Austria's News in English

Read the latest headlines about other developments in Vienna and Austria

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

Reception of Austria-Accredited Ambassadors in the Federal Chancellery

The new Austrian Federal Government is in favour of continuing multilateral cooperation, especially in cooperation with the European countries.

January 31, 2020

Russian Embassy: Economic Networking Russia and Austria

In order to promote economic relations between the two countries, Ambassador Dmitrij Ljubinskij invited about 160 members of the Wirtschaftsforum der Führungskräfte (WdF) to the Russian Embassy in Vienna (Nassaupalais - Palais Simon Vienna).

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

Schwarzenegger in Vienna: Kick-off for Climate Conference

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Federal Chancellor Kurz stress the need for effective climate protection.

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

Traditional New Year Reception for the Diplomatic Corps in Vienna

The Federal President's Reception for the Diplomatic Corps annually gathers all diplomatic representatives in Vienna in the Ceremonial Hall of the Hofburg.

January 17, 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

Vienna Energy Forum 2020 as a Hub for Innovative and Sustainable Energy Solutions

During high-level talks at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 25), Maria Patek, Austria's Federal Minister for Sustainability and Tourism, announced the hosting of the Vienna Energy Forum (VEF) 2020.

December 11, 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

Naturalisations in Austria up by 9.2%

In the first nine months of 2019, 7,610 persons were granted Austrian citizenship, including 1,416 former EU citizens. More than half of them are women. The trend of rising naturalisation figures thus continues.

November 22, 2019

Grand Opening of the Austro-American Society

At the opening of the renovated premises of the Austro-American Society (ÖAG - Österreichisch-Amerikanische Gesellschaft) in Vienna's Stallburggasse, Chancellor Bierlein, US Ambassador Trevor Traina and live from Washington D.C., Austria's new ambassador to the USA, Martin Weiss congratulated, among others.

November 21, 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

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

Extension of Headscarf Ban and Simplified Revocation of Citizenship of IS Returnees

The Austrian Freedom Party underscored its demand for an extension of the ban on headscarves in schools, and initiated a lively discussion on how to deal with the 320 officially known IS supporters who voluntarily travelled to war zones or intended to do so, even though they might become stateless, in order to revoke Austrian citizenship.

November 14, 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

Reopening of the Vienna Office of the Konrad-Adenauer Foundation

200 guests celebrated the opening of the new office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation in Vienna at the Grand Hotel on Kärtner Ring. The presence in Vienna should strengthen multilateralism and strengthen functioning partnerships with serious democracies. Claudia Crawford becomes head of the Vienna office.

November 7, 2019

Presentation of the Intercultural Achievement Award 2019 - Dialogue is the "Art of Encounter"

Successful and innovative projects in the field of intercultural and interreligious dialogue have been awarded by the Federal Ministry for Europe Integration and Foreign Affairs.

November 1, 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

30th Anniversary Celebrations of Austro- Arab Chamber of Commerce

The AACC Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce held a gala in the ballroom of the Vienna City Hall on the occasion of its 30th anniversary and on the occasion of the 11th Arab-Austrian Economic Forum & Exhibition.

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

Inaugural Session of the Austrian National Council

The Austrian National Council was constituted today. 40 percent women, 56 newcomers, the Greens are back. The presidency, secretaries and stewards were newly elected. After the constituent session of the National Council, the Main Committee, the Incompatibility Committee, the Immunity Committee and the Budget Committee also met to constitute themselves and to appoint committee chairmen, secretaries and stewards.

October 23, 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

Enthronement of Emperor Naruhito in the Presence of Van der Bellen

Guests from around 200 countries attended the ceremony of the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito in the Japanese Imperial Palace in Tokyo, including Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Doris Schmidauer.

October 22, 2019

Belgrade and Vienna Sign Cooperation Agreement

Not only the Danube connects Vienna with the Serbian capital Belgrade, but now also a new city cooperation agreement with a focus on urban development, affordable housing, smart city, digitisation, open government and culture.

