Austria's News in English

City of Vienna and Vienna Business Agency Create New Business Immigration Office

The Vienna Business Agency and Vienna City Government have partnered to create the Business Immigration Office (BIO). The BIO will help streamline residence permit and immigration issues and offer help with integration for key personnel and highly skilled workers.

July 15, 2021

Public Transport in Austria: When and How Will the Low-Cost Flat-Rate "1-2-3-Ticket" Be Introduced?

Before the end of 2021, it is to become possible to use all means of public transport throughout Austria for three Euros a day, as part of an annual ticket for 1,095 Euros. While six federal states have signed an "implementation agreement," the states of Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland are still missing. What is the next step and when can the ticket be expected?

July 14, 2021

Weekly Briefing: Austria Prepares for a "Summer Like Back Then"

Austria is getting ready for a summer with (hopefully) little Covid-19 impact. Night life will be celebrating its full return in a week from now and travel with the Green Passport should become easier as of July 1 as well. The Find out more about this week's developments.

June 24, 2021

Vienna Hosts Western Balkan Summit

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has invited political leaders from various Western Balkan countries to Vienna to discuss current issues on an European as well as on a bilateral level. Read more below to find out what was discussed.

June 21, 2021

Vienna Introduces New Parking Regulations

Vienna is introducing a new parking system as of March 2022. The new regulations will apply to all 23 districts and will additionally standardize prices. Read more about the new rules below.

June 18, 2021

Weekly Briefing: Return to Normality in July

The Austrian government has announced the reduction of restrictions as of July 1. Three weeks later, some more relaxations could be implemented. Are the coming weeks the last ones of the pandemic? Find out more about this week's developments.

June 17, 2021

Europa Forum Wachau: "Include Western Balkans in EU Programs"

At the 25th Europa Forum Wachau, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg spoke out in favor of finding creative approaches to bind the Western Balkan states to the EU even before a possible EU accession.

June 16, 2021

Vienna Film Festival to Celebrate Anniversary with "High-Caliber Productions"

Vienna will host the Film Festival right in front of the City Hall for the 30th time this year. After months of restrictions and numerous cancelled events, the City of Vienna plans a Film Festival that will try to go above and beyond.

June 11, 2021

Weekly Briefing: Is the Pandemic Really Over?

In a meeting with his Italian counterpart, Austrian Federal President Van der Bellen stated that the "pandemic as we have experienced it can be considered overcome." Is this the case? Find out more about this week's developments.

June 10, 2021

International Pride Month: Austria Wears Rainbow Colors

In June, Austria will celebrate the LGBTIQ community by hosting numerous events. One of these events will be the Vienna Rainbow Parade on June 19. Read more about this event and how President Van der Bellen supports the LGBTIQ community.

June 8, 2021

Weekly Briefing: Belarus Faces Harsh Criticism

After the forced landing of a passenger plan and the arrest of an anti-government blogger, the international community, among them a number of Austrian politicians, demand strong sanctions for the authoritarian regime. Find out more about this week's developments.

June 4, 2021

Innovation is Key for Austria's Climate Neutrality by 2040

At the Mission Innovation Ministerial Summit in Chile, Austria's Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler and her international counterparts stressed the importance of innovation for achieving the Paris Agreement.

June 4, 2021

New CEO for OMV: "Beginning of a Major Transformation"

The Austrian multinational company OMV has appointed a new CEO. After the current and parting CEO Rainer Seele has been facing heavy public criticism, OMV will now try to rebuild its image.

June 2, 2021

Austrian Parliament Prepares for World Conference

At the physical conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) at the Austria Center Vienna in September, dozens of international Speakers of Parliament will discuss the creation of effective multilateralism. A conference website was now launched.

