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European Cooperation with Austria's Educational Institutions

During an Erasmus+ networking meeting, the new European digital hub "European School Education Platform" was presented at a gala event. Furthermore, the European Innovative Teaching Awards (EITA) were awarded to three Austrian schools.

September 25, 2022

Vienna Humanities Festival at Vienna City Hall Focusing on Threats to Democracy and War in Ukraine

In this year's Vienna Humanities Festival, the theme is "The Age of Uncertainty – Zeitenwende" which focuses on the war in Ukraine and the crisis of democracy. The 25 lectures and talks will take place from 27.9.- 2.10. at Vienna City Hall.

August 28, 2022

Film Festival at the Vienna City Hall Square

Until September 4, 2022, Europe's largest cultural and culinary festival will once again be held in the heart of Vienna. At Vienna's Rathausplatz, you can look forward to a summer event with culinary delights and musical highlights.

August 10, 2022

Diplomats in Austria March for Equality at Vienna Pride

Diplomats in Vienna marched for equality at one of the most important events of the Vienna pride, the Rainbow Parade. Learn more about "Diplomats for Equality" and today's event for peace and equality.

June 11, 2022

Austria's Muslim Community Celebrates End of Ramadan

Every year, the Muslim community of Vienna and worldwide celebrates the holy End of Ramadan. Ramadan has ended and now Eid al-Fitr is celebrated.

May 2, 2022

How the Kremlin Exploits Its Diplomatic Missions in Vienna to Spread Russian Propaganda

Since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin has used its diplomatic missions in Vienna and around the world to help spread propaganda and disinformation about the war. Read about this propaganda effort and view some blatant examples of Russian propaganda from the diplomatic missions.

April 6, 2022 · Updated: April 8, 2022; 15:46

Real Estate in Austria: Highest Annual Increase in Purchase Prices of Houses and Apartments Since Records Began

Prices on the Austrian residential real estate market show a year-on-year price increase of 12.3% for 2021. This is the highest annual increase since the index series began in 2010 and is significantly higher than in previous years.

March 29, 2022

After Diplomatic Tensions Between Turkey and Austria New Start for Archaeological Excavations in Ephesus

Due to the talks between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, as well as between Foreign Ministers Alexander Schallenberg and Mevlüt Cavusoğlu, a new start for archaeological excavations Ephesos could be achieved.

March 28, 2022

Arab Chambers' Day at Austrian Pavilion at Expo Dubai

The event "Arab Chambers' Day" at the Austrian Pavilion at Expo Dubai 2020 will provide an opportunity for Emirati, Arab and Austrian delegates to meet and become acquainted with leading Austrian companies. Find out more about the event.

March 18, 2022

International Women's Day: Are Women the Better Crisis Managers?

Whether Ukraine, Afghanistan or the COVID-19 pandemic - women and girls were and are disproportionately affected by these crises and conflicts: Gender-based violence, poverty and school dropouts increase rapidly in times of crisis. This must be counteracted in a targeted manner.

March 8, 2022

How Many Refugees Have Fled Ukraine to Austria?

Austria will help its neighboring countries cope with the expected influx from Ukraine following the Russian military attack by accepting Ukrainian refugees despite its generally restrictive migration policy. Please find below questions and answers regarding entry and stay of Ukrainian citizens in Austria.

March 3, 2022

Dalí and Freud at the Belvedere - An Obsession

Salvador Dalí and Sigmund Freud: one man's art, another man's theories. The theories of Freud clearly fascinated Dalí, perhaps to the point of obsession – his greatest desire was to someday meet his idol. With this exhibition the Lower Belvedere celebrates its reopening.

February 28, 2022

Russo-Ukrainian War: Already 100,000 People on the Run, but Austria's Interior Ministry Expects No Large Movement of Ukrainians to Austria

Although already one day after the Russian attack on Ukraine, according to UN figures, more than 100,000 people out of the 44 million population are on the run, the "migration experts" of the Austrian Interior Ministry do not assume that there will be a large movement of Ukrainian citizens to Austria. On the other hand, most EU countries are preparing for more refugees.

