The Local Austria

The vocabulary you need to understand the Austrian citizenship process Applying for citizenship in Austria can be a lengthy and daunting process - and understanding the lingo is like learning a new language in itself. These are the top words and phrases you're likely to hear along the way.

Applying for citizenship in Austria can be a lengthy and daunting process - and understanding the lingo is like learning a new language in itself. These are the top words and phrases you're likely to hear along the way.

TELL US: What do you think about Austria's school system? Austria is known for having a good education system but it can be tricky for foreigners to navigate. We'd like to hear what you think about it and how it compares to your home country.

Austria is known for having a good education system but it can be tricky for foreigners to navigate. We'd like to hear what you think about it and how it compares to your home country.

Strikes in Austria hit hospitals and IT services Strike action is affecting hospitals and IT services in Austria this week.

Strike action is affecting hospitals and IT services in Austria this week.

Inflation to hit eurozone as war in the Middle East disrupts energy flows In the Middle East energy exports to Europe have been disrupted by the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran that has spilled into surrounding regions. Economic experts are predicting a spike in inflation.

In the Middle East energy exports to Europe have been disrupted by the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran that has spilled into surrounding regions. Economic experts are predicting a spike in inflation.

Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday Inflation ticked up in February and the health minister is weighing new rules for private doctor fees, plus more stories from Austria on Tuesday.

Inflation ticked up in February and the health minister is weighing new rules for private doctor fees, plus more stories from Austria on Tuesday.

Altbau vs Neubau: What’s the difference and which should I rent in Austria? It's more than just a question of their age and style; the type of building you live in in Austria can affect everything from your heating costs to your rental fee.

It's more than just a question of their age and style; the type of building you live in in Austria can affect everything from your heating costs to your rental fee.

Travellers from Austria stranded as war escalates in Middle East Travellers from around the world are stuck due to the escalating crisis in the Middle East. Here's how people travelling to and from Austria have been affected.

Travellers from around the world are stuck due to the escalating crisis in the Middle East. Here's how people travelling to and from Austria have been affected.

Six official websites to know if you’re planning to work in Austria If you are moving to Austria and planning to work once you're here, there are a few websites that you need to know.

If you are moving to Austria and planning to work once you're here, there are a few websites that you need to know.

The best events in Vienna in March 2026 From Easter markets to Vienna Restaurant Week via music festivals, here are some of the best events happening in the Austrian capital this March.

From Easter markets to Vienna Restaurant Week via music festivals, here are some of the best events happening in the Austrian capital this March.

EXPLAINED: Why the far-right expects early elections in Austria and could they win? Herbert Kickl, leader of the populist Freedom Party (FPÖ) says he expects Austria to head to early national elections in 2028 and claims he is already laying the groundwork for new coalition talks. We look at what foreign residents need to know.

Herbert Kickl, leader of the populist Freedom Party (FPÖ) says he expects Austria to head to early national elections in 2028 and claims he is already laying the groundwork for new coalition talks. We look at what foreign residents need to know.

The sure signs that tell you winter is coming to an end in Austria Austria may still be in winter mode, but soon enough, the signs of spring will start appearing. From packed ski resorts to the return of sidewalk cafés, here’s how you’ll know.

Austria may still be in winter mode, but soon enough, the signs of spring will start appearing. From packed ski resorts to the return of sidewalk cafés, here’s how you’ll know.

Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Monday At least 1,500 Austrians stuck in the United Arab Emirates after flight cancellations, Vienna’s AKH prepares to move wards ahead of a major renovation, spring weather ahead and more stories from Austria on Monday.

At least 1,500 Austrians stuck in the United Arab Emirates after flight cancellations, Vienna’s AKH prepares to move wards ahead of a major renovation, spring weather ahead and more stories from Austria on Monday.

'I want to integrate': Why foreigners become Austrian, despite the strict rules Austria is home to some 1.8 million foreigners: more than 20 percent of the population. While many shy away from becoming Austrian due to the strict rules on holding more than one nationality, others are keen to go through the citizenship process.

Austria is home to some 1.8 million foreigners: more than 20 percent of the population. While many shy away from becoming Austrian due to the strict rules on holding more than one nationality, others are keen to go through the citizenship process.

Culture, politics, food: what makes Europeans proud of their country? A recent survey by the Pew Research Centre delved into what people feel proudest about in their country, with Europeans pointing to history, food and culture among the main reasons.

A recent survey by the Pew Research Centre delved into what people feel proudest about in their country, with Europeans pointing to history, food and culture among the main reasons.

The main complaints foreigners have about life in Austria and how to solve them From bureaucracy to social integration, foreigners face various challenges when settling in Austria. Here are the most common issues and practical solutions to overcome them.

