing risks, while unions and tenants say it falls short.
University of Vienna Ranks 95th in World Ranking
The University of Vienna ranks 95th in the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Ranking — Austria’s first-ever top 100 placement.
Vienna: Driver Gets 3.5 Years For Ramming Police Car
A 33-year-old Vienna driver was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison after a police chase where he rammed an officer and caused a crash.
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