February 26, 2022

Ukraine Assistance: Vienna Sends Trucks with Medical Supplies to Kiev and Odessa

Responding to the Russian invasion, the Vienna City Government has sent about 15 tons of medical or relief material to Ukraine.

February 24, 2022

First Novavax COVID Vaccine Shipment has Arrived in Austria

The first shipment of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, Nuvaxovid, has finally arrived in Austria. Read about the much-anticipated distribution of the new vaccine and why the government thinks it will help convince some vaccine skeptics.

February 24, 2022

Media Freedom Representative on Rapidly Declining Space for Cross-border Journalism and the Assault on Press Freedom

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, expresses her concern about the shrinking space for media workers to conduct their journalistic work abroad.

February 23, 2022

Human Rights in Egypt: Sentence Against Detained Central European University Student Annulled, New Hearing to Begin

The four years in prison sentence against Ahmed Samir Santaway, a student and researcher at CEU Central European University in Vienna, has been overturned, but a retrial in Egypt begins today.

February 21, 2022

Chamber of Commerce Massively Criticizes New Parking System in Vienna

As of March 1, 2022, comprehensive and contiguous short-term parking zones will be introduced in every Viennese district, as well as the parking permit ("Parkpickerl") for the respective district residents. The price and parking duration will be standardized for all districts. For private car owners as well as for entrepreneurs this regulation brings considerable additional costs and new problems.

February 16, 2022

Combating Violence Against Women: New Silent Emergency Call App Available From March

The Austrian government has introduced a new app to help counter the alarming trend of increased domestic violence against women. Read about the new app and other steps the government is taking to prevent violence against women.

February 10, 2022

Huawei's 5G Network Technology in Austria: Systemic Rival at the Gate to Europe

While all eyes in Europe are focused on the Russia-Ukraine side conflict, the true war is raging elsewhere, namely in network technology between China and the West. This technology war is about nothing less than the global security-technological leadership role of the next decades, and thus about the decisive question of whether the Western democratic world order can assert itself or whether the Chinese authoritarian system with totalitarian surveillance will prevail. Due to its relative weakness, Austria plays an important and central key role in this process. While most Western countries are increasingly and decidedly resisting the deployment of the 5G network infrastructure largely supplied by Huawei and ZTE - which are intricately owned and substantially controlled by the Chinese Communist Party - there are quite a few telecom providers in Austria who are using and even expanding this technology, primarily because their economic survival is already dependent on this technology, and secondly because the Austrian state is largely toothless and ignorant in the face of the push by the Chinese equipment suppliers and their lobbyists.

February 9, 2022 · Updated: February 9, 2022; 21:56

Cold War Founded Research Institute Near Vienna Continues to Address Global Challenges of the 21st Century

The year 2022 marks 50 years since Laxenburg-based research institute IIASA was founded to promote East-West scientific cooperation during the Cold War. Today, the institute continues to address the global challenges of the 21st century through its research. The 50th anniversary provides an opportunity to both take stock of the institute’s achievements and to look forward.

February 8, 2022

Heidi Horten Collection: Billionaire's New Museum to Open as Early as Summer 2022

A museum project in the heart of Vienna is eagerly awaited. The Heidi Horten Collection in the renamed "Palais Goëss-Horten" will showcase one of the most high-profile private collections in Europe.

February 4, 2022

Vienna Also Relaxes Corona Measures, But Stays With 2-G Rule in Gastronomy

The city of Vienna has announced that it will relax the current Corona measures largely in line with the nationwide easing. Only one point is to be deviated from.

February 3, 2022

Vienna: "A Uniquely Wonderful Place for Expats"

The Expat City Ranking reveals the best and worst cities for expats around the world. Vienna dominates the "Quality of Urban Living Index". Find out why.

February 2, 2022

Covid in Austria: Relaxation of Corona Measures

As of February 5, Austria begins cautious steps toward reopening. The current Covid measures will be gradually withdrawn over the course of February. Below is a brief overview of the gradual sequence.

