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

Vienna's Christmas Markets Get You in the Mood for Christmas

Vienna's famous Christmas markets are opening again, and they are the perfect way to get in the Christmas spirit. Learn about some of the numerous Christmas markets and what they have to offer.

November 19, 2021

OeAD: International Agency for Education and Networking Turns 60 Years Old

The Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalization (OeAD) has celebrated its 60th anniversary. Learn about the OeAD and some of its numerous programs, and watch a video with President Van der Bellen.

November 19, 2021

Covid in Austria: Lockdown From Monday, Immediate Tightening of Measures in Vienna

Chancellor Schallenberg and Health Minister Mückstein have announced a nationwide lockdown for Austria beginning Monday. As of February 1, 2022, vaccination will be mandatory in Austria. Additionally, Vienna has announced a tightening of COVID-19 measures effective immediately. Read about the upcoming lockdown and the new measures in Vienna.

November 19, 2021

The Christmas Season Has Come to Vienna: The 2021 Christ Child and Heart Tree

Two popular Viennese Christmas traditions converged when Mayor Ludwig introduced the 2021 Christkindl (Christ Child) in front of the Viennese Heart tree in Vienna's City Hall Park. Read more about this year's Christkindl.

November 17, 2021

Covid in Vienna: Booster Shots for All after Four Months and Vaccination for Children Five Years and Older

The City of Vienna has decided to offer booster vaccinations for COVID-19 to everyone four months after their second dose. The Austrian capital has also begun vaccinating children 5 to 11 years old. Read about these two new vaccination offers.

November 17, 2021

Nightjet: Connecting the City of Music with the City of Love

Austrian Railways (ÖBB) is offering a new Nightjet connection from Vienna to Paris from December 13, 2021. Learn more about this new offer.

November 16, 2021

Covid in Austria: Nationwide Lockdown for Unvaccinated Effective Immediately

Due to the low vaccination rate of about 65 percent and the exploding new infections, a lockdown for the unvaccinated is being imposed in Austria in the fight against the fourth Corona wave. The new rule has been in effect since midnight of Sunday to Monday. The measure will be monitored very consistently, and violations will be punished accordingly. About two million people are affected.

November 14, 2021 · Updated: November 14, 2021; 22:30

Germany Declares Austria a High-Risk Area Again

As of Sunday, Austria is again considered a Covid high-risk area. Returning travelers and travelers from Austria to Germany will again have to go into quarantine. What can vaccinated and recovered people do to avoid having to go back into quarantine?

November 12, 2021

Migration: Expansion of Value and Orientation Courses for Asylum Seekers Planned

Integration Minister Susanne Raab announced that the mandatory values and orientation courses for asylum seekers will be expanded to include three days of lessons rather than just one. Read more about the expansion of the program and what will be taught.

November 12, 2021

COVID-19 in Austria: Verification of Compliance with Applicable Access Rules Becomes Easier

A new app known as Green Check is now widely available in Austria and has made verification of compliance with COVID-19 access rules much simpler. Read more about the new app and how it works.

November 12, 2021

Austrian Airlines on the Way Back to Pre-Crisis Levels

The Lufthansa subsidiary and self-declared "premium carrier" is gearing up against competition from so-called low-cost airlines.

November 11, 2021

Expo Dubai: Viennese Coffeehouse is Culinary Ambassador

The Viennese coffeehouse, Austrian Delight, is serving as the culinary ambassador for Austria at the World Expo in Dubai. Read about how the cafe is representing Austria and what else Vienna is offering at the World Expo.

November 11, 2021

Cybercrime: New High-Tech Cybercrime Center Opens in Vienna

In response to an increase in cybercrime, Austria has opened the new high-tech Cybercrime Center (C4) of the Federal Criminal Police Office. Learn about the stark increase in cybercrime and the new Cybercrime Center.

