Vienna International Guide - Austrian Lifestyle, Travel, Arts, Culture - Vindobona.org

Jewish Museum Vienna: Restitution to Ephrussi Family after Decades

The Jewish Museum Vienna has restituted the Franz Adam painting “Camp Scene from 1848 in Italy” to the Ephrussi family. Following the authorization by Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner, ownership of the painting was returned to the heirs of Viktor Ephrussi. The painting was in the Museum of Military History in Vienna after being confiscated from Viktor Ephrussi by the Nazis. Read more about the painting's history and its restitution to the Ephrussi family.

September 14, 2021

Jewish Museum Vienna: Barbara Staudinger to Succeed Danielle Spera After 12 Years

Dr. Barbara Staudinger has been unanimously selected to succeed Dr. Danielle Spera as the managing director of the Jewish Museum Vienna. Dr. Spera has served as the director of the museum since 2010, and her contract will expire in June 2022. Read more about Dr. Staudinger and some of the responses to her selection.

September 13, 2021

Foreign Culture is Central Element of Austrian Diplomatic Soft Power

At the International Culture Conference 2021, Foreign Minister Schallenberg spoke about the importance of foreign culture as an instrument of soft power and diplomacy. He also highlighted some of the various new initiatives and programs to promote foreign culture, such as the "International Music Dialogues," the “On the road again” initiative for visual artists, “Repair of the Future - the Global Casting of Tomorrow,” and more.

September 10, 2021

Back to School: 82 Percent of Austrian Teachers Vaccinated

As the school year begins, statistics show that 82 percent of Austrian teachers have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This is a much higher proportion than that of the general population, which is 65 percent fully immunized. The willingness to vaccinate varies by federal state, type of school, gender, and age group. Read more about the results of the study, such as where each federal state ranks on the list.

September 9, 2021

Corona Virus in Austria: Almost 1,500 New Infections Nationwide

To date, there have been 698,948 positive test results in Austria. As of today, 10,812 people have died as a result of Corona virus across Austria, currently with 1,438 new infections Austria-wide, 171 are being cared for in intensive care units. Read on to get all the latest stats.

September 7, 2021

Number of Naturalizations in Austria Continues to Rise Despite Covid

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, naturalizations in Austria have increased in the first half of 2021. During this time Austria granted citizenship to 5,057 people. In the same period, however, Vienna experienced a decrease in the number of naturalizations. Read more about the details of this trend and how they vary among the federal states of Austria.

September 3, 2021

Number of Anti-Semitism Incidents in Austria Doubled

The Anti-Semitism Reporting Office of the Jewish Community Vienna (IKG) presented its semi-annual report for the first half of 2021. The report showed that the number of incidents had doubled from the same period of the previous year. It attributed the increase mainly to Israel-related anti-Semitism and anti-Semitism surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

September 3, 2021

Greater Flexibility: Austrian Airlines Improves Booking Platform

Austrian Airlines (AUA) has improved its booking platform to provide more flexibility when booking. The platform now allows customers to book flights from the entire route network of Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa and SWISS. This new booking platform provides multiple new benefits to customers, including a broader selection of destinations, free 48-hour booking reservations, and more. Read about all the advantages the new platform has to offer.

August 31, 2021

17,000 Descendants of Nazi Victims Demand Austrian Citizenship

In the one year since the change in the Citizenship Act allowed the descendants of victims of Nazi persecution the right to Austrian citizenship, the Vienna Municipal Department 35 (MA 35) has received nearly 17,000 applications. Around 10,000 of these applications still need to be processed. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and the President of the Jewish Community Oskar Deutsch reflected on the program on its one-year anniversary.

August 31, 2021

40 Years After Terror Attack on City Temple in Vienna - Commemoration of Victims and Heroes

On August 29, 1981, the synagogue in Vienna (City Prayer House - Stadttempel) was shaken by a terrorist attack. It was the bloodiest attack on Jewish life in Austria after World War II. Two Palestinian terrorists killed two people in the attack, and 21 were injured, some seriously.

