Politics
All the latest politics news and essential information from Austria.
'A lot of arguing to be done': What's at stake in the upcoming EU-UK summit?
Leaders of the EU and the UK will meet for a crucial summit in November with a move towards closer cooperation on the table. But how much will be achieved given the differences and disagreements that exist?
Could military service become a route to Austrian citizenship?
Foreigners living in Austria may have a much easier route to citizenship in the future if they are prepared to serve in the armed forces. The proposal was advanced by a senior military figure but there are still legal and political hurdles to overcome.
What foreign residents in Austria should know about planned 'integration map'
The Austrian government is planning to introduce an "Integrationslandkarte" or integration map modelled on Denmark, which would identify areas where foreign residents are deemed to not be integrating well.
'Generational rage': How young Europeans are fighting to be heard
From blockaded schools in Rome to tent camps in Madrid and street protests in France, young people across Europe are turning their anger on a political class they say is not listening.
Austria's school headscarf ban sparks protests and resistance
As the new school year gets under way in Austria, a headscarf ban for girls under 14 has sparked protests on the streets and in the classroom, with dozens of pupils refusing to comply.
EXPLAINED: What Austria's SPÖ leadership shake-up means for the government
Austria's centre-left Social Democrats have agreed to a staged change at the top of the party and government, with Vice-Chancellor Andreas Babler set to leave both leadership roles in early 2027.
Four of the strangest reasons Austrian citizenship applications can be delayed or denied
Austria’s strict citizenship rules mean even a bathroom break or phone call on a bike can be enough to delay or derail your application.
Foreign intelligence services reportedly warned Austria over FPÖ government role
The warnings emerged during a bitter dispute over control of the Interior Ministry, which oversees Austria's domestic intelligence service.
Where are the breakthroughs for the radical and far-right in Europe?
After recent regional election breakthroughs by the Alternative for Germany (AfD), here is an overview of radical, nationalist and far- and hard-right parties' positions across Europe in recent years.
INTERVIEW: 'If I cannot get Austrian citizenship after 54 years, then who can?'
Ani Gülgün-Mayr has lived in Austria for more than 50 years – but has been denied citizenship over administrative traffic offences. The Local asked the ORF presenter to share how she feels.
What happened to Austria's proposal to tighten citizenship rules for refugees?
The FPÖ wants years spent with recognised refugee status to no longer count toward the residence period required for Austrian citizenship. But the committee postponed the motion, and the law has not changed.
Can Austrian citizenship be revoked if I move abroad for an extended period?
Many Austrian citizens live abroad for extended periods, but how does this affect their citizenship status? Here’s what the law says about maintaining Austrian nationality while living overseas.
REVEALED: What people in Austria say makes someone 'well integrated'
What does successful integration actually mean to people living in Austria? A new survey shows strong expectations around laws, language and work, but also a striking gap between views of immigration in general and people's own experiences with migrants.
How much power does the far right hold in Austria?
Following the far-right AfD's landslide victory in a federal state in neighbouring Germany, we look at how much power the far-right FPÖ has secured in Austria.
What could Austria's planned ORF reform mean for viewers?
Austria is about to start debating a broader overhaul of its public broadcaster. The changes could affect what viewers watch and read online, the regional services they use, and even how ORF is funded.
LISTED: The new laws in Austria in September 2026
New rules affecting schools, unemployment benefits, medical assessments, driving tests and consumer rights are among the legal changes taking effect in Austria this September.
Will the European Union take up the climate fight after brutal heatwaves?
Is climate change set for a comeback as a top EU priority, after a deadly summer of record-breaking heatwaves across Europe?
Nearly seven in ten Austrians back extending school hijab ban
Austria's new ban on the Islamic headscarf, the hijab, for girls under 14 will apply as pupils return to classrooms this month. A new poll suggests most Austrians would go considerably further.
Germany hosts Denmark, Austria ahead of EU budget battle
Meeting in Berlin, leaders from Europe's "frugal" states were expected to coordinate a campaign to pressure the EU to cut down it's next budget.
EXPLAINED: What changes at Austrian schools when pupils return in September?
Austria's 2026/27 school year brings changes to German-language support, new public information about individual schools and extra help at hundreds of disadvantaged schools, alongside new rules on suspensions and headscarves.
Six EU countries urge windfall tax on energy firms
Six EU countries are stepping up calls for a bloc-wide windfall tax on oil companies as profits soar due to the Middle East war, according to a letter seen by AFP Saturday.
Austria to enshrine 2040 climate neutrality into law
Austria's government on Friday announced it would enshrine a target to reach climate neutrality by 2040 into law, as a record drought scorches Europe.
EU pushes back as US revives trade pressure on bloc
The EU pushed back Friday at renewed trade pressure from the United States, as Washington said the bloc was enabling Chinese evasion of US tariffs and stepped up calls for it to roll back flagship green rules on businesses.