Austria's new €2 parcel tax faces opposition within governing coalition
Austria's new €2 parcel tax is already facing political resistance less than two weeks after taking effect on October 1st. Chancellor Christian Stocker has indicated that he is open to alternative financing proposals, according to Der Standard.
The measure, known as the Paketsteuer, has exposed disagreements within the governing coalition. The tax applies to large online retailers and marketplaces, which may pass the cost on to shoppers. The Social Democrats (SPÖ) seem less willing to reconsider it, while the conservative People's Party (ÖVP) and liberal NEOS have expressed reservations despite previously supporting it.
Retail representatives warn that the tax could increase costs for businesses and consumers. The opposition Freedom Party (FPÖ) is calling for the levy to be abolished altogether, but the €2 tax remains in force.
READ ALSO: Who will have to pay Austria’s new €2 parcel tax?
Hotel-cleaning inspections uncover 39 suspected labour law violations
Austria's financial police have uncovered 39 suspected legal violations during targeted inspections of hotel-cleaning businesses. According to the Finance Ministry, inspectors carried out the checks on September 30th, checking 28 businesses and 128 workers.
The inspections covered Vienna, Tyrol, Upper Austria, Carinthia and Styria. The Finanzpolizei recorded 26 suspected working-time violations, five involving foreign employment law, seven relating to social insurance and one concerning social fraud legislation. Investigators also identified possible sham-company structures at four businesses.
The trade union vida has called for stronger protections for seasonal workers, arguing that migrant employees can be particularly vulnerable because their residence and employment arrangements may make it difficult to change employers.
READ ALSO: Q&A: The rules on working overtime in Austria in 2026
Train services largely restored after major disruption at Wiener Neustadt
Rail services around Wiener Neustadt were largely restored on Monday afternoon following severe disruption caused by damage to railway infrastructure after two freight wagons rolled away and derailed. According to an ÖBB update issued at 3 pm, long-distance services on the southern line and several regional connections had resumed later that day.
The disruption affected one of Austria's most important railway connections, which handles both commuter and long-distance services. Rail traffic was severely restricted earlier on Monday because of the damaged infrastructure.
Passengers travelling through Wiener Neustadt should check the latest service information for any remaining delays or cancellations.
READ ALSO: What are your rights if your plane or train is delayed in Austria?
Major demonstration expected to disrupt traffic in central Vienna on Tuesday
Drivers and public transport passengers in Vienna should prepare for significant disruption on Tuesday, October 13th. The motorists' organisation ÖAMTC warns that thousands of demonstrators are expected to gather on Universitätsring from approximately 1 pm, with the event scheduled to finish around 6 pm.
Parts of the Ringstraße are expected to close, with congestion also likely around Karlsplatz, Schwarzenbergplatz, the Zweierlinie and roads leading into the city centre. The disruption could affect drivers travelling through central Vienna during the afternoon.
Tram services may also face diversions, particularly routes D, 1, 2 and 71, along with some city-centre buses. ÖAMTC recommends avoiding central roads where possible and using the U-Bahn instead.
READ ALSO: How changes to Vienna’s Ringstrasse are set to affect drivers and commuters
From our guides
Austria is preparing education system changes that will affect pupils taking the Matura, families receiving subsidised school laptops and tablets, and university students.
Our guide to Austria's new education reforms explains which measures have already been approved, including the new 30 percent minimum requirement for oral Matura exams from 2027, and which proposals still need parliamentary approval.
It also explains why students starting their fifth school year in 2026/27 will still receive devices under the current rules. Members can read the full article, along with The Local Austria's other in-depth guides, explainers and practical stories about living in Austria.
READ ALSO: Four things foreigners in Austria need to know about the education system
What's happening in Austria today
Austria's judicial action week continues on Tuesday, with judges and prosecutors highlighting staffing shortages and workloads. Events are scheduled in Feldkirch, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Wiener Neustadt, Linz and Graz. Some routine court business may be affected, but urgent matters are expected to continue.
Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig is due to present new information about ME/CFS research and healthcare provision at 11:30 am. The announcement will include plans for a specialist outpatient clinic for people with post-acute infection syndromes.
The Feldkirch–Buchs line connecting Austria with Switzerland remains closed through October 14th, with replacement and diverted connections.
Austria's women's national football team faces Kosovo in Vienna at 6 pm in the second leg of its 2027 World Cup qualifying play-off. Austria won the first match 2-1 and will advance to the next play-off round if it wins the tie. The match will be played at Sportclub-Platz and broadcast on ORF 1.
Tuesday should be mostly sunny across Austria, with some morning fog and afternoon temperatures generally between 12C and 18C. More clouds are expected in Vorarlberg and North Tyrol, with rain setting in overnight into Wednesday. Stronger northerly winds are possible near the main Alpine ridge.
READ ALSO: How major rail works across Austria will impact passengers in 2026
Vocabulary
die Paketsteuer – parcel tax
die Finanzpolizei – financial police
die Ringstraße – ring road
die Matura – Austrian secondary school leaving examination
die S-Bahn – suburban railway network
If you have questions about life in Austria, article ideas, or news tips for The Local, contact us at news@thelocal.at or leave a comment below.
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