June 1, 2021

Russia Denied Austrian Airlines Flight to Moscow: Now Approved After All

Russia has denied permission for a scheduled Austrian Airlines (AUA) flight to Moscow. Due to the recommendation of EASA - European Union Aviation Safety Agency to avoid the airspace over Belarus, the flight plan should be changed and Belarus should be avoided. Today, word from the Federal Ministry for Climate Action is that AUA has received approval for today's flight to Moscow. How does it continue?

May 28, 2021

Weekly Briefing: Green Passport is Coming Soon

After the EU countries and the EU Parliament have agreed on the framework for an Europe-wide Green Passport implemented on July 1, Austria will have its version ready by the beginning of June. Find out more about this week's developments.

May 27, 2021

Chinese Ambassador to Austria Receives Grand Decoration of Honor

Ambassador Li Xiaosi from the People's Republic of China has been awarded the Grand Decoration of Honor for his Servicer to the State of Vienna by Mayor Michael Ludwig.

May 27, 2021

IAEA: This Is the Agenda for the 2nd Half of 2021

What's ahead for the Vienna International Centre (VIC) based IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and the global nuclear agenda in the second half 2021? Here is a preview of the most important offline and online meetings.

May 24, 2021

Weekly Briefing: Vaccination for Everyone in Austria

Austria has ended its drastic measures to contain Covid-19 and re-opened borders as well as restaurants, cultural establishments and alike. Vaccines will soon be available to everyone, even to teenagers. Find out more about this week's developments.

May 20, 2021

Vienna Declaration Sets Stage for Climate-Friendly Mobility

The adoption of the Vienna Declaration at the THE PEP Conference with more than 850 participants from 41 countries, including 46 ministers and state secretaries, has set the stage for environmentally conscious and healthy mobility. Read all about the event below!

May 20, 2021

Vienna Embassies Show Solidarity on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

Several Vienna Embassies marked the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT 2021) by expressing solidarity in a common statement. The French Embassy in Vienna released a video drawing particular attention to sexual discrimination in sports.

May 18, 2021 · Updated: May 18, 2021; 22:55

A Hymn to the Power of Nature - Your Free Top Therapist in Vienna

Do you sometimes feel lonely in the midst of people, overwhelmed by the stress of everyday life or a necessary decision, that you have been putting off for what feels like an eternity? If this or something similar applies to you, then the author wants to introduce you to one of the best consultants of all time. This one draws on thousands of years of experience and is only a few minutes` walk from you in most districts of Vienna: nature!

Birgit Adelsberger · May 16, 2021

Eine Hymne an die Kraft der Natur - Ihr kostenloser Spitzentherapeut in Wien

Fühlen Sie sich manchmal einsam obwohl mitten unter Menschen, überfordert, vom Stress des Alltags, oder einer notwendigen Entscheidung, die Sie seit einer gefühlten Ewigkeit vor sich hinschieben? Wenn dies oder Ähnliches auf Sie zutrifft, dann möchte die Authorin Sie bekannt machen, mit einem der besten Berater aller Zeiten. Dieser greift zurück auf eine jahrtausendelange Erfahrung und ist in den meisten Bezirken Wiens nur wenige Gehminuten von Ihnen entfernt: die Natur!

Birgit Adelsberger · May 16, 2021 · Updated: May 16, 2021; 19:39

Weekly Briefing: Bilateral Agreements Could Replace EU-wide Green Passport

In a number of bilateral talks, Austria has emphasized the need for an EU-wide travel solution for the summer. In case Brussels is not picking up pace, bilateral agreements with European countries could replace the European "Green Passport". Find out more about this week's developments.

May 14, 2021

Viennese Start-Up Event Reaches 10 Million People

The Viennese startup event ViennaUP'21, which took place from April 27 to May 12 in a virtual format, can be viewed as a success. The reasons behind its success, the highlights of the event as well as what remains can be found out here!

May 14, 2021

Jewish Museum Vienna Opens "Yevgeny Khaldei. The Photographer of the Liberation"

In a new exhibition, the Jewish Museum Vienna highlights the photographs by Yevgeny Khaldei, a war photographer of the Soviet Union. One of Kahldei's most famous shots is the official liberation photo of Vienna from the Soviet point of view.

