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Austria's parliament to vote on new Aktivpension on Wednesday
Austria's National Council is due to vote on Wednesday on a package introducing a new tax-favoured Aktivpension for people who continue working after reaching statutory retirement age. Under the proposal, Austria's parliament says eligible workers would be entitled to a tax allowance of up to €1,250 per month, or €15,000 per year, from 2027.
Employees who have reached statutory retirement age would stop paying pension-insurance contributions. Self-employed people would still have to pay the notional employer share of those contributions. Eligibility for pension recipients would generally depend on having completed 40 insurance years, with a transitional rule for women.
Wednesday's agenda also includes changes to occupational pensions and new Familienbeihilfe rules for people displaced from Ukraine and holders of subsidiary protection.
READ ALSO: How will Austria's new partial pension work?
Austria records sharp rise in tick-borne encephalitis cases
Austria recorded 168 notified cases of tick-borne encephalitis (FSME) between January and August 2026, compared with 111 over the same period last year, according to AGES.
Separate hospital surveillance from MedUni Vienna also shows a concentration of cases in Upper Austria, Tyrol and Salzburg. The surveillance systems use somewhat different methods, so their totals shouldn't be combined directly.
Austria's official health guidance says no province is free from FSME risk and recommends vaccination for everybody living in the country.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: What is Austria's tick vaccine and should you take it?
Austria's energy prices rise sharply as fuel costs climb
Austria's household energy price index rose by 3.6 percent between July and August and was 9.9 percent higher than a year earlier, according to new figures from the Austrian Energy Agency.
Diesel recorded one of the biggest monthly increases, rising by 9.6 percent. Heating oil and petrol also drove the increase. Austria's overall inflation rate was 3.2 percent in August.
The Energy Agency says current market developments could push its energy index to a new high in September. Wholesale electricity and gas indices for September are already sharply above their August and year-earlier levels, although wholesale market movements shouldn't be read as direct increases in household tariffs.
READ ALSO: From fuel to taxes: How to save money in Austria
Austria's Constitutional Court expects school headscarf ruling in 2027
Austria's Constitutional Court expects to rule in the first half of 2027 on challenges to the ban on Islamic headscarves for girls under 14 in schools. The rule has applied since the start of the 2026/27 school year.
The current challenges argue that the provisions breach constitutional rights, including religious freedom and equality.
Earlier applications were dismissed in June because the law had not yet taken effect. The Verfassungsgerichtshof therefore didn't rule at that stage on the substantive constitutional arguments against the measure.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: Austria's new ban on headscarves for girls under 14 in schools
For members
If you're studying in Austria or considering moving here to study, our guide looks at whether university fees for some non-EU students could rise to €2,500 per semester. The proposal comes from NEOS and would affect some holders of an Aufenthaltsbewilligung Student, but it hasn't been agreed as government policy and would require changes to the Universities Act.
Members can read the full guide for a breakdown of the current Studienbeitrag rules, who could be affected, the proposed changes to study-progress requirements and what would need to happen before any higher fees could take effect. Membership also gives access to The Local Austria's other in-depth guides, explainers and practical stories.
READ ALSO: How much does it cost to study in Austria in 2026?
What's happening in Austria today
Tuesday is Car-Free Day, marking the end of European Mobility Week. The transport ministry says participating municipalities will temporarily open some streets and squares to people instead of motorised private traffic. Local arrangements vary.
Drivers around Vienna should note that the S1 Vösendorf tunnel is due to close in both directions from 10 pm on Tuesday until 5 am on Wednesday, with diversions signposted.
Rail passengers between Hartberg and Fehring will face disruption from 8 am to 4 pm. ÖBB says replacement buses will operate during the works, and passengers should check their connection before travelling.
Tuesday will be cool and mixed. Western and southern Austria should see more sunshine, while northern Alpine and eastern areas will have more cloud and scattered showers. Snow is possible above around 1,500 to 1,800 metres in parts of the Alps, with strong northwesterly winds in the mountains.
READ ALSO: Everything you need to know about travelling by train in Austria
Coming up later on The Local
Later today, we'll publish our flood feature on what Austria has changed since the devastating September 2024 floods. We'll look at repairs and new flood-protection projects, changes to forecasting and monitoring, and how Lower Austria has adjusted its disaster planning.
We'll also examine what experts say still needs work, including residual flood risk, limits on land and funding for protection projects, and the growing challenge posed by more intense short-duration rainfall.
READ ALSO: How Vienna’s restoration projects helped mitigate flood damage from Storm Boris
Vocabulary
die Aktivpension – tax-favoured pension arrangement for working after retirement age
die Familienbeihilfe – family allowance
der Verfassungsgerichtshof – Constitutional Court
die Aufenthaltsbewilligung Student – student residence permit
der Studienbeitrag – university tuition or semester fee
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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