Private broadcasters warn against ORF expansion ahead of reform talks
Austria’s private broadcasters are warning that the planned ORF reform should not result in the public broadcaster expanding further into digital media, according to Der Standard. Corinna Drumm, managing director of the Association of Austrian Private Broadcasters (VÖP), made the comments ahead of an ORF “Future Forum” being organised by Media Minister Andreas Babler on September 10th and 11th.
Drumm said the ORF’s public-service remit should first be defined more precisely, arguing that changes should not displace private media from future digital markets. She also rejected the idea that the ORF needs a broad state-funded online offering aimed at everyone under 30, while suggesting that more targeted services could form part of its public-service role.
The VÖP is also calling for greater cooperation between the ORF and private media, potentially involving technology, distribution, content and licences. “Reform is not the same as expansion,” Drumm said, arguing that any changes should make the ORF more targeted and efficient rather than simply larger.
READ ALSO: What is the new ORF TV licence fee every household in Austria will have to pay?
Austria reports rise in forced deportations
Austria carried out 8,856 removals between January and July 2026, compared with 8,234 in the same period last year, according to figures presented by the Interior Ministry. The overall increase was around 8 percent, while the number of forced removals rose by around 20 percent.
Of the 8,856 removals, 4,615 were carried out forcibly, representing 52 percent of the total. The ministry also said the number of arrivals through family reunification fell from 853 between January and July 2025 to 60 in the same period this year, with those 60 cases classified as exceptional hardship cases.
Austria is also running a temporary voluntary return programme for certain Syrian nationals until the end of September. Syrian nationals in ongoing asylum procedures, and those with subsidiary protection who receive Grundversorgung, or basic care, can receive €3,000 per person to return voluntarily, while other Syrians returning voluntarily can receive €1,500.
READ ALSO: What will happen to Austria’s 95,000 Syrians after Assad’s fall?
Army helicopters called out to 17 forest fires this year
The Defence Ministry said on Sunday that Austrian Armed Forces helicopters have already been called out to fight 17 forest fires in 2026, compared with just one deployment during the whole of 2025. Since the beginning of the year, military helicopters have transported more than 3 million litres of extinguishing water to fire areas.
The aircraft have logged almost 340 flight hours during the firefighting operations. Helicopters used have included the AW169 Lion, S-70 Black Hawk and Agusta-Bell 212, operating from bases in Styria, Upper Austria and Lower Austria.
The military is also planning to equip 2 of its 4 new C-390 Embraer transport aircraft with firefighting modules capable of carrying 11,000 litres of extinguishing agent. The first C-390 aircraft are due to arrive in Austria in 2028.
READ ALSO: Where grilling and open fires are banned as Austria’s forests dry out
E-scooter rules leave buyers facing confusion over legal power limits
Austria’s legal power limit for e-scooters is creating confusion for consumers, with ÖAMTC saying all 10 models in a recent test exceeded the permitted 600-watt maximum, according to ORF Vienna. Austrian rules also limit e-scooters to a maximum speed of 25 km/h.
The difficulty is that manufacturers use different ways of describing and measuring power, including peak power and continuous rated power. The Mobility Ministry told ORF that the legal Höchstleistung is determined using UNECE Regulation No. 85, although that testing method is not explicitly named in the wording of the road traffic law.
Vienna police say officers normally rely on type or manufacturer information when assessing motor power during roadside checks. ÖAMTC and road-safety experts are calling for clearer rules, but the Mobility Ministry says no change to the power limit is currently planned.
Worth reading
September will bring several practical changes for people living in Austria, including new rules for converting some foreign driving licences, higher VOR public transport prices, changes at schools and a major new phase of Vienna’s S-Bahn works. Our guide to everything changing in Austria in September also explains new Vienna administrative fees, changes to social-housing allocation and stronger consumer protections.
Members can read the full guide, along with The Local Austria’s other in-depth explainers and practical stories on bureaucracy, transport, schools and everyday life in Austria.
What’s happening in Austria today
Austria’s Sommerschule begins on Monday in Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland and runs until September 4th. The programme generally runs from 8am to 12pm on weekdays. Attendance is compulsory for a defined group of pupils receiving German-language support, while other eligible pupils can take part voluntarily.
Vienna Airport travellers have another option from Monday, with City Airport Train replacement buses between Wien Mitte and the airport able to run up to 5 times an hour in each direction. The bus service is operating while rail connections are disrupted.
Extensive S-Bahn changes also remain in place in Vienna. The summer closure between Wien Praterstern and Wien Floridsdorf continues, while additional changes linked to the Praterstern cable fire are affecting several services, including the S7.
Austria’s Parliament building is closed to visitors from Monday for maintenance and repair work. The National Council remains in its summer no-session period.
Monday will bring highs of around 21C to 28C across Austria. Sunshine is expected in many western and northern areas, while isolated afternoon thunderstorms are possible around parts of the Alps, including the Tyrolean Alpine ridge, western Upper Styria and the Lienz Dolomites.
Vocabulary
die Sprachförderkraft – language-support worker
die Höchstleistung – maximum power output
die Sommerschule – summer school
If you have any questions about life in Austria, ideas for articles, or news tips for The Local, you can contact us at news@thelocal.at or leave a comment below.
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