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WHAT CHANGES IN AUSTRIA

Everything that changes in Austria in December 2022

From public holidays, ski season and Christmas festivities to changes in transport timetable and bonus payments, here are some of the most important changes you need to be aware of in Austria in December.

Everything that changes in Austria in December 2022
December Christmas lights are already up and people in Austria are planning their holidays (Photo by Anton on Unsplash)

Public holidays and celebrations

Besides Christmas (December 25th) and Stephan’s Day (December 26th), December 8th, when Catholics celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Mariä Empfängnis), is also a bank holiday in Austria.

Of course, there are also several celebratory dates in December. For example, every Sunday until Christmas is an Advent Sunday, and Austrian families commemorate it in many ways, including lighting up candles.

On December 4th, there is Barbaratag, while on December 5th Krampus pays his visit to Austrian villages and cities. On the next day, December 6th, it’s time for St Nikolaus to bring chocolate and tangerines to children who were nice during the year.

Christmas Eve, Day, and St Stephen’s Day (December 24th, 25th and 26th) are important dates for Austrian traditions.

READ ALSO: Austrian Christmas traditions: The festive dates you need to know

Influenza vaccination appointments

The City of Vienna has made available 64,000 influenza vaccination appointments for December in the city’s vaccination centres and those of the ÖGK. 

The City of Vienna is investing a total of €9.9 million to be able to offer the flu vaccination campaign in Vienna free of charge again this year.  The campaign will run until the end of the year unless an extension becomes necessary due to high demand. 

The influenza vaccination campaign focuses on people aged over 65. This is to avoid multiple exposures to Covid-19 and the “real flu”. Chronically ill people, children and health or care workers are also among the priority target groups. However, influenza vaccination is also recommended to all other people.

READ ALSO: Masks against Covid and flu: What’s ahead for Austria this winter

Some Covid-19 rules still apply

The stressful days of pandemic lockdowns might be behind us (fingers crossed), but there are still a few rules in Austria to be aware of.

In Vienna, it is still mandatory to wear an FFP2 mask in pharmacies, on public transport and at stations. So if you arrive at Vienna International Airport and take public transport into the city centre, expect to be asked to put on a mask.

Nationwide, masks are also required at all health and care facilities, including hospitals and clinics.

Will it or won’t it?

On December 8th, the EU Council is set to vote on whether or not Croatia, which since 2013 has been a member of the bloc, should also join the Schengen zone, effectively eliminating border controls between it and other member states Slovenia and Hungary.

Austria has had reservations about expanding the Schengen area and the country’s official vote is still not known, also concerning the entrance of Bulgaria and Romania to the borderless zone.

Train services are changing

Austria’s train transport company ÖBB has a new timetable from December 11th 2022, focusing on tourist destinations and more connections. However, prices will generally increase – though international trips could become cheaper.

On average, tickets in the second class will become 3.9 percent more expensive, though the earlier you book, the cheaper the journey.

New connections in the Nightjet night trains include Stuttgart and Baden-Württemberg.

Popular destinations will be expanded, and the EuroNight Vienna – Graz – Split will bring holiday travellers to the Croatian Adriatic coast from May to October three times a week.

ÖBB said it also focuses on tourist connection in its daytime traffic. For example, the direct IC connection from Vienna to Salzkammergut to Bad Ischl, Hallstatt and Stainach-Irdning will be offered daily.

You can read more about changes HERE.

Everything is more expensive

Inflation in Austria is currently over 10 percent, which has led to price increases for everything from daily groceries to energy bills and dining out.

Even the Christmas markets are more expensive this year due to higher prices for the Glühwein mugs. This means some markets in Vienna are charging almost €5 for the Pfand (deposit) for that first glass of mulled wine.

The same applies to ski resorts with hotels, lift tickets and restaurants all costing more this year.

READ ALSO: Reader question: Is travelling to Austria this winter worth it?

Nursing staff to get an extra payment

Some 150,000 employees in the care sector will receive a bonus of €2,000 gross (for those working full-time). In addition, Austrian provinces are free to add cash to that amount, and Lower Austria will pay an additional tax-free bonus of €500 to more than 23,000 nursing and care workers. 

The payment should come as a salary in December. Also, in December, Austrian workers usually get their 14th payment, the Christmas salary.

READ ALSO: Health care reform: Austria to give €2,000 bonus to nursing staff

Ski season begins

December is also when the skiing season officially begins in Austria, even though some ski resorts have already been open by the end of November, including the famous Kitzbühel resort.  