February 1, 2022

Mandatory Covid Vaccination in Austria: Foreign Diplomats Not Covered

The vaccination requirement in Austria does not generally apply to foreign diplomats who live in Austria and are exempt from the registration requirement under the Registration Act. Details in the following article.

February 1, 2022

Vienna: Immigrating Foreigners Boost EU's Fifth Largest City

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Vienna's population grew again in 2021. Read why immigration was critical for Vienna to continue its growth and what the forecast is for the future.

January 31, 2022

"National Carrier" in German Ownership is Proud to Fly the Austrian Olympic Team to Beijing

The "Austrian Airlines" aircraft with flight number OS63, chartered by the Austrian Olympic Team, took off from Vienna Airport to bring athletes including comprehensive equipment non-stop to Beijing.

January 28, 2022

Forward-looking Agreement for Strengthening Vienna as a Business Location

A joint program of the City of Vienna and the Vienna Chamber of Commerce (WKW) is intended to strengthen and further develop the business location, but also to secure prosperity and quality of life for the city. The ten priority areas include strengthening the location, supporting SMEs and start-ups, climate protection, infrastructure, skilled workers and tourism.

January 25, 2022

Miss Saigon Finally Comes to Vienna - The Tragic Tale of a Doomed Asian-Western Romance

Miss Saigon - the most moving love story of our time, and a global smash hit production, tells the tragic tale of a doomed romance involving an Asian woman abandoned by her American lover. After several postponements, the successful musical "Miss Saigon" has premiered at the Raimund Theater in Vienna and can now be watched.

January 24, 2022 · Updated: January 24, 2022; 13:56

Covid in Austria: Presentation of the Bill on Compulsory Vaccination Starting February 1, 2022

At a press conference at the Federal Chancellery, the federal government presented the draft law for compulsory vaccination in Austria, which will take effect on February 1. "It is not about the fight of vaccinated against unvaccinated!"

January 17, 2022

Explainer - What Do Vienna's Currently Valid Corona Entry Rules (3G / 2.5G / 2G / 2G+) Mean?

At present, the lockdown has been lifted (with the exception of the unvaccinated) and with it the ban on entry for hospitality, gastronomy, events, etc. In practice, you never know which entry rule applies and whether you are prepared for it. In the following, we therefore provide an overview of the current entry rules and their specific requirements.

January 13, 2022

Russian Diplomatic Representatives in Vienna Commemorated the Day of the Unknown Soldier

Wreath-laying ceremony at the monument to the Soviet soldier at the Aspern cemetery in Vienna coincided with the Russian Day of the Unknown Soldier, annually celebrated in Russia in memory of Russian and Soviet soldiers who died in hostilities.

January 13, 2022

Human Rights Commissioner Voices Concern About Asylum Situation in Austria

European Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović criticizes the asylum situation in Austria after her visit. "High number of femicides and the emergence of new digital dimensions of violence show, increased and better co-ordinated efforts are required."

December 22, 2021

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Iranian Embassy Building in Vienna

The Palais Sigray St. Marsan, which houses the Iranian Embassy in Vienna, has a fascinating history dating back to the late 19th century. Learn more about this historical building.

December 14, 2021

Wirecard Scandal: Europol Manhunt for Europe's Most Wanted "Marsalek"

Former COO of Wirecard Jan Marsalek, one of Europe's most wanted fugitives, is still the target of an international manhunt for his suspected role in a multi-billion euro fraud scheme. Read about the ongoing search for Marsalek and Europol's 2021 "EU's Most Wanted" campaign.

December 7, 2021

With Omicron Spreading, Many Countries Consider a Vaccine Mandate like Austria

The Omicron variation has reignited the debate over and the introduction of mandatory vaccination. The challenges, remain immense, even as some governments are trying to speed up their vaccination campaigns and are considering a vaccine mandate in the face of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Whether Omicron will lead to the wealthier countries rethinking things remains undecided.

December 6, 2021

Austro-French Vaccine Company Valneva's Covid-19 Jab under EU Review

The EU's medicines agency EMA launched an accelerated review of a Covid-19 vaccine by Austro-French biotech firm Valneva. Recently the European Commission agreed to buy as many as 60 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine. The deal would allow EU member states to purchase almost 27 million doses from Valneva in 2022, and an additional 33 million in 2023.