From bureaucracy to social integration, foreigners face various challenges when settling in Austria. Here are the most common issues and practical solutions to overcome them.

What is a regulated business licence in Austria and who needs one? Starting a business in Austria is notoriously complicated, but the amount of bureaucracy will depend on whether you need a business licence or not. Here’s what you need to know.

Starting a business in Austria is notoriously complicated, but the amount of bureaucracy will depend on whether you need a business licence or not. Here’s what you need to know.

The best events in each Austrian province in March 2026 From Vienna’s ball calendar to Easter markets across Austria, March 2026 has plenty to book early and plenty you can drop into last minute

From Vienna’s ball calendar to Easter markets across Austria, March 2026 has plenty to book early and plenty you can drop into last minute

How many people have residence permits in Austria and where are they from? Austria offers a number of residence permits for people to live and work in the country. We look at recent figures that shed light on how many people have them at the moment and their origin country.

Austria offers a number of residence permits for people to live and work in the country. We look at recent figures that shed light on how many people have them at the moment and their origin country.

Vienna to deploy 500 security staff for Eurovision in May Organisers have pledged strict security measures for Eurovision in Vienna following tensions over Israel’s participation.

Organisers have pledged strict security measures for Eurovision in Vienna following tensions over Israel’s participation.

Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Friday New figures show a jump in serious road injuries and police in Vienna are searching for two children, plus more stories from Austria on Friday.

New figures show a jump in serious road injuries and police in Vienna are searching for two children, plus more stories from Austria on Friday.

Do you need travel insurance for EU trips if you live in Austria? If you’re a legal resident in Austria and planning to travel to other European Union countries, here’s what you need to know about travel insurance and what your Austrian health cover actually includes.

If you’re a legal resident in Austria and planning to travel to other European Union countries, here’s what you need to know about travel insurance and what your Austrian health cover actually includes.

What you can and can’t do while on sick leave in Austria Can you travel, see friends or run errands while on sick leave in Austria? It depends.

Can you travel, see friends or run errands while on sick leave in Austria? It depends.

When can I take my holidays after starting a new job in Austria? If you are just starting a job in Austria, it might seem strange to be thinking of your holidays - but with nicer weather coming up, here are your rights.

If you are just starting a job in Austria, it might seem strange to be thinking of your holidays - but with nicer weather coming up, here are your rights.

Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Thursday Austria has moved to crack down on shrinkflation, while Vienna is dealing with a fatal stabbing case involving a 14-year-old, plus more stories from Austria on Thursday.

Austria has moved to crack down on shrinkflation, while Vienna is dealing with a fatal stabbing case involving a 14-year-old, plus more stories from Austria on Thursday.

'Avoiding government offices is huge win': The benefits of ID Austria Foreign residents have reported lots of hurdles when trying to access Austria's digital ID. But when it's set up, is it useful?

Foreign residents have reported lots of hurdles when trying to access Austria's digital ID. But when it's set up, is it useful?

'No ETA, no entry': UK imposes tighter travel rules for Europeans The UK government has warned European travellers that they will be refused entry from February 25th if they do not have the required ETA visa waiver - while British dual nationals will be required to use a UK passport.

The UK government has warned European travellers that they will be refused entry from February 25th if they do not have the required ETA visa waiver - while British dual nationals will be required to use a UK passport.

Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesday The government moves ahead with a national action plan against extremism, and a Vienna cemetery remains cordoned off after a fatal stabbing, plus more stories from Austria on Wednesday.

The government moves ahead with a national action plan against extremism, and a Vienna cemetery remains cordoned off after a fatal stabbing, plus more stories from Austria on Wednesday.

German grammar tips: Why 'man' is everywhere in official German At some point, every German learner runs into a sentence where no one seems to be doing anything. You read it, understand all the words, and still wonder who exactly is responsible. Very often, the answer is man.

At some point, every German learner runs into a sentence where no one seems to be doing anything. You read it, understand all the words, and still wonder who exactly is responsible. Very often, the answer is man.

Renting in Austria: Who gets the rental deposit back if tenants split up? In Austria, a deposit dispute can flare up when a couple splits and both are on the lease. Who gets the security deposit back?

In Austria, a deposit dispute can flare up when a couple splits and both are on the lease. Who gets the security deposit back?

EU's EES biometric passport checks catch 4,000 over-stayers in first 4 months One of the stated aims of the EU's new EES system of biometric passport checks is to catch people who 'over-stay' the 90-day limit, and 4,000 of those have been caught in the first months of its implementation, according to an EU official.

One of the stated aims of the EU's new EES system of biometric passport checks is to catch people who 'over-stay' the 90-day limit, and 4,000 of those have been caught in the first months of its implementation, according to an EU official.