https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Austria in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Austria has strict rules for citizenship that mean even traffic offences can stop you from obtaining naturalisation, as a recent case in Vienna shows. https://www.thelocal.at/20260408/how-traffic-offences-can-cost-you-austrian-citizenship Wed, 08 Apr 2026 14:05:44 +0200 how-traffic-offences-can-cost-you-austrian-citizenship Austria is heading for a busy long weekend on the roads, with traffic clubs warning of delays around cities, on transit routes and near major events. https://www.thelocal.at/20260603/where-to-expect-traffic-jams-in-austria-over-the-long-weekend Wed, 03 Jun 2026 11:40:12 +0200 where-to-expect-traffic-jams-in-austria-over-the-long-weekend Planning to drive via the Brenner in Tyrol on May 30th? Austria is facing a rare full closure of the Brenner corridor for most of the day, and the rules on who can pass are strict. https://www.thelocal.at/20260429/what-drivers-in-austria-need-to-know-about-the-tyrol-brenner-protest-shutdown Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:02:22 +0200 what-drivers-in-austria-need-to-know-about-the-tyrol-brenner-protest-shutdown Austria is planning to stretch the inspection intervals for many vehicles, meaning drivers could need fewer Pickerl checks during the first ten years after a car is registered. https://www.thelocal.at/20260518/how-austrias-planned-new-pickerl-rules-could-save-drivers-time-and-money Mon, 18 May 2026 15:21:48 +0200 how-austrias-planned-new-pickerl-rules-could-save-drivers-time-and-money Salzburg's Altstadt has announced a traffic ban this summer. Only cars with number plates from the city and the surrounding districts will be allowed to drive in parts of the city centre, with tourists told to park on the outskirts. https://www.thelocal.at/20260505/overtourism-visitors-to-salzburg-face-summer-driving-ban-in-city-centre Tue, 05 May 2026 09:15:42 +0200 overtourism-visitors-to-salzburg-face-summer-driving-ban-in-city-centre Austria’s relaxed helmet rules might surprise you, but legal consequences can still follow if you ride without one. https://www.thelocal.at/20250424/do-i-need-to-wear-a-helmet-when-riding-a-bike-or-e-bike-in-austria Thu, 24 Apr 2025 12:26:08 +0200 do-i-need-to-wear-a-helmet-when-riding-a-bike-or-e-bike-in-austria When it comes to driving in Austria, it’s not just traffic rules you need to watch out for. There’s a surprising list of items you’re not allowed to carry - or at least not allowed to carry freely - in your car. Here’s what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.at/20250409/listed-the-items-you-cant-carry-in-your-car-in-austria Wed, 09 Apr 2025 12:29:49 +0200 listed-the-items-you-cant-carry-in-your-car-in-austria With war in the Middle East pushing up the price of fuel amid the rising cost of living, we explore a few different ways to spend less and save money in Austria without sacrificing quality. https://www.thelocal.at/20260401/from-fuel-to-taxes-how-to-save-money-in-austria Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:02:45 +0200 from-fuel-to-taxes-how-to-save-money-in-austria War in the Middle East has caused energy market volatility around the globe, forcing governments in Europe to intervene and keep fuel costs down for consumers. https://www.thelocal.at/20260328/what-are-european-countries-doing-to-keep-fuel-costs-down Sat, 28 Mar 2026 14:13:15 +0100 what-are-european-countries-doing-to-keep-fuel-costs-down Easter is a time of celebration in Austria with a public holiday on April 6th. We look at what you can expect on the roads and where you should fuel your car up for the best deal. https://www.thelocal.at/20260327/which-roads-will-be-busiest-in-austria-over-the-easter-holidays Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:16:48 +0100 which-roads-will-be-busiest-in-austria-over-the-easter-holidays Vienna plans sand-yellow cycle zones and new crossing points on the Ring. Find out what changes first, and how car access is meant to work https://www.thelocal.at/20260326/how-changes-to-viennas-ringstrasse-are-set-to-affect-drivers-and-commuters Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:50:15 +0100 how-changes-to-viennas-ringstrasse-are-set-to-affect-drivers-and-commuters Slovakia’s decision to charge foreign drivers more for diesel is illegal under European Union law, the European Commission said on Tuesday. https://www.thelocal.at/20260324/eu-says-slovakia-cannot-charge-foreign-drivers-more-for-diesel Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:39:08 +0100 eu-says-slovakia-cannot-charge-foreign-drivers-more-for-diesel If you think it's a long and expensive process to obtain your driver's license from scratch in Austria, a quick look over the border will have you saying 'Gott sei Dank'. https://www.thelocal.at/20260324/austria-vs-germany-why-it-costs-twice-as-much-to-get-a-driving-licence-across-the-border Tue, 24 Mar 2026 11:09:16 +0100 austria-vs-germany-why-it-costs-twice-as-much-to-get-a-driving-licence-across-the-border The Slovak government said it would limit diesel purchases and increase prices for foreign drivers, including from Austria, after supplies through the Druzhba pipeline were suspended. https://www.thelocal.at/20260319/austrian-drivers-to-pay-more-for-fuel-as-slovakia-restricts-diesel-sales Thu, 19 Mar 2026 11:43:42 +0100 austrian-drivers-to-pay-more-for-fuel-as-slovakia-restricts-diesel-sales Anyone driving in Austria needs to be aware of the 'three strike' system that may lead to motorists who break rules having to take extra training or losing their licence. https://www.thelocal.at/20260223/what-is-austrias-three-strike-system-for-driving-offences Mon, 23 Feb 2026 16:41:40 +0100 what-is-austrias-three-strike-system-for-driving-offences Austria is known for having long, cold winters, which can impact conditions on the roads. Here’s what you need to know about driving in Austria in the winter. From tips to make your trip smoother to the rules you need to follow. https://www.thelocal.at/20221104/everything-you-need-to-know-about-driving-in-austria-in-winter Fri, 04 Nov 2022 15:09:22 +0100 everything-you-need-to-know-about-driving-in-austria-in-winter If you are planning to drive from Austria to the 2026 Winter Olympics in northern Italy, a bit of preparation will save you stress on the road and at your destination. https://www.thelocal.at/20260204/what-you-need-to-know-about-driving-to-the-winter-olympics-from-austria Wed, 04 Feb 2026 12:02:31 +0100 what-you-need-to-know-about-driving-to-the-winter-olympics-from-austria From frozen windows to ski boot rules, drivers in Austria need to follow the guidelines to stay safe over winter and avoid fines. https://www.thelocal.at/20251215/what-austrian-drivers-must-avoid-this-winter-to-stay-safe-and-avoid-expensive-fines Mon, 15 Dec 2025 12:31:58 +0100 what-austrian-drivers-must-avoid-this-winter-to-stay-safe-and-avoid-expensive-fines The start of school holidays in Austria and neighbouring countries is set to increase traffic this weekend. Peak congestion is expected especially on routes to ski resorts. https://www.thelocal.at/20260130/austria-warns-of-weekend-traffic-as-semester-holidays-begin Fri, 30 Jan 2026 10:48:22 +0100 austria-warns-of-weekend-traffic-as-semester-holidays-begin Sudden snowfalls, icy roads, and cold temperatures are just part of winter in Austria. Here are some essential tips for equipping your car, driving safely, and staying prepared for emergencies this season. https://www.thelocal.at/20241120/explained-how-to-prepare-for-austrias-unpredictable-winter-driving-conditions Wed, 20 Nov 2024 12:29:49 +0100 explained-how-to-prepare-for-austrias-unpredictable-winter-driving-conditions