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Austria activates alert system over gas supply

As tensions grow between Russia and the west over the war in Ukraine, the Austrian federal government has activated the country's alert system for gas supplies.

Published: 30 March 2022 16:46 CEST
Austria has made an alert about the gas supply. Photo by Peter Fly on Unsplash
Austria has made an alert about the gas supply. Photo by Peter Fly on Unsplash

Austria has activated the early warning system in the emergency plan for the country’s gas supply, the Climate Ministry announced today.

This follows Russia’s recent announcement that future gas deliveries can only be paid for with Rubles (Russia’s currency).

The activation of the early warning system means surveillance and monitoring of Austria’s gas supplies will be tightened, but rationing is not planned yet. Rationing of supplies comes into force when the warning system reaches level three, according to ORF.

The government confirmed that domestic gas tanks are currently 13 percent full and deliveries are continuing from Russia without disruption. 

Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Climate Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) assured the Austrian public that they are doing everything they can to ensure households and businesses maintain their gas supplies.

The news follows a similar announcement by Germany earlier today after the German federal government also activated their early warning system for gas supplies.

More information about what the declaration means and how it may impact Austrian residents is available at the following link. 

Ukraine: What does the government’s ‘gas alert’ mean for Austria?

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COST OF LIVING

Austria to hike amount to be paid out for 2024 ‘Klimabonus’ payment

Austrian authorities will soon start sending out the so-called Klimabonus payment, and it will be a higher amount than last year.

Published: 15 May 2024 14:57 CEST
Austria to hike amount to be paid out for 2024 'Klimabonus' payment

The Klimabonus or climate bonus is a part of Austria’s eco-social tax reform, a set of measures to promote climate protection.

One such action includes a tax on CO2 emissions, which increases fuel prices and affects Austrian drivers. The annual Klimabonus payment aims to offset this expense. 

The payment of this year’s climate bonus will see an increase due to the higher CO2 pricing, and so will range between €145 and €290. Last year, the bonuses varied from €110 to €220. The new figures were announced by the Austrian government after the meeting of the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, May 15th, reported ORF.

Payments will be made after the summer

You will receive the bonus if you have had your main residence in Austria registered for more than six months.

As during the precious years, the payment will be made after the summer – by bank transfers and postal deliveries via RSa letter. If you received the payment to your bank account last years, you should update your account details to finanzonline.at to ensure that everything is in order.

READ ALSO: Vienna reveals new plan for how to move away from gas heating

How much will you get?

The idea is that people who live in cities where they can rely on eco-friendly public transportation will receive a lower portion of the bonus. Those who instead have limited access to public transportation and need to pay higher costs, such as for using their car for travelling, will receive a larger portion of the bonus.

The government has created four different categories which decide how much residents in different locations will receive.

  • Category 1: Urban centres with very good infrastructure and excellent public transport facilities, such as Vienna. In Category 1 regions, there is no additional regional compensation, so the payment remains at the base amount (€145 per person).
  • Category 2: Urban centres with good infrastructure and solid public transport facilities, including cities like Graz, Salzburg, Klagenfurt, or St. Pölten. In Category 2 regions, the regional compensation is 33 percent of the base amount (€195 per person).
  • Category 3: Urban centres and surrounding areas with basic public transport facilities or good basic public transport options. Examples of category three regions are Groß-Enzersdorf, Wolfsberg, or Mittersill. In Category 3 regions, the regional compensation is 66 percent of the base amount (€245 per person).
  • Category 4: Rural communities and communities with only basic public transport facilities. Examples of category four regions include Mariazell, Werfen, and Sölden. In Category 4 regions, the regional compensation is 100 percent of the base amount (€290 per person).

READ MORE: Austria climate activist aims to take fight to Brussels

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