Vienna International Guide - Austrian Lifestyle, Travel, Arts, Culture
Get updated news about developments in Vienna's inter-cultural environment: lifestyle, travel destinations, art exhibitions, restaurant- & event-suggestions
Coronavirus Alert Level in Austria: "Forced Measures" are Not Excluded
The situation in Italy is being closely monitored, and Austria is well prepared for any eventuality. In Austria there was "no reason to panic". Border controls could be "ramped up" within minutes or within an hour, according to the Minister of the Interior.
February 23, 2020
Coronavirus Outbreak in Austria: Current Risk Assessment
The opposition demands the highest alert level and border controls for Austria. Minister of the Interior: "Coercive measures not excluded". What is the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection for Austria's population and for travellers travelling in and out of Austria?
February 23, 2020
Security at the Vienna Opera Ball: 300 Police Officers on Duty
According to the Ministry of the Interior, the security concept and the security measures in and around the Vienna State Opera are impressive. In total, up to 300 police officers are deployed at the Opera Ball. These include two Dutch shepherd dogs which searched the State Opera for explosives and other suspicious objects.
February 20, 2020
Van Gogh, Cézanne, Matisse, Hodler at the Albertina
The Albertina Museum in Vienna dedicates its spring exhibition 2020 to the "Hahnloser Collection", one of the most important Private collections of French modernism. The collection was created between 1905 and 1936 and includes works by Pierre Bonnard, Ferdinand Hodler, Henri Matisse, Cézanne, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gogh and Félix Vallotton.
February 20, 2020
Coronavirus: Infopoint for Affected Companies
The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber has set up a central contact point in Vienna for companies that have requests in connection with the coronavirus. The "Coronavirus Infopoint" brings together all information from Austria and abroad on this topic.
February 19, 2020
Vienna Opera Ball 2020: The World's Most Famous Ballroom
At the Vienna Opera Ball on February 20, 2020, the Vienna State Opera will be transformed into possibly the most famous ballroom in the world. The so-called "Ball of Balls" is an Austrian society event and creates encounters between artists, politicians, business people and diplomacy.
February 17, 2020
Austrian Airlines Extends China Flight Ban as Coronavirus Toll Climbs
AUA Austrian Airlines extends its flight suspensions to mainland China (Beijing and Shanghai) until the end of the winter flight schedule on 28 March 2020. Most recently the flights had been suspended until 29 February.
February 16, 2020
Guide to VAT Refund for Visitors to Austria - Cash Refund at Vienna International Airport
Austria has one of the highest refund rates for large purchases, at up to 15%. A convenient way for visitors from third countries or non-EU countries is to apply for a cash refund of the VAT at the airport (Flughafen Wien Schwechat) on all their purchases made in Austria before their return flight.
February 10, 2020
Austrian Measures against the Novel Coronavirus
At a press conference at Vienna International Airport (Wien-Schwechat) on the coronavirus, Minister of Health Anschober and Minister of the Interior Nehammer provided information on the measures taken by Austria and the airport as follows..
February 7, 2020
UNWG International Festival - Charity Bazaar 2020 at the Austria Center Vienna
Once again this year, 20,000 visitors from all nations are expected at the 52nd Bazaar of the United Nations Womens Guild Vienna (UNWG) at the Austria Center Vienna. With the sale of culinary delicacies, products and handicrafts from over 80 countries, the UNWG collects money for needy children. The proceeds will again be donated to charitable organizations.
February 4, 2020
China Returnees: No Coronavirus in Vienna yet
The first coronavirus test results (2019-nCoV PCR tests) of those seven Austrians who returned Sunday from the Chinese province of Hubei and were transferred directly to the Hygiene Centre Vienna are now available and all of them are negative.
February 4, 2020
IAEA Staff Association Ball at Hofburg Palace Vienna 2020
The latest IAEA Staff Association Ball was held on Saturday, 1 February 2020 at the Hofburg Palace, the former imperial palace in the centre of Vienna. It's a unique breathtaking celebration, displaying a kaleidoscope of diversity in music and dance culture, national costumes, food and wine.
February 3, 2020
Is Vienna Prepared for the Novel Coronavirus?
In the meantime, there are four suspected cases of the coronavirus in Austria, which is suspected to be derived from snakes. Vienna has drawn up its own influenza pandemic plan for the city based on the federal pandemic plan.
January 31, 2020
Schwarzenegger's Interest in the Jewish History of Vienna
During a visit to the Jewish Museum Vienna (Jüdisches Museum Wien) together with his partner Heather Milligan, the former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, expressed great emotion.
January 30, 2020
Corona Virus: Austrian Airlines Suspends Flights to Mainland China
AUA Austrian Airlines will suspend its flights to and from Beijing and Shanghai. Also its parent company Lufthansa, and Swiss International Air Lines will suspend their flights to and from Mainland China until February 9th.
January 29, 2020
Wiener Eistraum: 25 Years of Ice Skating at the Rathausplatz
One of the highlights among Vienna's events looks back on a proud quarter of a century and is also equipped for a long future. The "Vienna Ice Dream" has been dressed up for its 25th birthday - City Hall Square, 9,000 m² of ice rink and the worldwide unique "Sky Rink" ice terrace sparkled and shone with a glittering glow on the opening evening.
