Centre-right ÖVP aims to boost homeownership with tax breaks and easier loans
The ÖVP has unveiled another section of its election program, focusing on property ownership.
Titled "More property for a secure future," the plan aims to boost homeownership rates to 60 percent. As part of this initiative, the party proposes abolishing the real estate transfer tax for first-time buyers, with the tax dropped for properties worth up to € 500,000. This could save up to € 17,500. Finance Minister Magnus Brunner wants to reduce ancillary costs, improve lending conditions, and offer tax relief and a full-time bonus to help people save more.
State Secretary for Youth Claudia Plakolm also emphasised the party's stance against new taxes, arguing they would hinder property acquisition, especially for young people looking to own homes.
Should I register with Austria's unemployment agency AMS if I'm out of work?
There are benefits and potential drawbacks to signing up with Austria’s unemployment agency, AMS, and it's worth knowing how it could affect your health cover, residency, and travel plans.
Stephen Fry urges Austrians to vote after regaining citizenship
For the first time, many descendants of Nazi expellees, including British actor and screenwriter Stephen Fry, will be eligible to vote in Austria's National Council elections following a 2020 amendment to the citizenship law.
Fry, whose grandmother fled Austria to escape the Nazis, expressed his excitement in a video shared by Austria's Foreign Ministry, calling it a "privilege" to vote in Austria. He encouraged all Austrians to exercise this important right.
As of April, around 27,800 people, mostly living abroad, have regained their Austrian citizenship under Section 58c of the Citizenship Act. Despite this, political scientist Laurenz Ennser-Jedenastik noted that the number of new eligible voters since the last elections in 2019 has only increased slightly. The Foreign Ministry has been raising awareness through campaigns and direct communications to encourage voter participation, mainly focusing on this group of new Austrians.
Cyclist killed in collision near Vienna's Museumsquartier
A 32-year-old cyclist was killed in a traffic accident near the Museumsquartier in Vienna-Mariahilf on Monday morning. The cyclist was struck by a car turning left at a junction and sustained multiple injuries. Emergency medical services treated the man at the scene and transported him to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, police reported on Tuesday.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the 30-year-old driver was turning left from Babenbergerstraße onto Getreidemarkt while the cyclist was approaching from Mariahilfer Straße. Both traffic lights were green, but the driver had priority.
Free flu vaccinations in Austria this year
This year, the influenza vaccination will be available free of charge across Austria.
In Vienna, appointments at the city's vaccination centres can be booked from October 28th, with vaccinations starting from November 4th, according to a press release from City Councillor for Health Peter Hacker (SPÖ).
The free vaccinations follow an agreement between the federal government, the provinces, and the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK), removing last year’s prescription fee.
Around 250,000 vaccine doses are available in Vienna, with 85,000 appointments at city-run centres, including Vienna-Landstraße, Schrödingerplatz in Donaustadt, and a yet-to-be-announced location in Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus. Vaccinations are also available at private practices and ÖGK health centres throughout Austria.
For more information, visit the ÖGK website or call the flu vaccination hotline at 0043-50766-501510. Appointments for the city's centres can be booked online at www.impfservice.wien or by calling 1450. Combined flu and Covid-19 vaccinations are available at the Towntown vaccination centre.
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