August 31, 2021

Corona Virus in Austria: Latest Figures

To date, there have been 687,076 positive test results in Austria. As of today, 10,782 people have died as a result of Corona virus across Austria, currently with 1,120 new infections Austria-wide, 122 are being cared for in intensive care units. Read on to get all the latest stats.

August 30, 2021

50th Anniversary: Diplomatic Relations between China and Austria

To commemorate the anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and Austria, the Austrian Post (Österreichische Post) has now also issued a special postage stamp.

August 30, 2021

Covid Booster Vaccinations Start Plus More Vaccination Buses

Lower Austria has announced that it will begin administering COVID-19 booster shots for elderly and risk patients in nursing homes and clinics, an additional three vaccination buses will stop in various communities throughout Lower Austria, and the testing strategy is being expanded to include PCR-test vending machines.

August 30, 2021

Austrian Chamber of Labour and Ombudsman Board: Family Allowances Delayed for Months

Families in Austria are complaining about their family allowances being delayed for months. The President of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour Renate Anderl and Ombudsman Bernhard Achitz have expressed serious concerns about the issue and blame staffing shortages at the Federal Ministry of Finance for the delays.

August 25, 2021

Vienna Danube Tower: Dining Pleasure at a Height of 170 Meters

The Vienna Danube Tower (Wiener Donauturm) offers various packages for enjoying a panoramic view of Vienna at 170 meters high. The tower cafe and tower restaurant offer three-course menus, romantic dinners, brunch buffets, birthday parties, and more. Read more about the various dining options at the top of the Danube Tower.

August 24, 2021 · Sponsored Content

Covid-19 in Austria: Vienna Reduces Validity for Access Tests

The validity of Corona tests will be significantly reduced in Vienna. The reason for this is the increasing numbers due to the delta variant.

August 24, 2021

The Fourth Corona Wave in Austria: Admission to Discos and Nightclubs Only for the Vaccinated?

Unvaccinated people in Austria will soon no longer be able to party. Because the fourth wave with rising infection numbers rolls over the country, the government plans hard measures for the autumn to be expected.

August 23, 2021

Parking Permit: Vienna Introduces Uniform Parking Sticker

The City of Vienna is introducing uniform parking stickers (Parkpickerl) throughout the city. The stickers and new parking regulations are supposed to create more parking spaces, reduce traffic, increase the use of public transport, and help with climate change. Learn more about the sticker and why Vienna made this decision.

August 20, 2021

Vienna Prater: Traditional Amusement Venue Gets Dedicated Museum

By 2024, a new Prater Museum will be constructed on the Straße des Ersten Mai near the Giant Ferris Wheel. This will provide a more suitable location for the City of Vienna and Wien Museum to display the Prater collection and tell the history of the Prater.

August 19, 2021

MA 35 Department: Immigration and Citizenship Calls Are Not Answered

Austria’s municipal department 35 (MA 35), responsible for immigration and citizenship, is facing criticism yet again. In an interview, an employee of the MA 35 has recently divulged that nobody in the office answers the phone. The City Councilor responsible for the MA 35 has assured the public that reforms are being made to resolve the issues that the department is facing.

August 18, 2021

Vienna's New International Long-Distance Bus Terminal

Construction on Vienna’s new international long-distance bus terminal funded by Donau Busterminal Realisierungs GmbH and designed by Burtscher-Durig is set to begin by the end of 2022, and the terminal is expected to be operational by 2024 or 2025. Read more about the estimated project costs of 200 million euros and some of the advantages it presents to international travelers.

August 18, 2021

These Are Austria's Most Popular Lakes

Lake Constance is the most popular Austrian swimming lake on Instagram. Lake Wörthersee came in second, while Tyrol's Achensee, the newcomer to the podium, came in third. Read which other Austrian public bathing lakes took the 4th to 20th places.

August 18, 2021

Miss Europe: The Most Beautiful Woman in Europe to be Crowned in Vienna

Some 30 beauties from 21 nations, including three finalists from Austria, are vying for the title of "Miss Europe".

August 17, 2021

Latest Corona Update: The Austrian Green Passport - What Is It For?

