BMI - Ministry of the Interior - Bundesministerium fuer Inneres - Vindobona.org

Austria's Initiatives to Strengthen EU External Border Management

Austria is co-organizing a conference in Lithuania to discuss EU external border protection. Interior Minister Karner, who will represent Austria at the meeting, first stopped in Hungary to talk about the issue with his Hungarian counterpart Sándor Pintér. Read more about Austria's efforts to strengthen EU external border management.

January 20, 2022

Meet Mordechai Rodgold, Israel's Ambassador to Vienna

H.E. Mr. Mordechai Rodgold is the current Ambassador of Israel to Austria. Learn more about Ambassador Rodgold and his impressive career.

January 19, 2022

Israel and Austria Step Up Cooperation on Security Issues

Israeli Ambassador Mordechai Rodgold and Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner met for working talks to discuss further cooperation on security issues. Read more about their meeting and what they said about the fight against anti-Semitism.

January 18, 2022

Who Is the New Austrian Minister of the Interior Gerhard Karner?

The new Austrian Minister of the Interior, Gerhard Karner, was recently sworn into office. Learn more about the new minister and his extensive career in politics.

December 9, 2021

State of Emergency in Vienna: Numerous Demonstrations against Anti-Corona Measures

Vienna was once again subject to demonstrations against measures taken by the Austrian government to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Read about the massive demonstrations and clashes with police in Austria's capital.

December 6, 2021

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

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

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

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

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

Austria Presents Financial Budget for 2022

Austrian Finance Minister Gernot Blümel presented Austria's draft financial budget for 2022 to the Austrian Parliament in the form of the annual budget speech. The plan includes tax reforms, budget increases for various ministries, estimates regarding the COViD-19 crisis, and more. Read some of the specific provisions in the budget outlined by the finance minister.

October 14, 2021

Military Surveillance of 50 Embassies in Vienna Still Required

The Austrian Council of Ministers has extended the cooperation between the military and the police for protecting the embassies in Vienna to help relieve the police during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about the cooperation and what Austrian Interior Minister Nehammer and Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner said about its extension.

October 4, 2021

One Million Corona Vaccine Doses for Tehran

Due to the spread of the delta variant, Iran is currently suffering from the fifth and most severe wave of the coronavirus pandemic. To help assist Iran in the fight against the pandemic, Austria is providing the country with one million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Austrian Ministers Schallenberg, Nehammer, and Mückstein all expressed their support for the aid package.

September 8, 2021

Corona Virus in Austria: Almost 1,500 New Infections Nationwide

To date, there have been 698,948 positive test results in Austria. As of today, 10,812 people have died as a result of Corona virus across Austria, currently with 1,438 new infections Austria-wide, 171 are being cared for in intensive care units. Read on to get all the latest stats.

September 7, 2021

Corona Virus in Austria: Latest Figures

To date, there have been 687,076 positive test results in Austria. As of today, 10,782 people have died as a result of Corona virus across Austria, currently with 1,120 new infections Austria-wide, 122 are being cared for in intensive care units. Read on to get all the latest stats.

August 30, 2021

Switzerland and Austria Step Up Fight Against Illegal Migration

Swiss Justice and Police Minister Karin Maria Keller-Sutter met Interior Minister Karl Nehammer to discuss the current developments in Afghanistan as well as Switzerland's accession to the migration platform.

August 23, 2021

Austria: Establishment of Deportation Centers in the Region Surrounding Afghanistan to Enable Deportations in the Future

Austria's Interior Minister Karl Nehammer has proposed deportation centers in Afghanistan's neighboring countries at the Special Council of EU Interior Ministers.

August 19, 2021

Sports and Diplomacy: Austria Accedes to the Saint-Denis Convention

Austria has become the 21st country to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on an Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports Events. Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer explains that this agreement will help to create a safer environment for fans to enjoy sporting events.

August 12, 2021

The New Austrian Identity Card: Modern and Forgery-proof

Experts from the Austrian Ministry of the Interior, Federal Criminal Police Office, and Austrian State Printing House have developed a modern and more secure identity card. The release of the cards is accompanied by a new mobile phone app that allows users to verify the authenticity of the new cards.

August 6, 2021

Hate Crime Motives in Austria: Ethnicity, Ideology and Religion

The Ministry of the Interior released a report on hate crimes in Austria. The report showed that the leading hate crime motives were ethnicity, ideology, and religion. Read more about the report.

July 29, 2021

Digital Pandemic: Interior Ministry Warns About Fraudulent SMS

The Ministry of the Interior led by the Interior Minister, Karl Nehammer, is warning about fraudulent SMS circulating in Austria. The scam aims to trick people into installing malware on their mobile phones by providing a link to an alleged missed voicemail message. Learn how to protect your device and what to do if your device is infected.

