Vienna International Guide - Austrian Lifestyle, Travel, Arts, Culture

Austrian Population Rises Above 8.5 Million

Austria's population increases to 8.58 million at the beginning of 2015, according to preliminary results of Statistics Austria. In absolute terms, the population grew by almost 72 000 last year. Hence, population growth was significantly higher than in the previous year (2013: +56 000). More than half of the population growth was concentrated in the Eastern part of Austria (55.9%), where Vienna accounted for a large share of the total increase (38.9%).

February 20, 2015

Spar to Relaunch "Huma” Shopping Park in Vienna-Simmering

The starting signal for building work to turn the HUMA Shopping Center into probably the most modern shopping center in the capital has already been given in December 2014. A shopping center with more than 90 shops, restaurants, catering outlets and services, 2000 free parking spaces and 800 jobs is being built at a traditional location in Vienna-Simmering on a gross leasable area of 50,000 square meters.

February 17, 2015

Austria is Celebrating 60 Years of United Nations Membership in 2015

Austria became a member of the United Nations in 1955 and is celebrating 60 years of UN membership in 2015. 70 years ago, the United Nations were founded in San Francisco.

February 5, 2015

Vienna is Among the Top 10 Startup Cities Where Entrepreneurs Want to Meet Up

A search engine for finding entrepreneurs to meet up with has published a list of the top 10 international startup cities. Vienna made it to number six. Continue reading to see the full ranking of the top international startup cities where entrepreneurs want to meet up.

February 4, 2015

Vienna as a Business Location - The City at a Glance

Vienna combines tradition, culture and quality of life with the factors of a top business location in a unique way. A stable political and economic environment, a research and technology-friendly climate, geographical and cultural proximity to the growth markets in the east and, not least, the highest quality of life in the world provide for a place at the very top of the world’s rankings.

January 27, 2015

Vienna as a Business Location - Areas of Strength

Vienna combines tradition, culture and quality of life with the factors of a top business location in a unique way. A stable political and economic environment, a research and technology-friendly climate, geographical and cultural proximity to the growth markets in the east and, not least, the highest quality of life in the world provide for a place at the very top of the world’s rankings.

January 22, 2015

10 Reasons Why You Should Invest In Vienna

In this post you'll find the top 10 reasons why your company or institution should consider investing in Vienna/Austria. In fact, we'll share the international studies which confirm the numbers and facts including its closest competitors. We look at the quality of living, the smart cities index, the prosperity, international congresses and conventions, the most reputable cities, the innovation cities index, online cities, business friendliness and other factors that influence the decision making.

January 20, 2015

World Leaders Met in Vienna to Adopt 10 Year Action-Plan for Landlocked Developing Countries

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a 10 year action-plan aimed at accelerating sustainable development in the world’s 32 landlocked developing countries (LLDCs). A Business and Investment Forum was organized as an integral part of the 2nd United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries with the aim of exchanging views on the challenges and opportunities faced by LLDCs and to discuss possible partnerships and strategies in regards to the role of the private sector in the overall sustainable development of LLDCs. Also, Conchita Wurst performed live at the UN in Vienna for tolerance and mutual respect.

November 7, 2014

Vienna Among Top 10 Cities to Visit in 2015

One of the world’s best known publishers of independent travel and language guides, Lonely Planet, has ranked Vienna as one of the top 10 cities “not to be missed” by travellers in 2015. According to Lonely Planet, there is no better time to visit Austria than next year during the Eurovision Song Contest 2015, which takes place in Vienna. The list also includes destinations like Washington, Milan, Chennai or Toronto.

October 24, 2014

Vienna University of Economics once again Secures #22 in the „Financial Times“ Ranking

In the annual assessment of the best management programs worldwide the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration (WU) is once again among the top 25 best institutions. The program "International Business" (IBW) secured 22nd place in the „Global Masters in Management 2014“ ranking of the „Financial Times“.