November 10, 2021

New Shoah Name Walls Memorial in Vienna: 64,440 Names Commemorate Humanity's Atrocity

The Austrian government unveiled the new Shoah Wall of Names Memorial on the 83rd anniversary of the November pogroms. Chancellor Schallenberg, EU Minister Edtstadler, and others spoke at the event. Read about the new memorial, what the leaders said at its opening, and watch a video of the event.

November 10, 2021

November Pogroms: Remembrance Event of the Turkish-Jewish Synagogue in Zirkusgasse

Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig, representatives from the religious communities in Vienna, and others took part in a remembrance event for the November pogroms at the location of one of the synagogues that was burned down in 1938. Read more about the solemn event and what Mayor Ludwig said.

November 10, 2021

Travel: Vaccinated Austrians Allowed to Enter the U.S. Again

Fully vaccinated foreign nationals, including Austrians, are now allowed to enter the United States again without requiring a "national interest exemption." Read about the latest update to US entry requirements and find out who qualifies for an exception.

November 9, 2021

Travel: Airlines Bring Foreign Nationals to the U.S. Again

After more than one and a half years, the US has ended the entry ban for travelers from the European Union on Monday, 8 November. This also allows for Austrians to finally fly to the United States again.

November 9, 2021

Czech Republic Supports IWM Think Tank with 175,000 Euros

The Czech Republic has agreed to provide 175,000 euros in support for research at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) from 2021 to 2023. Learn more about the new agreement and the IWM.

November 9, 2021

COVID-19 in Austria: From 3G to 2G Nationwide

After a meeting with the governors of the federal states of Austria, Chancellor Schallenberg announced a nationwide shift from 3G COVID-19 requirements to 2G. Read more about the new rule and what the chancellor said about it.

November 8, 2021

Südbahnhotel am Semmering: Former Grand Hotel Has New Owner

The former luxury hotel an hour's drive south of Vienna, which has been little used for decades, has been bought by the foundation of a Viennese entrepreneur and is to be revitalized. The focus is to be on cultural events. However, it will take years for the hotel to be fully developed.

November 5, 2021

COVID-19 in Vienna: 2G Rule in Gastronomy and Vaccination Street for 5 to 12-Year-olds

Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig announced that Vienna is planning to implement stricter COVID-19 measures due to the increase in cases and hospitalizations. Read about the new measures and Vienna's plans to offer vaccinations for 5 to 12-year-olds.

November 5, 2021

Austrian Airlines Introduces Biometric Recognition System for Contactless Boarding

Starting November 9, AUA Austrian Airlines plans to test a facial recognition system for fast and contactless boarding in Vienna that has already been tested by Lufthansa.

November 5, 2021

Money Laundering, Tax Offenses and Terrorist Financing on the Rise

The Austrian Ministry of the Interior reported an increase in money laundering, tax offenses, and terrorist financing in 2020. Read more details about this disturbing trend and its causes.

November 4, 2021

COVID-19 in Austria: Concerns About Transition to 2.5G Rule in Workplace

Due to increased COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, Austria is considering transitioning from the 3G rule in the workplace to a 2.5G rule in the coming weeks. Some government officials are expressing concerns about the implementation of this change. Read about the potential requirement change and the concerns that some have about it.

November 3, 2021

COVID-19 in Austria: Booster Vaccinations Now Available to Everyone in Vienna After Six Months

Mayor Michael Ludwig has announced that the City of Vienna is now offering COVID-19 booster vaccinations to everyone in Vienna six months after they received their second dose. Read about the specifics of Vienna's booster vaccination campaign and where and when to get a third shot.

November 2, 2021

African Union and European Union to Strengthen Cooperation on COVID-19

Representatives of the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU), including Austrian Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, recently met in Kigali, Rwanda. The COVID-19 pandemic, especially unequal vaccine distribution, was a central topic of discussion. Read more about the meeting and the effort to increase vaccine access around the globe.