July 26, 2021

Austria Participates in Huge Blow Against International Organized Crime

Right in the middle of an internationally coordinated campaign against organized crime, the Austrian police forces have seized more than half a million euros, 700 kilograms of narcotics and more than 30 weapons. Read more about the strike below.

June 10, 2021

Italian Interior Minister and Nehammer Agree on Cooporation Against Terrorism

The Italian Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese visited her Austrian counterpart Karl Nehammer in Vienna to talk about migration and bilateral cooperation with regard to fighting terrorism and extremism.

May 5, 2021

Pandemic Affects Crime Statistics in Austria

The Covid-19 pandemic has positively affected Austria's crime statistics. In 2020, total crime decreased by 11.3 percent, while the clearance rate increased to 54.2 percent. Cybercrime remains among the major challenges and, in fact, was one of the only categories, which saw a major increase of cases in 2020.

March 22, 2021

Britons in Vienna: 10% Have Already Applied for Residence Permit

About 10 percent of the British citizens in Vienna have already applied for a residence permit. Due to Brexit, the British population residing in EU countries needs to take certain measures in order to stay eligible for residence in the future. In Austria, the deadline for applications is December 31, 2021.

January 13, 2021

Austria Introduces Border Controls with Czech Republic and Slovakia

Due to high numbers of Covid-19 infection rates in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Austria's Ministry of Interior has introduced more strict border controls with both countries as of January 9, 2020. Small border crossings will be closed and at all others, every vehicle will be checked when entering Austria.

January 8, 2021

Legal Certainty for British in Austria

Austria gives Britons in Austria legal certainty with regard to residence. Although the United Kingdom left the European Union at the beginning of this year, the European Union and many member countries for themselves have ensured a smooth transitions for British citizens currently residing in EU countries.

December 22, 2020

Violence Protection Summit Welcomes International Guests

The Violence Protection Summit organized by Austria's Federal Chancellery and the Federal Ministry of the Interior will be supported by international participation. UN Special Rapporteur Dubravka Simonovic and EU Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli will be participating in the summit.

November 23, 2020

Over 100 COVID Deaths in Austria within 24 Hours for the First Time

For the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been more than 100 deaths within one day in Austria. With almost 7100 new infections, the infection level remains too high. Meanwhile, the number of patients in hospitals continues to rise. 4,592 patients are hospitalized, 682 of them in intensive care. The total number of fatalities has risen to 2054. To date, 221,688 cases have been diagnosed, of which 2,054 have died and 142,738 have recovered.

November 18, 2020

Danger of Terrorism: Slovakian Warned Austrian Authorities

According to an Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) report, the assassin from Vienna, Kurtin S., had tried to buy ammunition in Slovakia in the summer.

November 4, 2020

Italian Interior Minister Met Nehammer

Italian Interior Minister Lamorgese welcomed her Austrian counterpart Nehammer for a working meeting in Rome. The main discussion topics were the fight against organized crime and illegal trafficking as well as strengthening repatriation agreements with third countries.

October 27, 2020

Suspension of Restrictions Between Hungary and Austria

Hungary has lifted the 30-kilometer and 24-hour restrictions for commuters from Austria. This makes cross-border life and business significantly easier and allows the trading relationship between the two countries to flourish again.

September 14, 2020

Descendants of Nazi Victims Have the Right to Austrian Citizenship

From September on, it is easier for descendants of Nazi victims to apply for the Austrian citizenship. This was announced by Interior Minister Nehammer in order to "take historical responsibility for the crimes of the Nazi regime".

September 1, 2020

Islamic Motivated Offender Attacked Synagogue

Yesterday a press conference was held concerning the attack of a synagogue and the president of the Jewish community in Graz. The attacker was identified as a Syrian citizen with an Islamic motive. In the upcoming weeks, synagogues in Austria will be protected by police officers.

August 25, 2020

Austria Introduces Travel Warning for Balearics

The government announced a travel warning for the Balearics and therefore reacts on the increasing number of Corona infected returners. The travel warning is valid since Monday, August 24 onwards and a negative PCR-test or a home quarantine is necessary to enter Austria.

August 19, 2020 · Updated: August 19, 2020; 18:37

Illegal Migration: Austria Calls for More Coordination and Cooperation on Eastern Mediterranean Routes

Agreement reached at the Ministerial Conference to Combat Illegal Migration on the Eastern Mediterranean Routes in Vienna. It was decided to establish a platform for the fight against illegal migration.