October 15, 2014

European Startups in Vienna: Entering a New Age of Pioneering

From October 29th startups will compete for the attention of investors and companies in Vienna. The application for the Pioneers Challenge has just begun. Start-ups have no easy job to enthuse investors for their ideas. But Vienna offers one of the best ways to do just that: During the Pioneers Festival in late October young companies can secure the attention of potential donors and inspire other companies and media for their innovations.

September 18, 2014

Investment Opportunities: Moscow - Viennese Economic Talks in Vienna

Within the framework of the "Moscow Days in Vienna", an Economic Forum on economic, investment and technological cooperation "Moscow - Vienna 2014 Synergy - New Opportunities for Growth" was held in the Chamber of Commerce of Vienna.

September 11, 2014

The United Nations Celebrate 35 Years in Vienna

The United Nations moved into the VIC Vienna International Centre 35 years ago. The VIC was officially opened on 23 August 1979 when it was handed over to the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Commonly known locally as 'UNO City', it has been rented to the organizations for 99 years at a symbolic rate of 1 Austrian schilling (7 euro cents) annually.

August 11, 2014

Analysis: Eurovision Song Contest 2015 in Vienna, Austria

The contest will take place in Vienna, Austria, following Conchita Wurst's victory in the 2014 contest in Copenhagen, with the song "Rise Like a Phoenix". On 6 August 2014, it was announced that Vienna had been chosen as the host city for the 2015 contest. It will be hosted in Wiener Stadthalle.

August 6, 2014

Eurovision Song Contest 2015: The Winner is Vienna

"As an internationally-minded city, Vienna is the best venue for this event, and will prove its cosmopolitan nature to the international public. Most importantly, we want the Song Contest on 23 May 2015 to be a cause for celebration for everyone in Vienna - locals and guests alike." says Mayor Michael Häupl.

August 6, 2014

Cost of Living Rankings: CEE Capitals Cheaper, Vienna is 32nd Most Expensive City

The Mercer's 2014 Cost of Living Rankings have been published and cover 211 cities across five continents. While Western European cities have all risen in the rankings mainly due to the strengthening of the Euro against the US dollar, most cities in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), however have fallen in the ranking as a result of local currencies depreciating against the US dollar. Bratislava (#84), Prague (#92), Kiev (#98), Ljubljana (#116), Zagreb (#120), Budapest (#135), Warsaw (#142), Belgrade (#184).

July 25, 2014

German Investment: New EUR 140 Mln Data Center for the City of Vienna

A 140 million Euro investment from Frankfurt based e-shelter strengthens Vienna as an international ICT center.

July 3, 2014

Tonight Emirates Will Take the First Airbus A380 to Vienna

Emirates airline will operate a one-off A380 service to Vienna, celebrating 10 years of flying to Vienna International Airport.

May 26, 2014

Global Real Estate & Economy Talks (GREET) in Vienna

GREET is short for “Global Real Estate & Economy Talks“. It is the platform for commercial property and investments in CEE and SEE, including Russia, Turkey and CIS.

May 19, 2014

Wesner: “Failing in Business Does Not Mean Personal Failure”

The start-up culture in Austria is clearly different than the one in the US. On the occation of the May Day, experts, including US ambassador to Austria Alexa Wesner, talked about the differences in the start-up scenes.

May 8, 2014

Vienna Drops in “Global Cities Index”

Vienna drops three places. Regardless of the financial crisis the largest global financial centers in New York and London are still the cities with the biggest influence world-wide.

April 16, 2014

Vienna: Luxury Real Estate Segment Booms

In contrast to the general trend in Austria, the properties in Vienna become more and more expensive. About 25% of the apartments cost more than € 500,000.

April 15, 2014

Wealthy Investing in Real Estates in Vienna

Vienna is considered a “safe haven” for real estate investments. In particular, luxury homes, such as the Palais Principe for instance, are more than attractive for wealthy investors.

April 4, 2014

Real Estate in Vienna: Offer Does Not Catch up Demand

There is a growing trend towards population increase as well as small households in Vienna.

March 25, 2014

Austria: Prices for Luxury Real Estates Soaring

The prices for luxury real estates in Austria continue to increase.