October 29, 2021

Tourists Return to Vienna

Vienna saw a notable increase in overnight stays in September compared to September of last year. This is a positive sign for the tourism industry in Austria, which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read about the changes in tourism levels in the Austrian capital.

October 28, 2021

Greenpeace: 80% of Austrian Short-haul EU Flights are Substitutable by Train

According to a Greenpeace report, 80 percent of Austria's short-haul flights can be replaced by rail travel. For 53 percent of all top-30 short-haul flights within the EU, there are direct overnight train connections, the report states.

October 27, 2021

ÖBB Austrian Railways to Improve and Expand Local and Long-Distance Travel Services in 2022

Starting on December 12, 2021, ÖBB - Austrian Federal Railways will change its annual timetable, which will bring a number of improvements and expansions to local and long-distance services for the rail year 2022. In total, ÖBB Austrian Railways is investing over 4.1 billion euros in modern trains by 2027. Find out about international and domestic connection extensions.

October 26, 2021

Smart Borders: Austrian Green Light for Implementation of EU-wide Entry/Exit System

Austria has passed a law to help implement the EU-wide entry/exit system (EES) as stipulated in the EU's "Smart Borders Package." Read more about the new law and what it means for border controls and law enforcement cooperation in the EU.

October 25, 2021

Hedy Lamarr Award 2021 for Outstanding Achievements by Women in Information Technology

The City of Vienna announced the winner of the 2021 Hedy Lamarr Award for outstanding achievements by women in information technology. Find out who won this year for her work on innovative learning methods and immersive experiences.

October 25, 2021

How and Where to Get Vaccinated for Free Against Influenza in Vienna

The City of Vienna is offering free influenza vaccines between November 2, 2021 and March 31, 2022 to all people over the age of 7 months who live, study or work in Vienna. A total of 450,000 vaccine doses are available. Find out when and where to sign up and where to get the vaccination here.

October 25, 2021

Corona Measures - The Viennese Way

The City of Vienna intends to continue on the "Viennese Way of Safety" with a general FFP2 mask requirement and 2G rules for late-night bars and clubs. According to Mayor Ludwig, the low infection figures prove the effectiveness.

October 22, 2021

The Virtual Open Day at the Austrian Parliament

The Austrian Parliament Open Day will take place virtually on the upcoming Austrian National Day. Read about the event, how to participate in it, and what National Council President Sobotka said about it.

October 21, 2021

The 80s Are Back: Albertina Modern Shows "Art of the Eighties"

The Albertina Modern has a new exhibition on display entitled "The 80s. Art of the Eighties." The exhibition has many works from some of the most notable artists of the 1980s. Read about the exhibition and view some examples of works currently on display.

October 21, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: 3-G Rule at Work as of Nov. 1 - In-Company Tests Remain Free of Charge

Both employers and employees in Austria will only be allowed to enter their workplace after Nov. 1, 2021, if they have been vaccinated, have recovered in the past six months or have recently been tested.

October 20, 2021 · Updated: October 21, 2021; 07:10

Colonial Legacy: Restitution of Cultural Assets as Part of Austria's New Africa Strategy

The Austrian Foreign Ministry under Michael Linhart is developing a new Africa strategy for Austria. A motion for a resolution has been filed in parliament that requests that the foreign ministry includes restitution of cultural artifacts and assets as part of this strategy. Read more about the motion.

October 20, 2021

Opening of the Memorial Exhibition "80 Years of Deportations Vienna-Riga"

Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig recently opened a new memorial exhibition entitled "80 Years of Deportations Vienna-Riga" at Vienna's central train station. The exhibition is intended to remind the public about the horrors of the Shoah and to commemorate the victims. Learn more about the new exhibition.

October 19, 2021

Asylum Seekers and Migrants Should Get Vaccinated

The Austrian Minister for Integration Susanne Raab recently visited a mobile vaccination station at the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) Vienna to highlight the importance of making vaccines easily available to those with migration backgrounds. The ÖIF Integration Center Vienna has hosted the station multiple times and will do so again. Read more about the initiative and find out when the vaccination station will be at the ÖIF next.