The Green Passport is now being used by many people to provide proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative test for COVID-19 in Austria and throughout the EU. Learn more about what the "Green Passport" is and what it is used for.

August 17, 2021

Solidarity with Lebanon: Austria Sends 100,000 Vaccines

The COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened the multiple crises Lebanon is already facing, including the massive explosion in Beirut, an economic crisis, and political and social instability. Austria is donating 100,000 COVID-19 vaccines to aid Lebanon in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

August 17, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: The New Corona Regulations for Vaccinated Persons

If you wish to visit a hotel or pub in Austria, or use a service provider such as a hair salon, partial vaccination is no longer sufficient. Since August 15, only when fully immunized is a vaccination considered proof of a low epidemiological risk. What are the details of the new regulation?

August 16, 2021

Austria Celebrates Ten-millionth COVID-19 Vaccination

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein celebrated Austria administering its ten-millionth dose of the COVID-19 vaccines. The pair thanked everyone for their efforts and pleaded with the unvaccinated to go get vaccinated.

August 16, 2021

High Honor for Austrian Medal Winners of the Tokyo Summer Olympics

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen held a reception at the Vienna Hofburg for the Austrian medalists of the Tokyo Summer Olympics. At the reception, Van der Bellen and other officials honored the seven athletes led by gold medalist Anna Kiesenhofer.

August 13, 2021

Sports and Diplomacy: Austria Accedes to the Saint-Denis Convention

Austria has become the 21st country to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on an Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports Events. Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer explains that this agreement will help to create a safer environment for fans to enjoy sporting events.

August 12, 2021

"Quick Prayer and a Jab": St. Stephen's Cathedral Vaccination Street Opens

The City of Vienna has opened another COVID-19 vaccination street, and this time it is at St. Stephen's Cathedral, Austria's most famous church. The offer is part of Vienna's ongoing effort to vaccinate as many people as possible.

August 11, 2021

Vienna International Centre - Live-Ticker Coronavirus Situation: Several New Positive COVID-19 Cases, 380 Cases in Total

The Vienna International Centre (VIC, UNO City) and the Vienna International Centre Medical Service are reporting new positive COVID-19 cases. The total number of VIC personnel who have tested positive is 380. Below you can see the latest updates of the four main Vienna-based United Nations organizations (United Nations Office at Vienna/UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN Industrial Development Organization and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization), as announced by UNIS and provided by the Vienna International Centre Medical Service. Regular updates on the number of cases of are no longer issued

June 25, 2020 · Updated: August 9, 2021; 17:25

Austrian Airlines CEO: "The crisis does not allow for a sigh of relief"

A report shows that Austrian Airlines, like the airline industry as a whole, is still suffering greatly from the COVID-19 pandemic. CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech acknowledges that 2021 has been better than 2020 so far, but the airline is still a long way from reaching pre-pandemic numbers.

August 9, 2021

Austria Preparing for COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots

New studies suggest that a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot will be necessary to help end the pandemic. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Health Minister Wolgang Mückstein publicly stated that Austria is taking the necessary steps to prepare for administering a third dose of the vaccine once it is recommended by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

August 9, 2021

The New Austrian Identity Card: Modern and Forgery-proof

Experts from the Austrian Ministry of the Interior, Federal Criminal Police Office, and Austrian State Printing House have developed a modern and more secure identity card. The release of the cards is accompanied by a new mobile phone app that allows users to verify the authenticity of the new cards.

August 6, 2021

Austrian Airlines: Tourist Destinations in the Mediterranean Region Pilot Airline in the Right Direction

With a focus on destinations in the Mediterranean region, Austrian Airlines’ summer flight schedule gave the company an important upward boost. Also, AUA’s flights from the US destinations New York, Washington and Chicago to Vienna were well booked. But what will become of the coming fall/winter season?

August 6, 2021

Where to Get a Paid Corona Test in Vienna

Vienna offers many COVID-19 testing options, both free and paid. Read about where to get paid PCR-tests, antigen tests, and or antibody tests for the coronavirus in Vienna.

