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 The European Union's mammoth trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur provisionally enters into force Friday, despite a pending court ruling on its legality. https://www.thelocal.at/20260501/blockbuster-eu-mercosur-trade-deal-enters-into-force Fri, 01 May 2026 09:52:06 +0200 blockbuster-eu-mercosur-trade-deal-enters-into-force Austria has far more people in work than 20 years ago, yet the total work volume barely moved. Why is that and how does it shape the labour market? https://www.thelocal.at/20260312/why-austria-has-more-workers-but-barely-more-hours-worked-than-20-years-ago Thu, 12 Mar 2026 16:02:28 +0100 why-austria-has-more-workers-but-barely-more-hours-worked-than-20-years-ago In the Middle East energy exports to Europe have been disrupted by the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran that has spilled into surrounding regions. Economic experts are predicting a spike in inflation. https://www.thelocal.at/20260303/inflation-to-hit-eurozone-as-war-in-the-middle-east-disrupts-energy-flows Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:38:03 +0100 inflation-to-hit-eurozone-as-war-in-the-middle-east-disrupts-energy-flows Austria will cut VAT on selected staple foods to 4.9 percent from July 1st, aiming to ease household costs. Here's what's getting cheaper (and what will still be expensive). https://www.thelocal.at/20260129/what-austrias-new-lower-vat-on-food-could-mean-for-your-shopping-bill Thu, 29 Jan 2026 11:30:38 +0100 what-austrias-new-lower-vat-on-food-could-mean-for-your-shopping-bill European leaders on Sunday hit back at US President Donald Trump's threat of tariffs over their opposition to his designs on Greenland, with far-right Italian leader Giorgia Meloni urging Washington against making a "mistake". https://www.thelocal.at/20260118/european-leaders-denounce-trumps-tariff-threats-over-greenland Sun, 18 Jan 2026 09:46:34 +0100 european-leaders-denounce-trumps-tariff-threats-over-greenland The European Union will on Saturday sign a deal 25 years in the making with the South American trade bloc Mercosur, creating one of the world's largest free trade areas at a time of growing protectionism and volatility. https://www.thelocal.at/20260117/eu-to-ink-long-awaited-trade-deal-with-south-american-bloc Sat, 17 Jan 2026 11:03:56 +0100 eu-to-ink-long-awaited-trade-deal-with-south-american-bloc Shoppers in Austria might have noticed empty supermarket shelves where they'd normally find the eggs. So what's the reason and when will eggs return? https://www.thelocal.at/20260108/whats-the-reason-for-austrias-empty-egg-shelves-this-winter Thu, 08 Jan 2026 16:41:30 +0100 whats-the-reason-for-austrias-empty-egg-shelves-this-winter After a difficult year, Austria’s labour market shows mixed signals. Unemployment is still rising, but employment growth hints at possible improvement ahead. https://www.thelocal.at/20260102/what-austrias-end-of-year-unemployment-figures-reveal-about-2026 Fri, 02 Jan 2026 16:42:22 +0100 what-austrias-end-of-year-unemployment-figures-reveal-about-2026 Austria’s economy is set to grow again in 2026, but new forecasts suggest many households will see their incomes fall despite the recovery. https://www.thelocal.at/20251218/why-austrias-economy-is-improving-while-many-households-feel-worse-off Thu, 18 Dec 2025 12:15:29 +0100 why-austrias-economy-is-improving-while-many-households-feel-worse-off Austria’s labour market is finishing the year on a weak note, with unemployment rising again in November. New AMS data shows the pressure is broadening across regions and sectors. https://www.thelocal.at/20251201/austria-records-another-rise-in-unemployment-as-job-market-continues-to-cool Mon, 01 Dec 2025 13:51:21 +0100 austria-records-another-rise-in-unemployment-as-job-market-continues-to-cool A €1 billion plan to reduce energy prices sits at the centre of Austria’s new economic package, alongside deregulation and health system changes. Will it be enough? https://www.thelocal.at/20251128/how-austria-wants-to-curb-inflation-and-cut-electricity-prices Fri, 28 Nov 2025 16:24:44 +0100 how-austria-wants-to-curb-inflation-and-cut-electricity-prices Austria’s labour office is rolling out a new online platform, MeinAMS, to replace the long-used eAMS system and make digital access simpler and more secure. https://www.thelocal.at/20251117/how-austrias-new-meinams-platform-will-change-job-searches Mon, 17 Nov 2025 11:38:19 +0100 how-austrias-new-meinams-platform-will-change-job-searches Homebuyers in Austria are watching closely as experts debate the next move in the market. Will 2026 favour buyers or sellers? https://www.thelocal.at/20251106/are-property-prices-in-austria-going-to-rise-or-fall-in-2026 Thu, 06 Nov 2025 15:25:38 +0100 are-property-prices-in-austria-going-to-rise-or-fall-in-2026 Austria’s housing market downturn may be ending, with experts predicting price increases by 2026. Here’s what buyers and renters should know. https://www.thelocal.at/20250221/why-austrias-property-prices-could-rise-again-by-2026 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 09:56:03 +0100 why-austrias-property-prices-could-rise-again-by-2026 With rising costs and labour shortages, Austria’s push against welfare fraud has intensified – especially through airport investigations. https://www.thelocal.at/20251030/how-austria-is-looking-for-social-security-fraudsters-at-its-airport Thu, 30 Oct 2025 12:32:16 +0100 how-austria-is-looking-for-social-security-fraudsters-at-its-airport Austrian consumers are paying up to 27 percent more for the same branded goods sold just across the border, according to new Chamber of Labour data. But why and what can be done? https://www.thelocal.at/20251029/why-do-everyday-products-cost-so-much-more-in-austria-than-in-germany Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:30:39 +0100 why-do-everyday-products-cost-so-much-more-in-austria-than-in-germany Austria’s government is freezing income thresholds for pensioners and family benefits and narrowing eligibility for unemployed people working part-time. https://www.thelocal.at/20251017/how-austrias-new-austerity-plan-affects-income-limits-for-pensioners-and-families Fri, 17 Oct 2025 18:00:13 +0200 how-austrias-new-austerity-plan-affects-income-limits-for-pensioners-and-families Many Austrian businesses prefer cash payments, but can they legally charge extra for card transactions? Consumer protection laws say no - but there’s a loophole. https://www.thelocal.at/20250218/can-austrian-restaurants-charge-extra-for-card-payments Tue, 18 Feb 2025 12:43:53 +0100 can-austrian-restaurants-charge-extra-for-card-payments Food inflation is easing in Austria, but basic items and energy bills are still getting more expensive than in much of Europe. How can it be explained and what can be done about it? https://www.thelocal.at/20251001/what-austrias-4-percent-inflation-means-for-your-bills-from-food-to-electricity Wed, 01 Oct 2025 18:35:07 +0200 what-austrias-4-percent-inflation-means-for-your-bills-from-food-to-electricity Austria's government has announced a new package of economic measures that will impact life in the country from taxes to jobs and rent hikes. https://www.thelocal.at/20250903/what-austrias-new-economic-plan-means-for-prices-rents-jobs-and-businesses Wed, 03 Sep 2025 12:59:49 +0200 what-austrias-new-economic-plan-means-for-prices-rents-jobs-and-businesses