October 21, 2019

Celebration of the Imperial Accession to the Throne in Tokyo with Van der Bellen

President Van der Bellen takes part in the ceremony for the accession of the new "Tenno", Emperor Naruhito, to the throne in Tokyo and in the bilateral economic forum "Austria Connect Japan". Other items on the agenda include talks with the Presidents of Georgia and Estonia.

October 21, 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

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

Worldwide Parliamentary Meeting: Presidents from 178 States Expected in Vienna

Austria will host the 5th World Meeting of the Interparliamentary Union (IPU) from August 19 to 21, 2020. Presidents of parliaments from 178 states and around 1,200 delegates are expected. This is the first time that a national parliament, the Austrian Parliament, has hosted this conference. The World Meeting will be organised in cooperation with the IPU and the United Nations.

October 16, 2019 · Updated: October 17, 2019; 14:45

House of the European Union in Vienna: More than 500,000 Visitors in 10 Years

For exactly 10 years, the House of the European Union in Wipplingerstraße has been a meeting place for all those who wish to exchange views on the EU. The Representation of the European Commission and the Liaison Office of the European Parliament in Austria operate under this same roof. Together with numerous partners, they have organised some 2450 events over the past ten years, welcoming some 530,000 visitors.

October 16, 2019

The Austrian Leadership Program Draws International Alumnis to Austria

The current round of the Austrian Leadership Program (ALPS) was dedicated to deepening and expanding existing contacts.

October 16, 2019

Vienna Migration Agency Develops Recommendations for EU

Entitled "Breaking the gridlock and moving forward: Recommendations for the next five years of EU migration policy", participants of the Vienna Migration Conference 2019 will explore migration policy options and the formulation of future strategies.

October 11, 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

Vienna Just an Emergency Solution: What's the Future for the Central European University?

About a year after it was driven out of Hungary by Viktor Orban, the CEU has started its provisional operation in Vienna-Favoriten. Two new Master programmes in Business Administration and International Public Affairs were launched simultaneously. Within 5 to 6 years, the Vienna campus is to move to Baumgartner Höhe. But the CEU will never abandon Budapest as a location.

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

First Sub-Two Hour Marathon Challenge - Why Vienna Was Chosen?

Kenyan long-distance runner Eliud Kipchoge, the current marathon world record holder, plans to break the last great barrier of modern athletics - the 2-hour marathon. An epic challenge of this magnitude needs a suitable and equally grand location to do it justice, and the Prater in Vienna is the perfect fit - from the air quality to the climate.

October 7, 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

Diplomatic Academy: Diplomacy is Profoundly the Art of Dialogue

At the opening ceremony of the Diplomatic Academy's 2019/2020 academic year, National Council President Sobotka underlined the importance of dialogue in international relations.

October 3, 2019

Indian Embassy Vienna: 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi

On the occasion of the Gandhi Jayanti National Day on October 2, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi in 1869, revered as the father of the Indian nation, the Embassy of India in Vienna organized two events with Dr. Shobhana Radhakrishna, an "Eminent Citizen" of India; a talk titled "Popular Diplomacy and the Philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi" at the Vienna International Center, and a lecture on "Transformational Leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and its Relevance in Contemporary World".

October 3, 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

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

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

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

Presentation of the European State Prize in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

With the European State Prize, the Austrian Foreign Ministry once again honours the extraordinary commitment of organisations and citizens to the promotion of European awareness in Austria.

September 18, 2019

Comeback of Albrecht Dürer's Young Hare

The Albertina Vienna will present the most comprehensive exhibition of the work of Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) in decades, starting next week. The exhibition presents over 100 drawings, a dozen paintings, personal notes and other rare documents of the Renaissance genius, including the Young Hare, the Praying Hands and the Great Piece of Turf.

September 12, 2019

Jane Goodall Awarded Honorary Cross in Vienna

The well-known primate researcher and environmental activist Jane Goodall has been awarded the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art 1st Class by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.

September 12, 2019