May 12, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: What Will the Rules Be for the New Normal as of May 19?

Today, the new rules for the planned opening from May 19 were presented. The curfew restriction will be dropped. There will be far-reaching relaxations in the areas of catering, hotels, closed sports venues, cultural facilities and recreational businesses. These will be accompanied by security measures such as access tests, hygiene and distance measures, capacity restrictions and mandatory registration of guests.

May 10, 2021

Vienna Also Opens on May 19.

Finally, Vienna has also officially confirmed that the long-awaited opening will take place on May 19. The planned relaxations also bring further steps towards normality in the retail sector. You can find out exactly what this means below.

May 6, 2021

Weekly Briefing: End of Lockdown for Vienna and Lower Austria Stirs Up Hope

Now Vienna has also officially confirmed that on May 19 the long-awaited opening will take place. The end of the lockdown in Vienna and Lower Austria and nationally reaching 3 million Covid-19 vaccinations are not the only indications that the Austrian economic recovery gets off the starting blocks. Find out more about this week's developments.

May 6, 2021 · Updated: May 6, 2021; 17:05

Ambassador to China Appointed New CEO of the Austrian Development Agency

Friedrich Stift succeeds Martin Ledolter as CEO of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA). Who is Dr. Friedrich Stift and what is his background?

May 5, 2021

10 Europe Direct Centers Bring the EU Closer to Austria

Just in time for the Conference on the Future of Europe, Austria opens up a new generation of Europe Direct centers across the country to bring the European Union closer to the Austrian people and vice versa. What information these centers provide and where they are, can be found below.

May 5, 2021

Lockdown Ends: Austria to Open Up on May 19

The Austrian government has announced openings beginning May 19. Most establishments closed due to the Corona pandemic will be allowed to reopen. These include restaurants, cultural and event venues, lodging establishments, schools, gyms and sports facilities. The key points of the announced opening steps at a glance.

May 4, 2021

Lockdown Ends in Vienna and Lower Austria: What's Permitted Now

On Monday, the hard lockdown finally came to an end in Vienna and Lower Austria. With the end of the hard lockdown, stores and body-related service providers, museums, zoos and other leisure businesses are allowed to reopen. What residents of Vienna and Lower Austria are now allowed to do again, read below.

May 3, 2021

Austria's Museums Welcome Guests with Special Offer

Austria's Federal Museums are going strong into the summer. After various lockdowns in the recent months, the museums have announced to once again issue a Federal Museums Card campaign. More information about how it works and the prices can be found below.

May 3, 2021

Why Austria Is NOT One of the Best Countries in the World

Why a top "Quality of Life" rating is not enough to rank among the "best" countries in the world, and why expat destinations like Canada, Japan, Germany, Australia and even Switzerland are uncatchable ahead of Austria.

April 30, 2021

Schallenberg and Ambassador to the U.S. Weiss Talk with Austrians in the United States

Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Austrian Ambassador to the United States in Washington, Martin Weiss, have held a virtual live talk with around 600 Austrians living in the United States. The topics discussed included dual citizenship, bilateral relations between the U.S. and Austria as well as the "Green Passport".

April 30, 2021

Austria Welcomes EU's Artificial Intelligence Framework

Austria's Minister for Digital Affairs, Margarete Schramböck, welcomes the new EU proposition of rules for artificial intelligence. Schramböck stresses the need for an EU-lead process and advocates for secure and innovative solutions that would "promote innovation while ensuring a high level of protection and security."

April 26, 2021

Austro-American Society Hosts the Night After the Oscars Night

Themed "After Oscar Night", the Austro-American Society (Österreichisch-Amerikanische Gesellschaft) extends an invitation to a discussion on the role of film, music and media as drivers of culture and society.