October 18, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Vienna Launches Vaccination Booster Offensive

Vienna is continuing its campaign to get people vaccinated against COVID-19 and has launched its offensive to administer the booster vaccination. Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig and other officials recently held a press conference to discuss Vienna's progress on vaccinations and announce the plan for the booster shots. Read more about where Vienna stands in the pandemic fight and the roadmap for boosters.

October 18, 2021

Fundraising Soirée for Descendants of the Author of the 1920 Austrian Constitution

The Jewish Museum Vienna held a fundraiser for the descendants of the author of the 1920 Austrian Constitution, Hans Kelsen. Prominent guests attended and spoke at the event, including a former chancellor and Kelsen's granddaughter. Read about the event and the exhibition being displayed to honor Mr. Kelsen's legacy.

October 15, 2021

Vienna's Praterstern to Be Transformed into a Greened and Cooled Lounge Oasis

Vienna's Praterstern is beginning its transformation into a greened and cooled lounge oasis and should be finished by the summer of 2022. Read about the specifics of the revitalization of Praterstern and view some projections of what the area will look like once it is complete.

October 14, 2021

UPDATE: Current Situation for Arriving and Departing Passengers at Vienna International Airport

Flight operations at VIA Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien) are still restricted. The most important changes and information for arriving and departing passengers at Flughafen Wien are available below.

October 14, 2021

Messe Wien Celebrates 100 Years

Messe Wien, the largest trade fair in Vienna, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this fall. To celebrate the occasion, Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig attended a presentation of a new book that details the one-hundred-year history of the Messe Wien. Read about the new book and the significance of Messe Wien.

October 13, 2021

Heidi Horten: Austria's Richest Woman Sells Luxury Yacht for 160 Million Euros

Heidi Goëss-Horten, the richest Austrian woman, is selling her luxury yacht, the Carinthia VII, for an astonishing 160 million euros. Read about Ms. Goëss-Horten's "dream ship" and why she has finally decided to sell it.

October 12, 2021

Gartenbaukino: Reopening of the Iconic Viennese Cinema

The Gartenbaukino in Vienna is finally reopening after being closed for nearly a year and undergoing roughly seven months of renovation. Read about the renovation of this iconic Viennese cinema and look at some of the upcoming events from its program for 2021/2022.

October 12, 2021

Wiener Linien: 3,000 New WienMobil Bikes in Vienna in 2022

Wiener Linien has announced that its new bike-sharing service "WienMobil Rad" will be replacing "Citybike Wien" in 2022. They also announced there will be more bikes available in more locations. Read about the new bikes, how much they will cost, and where they can be found in Vienna.

October 8, 2021

Austrian Government Promises to Provide More Money for Childcare

Austrian Minister for Women and Integration Susanne Raab announced that the federal government will be providing more money for childcare. Read more about what Raab said about this expansion of childcare in Austria.

October 7, 2021

Antisemitic Vandalism at Auschwitz-Birkenau Highlights Alarming Trend

One day after an Austrian delegation, including President Van der Bellen, Foreign Minister Schallenberg, and EU Minister Edtstadler spoke at the opening of the new Austrian exhibition at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and Memorial, the museum reported antisemitic vandalism at the camp. The shocking incident underscores a larger trend of antisemitism in Europe and around the world. Read more about the incident, the trend of antisemitism, and what is being done to combat it.

October 7, 2021

Austrian-Japanese Society Hosts the 5th Japanese Film Days in Vienna

After being canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Austrian-Japanese Society (ÖJG) will host the fifth "Japannual" Japanese Film Days in Vienna at the Film Casino in Margareten. With over 20 films included this year, the festival brings a broad overview of current film events in Japan to Vienna. Read more about the festival, some of the movies included this year, and how to get tickets.

October 5, 2021