On most, though, the season only starts (or the high season) by December, sometimes as late as December 24th. 

READ ALSO: How to save money and still go skiing in Austria

Christmas markets

Christmas markets are open during most of December and are a great way to enjoy the season. Most have already opened during November, but it’s during Christmas that they shine and attract thousands of visitors.

READ ALSO: IN PICTURES: A guide to the main Christmas Markets in Austria

New Year celebrations

Expect lots of fireworks on New Year’s Eve (Silvester) in Austria – no matter where you are.

Most major cities have a large fireworks display planned for midnight on December 31 and hotels tend to book up quickly – especially in cities like Salzburg.

In Vienna, the bells ring out at St. Stephan’s Cathedral to welcome in the New Year, which is also broadcast on national television. This is followed by fireworks and some even take part in a communal waltz on Rathausplatz in front of the Town Hall.

But if you really want to celebrate New Year like an Austrian, then give a marzipan pig to your nearest and dearest. The little pigs represent a good luck charm and are handed out every year on New Year’s Eve.

READ ALSO: 8 things to know if you’re visiting Austria in December

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WHAT CHANGES IN AUSTRIA

Key Points: Everything that changes about life in Austria in June 2024

From the EU elections to tax deadlines and the start of school holidays, here are the most important changes affecting people in Austria in June 2024.

Key Points: Everything that changes about life in Austria in June 2024

EU elections

The upcoming EU elections are significant for EU citizens in Austria. They are a unique opportunity for them to exercise their democratic rights and have a say in the European Parliament. The election, scheduled for June 9th, will see the election of 20 Austrian Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). 

EU citizens in Austria have a choice: they can elect Austrian Parliament members or vote for the MEPs from their country of citizenship.

Recent polls predict that the centre-right ÖVP should suffer significant losses, the growth of right-wing populists in EU countries can also change the parliament to the right, and far-right FPÖ in  Austria is expected to make huge gains.  

READ ALSO: 2024 EU elections – What you need to know as an Austrian resident

Armed Forces rehearse for emergencies

Austrian media reported that the Austrian Army would launch its largest exercise in a decade, with 6,000 soldiers mobilised in June.

From June 10th to 21st, the Austrian Army will be conducting its largest exercise in a decade. This large-scale exercise, involving 6,000 soldiers, will take place in Lower Austria, Styria, Burgenland, and Carinthia. The primary focus of this exercise is to enhance the armed forces’ operational readiness and consolidate their core military capabilities for planning and leading a tactical deployment of land, air, and special operations forces as part of a domestic protection operation. The training command for this exercise is based in Wiener Neustadt.

According to the Defence Ministry, the main objective of the exercise is to further develop the armed forces’ operational readiness and consolidate the core military capabilities for planning and leading a tactical deployment of land, air, and special operations forces as part of a domestic protection operation.

READ ALSO: How does Austria’s mandatory military service work?

Euro 2024

Austrians are highly anticipating Euro 2024, as their national team has qualified and is set to play its opening Group D game against France on June 17th. The excitement continues as they face Poland three days later, followed by the Netherlands on June 25th.

Tax deadlines at end of June

The tax year in Austria starts on January 1st, unlike in some other countries, such as the UK, where it runs from April 1st.

If you submit your tax return in paper format, the deadline is April 30th of the following year. So, the deadline for your income in 2023 is April 30th 2024. 

But if you submit your return electronically (via FinanzOnline), the deadline is June 30th of the following year, so for the year 2023, the deadline is June 30th 2024.

Note that there can be different deadlines for those filing through a tax advisor. If you submit a tax return without obligation, you can file it retroactively for up to five years. 

READ ALSO: The tax benefits that parents and families receive in Austria

Festivals and events

Some of the best festivals in Austria take place in June. The Vienna Pride Parade – also known as the Rainbow Parade – happens on June 8th, and more than 300,000 are expected to participate. 

The night before, on June 7th, the Schönbrunn Palace Park in Vienna will host a spectacular and free musical programme from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Sommernachtskonzert. Also, the Donauinselfest happens from Juen 21st to 23rd.  

READ ALSO: 10 things to do in Austria this June

Holidays and summer

There are no public holidays in June this year – not that we can complain since May had four holidays. However, the school holidays start on June 29th in Burgenland, Lower Austria and Vienna (and July 6th in the other states). 

June is the official start of summer, with the summer solstice and longest day on June 20th.

READ ALSO: 10 exciting events in Vienna this June

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