July 24, 2020

Coronavirus in Austria: Update

The coronavirus pandemic has also hit Austria, and deaths and infections caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are still on the rise. New officially confirmed cases of disease are constantly being added. Despite this outbreak in Austria, the situation looks much worse elsewhere. In contrast, however, there are more than 610,797 deaths worldwide due to the Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The Austrian health authorities are networked with the relevant bodies within the framework of WHO and EU membership and are in permanent coordination. The international authorities monitor current developments and address the member countries with the following recommendations.

July 20, 2020

Coronavirus in Vienna: Update - July 20, 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has also hit the metropolis of Vienna hard and the number of infected cases and unfortunately also deaths is constantly increasing. It must also be assumed that an unknown number of people who do not suspect this has already been infected. Medical science does not yet know the virus exactly. What is known so far is that in 80 percent of the cases the infection is mild. The mortality rate is currently three per cent, compared with just under one per cent for influenza. What is the Vienna Pandemic Plan? What is the situation in Vienna and what can be done individually? Questions and answers on the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) below.

July 20, 2020

Coronavirus in Lower Austria: Update

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has also hit Austria's largest federal state in terms of area, Lower Austria, hard and the number of infected cases is constantly increasing. Below we look at the official data of the Office of the Provincial Government of Lower Austria, and analyze the structure of deaths and infections both provincially (Bundesland) and by district (Bezirk). Questions and answers on the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) below.

July 20, 2020

Stricter Border Controls and Travel Warning for Western Balkans, Romania, Bulgaria and Moldova

Due to the high infection rates in these countries, Austria declares the highest security level. Anyone who travels to Romania, Bulgaria, the Republic of Moldova or, for example, to the countries of the Western Balkans, despite an upright travel warning, must undergo a 14-day home quarantine or a negative covid test upon returning to Austria. This is not a recommendation, but a legal regulation. Fines of up to 1,450 euros will be imposed.

July 8, 2020

Coronavirus in Austria: Live-Ticker (Our live coverage has now concluded)

On this website you can find information and guidance in English from Vindobona.org regarding the current outbreak of the coronavirus pandemie (COVID-19) in Austria. Vindobona.org is being informed by local Austrian and global health authorities to rapidly disseminate information and knowledge on this new virus, and to provide advice to travellers and expats on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak. Please visit this page for daily updates.

April 17, 2020 · Updated: June 9, 2020; 17:35

Coronavirus in Austria: Live-Ticker (Our live coverage has now concluded)

This live ticker has been terminated. Our live coverage has now concluded.

May 1, 2020

Contact Tracing: How Does Infection Chain Tracing Work in Austria?

The debate about the advantages and disadvantages of how COVID-19 risk patients can be quickly located and suspected cases isolated has erupted. The Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior now gave an interesting insight into how "contact tracing" has worked in several hundred cases in Upper Austria and Styria.

April 20, 2020

Further Coronavirus Measure: Police Officers in Austria Only in Protective Masks

From now on, police officers in Austria will only perform official acts with protective masks.

April 2, 2020

Explosive Corona Papers: Tens of Thousands of Additional Deaths in Austria

An internal study prepared for the government by a commission of experts on the COVID19 crisis shows a gloomy forecast for Austria. The paper states that under the realistic assumption of a replication factor of 1.7 (i.e. 1 person infects 1.7 people), the Austrian health system will collapse. If it is not possible to push the replication factor below the value of 1, tens of thousands of additional deaths and a collapse of the health care system can be expected in Austria by mid-April.

April 1, 2020

State Authority: Austria Under Police Control?

The Federal Ministry of the Interior is stepping up its police presence to ensure that the government's guidelines are enforced. So far, 10,426 coronavirus criminal charges have been filed throughout Austria. Is this approach too strict?

March 30, 2020

Austrian Government Extends Measures: Masks Partially Obligatory

At a press conference today, the government presented further measures to contain the coronavirus.

March 30, 2020

Austrian Government to Boost Coronavirus Testing Capacity

The government announced on Tuesday that it would greatly increase the capacity for coronavirus testing, apparently after the WHO had asked European countries to do so the day before.

March 24, 2020

Isolated Austria: 238 Border Closures Approved

Almost complete border closures to almost all neighbours, Germany (58), Italy (47), Switzerland (30), Liechtenstein (11), Slovenia (51) and Hungary (43), with the exception of Slovakia, have been approved by the main committee of the National Council and have already been implemented.

March 21, 2020

Again Border Controls between Germany and Austria

In the wake of the supposed corona danger coming from Germany, Austria has been further sealing itself off from its neighbours since today. According to Minister of the Interior Nehammer, this measure represents "one of many important ones to stop the spread of the corona virus". Medical certificate needed.

March 19, 2020