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CRIME

REVEALED: Which crimes are on the rise in Austria?

New data shows that the number of crime reports has increased compared to 2022 - these are the most common crimes and what Austria plans to do regarding security.

Published: 29 March 2024 15:12 CET
REVEALED: Which crimes are on the rise in Austria?
Police cars stand in front of Schoenbrunn Palace on February 14, 2023. (Photo by Alex HALADA / AFP)

According to data released by the Interior Ministry, the number of crime reports slightly increased in 2023 compared to the year before.

In 2023, 528,010 reports were filed, an increase of eight percent, or 39,061 reports, compared to 2022. In the same period, the number of solved reports rose by 8.2 percent. A total of 276,043 reports were cleared up—that is 20,867 more than in the previous year.

What are the most common crimes in Austria, then? According to the police, most crimes fall into “property crimes,” which include thefts and burglaries. They are followed by white-collar crime offences, violent crime, cybercrime, and organised crime. 

READ ALSO: Is Vienna a safe city to visit?

Most (55 percent) of the suspects registered are Austrian citizens.

However, according to the police report, the following most common nationalities of foreign suspects are: Romanian, then German, Serbian, Syrian, Hungarian, Turkish, Slovakian, Afghan, Bosnian-Herzegovinian and Croatian. 

Property, white-collar and cybercrime on the rise

The main reason for the increase in the 2023 reporting statistics has to do with the crimes on the rise, which are property crime, white-collar crime and cybercrime.

Around 12.5 percent of all crimes occur on the internet or are related to it – in addition to classic white-collar crimes such as fraud, there are also violent crimes such as dangerous threats or blackmail. 

In addition, there are new forms of crime in connection with ATM card theft and contactless payment methods, according to the police. There has also been an increase in “classic crimes” such as shoplifting.

According to a government press release, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner announced a five-point package of measures to combat rising crime in Austria. “Among other things, this focuses on foreign crime as well as consistent action against all forms of youth crime”, he said.

The first point consists of implementing a criminal investigation service reform with a focus on combating cybercrime and creating 38 criminal investigation units and more than 700 additional jobs, the government said.

READ ALSO: Which parts of Austria have the highest crime rates?

Secondly, consistent measures were continued against the “smuggling mafia,” in particular with the operation on Hungarian territory, the deployment of 130 police officers on Hungarian territory, and the establishment of a specialised “anti-smuggling” department in the Federal Criminal Police Office.

One of the priorities is the issue of “juvenile delinquency”, the Ministry said. The government plans to establish the youth crime task force, lower the age of criminal responsibility (a working group has been set up), and ban knives in public spaces (in preparation).

The government also wants to mandate local police directorates to set “priority measures” in the area of burglary”.

Finally, the last point is to mandate local police to “take priority measures” in the area of crime committed by foreigners “as certain nationalities stand out in the crime statistics, as well as a mandate to the immigration authorities to continue to carry out consistent deportations of foreign criminals”.

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LIVING IN AUSTRIA

‘Haushaltsversicherung’: How does Austria’s home insurance work?

'Haushaltsversicherung' is one of Austria's most popular types of insurance. It is not mandatory, but it is certainly worth evaluating, especially as it comes with many possible add-ons.

Published: 2 May 2024 15:22 CEST
'Haushaltsversicherung': How does Austria's home insurance work?

Austrians are certainly obsessed with insurance coverage, and one of the most popular and common ones is known as the “Haushaltsversicherung”—if you don’t have it already, you have certainly heard of it. Here’s what you need to know about household insurance.

Firstly, this insurance covers damages to “all movable objects within your own four walls,” as Austria’s Chamber of Labour (AK) explains. This includes furniture, carpets, and electrical appliances. It would also cover damages caused by fire, storms, water, burglary, and glass breakage. 

Certain types of insurance, such as private liability insurance or mandatory dog liability insurance, are almost always combined with household insurance—another reason why the Haushaltsversicherung is so popular in Austria.

READ ALSO: What kind of insurance do I need to have in Austria?

However, there are enormous differences in premiums and benefits, so experts suggest you check precisely what you need before taking out insurance. The AK also says you should talk to an insurance advisor to learn more about your specific case and needs, particularly if you have any valuables in your home. 

Additionally, they said: “It makes sense to check your policy every few years to ensure that you are properly insured. This guarantees that the sums insured and the risks included are up-to-date and sufficient”.

What should I keep an eye on when reviewing policies?

Of course, different companies have their own offers, and they are often highly customisable to fit your apartment and lifestyle—some things you need to be aware of, though.

Certain policies are tied to the size of your apartment, while others will have a lump sum regardless of the size of your place. Policies also usually differ depending on whether you live in an apartment or a house. 

While most insurance will cover glass breakage (such as when a hail storm breaks your window, for example), some might have it as an add-on (wahlweise mit Glasbruch). 

You may also add other types of insurance to your household insurance, the most common being mandatory dog liability insurance (Hunde-Haftpflicht), legal insurance (Straf-Rechtsschutz), and sports insurance.

READ ALSO: Should I take out insurance before skiing in Austria?

It’s worth it to read each policy, but you should know some common clauses beforehand. For example, insurance often won’t cover burglary costs if your house has not been properly secured and locked. This might seem obvious, but since door knobs don’t open from the outside without the key, people often leave their homes, especially for short errands, and don’t lock the doors all the way. Insurance and safety experts recommend you get in the habit of locking your home doors.

It’s also important to check if your insurance will pay you “Neuwert” or “Zeitwert” in case of damage. 

A Neuwert means the insurance will pay for a replacement object, regardless of how old the stolen or broken one was. However, many insurance policies still contain the so-called “Zeitwert”, something like “current value”, so you wouldn’t receive an amount that could pay for a new product. Instead, a loss of value of around 10 percent per year could be expected for most objects.

What should I do if there is damage to my home?

If you see any damage to your home from burglary, accident or other types, you need to notify your insurer immediately and report the damage you have suffered. 

The insurance conditions usually stipulate a maximum period of three days for reporting a claim in property insurance. The Chamber of Labour also recommends that you send a written notification of the claim (preferably by registered mail, they add).

“Make a list of all items that have been destroyed or lost and enclose it with your report to both the insurer and the security authorities”, they said. And, of course, in the event of fire burglary or robbery, always inform the fire department or police authorities.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: The Austrian insurance for if you get sued – or want to sue someone

How long does the insurance last, and how much does it cost?

The insurance term is usually specified in the counteract. In general, though, you can terminate it after the third year with one month’s notice if the contract has not already expired.

If you move house or move abroad, you can terminate your household insurance contract. You can cancel the insurance the day before the move begins (preferably by registered letter).

If you do not exercise your right of termination, the insurance will remain valid during the move and in the new home.

Regarding prices, they can be as low as a few euros a month (such as insurance specifically tailored to students living in shared flats) to several hundred a month if you have a large place with plenty of valuables or include several add-ons. 

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