March 10, 2014

Austrian Real Estate Market Shrinks

In terms of transactions, the Austrian real estate market shrank by 12.5% last year. Nevertheless, the price level has reached new records.

March 6, 2014

Vienna: City with Highest Quality in Life

Just like last year Vienna is on top of the list of the major cities with the highest life quality. Baghdad ranks last in the survey carried out by Mercer.

February 19, 2014

Low Expectations in Nuclear Talks with Iran in Vienna

Optimism among officials about successful talks to end Iran’s nuclear program is restrained.

February 19, 2014

Austria: Real Estate Prices Still Soaring

Barely any other city in Europe saw prices rising as high for residential real estates as Vienna.

February 18, 2014

Real Estate: Vienna´s Office Market Saturated

In contrast to office markets in CESEE (Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe), the Viennese office market has no major projects in the pipeline. The growth potential is rather limited.

February 15, 2014

Austrian Real Estate: Prices to Increase only in Vienna

While the property price level does not stop to increase in Austria´s capital, the rest of Austria faces stagnating property prices.

February 12, 2014

Viennese Real Estate: Roof Space Utilization is the Key

In Austria´s capital, living space is rather limited. In the next few years, shortages in the housing market will sharpen further.

February 5, 2014

Real Estate: Outskirts of Vienna Popular Among East Europeans

More and more well situated East Europeans discover the suburban regions surrounding the Austrian capital. Unlike in Vienna, property prices are going up steadily.

February 4, 2014

Real Estate: Why Austrians Prefer Rented Apartments

About 40% of the Austrian households are rented apartments. Most tenants cannot afford becoming homeowners.

February 3, 2014

Austrian Office Market: Boom is Over

The increase in new construction has reached a new low. According to Bernhard Reikersdorfer (CEO of Remax Austria), the price situation will remain stable.

January 20, 2014

Oberbank Continues Expansion Strategy

The Austrian regional bank considers Vienna and the Czech Republic as potential growth markets.

January 17, 2014

Sajdik New Chairman of UN ECOSOC

The Austrian diplomat Martin Sajdik became President of the Economic and Social Council, which is one of the most important bodies of the UN.

January 15, 2014

Property Market: Vienna More Attractive than Berlin or Munich

Compared to German metropolises, the Viennese property market has still a significant upside potential. Nevertheless, the office market in Vienna is expected to stagnate in the next few years.

January 15, 2014

Shortages in Austrian Real Estate Market

The Austrian real estate association (ÖVI) warns of a low building activity. There is a lack of more than 10,000 new housing units per year, ÖVI argued.

January 8, 2014

Austrian Real Estate Market Returns to Normality

Demand is slowing down again. Nevertheless, the price level remains high.

December 26, 2013

Major Changes in Viennese Property Market

After 2008, frame conditions in the Viennese residential property market have changed fundamentally. Four major trends were observable.

December 20, 2013

Living Expenses for Expats in Austria

In global rankings, Vienna often emerges as a relatively low-cost destination for expatriates. But what does this mean in terms of day-to-day expenses? We explore the cost of living in Austria below.

December 16, 2013 · Sponsored Content

Bank Austria`s Headquarter Sold

The Austrian investor Ronny Pecik has bought the headquarter building of the largest Austrian bank.

December 14, 2013

Bawag Sells Headquarter Building

In order to improve its equity base, the Austrian banking group sells the headquarter building in Vienna´s City.

November 23, 2013

Austrian Real Estate Market: Shopping Centers Under Pressure

Shopping centre market: old and less attractive models coming under increased pressure from online trading. This is reported by Bank Austria in its latest report “Real Estate Country Facts”.

September 28, 2013

Austrian Real Estate Market: Residential Housing Still Affordable

Austria offers good and affordable residential housing. However, strong price gains were registered in 2012, Bank Austria published in its report “Real Estate Country Facts”. In the next years, rents will continue to grow.

September 27, 2013

Austrian Commercial Real Estate Market on Right Track

Viennese office property market: new lettings are slowly picking up momentum – new construction volume of 205,000 m² expected in 2013. This is the result of the report “Real Estate Country Facts” issued by Bank Austria.