April 26, 2021

International Startup Event "ViennaUP21" Starts April 27

The startup event "ViennaUP21" will take place from April 27 to May 12 in a purely digital format. Within the umbrella of ViennaUP21, 40 program partners will be hosting 100 events for interested people, institutions and organization from more than 45 countries. Registration is free.

April 23, 2021

OSCE Counter-Terrorism Conference: Schallenberg Demands Fight Against Different Virus

At the virtual OSCE Counter-Terrorism Conference, Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg demands to fight against "the virus of hatred, intolerance and contempt for humanity." He wants to remove breeding ground for radicalization and fight counter terrorism with all means of the rule of law.

April 23, 2021

Edtstadler: "Raise Your Voice for the Future of Europe"

In preparation for the first ever Conference on the Future of Europe, the European Commission has launched a digital platform, on which European citizens can share their ideas on the future of Europe, organize events, participate in events, and network with other individuals and organizations. Austria will contribute by hosting a number of events and additionally provide information on a separate platform.

April 23, 2021

Van der Bellen Addresses U.S. President Biden with Climate Concern

On the occasion of International Earth Day, Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen appeals to the international community and wishes U.S. President Joe Biden's climate summit a complete success. Van der Bellen demands a quick and significant reduction of emissions in order to not miss "the window of opportunity for effective countermeasures."

April 22, 2021

Viennese Theater Productions Premiere in Japan

The Viennese theater productions "Mozart!" and "Elisabeth" premiere in Japan despite the Covid-19 pandemic. The two musicals will be staged numerous times in various cities in Japan and show the interest of the Japanese population in Austrian theater productions.

April 22, 2021

Message to Viktor Orban: "We will not subject ourselves to the political whims of one man and his regime"

Central European University (CEU) deplores the proposed amendment to the Act on National Higher Education and believes the government has no intention of creating the conditions in which international institutions can operate freely in Hungary.

April 21, 2021

Extension of Austria's Internationalization Program "go-international" Announced

Austrian Economics Minister Margarete Schramböck and President of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce (WKO) Harald Mahrer extend the joint internationalization offensive "go-international" and provide EUR 25.6 million for the next two years. The funding will focus on the areas of innovation and technology, value chains and digitalization.

April 20, 2021

Austrian Foreign Ministry Celebrates Girls' Day with Live Talk

On April 22, 2021, interested girls in 5th grade and above will have the opportunity to learn more about the different tasks and careers within the Austrian Foreign Ministry and in Foreign Service. Registration is possible until April 20, 2021, and the live talk will take place between 11 am and 12 pm on April 22.

April 15, 2021

Demand for More Artificial Intelligence in Austrian Economy

According to a study by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), only 12 percent of Austrian businesses use artificial intelligence in their operations. For Alfred Harl, representative of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce in this particular sector, Austrian companies will need to stay up to date with regard to new technologies and not be "left behind in the strong international environment."

April 14, 2021

Potential Closure of MAN Plant in Austria

After the majority of the workforce in the MAN plant in Steyr voted against a takeover concept of a potential investor, Austria's federal and state governments are highly invested in supporting a solution that would save more than 1,000 jobs in Steyr, Upper Austria. No solution would mean a closure of the plant by 2023.

April 14, 2021

New York Architecture Firm to Design New Central European University Campus in Vienna

CEU has commissioned the U.S. architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF) to renovate and develop those Otto Wagner-designed pavilions that will form the future CEU campus. KPF President James von Klemperer is an Austrian citizen. The final site of the Central European University at the Otto Wagner site is scheduled to open in 2025.

April 13, 2021

Vienna Hosts Discussion Over Iran Nuclear Agreement

High representatives of the EU, China, France, Germany, Russia, UK, Iran and the United States have come to Vienna in order to discuss a possible revival of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as Iran Nuclear Agreement. Although progress was made, the path to a final decision might be long.

April 12, 2021