August 4, 2021

Emergency Aid for Tunisia: Austria Delivers 50,000 Vaccines

Tunisia is receiving 50,000 AstraZeneca vaccines for COVID-19 from Austria. This comes as Tunisia is suffering heavily from the pandemic and has requested assistance.

August 3, 2021

Danube Limes to Become a World Heritage Site

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has decided to include a section of the Danube Limes located in present-day Austria, Bavaria and Slovakia in the list of World Heritage Sites under the name Frontiers of the Roman Empire - Danube Limes (Western Segment).

August 1, 2021 · Updated: August 2, 2021; 09:38

Peace in Hard Times: Global Peace Photo Awards Ceremony

After canceling the event last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Global Peace Photo Awards Ceremony 2020 was recently held in Baden. The Global Peace Photo Awards Ceremony 2021 will be held later this year. These awards honor the images that best capture the theme of peace each year. Read about the ceremony and who won the awards for 2020.

July 30, 2021

Vienna International Airport: Current Situation for Arriving and Departing Passengers

Before traveling through Vienna International Airport, it is important to be up to date on the current regulations regarding COVID-19. Read about entry requirements, PCR testing at the airport, and more.

July 30, 2021

Hate Crime Motives in Austria: Ethnicity, Ideology and Religion

The Ministry of the Interior released a report on hate crimes in Austria. The report showed that the leading hate crime motives were ethnicity, ideology, and religion. Read more about the report.

July 29, 2021

Can I Get Free COVID-19 Tests at Vienna Airport and How Does It Work?

PCR and rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 are available at the Vienna International Airport. However, they are not free, and there is a process for getting one. Learn more about the specifics here.

July 29, 2021

Vienna Airport: Resumption of Flights to Toronto, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Jeddah

Vienna International Airport announced the resumption of flights to Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The flight resumptions will also provide more connection opportunities to other destinations around the globe.

July 28, 2021

Free PCR Tests in Lower Austria's Pharmacies Starting Immediately

Lower Austria's pharmacies are now offering free COVID-19 PCR tests. This will be especially helpful given the new requirements of a negative PCR test or proof of vaccination to enter clubs or discos. The offer will be provided in conjunction with the progress being made with vaccines. Read about how to get a test and the latest news about Lower Austria's vaccination efforts.

July 28, 2021

Restitution of Austrian Citizenships to Shoah Survivors and Descendants

One Holocaust survivor and 5 descendants of victims of Nazi terror received Austrian citizenship at the Consulate General in New York City. The restitution of 4,621 Austrian citizenships based on the new special procedure has already been successfully completed.

July 27, 2021

Von der Leyen Meets With Alexander Schallenberg and Karoline Edtstadler

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Austrian Federal Minister for the EU and the Constitution Karoline Edtstadler at the Salzburg Festival.

July 27, 2021

Austrian Contemporary Art at Reichenau Castle: "Tension of the Moment"

The Professional Association of Fine Artists of Austria presents Austrian contemporary art in the exhibition "Tension of the Moment" as part of the project series "Augen-Blicke über den Horizont hinaus (Eye-Views Beyond the Horizon)" at Reichenau Castle.

Birgit Adelsberger · July 27, 2021

City of Vienna Offers Moderna Vaccine Without Registration

The City of Vienna is offering the Moderna vaccine without prior registration at the Austria Center Vienna (ACV) to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic. This marks the fourth vaccination campaign offered by the City of Vienna.

July 26, 2021

Digital Pandemic: Interior Ministry Warns About Fraudulent SMS

The Ministry of the Interior led by the Interior Minister, Karl Nehammer, is warning about fraudulent SMS circulating in Austria. The scam aims to trick people into installing malware on their mobile phones by providing a link to an alleged missed voicemail message. Learn how to protect your device and what to do if your device is infected.

July 26, 2021

The Central 5 (C5) Discusses COVID-19 in Czech Republic

Slovak Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok, Slovenian Foreign Minister Anže Logar, Czech Foreign Minister Jakub Kulhánek, and Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, met with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg as part of the “Central 5” (C5) country group. Here they discussed the COVID-19 pandemic, EU enlargement, and more.

July 23, 2021