December 2, 2021

City of Vienna Partner Lab Massively Expands Covid-19 Laboratory

The Lifebrain laboratory, which partners with the City of Vienna, is undergoing a massive expansion on its COVID-19 laboratory. This expansion comes just weeks after an unfair competition lawsuit brought against Lifebrain by the Vienna Medical Association was dismissed. Read about Lifebrain's lab expansion and legal issues.

December 1, 2021

Vienna Ranked Fourteenth Most Expensive City in the World

While Tel Aviv is the most expensive city in the world and tops the Cost of Living Index 2021, Paris and Singapore are tied for second, followed by Zurich and Hong Kong in fourth and fifth place, respectively. Vienna comes in fourteenth place after Tokyo and jointly with Sydney. Damascus, Syria, was named the world’s cheapest city. See the full list of the world's most expensive cities to live in 2021.

December 1, 2021

Austrian Covid Data: Vaccination Protects 95 Percent from Hospitalization

A new study from the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) has shown that the COVID-19 vaccines offer about 95 percent protection against hospitalization from coronavirus. Read about this study and the efficacy of the vaccines.

December 1, 2021

The Percentage of Austrians Born Abroad Rises from 20% to 27%

Austria's population is growing and aging. In 2020, actually life expectancy has decreased by half a year. There are more seniors than under-20s. In 2022, the population is expected to reach nine million.

November 30, 2021

Austrian Compulsory Vaccination Bill Provides for Fines of up to 7,200 Euros

Compulsory vaccination is to apply to everyone who has a residence or habitual abode in Austria and is over the age of 12. Those who do not comply with the vaccination obligation can be summoned. If they also fail to appear at a follow-up appointment, the draft law provides for penalties of up to 3,600 euros or four weeks' imprisonment. Who gets already punished for the second time, must pay 7,200 euros. The details below.

November 29, 2021 · Updated: November 30, 2021; 08:50

Covid Lockdown Controls: Already 386,000 Inspections and 3,700 Charges

Since the beginning of the intensive COVID-19 lockdown controls, the Austrian police have conducted 386,000 and filed 3,700 charges. Read about the strict enforcement of the latest Covid lockdown.

November 29, 2021

Naturalizations in Austria Up 21.1% Year on Year in the First Three Quarters of 2021

In the first nine months of 2021, Austrian citizenship was granted to 7,676 persons, including 1,131 persons residing abroad. With 368 naturalizations, the United States ranks fourth. Find out which other countries the new citizens come from.

November 26, 2021

Homicides of Women by Family Members: Every 11 Minutes Worldwide, Every 11 Days in Austria

On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, various findings were presented, including that the number of murders during the various waves of COVID-related mobility restrictions are particularly high.

November 25, 2021

Crowdfunding Campaign of the Austrian National Library Exceeds Expectations

The campaign is aimed at the supply, restoration and long-term preservation of large-format illustrated volumes from the 18th and 19th centuries.

November 24, 2021

Full Lockdown in Austria: These Rules Apply from November 22 to December 12, 2021, Inclusive

An Austria-wide lockdown for everyone, including those vaccinated, has again been in effect in Austria since Monday, November 22, due to the dramatic Corona situation. The updated key points in detail.

November 23, 2021

Prostitution in Austria Prohibited Again: Here Are the Updated COVID-19 Rules

With the "Fourth Lockdown" in Austria, which came into effect on November 22, 2021, all prostitution establishments (prostitution bars, brothels and running houses) were again shut down officially and by law. Here are the updated COVID-19 rules for sex workers and their clients in detail.

November 8, 2021 · Updated: November 23, 2021; 12:30

UN International Law Commission: Austria's Candidate Reinisch Re-elected

Dr. August Reinisch was recently re-elected as one of the 34 members of the United Nations International Law Commission (ILC). Read about Reinisch's election, his background, and the ILC.

November 16, 2021