January 23, 2020
Austrian Airlines: Passenger Record, Eight New Destinations and Fleet Concentration in Vienna
The Lufthansa subsidiary registered a record 14.7 million passengers last year. A new promising US route to Boston and seven additional destinations to Rome, Barcelona, Birmingham, Nuremberg. Zadar, Kavala and Samos are on the agenda for 2020.
January 21, 2020
Aircraft Crash: Austrian Airlines Cancels Tehran Flights
Austrian Airlines flights to the Iranian capital are cancelled for the time being. The reason is the unclear security situation in Iranian airspace.
January 10, 2020
Foreign Ministry Advises Against Travelling to Iran
There is currently no official travel warning from the Austrian Foreign Ministry, although it advises against travel that is not absolutely necessary.
January 10, 2020
Ludwig van Beethoven, the Immigrant, Turns 250
In 2020, the City of Vienna will celebrate the 250th birthday of a Viennese by choice, Ludwig van Beethoven, who was born in Bonn on 17 December 1770.
December 16, 2019
Outstanding Artist Awards: International Flagships of the Art Scene
The awards are presented annually to artists of the younger and middle generation for outstanding achievements. At this year's presentation of the awards in the Federal Chancellery, Minister of Art and Culture Schallenberg stressed that the aim of this award was to highlight the extraordinary achievements of Austrian artists, "especially those who have a particular influence on the current art scene", i.e. who are " outstanding".
December 9, 2019
Vienna Expects Lucrative Ball Season 2020 with 151 Million Euro Turnover
At the Viennese balls, 520,000 ball guests are expected this season, one of whom will spend an average of 290 euros.
November 21, 2019
Hedy Lamarr: Most Beautiful Woman in the World and Inventor Returns to Vienna
The Jewish Museum Vienna presents the new exhibition "Lady Bluetooth. Hedy Lamarr". Hedy Lamarr, born in Vienna in 1914, made a career in Hollywood as an actress and was crowned "the most beautiful woman in the world". In addition, the world owes her one of the most far-reaching inventions without which mobile telephony, WLAN or Bluetooth would be unthinkable today.
November 19, 2019
Schallenberg in St. Petersburg: Art, Culture and Human Rights
Alexander Schallenberg travelled to Saint Petersburg to sign a declaration with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Medinsky on the programme of the "Year of Literature and Theatre Austria".
November 18, 2019
Another Electric Rental Scooter Has Arrived in Vienna
"Emmy", a Berlin-based start-up and electric scooter sharing company is rolling into Austria. The scooters are now also available for short-term rental in Vienna in addition to major German cities. Further Austrian cities are to follow.
November 15, 2019
Upper Austria's Bad Ischl Becomes European Capital of Culture 2024
Together with two other capitals of culture, Tartu in Estonia and Bodo in Norway, Bad Ischl (together with 20 other municipalities of the Salzkammergut) was elected European Capital of Culture 2024.
November 12, 2019
Austria Acquires Extraordinary Estate of Star Photographer Yoichi Okamoto
The Austrian National Library recently scored a special coup by purchasing the personal photographic estate of Yoichi R. Okamoto. The Japanese-American, who was promoted to official photographer of the White House under President Lyndon B. Johnson, was head of the American photography service in Austria from 1948 to 1954 and thus had the opportunity to capture post-war Austria directly with his camera.
November 7, 2019
Travel: Visit the most Beautiful Lake of Austria
Viewers of the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) have chosen their "most beautiful place". The most beautiful place in Austria is the turquoise blue Lake Lünersee (Lünersee) at 1,970 metres above sea level in the federal state of Vorarlberg.
October 28, 2019
Opening of the 57th Viennale at the Gartenbaukino in Vienna
The largest international film festival in Austria, the Viennale was opened in Vienna's Gartenbaukino in the presence of Federal Chancellor Bierlein. The role of women in society is of the highest relevance.
October 25, 2019
Buy Local - Invest Global: How to Invest Your Money on the Vienna Stock Exchange
Expats in Austria now have access to over 680 internationally sought-after securities from 26 countries at local conditions.
October 25, 2019
What You Always Wanted To Know About Viennese Diplomatic Number Plates
How to find out for which country or international institution a vehicle with an Austrian diplomatic license plate is registered, starting with the initials WD (Wien Diplomat) and a certain number. For example, "WD-1" is the Diplomatic Code for Vatican City.
October 23, 2019
Diplomats in Austria: How the VAT Refund Works
Would you like to know how you can recover your VAT expenses as a diplomat working in Austria or as an expat with diplomatic status working for an international organisation?
October 23, 2019
Strategic Objectives of the Vienna Visitor Economy Strategy 2025: Premium, Cosmopolitan, Digital
Vienna is already setting international standards in the holistic analysis of data for the development of destinations. The achievement of the goals of the Visitor Economy Strategy 2025 can be measured by six target indicators, which reflect the effects on turnover and added value as well as the satisfaction of residents and guests and ecological developments.
