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No more ‘Schwarzfahren’: Austrian and German cities to phase out term due to racism concerns

Transport authorities in Austria and Germany have said they are phasing out the term ‘Schwarzfahren’ - which literally translates to ‘riding black’ - to describe fare dodging, over racism concerns.

Published: 9 July 2021 17:07 CEST
Updated: 10 July 2021 15:57 CEST
No more ‘Schwarzfahren’: Austrian and German cities to phase out term due to racism concerns
A ticket stamping machine in Vienna. Photo: ALEXANDER KLEIN / AFP

Vienna transit company Wiener Linien said on Friday it had already begun phasing out the term ‘Schwarzfahren’ in order to avoid “misunderstandings”. 

ÖBB, the company’s Austrian counterpart, said it would do the same. 

In recent years, the term has become increasingly debated in Austria and Germany, with some saying it has a racist connotation. 

Instead of using the term ‘riding black’, Austrian officials will use the literal ‘Fahrgästen ohne gültiges Ticket’ – meaning ‘passengers without a valid ticket’. 

German Word of the Day: Schwarzfahren

“Language is a living thing and that is why the use of language changes again and again,” Wiener Linien said in a statement. 

“In order to avoid any misunderstandings, we have been using the term ‘passengers without a valid ticket’ for a long time. However, there was no educational campaign.”

A similar debate has taken place in the German cities of Berlin and Munich, with both indicating they will also phase out the term. 

While a ticket on public transport in Vienna costs €2.40, the fine for riding without a ticket is €105 – rising to €145 if unpaid. 

Does Schwarzfahren have a racist connotation?

While it appears the term’s days are numbered – at least in an official context – some debate whether the term actually has a racial connotation. 

Eric Fuß, a German linguist, says the term does not relate to the word Schwarz – i.e. black – at all, but is instead a translation of a colloquial Yiddishism ‘shvarts’, which means poor or poverty. 

365 Ticket: Everything you need to know about Vienna’s cheap annual metro pass

Fuß said the term had become common place to describe those who were too poor to buy a ticket. 

This explanation has however been criticised by Jewish scholars, who argue that it means black in Yiddish and has a “dark or evil” connotation. 

In April 2021, the Black People Initiative in Germany (Initiative Schwarze Menschen in Deutschland) released a statement saying that regardless of the origin of the term, it now had a negative racist connotation and therefore should be replaced. 

Tahir Della, a spokesperson for the group, told AFP that society must be sensitive to language changes – and what terms may come to mean in the present day. 

“Even if fare dodging was not at all racist, the effect on those affected is that ‘black’ stands for something negative, for example crime or illegality.”

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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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