October 22, 2019
A New Age for Vienna Tourism
Following the tourism concepts of previous years, the City of Vienna, under the auspices of the Vienna Tourist Board, is for the first time presenting its "Visitor Economy Strategy" until 2025.
October 22, 2019
City of Vienna Battles Airbnb & Co
Shortly before the new European Commission takes up its tasks, the City of Vienna is launching a new Europe-wide offensive to finally achieve clear rules for digital platforms such as Airbnb & Co.
October 22, 2019
How to Marry an Austrian Millionaire?
According to Credit Suisse's Global Wealth Report published today, 4.4 percent or 313,000 of Austrians are dollar millionaires, and each adult Austrian has an average of 247,000 euros ($274,919) in assets.
October 21, 2019
Salzburg Festival: Awarded Festival of the Year by Musical America
The specialist journal "Musical America" has named the Salzburg Festival "Festival of the Year". The Musical America Awards will be presented for the 59th time in December at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
October 17, 2019
Austrian Art and Culture as a Means of Foreign Policy
Austrian reception on the occasion of the Frankfurt Book Fair (Frankfurter Buchmesse) 2019.
October 17, 2019
Writer Peter Handke Awarded Nobel Prize for Literature 2019

The Swedish Academy has awarded the Austrian writer Peter Handke the Nobel Prize in Literature 2019 "for an influential work that with linguistic ingenuity has explored the periphery and the specificity of human experience". The prestigious award is endowed with more than 800,000 euros.
October 10, 2019
Billionaire Heidi Horten Unveils Her Contemporary Museum Concept
Heidi Goëss-Horten has announced the winning architectural office, which will design the new museum of the Heidi Horten Collection in the Palais Goëss-Horten (Hanuschhof / Stöcklgebäude) until the beginning of 2022.
October 9, 2019
Model European Parliament with 100 Participants in Vienna
Students from ten countries discussed European policy issues in the Great Redouten Hall of the Austrian Parliament.
October 8, 2019
Cooperation between New York's 'Met' and Austrian Museums: Maximilian I - The Last Knight
The exhibition "The Last Knight: The Art, Armor, and Ambition of Maximilian I" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York on the significance of the European armaments trade at the beginning of the Renaissance will be held on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of Maximilian I's death. 180 objects from more than 30 private and public collections were collected for this purpose.
October 3, 2019
Austrian Airlines Takes Over Eurowings Flights to Strengthen Vienna Hub
Lufthansa subsidiary Austrian Airlines takes over the commercial management of all Eurowings flights from Vienna. Vienna is to be strengthened as a hub. At the same time, Eurowings will strongly expand its presence at Salzburg Airport and increase the number of Airbus A319 aircraft stationed in Salzburg to a total of three.
September 27, 2019
Resident Alien Traces the Contributions of Austrian-American Architects
During his visit to the UN General Assembly in New York, Foreign and Culture Minister Schallenberg opened the exhibition "Resident Alien: Austrian Architects in America" at the Austrian Cultural Forum New York.
September 26, 2019
The Belvedere at Night - An Extraordinary Evening at a Beautiful Baroque Palace
With its unique baroque palace complex and a world-class art collection, the Belvedere Vienna offers an exquisite setting for various events such as weddings and business breakfasts.
September 25, 2019 · Sponsored Content
Reception on the Occasion of the Jewish New Year Festival Rosh Hashanah
The two-day Jewish New Year festival Rosh Hashanah lasts from the evening before 30 September to 01 October 2019 and is always celebrated 163 days after the Passover. At a reception at the Austrian Federal Chancellery, Chancellor Bierlein and Foreign Minister Schallenberg thanked the guests for coming, in particular the Ambassador of the State of Israel for her tireless bilateral commitment.
September 23, 2019
Conference Metropolis Vienna on the Rise
With more than 4,500 events, 631,000 participants and 1.9 million overnight stays per year, Vienna is one of the world's most popular meeting metropolises and sets new records year after year. Last year was a highly successful year, as conferences in the metropolis of Vienna have never brought so much added value as in 2018.
September 23, 2019
Expats in Austria Give Host Country Its Worst Ranking Yet
Expats in Austria enjoy a healthy life with great opportunities to travel, however, finding friends or even love can be a struggle. Hence Austria became 3rd from the bottom (56th out of 64 countries) in the Ease of Settling In Index.
September 20, 2019
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Russian Embassy Vienna
The Russian Embassy in Vienna is the diplomatic representation of Russia vis-à-vis the Republic of Austria. Since 1891 it has been located in Reisnerstrasse in the 3rd district of Vienna, in the former palace of the banker Israel Simon and the Duke of Nassau. The two most important meetings that took place there were those between Nikita Khrushchev and John F. Kennedy, and between Leonid Brezhnev and Jimmy Carter.
September 19, 2019
The Majlis - Cultures in Dialogue: Exhibition Opening at the Weltmuseum Wien
President of the National Council Sobotka opened the exhibition "The Majlis - Cultures in Dialogue" at the World Museum Vienna, which deals with intercultural dialogue in the Arab world. The travelling exhibition shows the collection of the museum of Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al-Thani in Doha.
September 19, 2019
